Haitian National With V.I. Driver's License and Work Authorization Arrested For Illegal Entry Into U.S.

ST. THOMAS — Another foreign national without legal authorization to be in the United States was arrested at the airport after trying to board a flight to the mainland. On Wednesday, Lael Pierre arrived at the Cyril E. King Airport for his flight from St. Thomas to Orlando, Florida. Pierre was taken by Customs and Border Patrol officers to the secondary inspection point, where he reportedly provided his travel history. According to documents before the court, Pierre said he left his home country of Haiti in August 2022 for St. Maarten. From there, he made his way to Tortola, BVI, and then took a boat to St. John. Pierre reportedly admitted to paying for the trip across to St. John, but forgot how much the journey cost. CBP officers stated that Pierre possessed a Virgin Islands driver’s license and an employment authorization document but lacked a passport, U.S. visa, or any documentation granting legal entry into the country. His arrest highlights that holding a local driver’s licen...