As a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands and a Global Entry member, I am writing to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to upgrade the outdated passenger processing systems at our local airports.
Though the Virgin Islands are part of the United States, travelers departing to the mainland must still undergo customs and immigration-style checks, as if traveling internationally. Unfortunately, the infrastructure at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix has not kept pace with modern standards.
At airports across the U.S., facial recognition and biometric scanning technologies have significantly reduced wait times and improved efficiency. Yet here in the Virgin Islands, all travelers — including those enrolled in Global Entry — face slow, manual processing due to outdated systems. This has also led to unnecessary confusion. The DHS website clearly states that Global Entry members do not need to carry their membership card for air travel, yet passengers departing the Virgin Islands are required to present the card in order to access expedited lanes. I’ve personally witnessed multiple travelers caught off guard by this contradiction, unsure why the guidance differs in practice from what is published online.
Despite the presence of capable officers at every station, the volume of passengers routinely overwhelms the current setup. At peak times in St. Thomas, the immigration line can wrap around to the other side of the airport, creating long waits and unnecessary stress. This leads to unacceptable delays and frustration.
I want to emphasize that the DHS and CBP officers stationed in the Virgin Islands are extremely professional and courteous. They are doing their best with limited tools and deserve access to the same advanced technology that their colleagues in the states use every day. Equipping them with modern biometric systems would not only make their jobs easier — it would also strengthen our nation’s security by giving officers better tools to detect threats and secure this critical point of entry.
Most importantly, U.S. citizens should be treated equally — regardless of whether their point of entry to the mainland is New York, Miami, or St. Thomas. The level of service, speed, and fairness in processing should not depend on geography.
As the Virgin Islands works to strengthen tourism and rebuild our economy, DHS must do its part by investing in modernized equipment that enhances both security and the travel experience for residents and visitors alike.
— Enrique Rodriguez, St. Thomas
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
