Returning to Mainland US from US virgin islands?

Question

Do non-US citizens residing in US need to pass port of entry or any kind of immigration control while returning to US mainland from US virgin islands? Plz help ...

Answer 1

you MUST have your green card available.....you do go thru Immigration when going back to the mainland; usually just a drivers license will suffice, but if you get pulled for additional questioning and cant prove you are legal............

Answer 2

When I went from USVI to the Mainland, they made me pass thru immigration and customs, because USVI is only a territory, and therefore has tax free shops.  When you go to the mainland, they make you pay customs/duty on stuff you bought there,, they are especially picky about alcohol and cameras.  I bought 6 bottles of rum for $1.89 each.  They did not make me pay customs, but they did make me declare the alcohol.  USVI is not a state, only a territory, so you have to go thru the inconvenience of customs/immigration.  It's also a way they check on islanders, particularly from the poor countries like Haiti from sneeking into the US mainland.