PRIME MINISTER GASTON BROWNE WARNS ANTIGUANS AGAINST SEEKING A VISA AND COMING TO THE UNITED STATES, AFTER FIRST ASSURING THEM THAT THE NEW TIGHTENED VISA RULES ARE ONLY TEMPORARY

Why is this man smiling? His people have a problem

GASTON BROWNE, the embattled Prime Minister of ANTIGUA & BARBUDA, can't seem to get his story straight; the information that he has been giving to his constituents on the status of the availability of visas for Antiguans to enter the United States has not only been inconsistent, but it changes daily.

First, he assured Antiguans that in his conversations with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he came away with the impression that the new 90-day, single entry status on visas assigned to Antigua was merely temporary, and subject to change. If you read the fine print on what is called the Visa Pilot program, however, it is for a term of one year; that's not temporary by any means.

The program also requires up to a USD$15,000 bond, payable in advance, to insure that visitors do not overstay a visa that has been granted; he ignores that critical detail completely, as well as the fact that only a very limited number of American airports are authorized for arrival under this category of visa, and Miami International is not one of them, meaning that additional, and costly, travel may be necessary for Antiguans who wish to visit Florida to transact commercial business, or to visit expat relatives.

Then, in a public statement, he stated that Antiguans should only resort to making application for a U.S. visa if it is critical and essential, thereby discouraging most of them from even applying. He attempted to sugar-coat that advice by adding that, in cases of dire medical emergency, Antigua would apply for an exemption, but at the same time failed to explain whether it would be approved. By this statement, he is saying that Antiguans wishing to visit relatives in America, or conduct business should forget about making an application.

Finally, to further dissuade them from even considering completing an application, and submitting to an interview, Browne stated that this is not a good time for West Indians to even be present inside the United States, given the risk that they, as members of a minority with non-American accents, could be targeted for detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and be physically harmed in the process. He admitted that he has no intention of visiting the US at this time, even though he possesses a valid visa. He is trying to instill fear of injury, to persuade Antiguans not to apply. The inconsistencies in his statements are not assuring, and such a spin on the truth is disturbing for a leader of a nation.