CARIBBEAN CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT STATES IGNORE AMERICA'S PROPOSED REFORM LEGISLATION AT THEIR PERIL, MISREADING THE TEA LEAVES NOTWITHSTANDING THE SEA CHANGE ALREADY IN PROGRESS

If you have read the American government's proposals for reform in the Citizenship by Investment (CBI or CIP)passport sales programs of the five Eastern Caribbean states that sell economic citizenships, you know that they will clean up all the major shortcomings and deficiencies that the existing programs currently display, which have resulted in systemic corruption, defects in due diligence, a complete lack of regulatory controls, and a hijacking of the programs themselves by foreign actors.

The problem is that, not only have the leadership of the five EC CIP states ignored and rejected these complete top-to-bottom legislative reforms, they haven't even shared the detail with their constituents, an act of total arrogance hiding behind self-serving posturing of local sovereignty disguising anti-Americanism fostered by foreign influence.

What these leaders have failed to recognize is that the proposed CBI reform laws are the brainchild of Stephen Miller the American Deputy Chief of State for Policy, and Homeland Security Advisor to President Trump in the White House, and an integral part of the new American foreign policy. Their swift adoption into law is not an option, nor are they subject to negotiation or modification; they are mandatory new legislation, if the programs are to continue.

Failure of the CBI states to reform through these proposed statutes, according to what Mr. Miller has reportedly said, will lead to a blanket block on the issuance of visas to the citizens of all these states, the revocation of existing visas, and a hard look at Caribbean holders with lawful permanent residency status. If West Indians can no longer visit the United States, send their children to American universities, or even drive to conduct business here, there will be immense political, social, economic and even personal consequences for the Caribbean. Remember, these countries import over 90% of their needed consumer goods from the USA.

Additionally, American activities in the region that are not visible have greatly increased. It is humbly submitted that the CBI states of the Eastern Caribbean should understand that the US is not bluffing, and that they should not test American patience on an issue central to the White House. Their present inaction will have existential consequences for Citizenship by Investment as they know it.