St. Maarten Private Eye

As a Dutch citizen, when I purchase a ticket to the US, I'm asked by the airline to present a return ticket. When I enter the US the immigration staples a blue stub in my passport- on my departure the airline removes this blue stub. I know people who lost the stub and were not able to return to the US for years. These are their rules. Our rules are that the US citizen need a return ticket as well, and the airlines should inforce these rules, becuase they could be fined. We don't need to check whether these people are middle class or wealthy or good or bad for the SXM economy
Years ago the US citizen knew the rules of foreight countires they entered, today some of them play stupid.
I'm sick of hearing how on St.Maarten we do this and that to people, what's the big deal that we require tourist to have a return ticket. If an American or any other citizen wants to immigrate to St.Maarten, purchase property and optain residence, then they should inquire from first the Dutch embassy or the local civil department how to carry on.

WE have had snow birds coming to SXM since the 50's, no problem man, welcome ! A lot of them have been helping many of the local families, they would remember the names of every child you introduce to them- wonderful people. They contributed to the local economy, they were up to date with all the politics and when several hurrincanes hit the island they were some of the first people who contacted those locals whom they have met over the years.

But they knew the immigration laws and would take the time to get all the relevant documents to extend their stay on the island.

Try going to INS in the US to regulate your papers, it takes forever. Even US citizens who wanted to get a passport recently had to wait in long lines recent.
The easy times in SXM is over. We can and should always improve, but don't blame SXM as a difficult place, becuase a tourist did know that they needed a return ticket. This issue has nothing to do with slowing down the economy. If this issue occured in the US, they would not have been a reaction, the authoirties would have deported you for stupidity