Bryan Seeks Changes to H1B Visa Law as USVI Braces for Immigration Policy Shifts Under Trump Administration

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. aims to amend H1B visa restrictions to address manpower shortages in the USVI, while preparing for potential impacts of mass deportation policies and immigration changes expected under a second Trump administration.

New Washington lobbyists hired by the Government of the Virgin Islands to help navigate a second Trump term will be ready to present their gameplan to members of the Public Finance Authority in February. “You will hear presentations from the lobbyists in terms of where they see our efforts going to produce the best results with this new administration,” said PFA Director of Finance & Administration Nathan Simmonds during a discussion at last week's board meeting. The topic arose when board secretary Keith O'Neale asked whether the GVI would be “changing the engagement of our lobbyists and attorneys moving forward based on the new political climate.”

According to Governor Albert Bryan Jr., main lobbyist Squire Patton Boggs “has always been Republican.” He reminded board members that he began his governorship under President Trump, “so we always had a Republican bias in our representation.” Governor Bryan noted that a new lobbyist on board “is already giving us access to some pretty powerful people in the administration,” but admitted that “he's a little pricey.” Negotiations are ongoing to “bring him down to a reasonable sum,” Governor Bryan told members of the PFA. Despite the hefty fees, “he is worth the money,” albeit “not the dollar he wants,” the governor continued.