U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have filed a federal criminal complaint against five individuals found in the U.S. Virgin Islands without proper documentation. These individuals were attempting to board flights at Cyril E. King Airport bound for the U.S. mainland.
The defendants faced charges in the U.S. District Court under Title 8 of the United States Code, Section 1325, which addresses improper entry into the country.
Roberto Vaquero, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws consistently: "The consistent application of consequences for individuals found illegally present in the U.S. Virgin Islands is essential to maintaining the integrity of immigration laws and protecting national security," he stated. Vaquero further highlighted that this enforcement helps deter unlawful entry and disrupts human smuggling networks.
All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBP plays a critical role at ports of entry across more than 300 land, air, and sea locations in the United States. The agency is responsible for screening foreign visitors, returning American citizens, and inspecting imported cargo.
As America's largest law enforcement organization with over 65,000 personnel, CBP serves as a frontline defense by facilitating lawful travel and trade while ensuring national security through various means including innovation and intelligence collaboration.
