Tuvalu seeks assurance citizens won't be barred from US

Tuvalu, a tiny Pacific nation that scientists predict will be submerged by rising seas, is seeking written assurance from the United States that its citizens won't be barred from entry after being apparently mistakenly included on a list of 36 countries facing visa bans.

An internal diplomatic cable signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed the United States, which has already barred entry for citizens from 12 countries, was considering expanding travel restrictions to the 36 countries, including three Pacific Island states, Reuters and other media reported last month.

Nations on the list would have 60 days to take corrective action, the cable showed. The news had caused significant concern in Tuvalu, whose population of 11,000 is at risk from rising sea levels, and where a third of residents have applied to an Australian ballot for a landmark climate migration visa.

Tuvalu's ambassador to the United Nations, Tapugao Falefou, said he had been told by a US official that Tuvalu's inclusion on the list was "an administrative and systemic error on the part of the US Department of State".

In a statement on Tuesday, Tuvalu's government said it had not received any formal notification that it was on the list, and had also been assured by the US embassy in Fiji it was "an error within the system".

"The Embassy has provided verbal assurances that there are no current restrictions on Tuvaluan nationals entering the United States, and that the matter is being reviewed with authorities in Washington," the statement from Tuvalu's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade said.

It added Tuvalu was seeking a "formal written confirmation to that effect and continues to engage the US Government to ensure Tuvaluans are not unfairly affected".

The embassy did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

A US official familiar with visa policy who is not authorised to speak publicly told Reuters "no decisions have been made, and any speculation is premature".

"Tuvalu's public statement mischaracterises and omits some of the valid concerns the United States has with travellers from that country," the official added.

The other Pacific Islands listed in the cable were Vanuatu and Tonga.

Tonga's government had received an official US warning, and was working on a response, Tonga media reported.

Vanuatu's government did not respond to a request for comment.