Linda,

Believe it or not TSA has no right to ask your immigration status as it is out of their scope of employement!! And yes TSA and CBP are under Homeland Security. TSA does not care if you are in the US legally or not although they do notify CBP if they find something that might be out of their scope for example (drugs, money, immigration violations).

In closing, NO Passport or PROOF of citizenship is required for US citizens to travel from STT to SAJ or continental US.

After reading all of this, the only thing I can say is WHY take the chance.

Just get a passport because sooner then later they will be required wherever you travel.

There's definetly same sense of relief if you have a passport. Then you don't have to worry.

Jersey, this is a circular argument. You say no proof is required IF I am a US citizen -- I say HOW do they know if I'm a citizen or not -- maybe I should offer to pinky swear?

Seriously, we can all agree that to avoid any kind of hassle, a passport is the best option. After that, and again, to avoid hassle, you should travel with a drivers license and a birth certificate.

the reason is simple. We lose one of our advantages! Maybe a prospective guests just doesn't *feel* like getting a passport. Maybe she just doesn't need one more thing to do, even thought having a current passport is a good idea. Perhaps . . . if we keep it as relaxed as possible, that prospective guest just might decide to visit! I don't think it matters where they stay. We need visitors.

I use the "no passport needed" as a selling point. I also use the fact that the U.S. Virgin Islands is indeed U.S.!!! That actually appeals to some guests.

I didn't register because I didn't feel like it. To anyone who wants to contact me call Patty Burlingame at 998-3109. I did however read the forum rules which prohibit sarcastic and insulting remarks.

Pattypan

To Everyone,

If you are not sure what you need, as Islander said earlier, call Customs and Border Protection at the Airport @ 340-774-4279, 340-774-4554.

To Linda,

The CBP Officers are well trained and have a world of knowledge with the computer in front of them. By the way, for your knowledge, I believe falsely claiming US Citizenship carries a 5 year jail term!!

I will agree that a Passport is best but not to worry if you don't have it!!

OMG, I can go to jail for PINKY SWEARING!! Who knew!

Thanks for making that call Islander. This is rather a messy confusing issue. I'll refer to your post in the future when people ask.

Thanks, RickG

If you can, you are better off getting the passport. All is changing 01 January 2009. Also, for the locals, you may get a Passport CARD to travel back and forth to the BVI's. This will save your passport pages from getting statmped everytime by BVI authorities and having to send off your passport to get additional pages inserted (at a cost)..

I carry a passport with me whenever I travel by air, even to visit my family in Ohio. It's just easier.

I have always been told you did not need a passport, since you never leave the United States. I can't imagine that the VI Tourism Board and Puerto Rico's Tourism Board wouldn't spend MILLIONS of dollars on their "No Passport Required" campaigns I keep seeing all over if it weren't true.

Lulu, i totally agree with you and as before, i said..just get a passport!!