Saint Lucia: REGIONAL IMPACT — USCIS return-home green-card policy ripples through diaspora, biometric exit rolling out at Caribbean airports, Whit Monday closes offices

Saint Lucians track the regional impact of the new USCIS policy requiring green-card seekers to return home for processing, the rollout of the US biometric entry-exit system across Caribbean departure points, and the Whit Monday public holiday.

TWB Newsroom · May 25 ·Saint-Lucia

REGIONAL IMPACT: USCIS green-card return-home policy

The new USCIS policy memorandum requires most green-card applicants to return to their home country for processing. For Saint Lucians on temporary US status, the change requires leaving the country and waiting through consular processing, a window that can stretch into years. Immigration attorneys are flagging legal challenges.

(Source: Jamaica Gleaner, May 25, 2026)

REGIONAL IMPACT: US biometric exit at Caribbean airports

The US biometric exit system is rolling out across Caribbean origin points. Travelers departing Hewanorra International for the US should expect facial recognition scans at departure as the system reaches participating airports.

(Source: regional travel reporting, 2026)

Whit Monday closes government offices

Whit Monday is observed as a public holiday across Saint Lucia. Government offices and most businesses are closed for the holiday.

(Source: Saint Lucia public holiday calendar)