Domestic Violence and Eviction Cases Rise 25% in USVI as Immigration Issues Add Strain on Legal Services

Attorneys from Legal Services of the Virgin Islands (LSVI) told lawmakers this week that their office is managing a higher number of domestic violence and eviction cases, noting the trend while presenting their $2 million budget request before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance.

According to Damion Sanders, LSVI’s territory-wide litigation director, the organization is currently handling about 1,400 cases. Within that total, evictions have risen from about 35–45 cases to 45–55 cases, while domestic violence matters have increased from roughly 10–15 cases to 20–25 cases. Sanders estimated the overall growth in both areas to be around 25 percent.

Committee chair Senator Novelle Francis expressed concern at the uptick. Sanders agreed the development is troubling. “With respect to the domestic violence, it’s very concerning because there’s a reverberating effect,” he explained.

He added that many of the cases now carry an immigration component. Individuals who migrate to the Virgin Islands and are in the process of seeking citizenship are particularly vulnerable, Sanders noted. “Their partner has a power control leverage as a result of their immigration status,” he said. LSVI, therefore, intervenes on multiple fronts in such cases, providing assistance in domestic violence, immigration, and related family matters.

These interventions require additional resources, Sanders stressed, and Senator Francis pledged further discussion with LSVI to explore how the Legislature might support funding needs for such work.