Stacey E. Plaskett

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL

For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland May 7, 2026 202-808-6129 CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announces the inclusion of her amendment directing the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study identifying locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands suitable for the development of aquaculture small businesses in the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 30, 2026. The amendment requires the Agriculture Secretary to complete the study within 180 days of enactment and mandates consultation with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The study will assess water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable environmental and regulatory requirements, laying critical groundwork for the growth of a sustainable aquaculture economy in the Territory. "The Virgin Islands has everything it takes to be a leader in aquaculture — our waters, our geography, our people. What we have lacked is the federal investment and infrastructure assessment needed to turn that potential into real economic opportunity for our small business owners and our community. This study is a meaningful step toward ensuring that the Virgin Islands is not left out of the blue economy, and is the outgrowth of discussions with John Farchette while he was with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR). I am excited about the possibility of deep-sea farming for export, the potential development of high-value fisheries (crustaceans) and mechanisms for effective sargassum management here in the Virgin Islands. I will continue to fight to make sure that federal resources and federal attention reach our shores," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. Territorial aquaculture leaders welcomed the amendment as a turning point for the industry. Mr. Farchette, a leading voice on marine aquaculture development in the Virgin Islands, offered the following statement: "Thank you to the Delegate and her staff for the opportunity to comment on this most important subject. Aquaculture and mariculture in our region would go a long way to ensuring our economic future in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are uniquely fortunate to have and be surrounded by the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. We currently have a seafood trade deficit of $20 billion dollars annually — most of that from China, India, and Ecuador. Promoting marine aquaculture helps in the resiliency of coastal areas, creates meaningful employment, grows our economic future, and brings a new industry to the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Exportation of manufactured seafood products to the U.S. market would offset that trade deficit we currently have with Asian countries and Ecuador, shared Mr. Farchette. “Our waters can produce 25% more biomass than areas currently being fish farmed in the United States, and we have unique incentives to promote the exportation of manufactured products from the Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands has established rules and regulations to govern this new industry and a VI 5-Year Aquaculture Plan pursuant to Act 6471 — we are currently the only Caribbean territory under the U.S. flag to have done so. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, NOAA's Office of Aquaculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal institutions to ensure that our environment and public health are protected as this industry grows. Again, we would like to thank Delegate Stacey Plaskett for her invaluable support over the years. God bless the United States of America and the people of the United States Virgin Islands." The Farm Bill passed the House on April 30, 2026, and now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. If passed, it will proceed to the President's desk to be signed into law.

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT’S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF FARM BILL

Position: Congresswoman Plaskett opposes the House-passed Farm Bill, criticizing it for imposing historic SNAP cuts affecting 40 million Americans, preempting state food production standards, reducing environmental conservation funding, and failing to support beginning farmers and farmers of color. She supports her own amendment requiring an Agriculture Department study on aquaculture development in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT’S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF FARM BILL Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. "The Farm Bill is an opportunity to stand with farmers and families who are struggling under the weight of rising input costs, skyrocketing grocery prices, reckless tariffs, and the economic strain the ongoing war. Unfortunately, the bill passed by House Republicans chose instead to cement the largest cuts to SNAP in history — $187 billion stripped from food assistance in H.R. 1 — while offering nothing to reverse the devastation already underway. More than 40 million Americans will see their benefits reduced or eliminated: 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 1.2 million veterans, and 4 million people with disabilities. Virgin Islanders who rely on SNAP – our children, elders, veterans and hard-working families will feel these cuts. This is not a policy choice. It is a moral failure. "Rather than making food more affordable for working families, Republicans used the Farm Bill to override the will of voters by preempting state food production standards that were approved at the ballot box and upheld by the Supreme Court. And they gutted nearly $800 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program — one of the most essential tools farmers rely on to protect their land and manage rising costs. "This bill also fails rural communities. It fails beginning farmers and farmers of color, key groups necessary for the future of farming in the Virgin Islands. It provides no new or additional funding for rural small business programs, strips legal set-asides for beginning farmers in USDA lending, and weakens the 2501 Program — the only USDA program specifically focused on supporting farmers of color. At a time when farm bankruptcies have surged 46 percent and USDA projects farm income to continue falling, this bill turns its back on the very people it claims to serve. "For the U.S. Virgin Islands and the territories, I fought to deliver meaningful provisions to this bill. I am proud that included in the bill was my amendment which requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study identifying suitable locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam for the development of aquaculture small businesses, including assessments of water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable regulatory requirements. This support from the Department of Agriculture to the Virgin Islands aquaculture development will provide substantive support to the development of this industry. Aquaculture represents a real opportunity for economic growth and food security in the territories, and I will continue to push for these investments. "But make no mistake — a Farm Bill that does not support to farmers of color (who have been disproportionately impacted by prior discriminatory policy) or programs which provide resources to new and emerging farmers does not deserve our support. Republicans have openly stated their intent to come back for even more SNAP cuts through future reconciliation packages. We cannot accept a bill that treats food assistance as an afterthought while families are paying $310 more for groceries than they were just a year ago, and fruit and vegetable prices have risen over five percent,” continued Congresswoman Plaskett. Congresswoman Plaskett added, "I urge my colleagues in the Senate to develop a better, bipartisan farm bill — one that provides real relief to farmers crushed by falling incomes and rising costs, restores food assistance protections for millions of vulnerable Americans, invests in our rural and territorial communities, and is worthy of the American people's trust.”

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO RESTORE TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OF HAITIAN NATIONALS

Position: Congresswoman Plaskett celebrates House passage of legislation requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status through April 2029, and expresses support for protecting Haitian TPS holders from deportation.

For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland April 17, 2026 202-808-6129 CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO RESTORE TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OF HAITIAN NATIONALS Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the statement below following the U.S. House of Representatives' vote requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 20, 2029. The vote to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 20, 2029 follows the successful adoption of H. Res. 965, the Discharge Petition led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) to consider H.R. 1689. This marks a significant milestone in Congresswoman Plaskett's longstanding efforts to protect Haitian TPS holders. Congresswoman Plaskett assisted this week in whipping votes for passage of the legislation. The bipartisan vote comes after the Administration moved to revoke TPS from more than 350,000 Haitian nationals; protections that a federal court order has been keeping in place. Congresswoman Plaskett has been instrumental in Congress to defend these protections. In 2025, she led a congressional letter with 48 of her colleagues to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem urging the immediate extension of TPS for Haitian nationals, detailing the catastrophic humanitarian conditions on the island, including gang violence that has killed thousands of civilians and displaced over 1.4 million Haitians. Congresswoman Plaskett has continued to advocate for Haitian TPS holders through legislation, coalition building, and direct engagement with the Administration. "Our immigrant neighbors and their children are not our enemies, and today this body affirmed that reality," said Congresswoman Plaskett. "Haitian TPS holders contribute nearly $6 billion to the U.S. economy each year and annually pay $1.56 billion in taxes, as they are required to do, even though they are not eligible for the benefits that they directly help fund, like Social Security. For over 15 years, Haitian TPS holders have started families, built businesses, and contributed to communities throughout this country as teachers, caregivers, and more. Today's vote is a critical step toward restoring their protections." Haiti's TPS designation was first granted after the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than a million Haitians. Despite these deep roots in American communities, President Trump stripped legal status from otherwise law-abiding Haitian nationals. Congresswoman Plaskett continued, "It is notable that even members of the Trump Cabinet understand this reality and the profound negative consequences of this decision. According to HHS Secretary Kennedy, there is already a shortage of health care workers. A mass deportation of Haitians will worsen the caregiving crisis. More than 20 percent of Haitians in the United States work in healthcare and help comprise the 1 in 4 long-term care workers who are immigrants. This decision is counterproductive, and even one of the most questionable members of this Cabinet understands that reality." Congresswoman Plaskett continued, "Arbitrarily stripping Temporary Protected Status from Haitians is cruel and unconscionable. It forces Haitian people to return to a nation in abject chaos. Congress took a stand against pulling the rug out from under our law-abiding neighbors. We must now see this bill through the Senate and to the President's desk." BACKGROUND: Discharge Petitions are a procedural tool that allow Members of Congress to bring to the House floor for consideration a public bill or resolution that has been referred to committee but not reported, once 218 Members have signed the petition. This allows the consideration of legislation outside of regular order, which is controlled by the Speaker of the House.

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT JOINS TERRITORIAL LEADERS BEFORE SUPREME COURT IN FIGHT TO AFFIRM BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP PROTECTIONS AS ORAL ARGUMENTS CONCLUDE IN TRUMP V. BARBARA

Position: Congresswoman Plaskett opposes the Trump administration's executive order attempting to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to certain immigrant parents, arguing that the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause guarantees birthright citizenship and cannot be unilaterally rewritten by executive action.

For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT JOINS TERRITORIAL LEADERS BEFORE SUPREME COURT IN FIGHT TO AFFIRM BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP PROTECTIONS AS ORAL ARGUMENTS CONCLUDE IN TRUMP V. BARBARA Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Trump v. Barbara, a landmark case in which she joined current and former elected officials and judges from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa in filing an amicus brief urging the Court to affirm that birthright citizenship is a constitutional guarantee that no executive order can override. At the center of this case is whether the Trump administration can rewrite the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to certain immigrant parents? The amicus brief, signed by leaders across the political spectrum with varying views on territorial status, makes clear that whatever their differences, they stand united against any executive branch attempt to unilaterally redefine who counts as a citizen. The brief draws a troubling comparison to the period following the Spanish-American War of 1898, when the McKinley administration tried to redefine "in the United States" to exclude people born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and other newly acquired territories. The Supreme Court's deference to the political branches on that question gave rise to the Insular Cases — a legal framework that left millions of territorial residents with statutory, rather than constitutionally protected, citizenship. The effects of that decision are still being felt today. American Samoans, for example, are still classified under federal law as "non-citizen" U.S. nationals — a designation that has cost people military security clearances, created wrongful voter registration complications, and blocked full civic participation. The brief warns that allowing the administration's executive order to stand would deepen that history, handing the executive branch sweeping power over one of the most fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. "For the people of the U.S. Territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, this fight is deeply personal. For generations, we have struggled to have our citizenship and our rights fully recognized. The Supreme Court's long avoidance of the birthright citizenship question in the territories has left our residents in an unacceptable state of legal limbo — and now we are watching that same dangerous logic weaponized to strip citizenship from children born on American soil. The Fourteenth Amendment is unambiguous: Those born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States are Americans. No executive order can change that. The Constitution does not bend to the political preferences of any administration, and no president holds the power to rewrite it by executive order. I am proud to stand alongside leaders across our territories to make that case before the Supreme Court on April 1st," said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. BACKGROUND: The amicus brief was coordinated by Right to Democracy, co-founded by Neil C. Weare, and filed on February 26, 2026, by co-counsel Patricio Martinez Llompart and the team at KKL LLP. The signatures urge the Court not to repeat the errors of the past by deferring to the political branches on the scope of the Citizenship Clause. Instead, they call on the Court to affirm, unambiguously, that birthright citizenship is a constitutional right — one that belongs to all persons born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States, and right that cannot be narrowed by executive or legislative action.

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON ST. CROIX; CALLS FOR DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS

Position: Congresswoman Plaskett expresses concern about Border Patrol enforcement actions on St. Croix and calls for dignified, lawful treatment of all residents. She advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, supports redirecting ICE and border enforcement funding toward housing assistance, and emphasizes constitutional protections for immigrants regardless of status.

For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland March 19, 2026 202-808-6129 CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON ST. CROIX; CALLS FOR DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today issued the following statement regarding enforcement actions conducted by Border Patrol agents on St. Croix on March 19, 2026: "My office has received reports and video footage from community members regarding Border Patrol enforcement actions taking place on St. Croix. My team and I have investigated the matter with the appropriate authorities and can confirm that these actions were conducted by Border Patrol agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are part of an initiative allegedly targeting individuals with criminal records. "I am deeply concerned by these enforcement actions and the manner in which they were carried out. Regardless of the stated purpose of any federal initiative, I want to be clear: all agents — regardless of their designation — must treat our residents with dignity and respect. The safety and wellbeing of all Virgin Islands residents remain a priority, and I am committed to ensuring that any federal enforcement activities are conducted lawfully and with full respect for the dignity and rights of our residents. "I urge all Virgin Islands residents to know their rights when interacting with immigration enforcement. My office has 'Know Your Rights' information, which has been distributed in the community and on social media, available in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish to help community members understand their legal protections during encounters with federal agents. Regardless of immigration status, you have constitutional protections. I want to remind everyone in the community that in the United States, being present in the country without the appropriate documentation is a civil matter, not a criminal one. "My team and I will continue to closely monitor the situation for any significant or increased presence of Department of Homeland Security agents on St. Croix. We will keep the public apprised of any developments. If you experience concerning interactions with federal enforcement or need assistance understanding your rights as an immigrant, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are here to serve you. “Throughout my time in Congress, I have championed comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform - including proudly cosponsoring the American Dream and Promise Act. Recently, I joined my colleague Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA) in supporting the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act (H.R.6390), which redirect the $175 billion allocated to ICE funding, DHS raids, and border militarization toward housing relief, including benefiting first-time homebuyers, working and middle-class renters, and extremely low-income households. “Scripture reminds us: “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” — Leviticus 19:33–34. This ancient call to compassion is not merely a moral aspiration, it is the standard by which we must measure our treatment of every person who calls these islands home or who seeks safety and dignity within our community. I call on all federal agents operating in our territory to act accordingly” My offices are located at 60 King Street on St. Croix and at 9100 Port of Sale Mall, Port Havensight on St. Thomas and can be contacted at 340-778-5900 (STX) and 340-774-4408 (STT/STJ). To access the Know Your Rights flyers, please visit plaskett.house.gov or any of the congressional offices on St. Thomas or St. Croix. Conozca Sus Derechos de Inmigración Pictured here: Congresswoman Plaskett pictured with other members of Congress at a 2022 press conference on immigration.