Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Governor Bryan defies Trump's immigration crackdown,

- Federal repercussions possible
ICE immigration raids in Puerto Rico last week. Photo Credit: US Immigration & Customs Enforcement
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- In a recent directive, Governor Albert Bryan Jr has instructed all government employees, including those in the Department of Education and local law enforcement, not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations within the territory.

This guidance, through an official letter from the Office of the Governor, comes in response to what Mr Bryan says are reports of ICE agents approaching residents, including at public schools.

Mr Bryan’s directive, issued on January 29, 2025, states that immigration enforcement is a function of the federal government and should not be assisted by local authorities. The Governor's Office emphasised that all government-managed spaces, including schools, should be areas of safety and stability, regardless of residents' immigration status.

The directive outlines specific instructions for schools and law enforcement personnel in the territory.

  • Schools should not allow ICE agents to enter school buildings unless they present a warrant signed by a judicial officer. Administrative warrants are not sufficient to permit entry into non-public spaces.
  • ICE agents are prohibited from speaking with students without parental consent, and school personnel must not disclose immigration-related information without a judicial order or subpoena.
  • Any ICE presence on or near school grounds must be reported to superiors, and the Commissioner of Education must immediately notify the Attorney General of any ICE activity.
  • Local law enforcement officers are directed not to aid ICE agents in immigration enforcement efforts, as their responsibility is to protect residents and enforce territorial laws.

"As Virgin Islanders, we celebrate our community’s diversity, and we will continue to protect the rights of all our residents," Governor Bryan stated in the directive.

The governor’s directive comes as President Donald J. Trump’s administration expands immigration enforcement across the United States and its territories.

Recently, ICE has arrested thousands of illegal immigrants nationwide as part of a sweeping immigration crackdown. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem personally participated in an enforcement operation in New York City, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to stringent immigration measures.

Additionally, the Trump administration is considering lowering immigration detention standards to increase local law enforcement cooperation. Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, has proposed that sheriffs detain migrants under state standards rather than stricter ICE guidelines, aiming to broaden participation in federal immigration enforcement.

The USVI’s stance on immigration enforcement reflects a growing divide between local and federal governments regarding immigration policies. Governor Bryan’s refusal to assist ICE aligns with similar policies in states and cities run by Democrats that have chosen not to participate in federal immigration crackdowns.

The Trump administration remains firm in its resolve, with plans to increase direct deportations, expand detention facilities, and use military resources to assist in removals. Governor Bryan’s stance on refusing cooperation with ICE comes with potential consequences under Trump administration policies, including the following:

  • Threats of investigations and prosecution: Federal prosecutors were instructed to investigate and potentially prosecute state and local officials who obstructed immigration enforcement. These charges could include defrauding the US government or harbouring undocumented immigrants.
  • Withholding of federal funds: Under Trump’s previous immigration policies, jurisdictions that refused to comply with ICE directives faced the loss of federal funding, particularly affecting cities and states labeled as sanctuary jurisdictions. The administration directed federal agencies to ensure that funding did not reach noncompliant jurisdictions.

It remains unclear how these policies will apply to the US Virgin Islands, but Governor Bryan’s directive places the territory among jurisdictions resisting federal immigration enforcement efforts.

17 Responses to “Governor Bryan defies Trump's immigration crackdown,”

  • Expect cut off in aide soon (03/02/2025, 17:50) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Trump is a vindictive man so expect a cut off in aide for vital services soon , nothing is off the table including help for the elderly.
    • Comment (04/02/2025, 08:59) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
      Lock Governor Bryan up too Trump! You have to follow ALL US rules if you want their benefits.
    • oh ok (04/02/2025, 09:54) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Ok lets live n a bubble he not vindictive.
  • ... (03/02/2025, 19:00) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    he playing hard ball Trump will deal with him
  • Norris Turnbull (03/02/2025, 19:12) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    America allowed this to get out of hand and now they cannot reel this back in. Dont know if they ever will.
  • US (03/02/2025, 21:16) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    I expect Gov Bryan will be removed shortly if he keeps this up.
  • NezRez (03/02/2025, 22:55) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    I agree ICE should not go into any public schools or question minors.
  • Fake Liars (03/02/2025, 23:39) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    You and the Democrats are fakes and Lias, You all kept promisng and Lying, , What stopped Joe Byden from signing and executive order to give long living illgal resident legal status 4 yrs. Obama 8yrs. And you Mr, Bryant promising for the last 20 yrs non Visa visit for caribbean People. Miars and fakes. "Stop Blaming Trump" you all failed miserably.
  • Just saying (04/02/2025, 00:54) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    when trump turn on bryan it will be problems
  • Really (04/02/2025, 09:55) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Stay brainless because they can get an documents especially when they are the ones calling all the shots. The documents are already signed in the beginning of COVID 19 hoax. The lockdown should have should you that it has an entity that's trying to control everything we do that are running this Earth. Evil wicked people pushing the LGBTQ/ switch your gender. Why don't they break down the trafficking right here
  • So wait (04/02/2025, 10:03) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    You starting beef with the federal government over some illegal immigrants? Basically going to make the people of the USVI have to deal with whatever fallout is to come because of this, over some illegals immigrants? Make it make sense
    • Mermaid (04/02/2025, 11:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Illegal immigrants and or their children are the major occupants of the prisons.
      What's up with Bryan.
      I want and pray that this current hoopla will give the President a better view of the USVi /BVI contribution to the drug transport and trafficking resulting in effectiveness in halting this scourge.
  • Mermaid (04/02/2025, 11:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Bryan good in he head??
    His stance though, could be a Blessing in disguise.
    The borders and the immigrants and their activities,the apparent failure by the BVI to monitor their borders needs a serious in depth overhaul and effective sanctions for the variousl illegal trafficking from the far and near
    Bring it on... make the USVI / VI great again.
    Drain the swamp.
    Illegal immigrants NO
    Criminal immigrants ...NO

  • Maria Louisa Varlack (04/02/2025, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was born on the island of Tortola British Virgin Islands on May 22 1968. I have a British Passport for The Virgin Islands and a British Birth Certificate for the British Virgin Islands. I am a British Dependent Territory Citizen/British Overseas Territory Citizen/British Citizen of the United Kingdom. I am a proud Virgin Islander. From 1988 to 1992 I attended Valencia Community College in Orlando Florida with a $12000 Student Loan from Development Bank of The Virgin Islands, Government of the British Virgin Islands, Ministry of Education and Culture, BVI Department of Education and Culture in the British Virgin Islands. I entered the USA legally and lawfully with a Visitor Visa and a Student Visa. I attended Valencia Community College in Orlando Florida from the age of 20 to 24 but I never did graduated. From 1994 to 2000 I attended Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College in the British Virgin Islands and I graduated. From 2003 to 2004 I attended Seminole Community College in Sanford Florida with a $15000 grant from United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization Office in the British Virgin Islands but I never did graduated. I entered the USA legally and lawfully with a Visitor Visa and with a Student Visa. From 2010 to 2011 I attended Mildred Elley in New York City and I did graduated from Mildred Elley and then I enrolled in State University of New York at Farmingdale State College for one semester in Farmingdale Long Island but I was unable to graduate with a Bachelor Degree. From January 2002 to October 2024 I have lived inside of several different homeless shelters here in the USA. From October 2017 to October 2024 I lived outside and I slept outside on the sidewalk and on the streets of Orlando, Florida. I do not have a US Birth Certificate and a US Passport and I am not a US Citizen and every day I live in fear of being deported from the USA. Everyday I live in fear of a deadly encounter with the US Law Enforcement. We all live here in the USA as migrants and refugees and aliens and residents and immigrants and nonimmigrants and non US citizens because we were all born outside of the USA in another country. Our birth certificate and our passports are from outside of the USA so therefore we do not belong to the USA and we do not have any rights to live here in the USA so therefore we all face deportation and removal orders from the USA every day of our lives that we live here in the USA. We are all considered illegal and unlawful here in the USA.
  • st. thomas (04/02/2025, 13:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Governor Bryant can be defiant as much as he likes. Is Bryant forgetting that St.Thomas is part of the United States and he have to follow the rules of the United States or the backlash that is going to come with it. Our neighbors next door in Tortola is going to feel the backlash as well.
  • Real Talk (04/02/2025, 16:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    MARIA LOUISE VARLACK PLEASE REMAIN IM AMERICA WHAT EVER YOU DO DONT COME HOME YOU WILL REGRET IT PLEASE IAM WARNING YOU THEY DONT CARE ABOUT PERSONS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CHURCH OUT


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.
CG Insurance Office Move


Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.