The Red Hook Ferry Terminal on St Thomas where several Haitians were detained and charged for illegal entry into the USVI recently. Photo: VIC

The arrests come amid renewed federal enforcement of President Trump’s executive order directing the prosecution of individuals who enter the country without proper authorization.

Despite some of the individuals possessing valid work authorisation documents and pending immigration applications, they were each charged and later released on unsecured appearance bonds pending trial.

Haitian confesses to entering USVI through St John

According to court documents, on April 7, Terveneau Esteve was at the Red Hook Ferry Terminal on St Thomas when he was selected for screening by federal law enforcement officials. He reportedly disclosed that he was a citizen and national of Haiti. 

After reportedly failing to provide proof of United States citizenship, Esteve declined to speak further without an attorney present. However, records checks show that he allegedly entered the USVI through St. John on December 29, 2023 without being inspected by Customs and Border Protection officials.

Similarly to another man who allegedly entered the territory on the same day, Esteve reportedly applied for asylum in early January, 2024. He received an alien registration number, and in July 2024 received an employment authorization document which expires in 2029. His asylum and temporary protective status applications are still pending, authorities say. 

Notwithstanding Esteve's pending attempts to regularize his status, he was arrested and charged with illegally entering the United States. 

On April 8, Esteve appeared before U.S. Magistrate Alan Teague, who ordered that he be released ahead of trial on an unsecured $5000 appearance bond.

More arrests

On April 9, it was Herns Sajous who was detained by officials conducting inspections at the Red Hook Ferry Terminal. Like Esteve, Sajous possessed valid work authorization documents, however officials say that records checks did not surface any circumstances that would grant him legal status or allow him to remain in the United States. After declining to provide a statement to authorities, he was also arrested and charged with illegally entering the United States.

Luckner Joseph and Yvonia Saintilmond, Haitian nationals and citizens like Sajous and Esteve, were also arrested under similar circumstances. 

Sajous and Ms. Saintilmond appeared before U.S. Magistrate Emile Henderson III on April 10. The judge ordered that they be released ahead of trial with an unsecured appearance bond of $5000. On the same day, Joseph appeared before U.S. Magistrate Alan Teague, who issued the same order as his colleague.