Latest News

Tiny Tuvalu wants assurances from the US that its citizens will not be barred

Tuvalu, the tiny Pacific nation scientists predict will be submerged in rising seas, has said that it wants written assurances from the United States to ensure that its citizens won't be barred entry. It was apparently included by mistake on a list of countries that face visa bans.

Other media reported that Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary for State, had signed an internal diplomatic cable in which he indicated the United States was considering expanding its travel restrictions, including to three Pacific Island countries, to 36 countries.

The cable stated that nations on the list had 60 days to correct their mistakes. The news caused concern in Tuvalu. Its population of 11,000 people is at risk of rising sea levels. A third of its residents applied for an Australian ballot to obtain a climate migration visa.

Tapugao Falefou said that a U.S. government official had told him Tuvalu was included on the list due to "an administrative error and a systemic mistake on the U.S. Department of State's part".

Tuvalu's Government said in a Tuesday statement that they had not been notified formally of their inclusion on the list. The United States Embassy in Fiji also assured them it was an "error within the system".

The statement by Tuvalu's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade stated that "the Embassy has verbally assured that there are currently no restrictions on Tuvaluan citizens entering the United States, and the matter is under review with the authorities in Washington."

Tuvalu is seeking "a formal written confirmation of that effect" and has continued to engage with the U.S. government to ensure Tuvaluans do not suffer unfairly.

The embassy didn't immediately respond to our request for a comment.

The official who was not authorized to publicly speak about the visa policy in the United States said that "no decisions had been made and any speculation would be premature".

The official said that "Tuvalu’s public statement mischaracterizes, and omits many of the valid concerns United States have with travelers from this country."

Vanuatu, Tonga and Vanuatu are the other Pacific Islands mentioned in the cable.

Tonga’s government received an official U.S. alert and was working to develop a response.

Vanuatu government has not responded to a comment request. (Reporting and editing by Saad sayeed in Sydney, Kirsty needham from Sydney)

(source: Reuters)