Federal Immigration Arrests at St. Thomas Airport Highlight Tensions Between Labor Needs and Enforcement

Five individuals were detained at Cyril E. King Airport this month after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers filed federal criminal complaints alleging they were illegally present in the U.S. Virgin Islands and attempting to board commercial flights to the mainland United States.

According to court documents filed March 18, the five defendants were arrested on charges of improper entry under Title 8, U.S. Code Section 1325. Each was apprehended during routine departure checks at the airport and found to be without valid visas, parole authorization or immigration status under federal law.

CBP officers determined that all five had entered the U.S. Virgin Islands without inspection or authorization. One of the defendants, a Haitian national identified as Louius Desrosier, reportedly told agents he arrived by boat from Tortola earlier this year and had not entered through a designated port of entry. He was attempting to travel to Miami, Florida, but did not possess the required documentation to be legally present in or travel through the United States.

“The consistent application of consequences for individuals found illegally present in the U.S. Virgin Islands is essential to maintaining the integrity of immigration laws and protecting national security,” said Roberto Vaquero, CBP’s Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the USVI, in a statement released Tuesday. “A firm but fair enforcement approach deters unlawful entry, disrupts human smuggling networks, and upholds the rule of law.”