Tuvalu seeks official confirmation on mistaken inclusion in US travel ban

Tuvalu is seeking official confirmation from the United States over its unexpected inclusion in a travel ban initiated by the Trump administration, which was reportedly an error.

According to an internal US State Department cable obtained by Reuters, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu have been listed among 36 additional countries that the Trump administration is considering for travel restrictions.

This follows President Trump signing a proclamation in early June that banned nationals from 12 countries from entering the United States.

In an official statement, the Government of Tuvalu expressed concern about public reports on this issue.

The government states that it has not received formal notification about the visa restriction and is working to ensure its citizens are not unfairly impacted.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade was not formally notified by the Government of the United States regarding this development,” the statement read.

Earlier this month, President Trump signed a proclamation that banned the entry of citizens from 12 countries, citing threats from "foreign terrorists" and other national security concerns. Photo/Donald Trump Facebook

“The Government of Tuvalu has requested a formal written confirmation to that effect and continues to engage the U.S. Government to ensure Tuvaluans are not unfairly affected.”

Tuvalu was verbally notified by the US Embassy in Suva that its inclusion in the list appeared to be a system error.

Relations between Tuvalu and the US date back to World War II, when several troops were stationed on the island nation, then known as the Ellice Islands.

Feleti Penitala Teo is a Tuvaluan politician and lawyer who is serving as the 14th prime minister of Tuvalu since 2024. Photo/Tuvalu Government

US forces began building airbases on the islands of Funafuti, Nanumea, and Nukufetau in 1942. The airstrip in the capital, Funafuti, is still in use, as is the “American Passage”, which was blasted through Nanumea’s reef by SeaBees, assisted by local divers.

Tuvalu gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978, and in 1979, it signed a treaty of friendship with the United States, which recognised Tuvalu’s sovereignty over four islets that were previously claimed by the US.

While Tuvalu does not have an embassy in Washington, D.C., its permanent representative to the United Nations in New York is also accredited as the ambassador to the United States.