Virgin Islands Excluded from Federal Border Policy Bill
Congress has passed what it is calling the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at reforming federal immigration and border security policies. However, the bill explicitly excludes the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories from its provisions, raising concerns about fairness and oversight.
Currently, local law enforcement in the Virgin Islands supports federal operations by providing time, resources, and vehicles, often without consistent federal reimbursement. This new legislation not only fails to address this imbalance but exacerbates it by expanding support for states while leaving territories like the Virgin Islands out of the equation.
Additionally, the bill focuses on oversight tools and partnerships tailored to the southern border, neglecting the unique challenges of maritime migration in the Caribbean. Key issues such as ferry terminals, small craft arrivals, and overstays—primary methods of unauthorized entry into the U.S. Virgin Islands—are not addressed in the legislation.
The Virgin Islands operates under the Revised Organic Act, which establishes its own customs and tax framework. While federal law applies to the territory, its enforcement and management differ significantly from the mainland. When new federal programs are implemented without considering these differences, territorial agencies are often left under-resourced, and the financial burden falls on local citizens.
If the Virgin Islands is expected to contribute to the enforcement of federal law, it should also be included in the legislative process and funding allocations. The exclusion of the territory from this bill highlights a broader issue of oversight and equity in federal policymaking.
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