CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON ST. CROIX; CALLS FOR DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS

For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland
March 19, 2026 202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON ST. CROIX; CALLS FOR DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today issued the following statement regarding enforcement actions conducted by Border Patrol agents on St. Croix on March 19, 2026:

"My office has received reports and video footage from
community members regarding Border Patrol enforcement actions taking place on St. Croix. My team and I h
ave investigated the matter with the appropriate authorities and can confirm that these actions were conducted by Border Patrol agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are part of an initiative allegedly targeting individuals with criminal records.

"I am deeply concerned by these enforcement actions and the manner in which they were carried out. Regardless of the stated purpose of any federal initiative, I want to be clear: all agents - regardless of their designation - must treat our residents with dignity and respect. The safety and wellbeing of all Virgin Islands residents remain a priority, and I am committed to ensuring that any federal enforcement activities are conducted lawfully and with full respect for the dignity and rights of our residents.

"I urge all Virgin Islands residents to know their rights when interacting with immigration enforcement. My office has 'Know Your Rights' information, which has been distributed in the community and on social media, available in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish to help community members understand their legal protections during encounters with federal agents. Regardless of immigration status, you have constitutional protections. I want to remind everyone in the community that in the United States, being present in the country without the appropriate documentation is a civil matter, not a criminal one.

"My team and I will continue to closely monitor the situation for any significant or increased presence of Department of Homeland Security agents on St. Croix. We will keep the public apprised of any developments. If you experience concerning interactions with federal enforcement or need assistance understanding your rights as an immigrant, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are here to serve you.

"Throughout my time in Congress, I have championed comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform - including proudly cosponsoring the American Dream and Promise Act. Recently, I joined my colleague Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA) in supporting the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act (H.R.6390), which redirect the $175 billion allocated to ICE funding, DHS raids, and border militarization toward housing relief, including benefiting first-time homebuyers, working and middle-class renters, and extremely low-income households.

"Scripture reminds us: "When a foreigner resides among you in your land,
do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated
as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in
Egypt." - Leviticus 19:33-34.

This ancient call to compassion is not merely a moral aspiration, it is the standard by which we must measure our treatment of every person who calls these islands home or who seeks safety and dignity within our community. I call on all federal agents operating in our territory to act accordingly"

My offices are located at 60 King Street on St. Croix and at 9100 Port of Sale Mall, Port Havensight on St. Thomas and can be contacted at 340-778-5900 (STX) and 340-774-4408 (STT/STJ).

To access the Know Your Rights flyers, please visit plaskett.house.gov or any of the congressional offices on St. Thomas or St. Croix.

Know Your Immigration Rights

Conozca Sus Derechos de Inmigración

Konnen Dwa Imigrasyon W Yo

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Pictured here: Congresswoman Plaskett pictured with other members of Congress at a 2022 press conference on immigration.