The Shadow Minister of Home Affairs has urged caution around approaching full Caricom membership after the US limited immigration from almost every Caribbean community country.

Michael Fahy said that the US was one of Bermuda’s most important economic partners — and that joining the network as a full member during a time of international tension could risk the relationship.

He added: “The question is not whether regional co-operation has value.

“The question is whether full membership in a bloc whose members have just been collectively downgraded by our most important economic partner serves Bermuda’s best interests at this time.”

But Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, responded that any relationship with Caricom would be designed to preserve “Bermuda’s fundamental characteristics”.

Mr Fahy was speaking after the US Department of State released a list of countries that would have the processing of their immigrant visas suspended effective tomorrow.

The list, which had 75 countries, included every full member of Caricom save for Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Suriname, the shadow minister said.

Montserrat, another Caricom State, was not placed on the list.

Bermuda comes with key differences from the majority of Caricom members with reference to the US.

The island is one of the few jurisdictions worldwide with US border control clearance in its home airport. Bermuda’s currency is also pegged to the US dollar.

Mr Fahy noted that, although the move did not stop citizens of listed countries from visiting the US, it reflected a “clear downgrading of their favourability status in the eyes in the US Government”.

He added: “Whether you agree with or oppose the policy of the administration of the US president is beside the point.

“The reality is that this shift has occurred and Bermuda must now carefully and pragmatically assess its implications.”

Mr Fahy said that good standing with the US greatly impacted Bermuda’s business and financial markets, as well as tourism and aviation to the island.

He added that the relationship meant approaching Caricom membership with “extreme caution” and lending “thorough scrutiny” to any decision involving it.

He said: “With continued uncertainty in the global order, it is our duty to be vigilant in protecting advantages that directly support Bermuda jobs, investment and economic stability.

“Such core national interests deserve full transparency and rigorous debate.”

Mr Fahy added: “Let me be very clear. This is not an argument against regional co-operation.

“Bermuda already cooperates effectively with our Caribbean neighbours on a range of issues.

“Nor is it a rejection of shared history or cultural ties.

“The question is narrower and more serious. Does full membership in a regional bloc, whose members have just been collectively downgraded by our most important economic partner, enhance or weaken Bermuda’s strategic position?

“Sometimes perception is everything.”

However Ms Lightbourne emphasised that administrative changes to visa processing did not diminish the “standing, dignity or value of other countries”.

She added: “Language suggesting that such changes ‘downgrade’ countries and their citizens is neither diplomatically appropriate nor reflective of the mutual respect that should characterise regional discourse.”

The minister said that structures central to Bermuda, including its British Overseas Territory status and regulatory framework, would continue with full Caricom membership.

She said: “The suggestion that regional co-operation would compromise these foundational elements misunderstands how Bermuda would approach any such arrangement.

“This government and our ministry remain committed to thorough public consultation and transparent decision-making regarding Caricom.

“This includes assessment of economic implications, stakeholder engagement and ensuring Bermudians have access to accurate, complete information about what any regional relationship would and would not entail.

“The Government’s first commitment is to protecting Bermuda’s economic interests and international reputation.”

Ms Lightbourne added: “Regional co-operation represents an opportunity, not a risk.

“Bermuda’s prosperity has always depended on strategic engagement with the wider world, not isolation from it.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to approach this matter with the careful consideration it deserves, grounded in evidence rather than speculation and focused on Bermuda’s long-term strategic interests.”

Two Caribbean countries were subjected to tighter US restrictions at the start of the year, when Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica were given a “partial restriction and entry limitation” status that prevented nationals from seeking immigrant visas.