VI told to brace for Trump-Era fallout


Speaking on the latest edition—January 28, 2025—of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM, Skelton-Cline cautioned that the ripple effects of Trump’s administration are already evident, and the Virgin Islands must brace for significant socio-political and economic disruptions.
‘ICE is out everywhere’
The ever-candid Skelton-Cline did not mince words when addressing what he sees as a lack of ethical leadership in the White House.
"Of course, you can see what's happening since the election of President Donald Trump, Whether you like it or not, or we like it or not, he's the president, and we saw a slew of executive orders signed within hours of his arrival in the Oval Office.”
Pointing to Trump's aggressive immigration policies, warning that their effects extend beyond the US mainland and into the Virgin Islands, he informed listeners, "just travelling to St Thomas this past weekend, we see ICE is out everywhere. And what is that? ICE—the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency—is actively rounding up persons they deem to be in the US illegally; This is not just a US problem. It affects us here in the Virgin Islands as well.”
National Security
Addressing national security concerns for the Territory, the commentator warned that Trump's policies could drive a new wave of migration to the Virgin Islands, suggesting: "One of the national security deficiencies in this country is how porous our borders are.”
He further qualified his position.saying, “That (porous borders) is both our benefit and our challenge as an island nation; We don’t have a Coast Guard. Customs lacks the resources to effectively do what needs to be done. And now, we must ask ourselves—what mitigating factors do we have in place for the inevitable influx of migrants?”
Skelton-Cline, as such, urged policymakers and national security officials to consider the impact on already stretched resources, including housing, water supply, and education adamant, "We can't be overrun; There's only so many desks in classrooms. There's only so much housing stock. There's only so much water. This is our home, and we must be wise in how we handle what’s coming.”
Harsh Reality; We cannot be heartless!
Despite his warnings about the potential strain on the territory, Skelton-Cline did reiterate the need for compassion, acknowledging that migration is often driven by desperation.
“People only leave their homes in search of a better life. Our own foreparents did it—whether to Cuba, to the US Virgin Islands, to other parts of the Caribbean. They overstayed their 29 days, not because they were criminals, but because they were seeking opportunities and now, as we see these policies take hold, we cannot be heartless. We must remember our own history.”
He was vehement however, in cautioning against celebrating Trump’s hardline stance without understanding the human cost. "When we see things like this happening, we can’t just sit back and declare, ‘Oh, Trump is serious.’ No! There is a moral compass that must be maintained. There is a scale that must balance. We must have empathy and understanding.”
When the ‘US sneezes, we catch Pneumonia’
Beyond immigration, Skelton-Cline posits Trump's presidency could also have far-reaching economic and geopolitical consequences for the Virgin Islands saying, "The United States sneezes, we get pneumonia. They get pneumonia, we dead!”
With most of the territory’s food and essential goods imported from the US, the commentator questioned whether the Virgin Islands had sufficient contingency plans in place.
"What happens when the US faces its own internal implosion? When they begin to fight amongst themselves? What are we doing to preserve our food security, our trade relations? Are we looking to the UK? Because the UK has its own dilemmas, its own racial tensions, its own political uncertainties. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared.”
According to Skelton-Cline, "People of the world, and people of the Virgin Islands—if you're not woke, you better get woke; Pay attention to what's happening in the earth. Don’t think because it’s not you today, it won’t be you tomorrow," he cautioned. With this in mind, he suggested "We are one disaster away from tragedy. We must prepare—mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. We must prepare as families. We must prepare as a country. We have to prepare."






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33 Responses to “VI told to brace for Trump-Era fallout”
If anything, I say we need to prepare for the mass crime wave coming when these hardened criminals turn their delinquency on us. We also need to follow suit and start deporting the illegal immigrants that are here. If we have to deal with miscreants and BS they should at least be our own.
It would be a gesture of sincerity and good intent,if the BVI would obtain the names if the 5 and take the initiative to assist in their deport..
The BVI should be seizing the opportunity to shine a light of compliance and assistance considering so far it's record of dissuading and preventing the influx of illegals into the USVI bia the BVI,is half hearted and practically nonexistent
Being in Trump's non coop countries would be a destruction in totality for these VI.