Skerrit Refers Questions on Nassief Visa Denial to U.S. Consular Officials

Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declined to comment on the recent denial of U.S. visa renewals to prominent Dominican businessman Gregoire Nassief and his wife, saying any questions regarding the matter should be directed to American consular authorities.

Speaking during his annual press conference, Skerrit said visa decisions are made solely by the issuing country and are not matters on which he could provide an explanation.

“I am not part of the consulate department of the U.S. government,” the Prime Minister said. “Reality is there are hundreds if not thousands who have been denied visas not only under Trump but throughout the entire existence of the United States.”

Nassief is one of Dominica’s most influential business leaders and currently serves as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the leading private-sector tourism body representing hotels and tourism interests across the Caribbean. He is also the founder and owner of the internationally acclaimed Secret Bay resort in Portsmouth, which has helped establish Dominica as a premier luxury eco-tourism destination.

Reports that Nassief and his wife were recently denied renewals of their U.S. visas have sparked discussion both within Dominica and across the regional tourism community. Neither U.S. officials nor the Nassiefs have publicly disclosed the reasons for the visa decision.

Addressing the issue, Skerrit stressed that countries routinely determine who is granted entry into their territories and that visa refusals are not unusual.

The Prime Minister noted that Dominica itself denies visas to some applicants, including certain Haitian nationals, arguing that governments have a sovereign right to establish their own immigration policies.

“The world needs to get rid of visas completely and go back to the original way of unhindered travel, but because of security concerns there are restrictions,” Skerrit said. “I respect the position of the United States. It is not my business to agree or disagree.”

The Prime Minister also revealed that the Dominican government remains engaged in discussions with the United States regarding its review of Dominica’s status on a list of countries facing travel-related scrutiny.

According to Skerrit, U.S. officials have indicated that a review of Dominica’s position is expected this month as dialogue between the two countries continues.

The visa issue has attracted particular attention given Nassief’s high-profile role in regional tourism and his leadership of the CHTA, an organization that works closely with governments, international partners and the private sector to advance tourism development throughout the Caribbean.