Oct. 2, 2006 — With Congress passing the Safe Ports Act Saturday, the territory moved closer to having a Border Patrol unit stationed in the Virgin Islands.
The bill mandates that the U.S. Homeland Security Department establish a border patrol unit for the territory within six months or let Congress know why it didn't accomplish the task.
"We came very close to acquiring a Border Patrol unit for the territory without stipulations, but senators wanted to leave it up to the secretary to decide," Delegate Donna M. Christensen said in a news release issued Monday.
The bill was a compromise, a Christensen aide, Brian Modeste, said Monday. While the delegate wanted a bill that said the Homeland Security secretary had to set up the Border Patrol for the territory, Modeste said the bill that passed gives the secretary the discretion to do so, but also makes him accountable to Congress.
If the secretary doesn't set up the territory's Border Patrol unit, Modeste said, she'll press her colleagues to demand that Homeland Security do so.
Along with many officials and residents, Christensen has pushed for a Border Patrol unit to stem the flow of illegal aliens into the territory, particularly into St. John.
"We see people on the road all the time," said one resident of East End who asked not to be identified.
While the influx has slowed a bit because of efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard, the resident said, at one point several years ago boats filled with 50 to 70 people arrived about every four days.
The bill also mandates that Homeland Security evaluate the impact on the territory's charter-boat industry of reporting requirements for the advance passenger information system.
Starting in October 2005, charter boat captains had to begin filling out an electronic Coast Guard form that indicated the names of passengers who left the territory and another form that noted who was returning. While that sounds easy to do, said Pamela Wilson, director of the V.I. Charteryacht League, it poses difficulties given the vagaries of the territory's infrastructure.
"It's difficult to do when the Internet is not on, when the phone goes down and when the power is off," she said.
Charter boat captains have adapted to the new system, she said, but it has been harder for companies taking incentive-trip guests out for a trip. Guests can no longer switch boats for the return trip, Wilson said, which puts a damper on the fun.
The Safe Ports Act also provides funding for the territory's ports. The bill does not specify the amount of funding but allocates it based on risk.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
