Discussion for the effects on IML on International Travel is to go here, since some of the other discussion threads have become inappropriate in topic or too large.
We will move some of the more recent comments here.
Please be sure to also see
International Travel – China / Thailand
International Travel Experiences
International Megan’s Law – International Travel Action Group
Tag: International Travel
Does anybody have any info about driving into Mexico?? I’m a RSO who travels all over the US frequently. This summer, I would like to DRIVE to Tijuana from San Diego. I have a passport. Will I be flagged being a passenger in a car?
My family just came back through LAX customs this evening and was welcomed with open arms … An hour wait before even being escorted to secondary , lots of stares and laughs by the custom agents and what might have we’ll have been an interrogation of my husbands 15 year old crime. On top of that they asked him if he was married and if I was aware of his “status”. We have traveled back through customs 20 plus times in the past 5 years and this was definitely the worse. Saddens me how every trip ends in a little more heartbreak for my husband , a little more humiliation and a little more of our own government treating us , including me , like monsters. We’re good normal people who went on vacation for our anniversary .
On another note I know many have been discussing getting information off the registry to contact all CA RC’s. I have already started doing this but I think it would be beneficial if we could get a group of us working on this. I can enter the Meghan’s Law site bc I am a spouse of a RC. We desperately need all 100,000 of RC and their families to be aware of this site and our stance. We need each of this 100,000 RC’s to donate money each month for Janice and most definitely a PR approach. We need a Lobby firm , Janice needs more resources. She is only one person and the only way we can get things moving in our direction is to fund this fight.
Is anyone interested in trying to reach out to RC’s in California. I have a letter drafted already. We can divide up the counties / cities and hopefully get through every city within 6 months. This would need a group effort as is can be expensive to mail this many letters but if everyone chips in it can be done.
SO, who do you notify you are traveling 21 days in advance? Is it the cop shop where you register? If so, I say you do what the person did above, send them a certified letter to be delivered 21 days in advance. Keep a photographic or scanned copy record of the said signed letter, the envelope, the certified mail receipt, the delivery as tracked online and anything else that would suffice the requirement.
Remember it is the cop shop’s responsibility to take your DNA, submit to the CODIS database and update the NCIC database with your info. Therefore, if you have any problems, you can say to the official who questions you about not giving 21 days advance notice, you pull out your copy of the aforementioned photographic package, which you know they will keep for their records, etc, and give it to them for their records of the interaction and tell them you did. If they don’t like that, then they can talk with your atty! You met your end of the requirement to notify 21 days in advance. It is their responsibility to ensure it gets where it needs to be. You may be detained or hassled a touch more, but if you have proof, then let them know you are in the right. They hate that! OH! Ask them for a copy of the video they may be recording of the interrogation they are running you through too! You are entitled to that and the names/badges, etc of all personnel involved along with a written record of the events….you know, for your records. If you can, grab their business cards from them, for your records of course.
Janice clarified with me, if you do NOT live in a SORNA state you DO NOT have to notify anyone of travel plans. Obviously where you go, depending on the state, might require you to register but if you live in CA you do NOT need to let them know you are going anywhere on vacation.
This is what the Office of Justice Programs publishes for SORNA implementation (http://ojp.gov/smart/newsroom_jurisdictions_sorna.htm)
119 jurisdictions (17 states, 99 tribes and 3 territories) have substantially implemented SORNA’s requirements.
States
Alabama
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Wyoming
Territories
Guam
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
So, these are the states I take that need to be notified of your international travel plans? If not, someone say so.
As for notifying the visiting state you are visiting, I read here a fine list of states and their registration requirements, which I took regardless if moving in or just visiting. If this last part is incorrect about visiting, please say so. I would hate to try and do the right thing only to be found it is either wrong or unnecessary.
Hi
Does anyone know if your registration has been terminated from the DOJ. Does this still affect you?
Thanks
Bill
I’m in Canada now; arrived by plane in Ottowa last night. I am fortunate enough to have been deemed “rehabilitated” in Canada after a long process. This is my first time here since completing the process. I was stopped at Canadian immigration and asked for proof of rehabilitation. I was worried there would be a problem after IML but it looks like I’m in the clear. I expect to be harassed as usual at US immigration upon my return.
I have a question to anyone that might have legal knowledge to my present status. I’ve lived in Mexico now for over 9 years, been issued a FM3 Visa by the Mexican Government, which means they’ve check my background and have full knowledge of my S.O. convection with a minor. I’m married to a Mexican citizen, is why I was approved, (Mexico has laws to keep family’s together), unlike the USA that just wants to destroy family’s blindy. I travel back and forth three times a week, sent to secondary everytime (Started once Angel Watch was implemented), and for for the most part is painless just more time consuming, unless I get a custom agent that has he’s or her’ own personal issues and puts me through a little more BS, but in the end sends me on my way.
All this said, why would I have to give notice everytime I return back to Mexico as I stated Mexican Government knows of my past is that not the intention of the IML law, the U.S customs knows I travel back and forth for years now, I”m confident the federal government keeps record of how many times a week I reenter into the states. If anyone has a clue as to how i can protect my self please let me know.
Had I know 26 years ago agreeing to a plee bargin out of fear, stupidity, and manipulations of lying social workers had I know what the future would bring to my freedoms of my constitutional rights I hold dearly and fought for (Veteran) would be taken from me, I would have fought my case to the bitter end Damm the consquince. The IML has good intentions, but as most new SO laws are never thought threw they use fear and ignores and no elected official(is it not funny most of the time this laws are pushed through is in a relection year as its great press) wants to be seen soft on sex crimes against children, and never mind concerning them self with statically facts on different types of sex offenders. They just Put on the red cape and their big red S to save the day, lumping us all into one category. They see us all as predator… society want to hate someone and we are easy target’s. How many more laws can the dream up at what Point is it just redundancy. Sorry for all my ruining on just frustrated, when will society believe we are not all the same, as not all RSO are danger to their children and never will be regardless of what label they put on us.
I have a 4 year temporary residence visa and did have an attorney to help me, my record was expunged which was the biggest factor still required life time 290 register as we will never be forgiven and because of this I keep a home in the States to keep everything current, and fall under exclusion from Megans Web site thank God. The case in mexico’ court can you tell me where I can find more information with regarding to this I am assuming it’s still in court, I had my visa one year now can I ask you what year you where denied and did you already have your 120 day tourist visa before you arrived and do you live in california?
Why don’t they tattoo “RSO” on our foreheads instead. It would cause us way more emotional and physical pain, put us in greater danger, and give them greater power over us. Isn’t that what tyranny is all about.
Hello Everyone. I have been reading this blog and the comments for a few years now and wanted to chime in. Here are my recent experiences since 2012 (before that I had no issues).
Belgium (2013) – allowed entry after meeting with local police official
Madrid (2015) – allowed entry after being met by police upon exiting the plane
Bahamas (2013, 2014, 2015) – have been allowed entry 4-5 times–no issue
Canada (2014) – denied entry even though I had paperwork for a “work pass”
I am travelling to Cuba at the end of the month. I have absolutely NO IDEA how this will go. Crossing my fingers.
Rob,
If one receives the designation of “Rehabilitated” by the Canadian government, then one can visit Canada, correct? Does “Rehabilitated” also allow one to permanently move to Canada?
With registration being regulatory, when seeking advice from an attorney about process, such as whether to send a CYA letter about travel, or whether I have to endure the pages of questions they ask that are not mentioned in state law or deal with their occasional “interview” afterwards for their entertainment (more questions not in state law), do I seek a criminal or a civil attorney…or is a paralegal sufficient?
O.K. everyone I’m going to tell you my experiences since crossing over into the darkside of our exclusive modern day leprosy outcast society. So I live in the Bronx,NYC and I was charged with Disseminating indescent Material to a Minor in the 1st degree for engaging in a conversation with a girl who said she was 16 years old but turned out in fact that she was really 13 and yes I do know that 16 is still underage I just want to put it all in context with you. Now I didn’t get charged for the conversation in itself I was charged for sending her adult pornographic links in which there were 8 altogether so I was charged with 8 counts of it plus the endangering the welfare of a minor charge that is automatic. Now I never met the girl and it was only one conversation over aol. Now you guys don’t have to believe me but the reason I did it was this: Once she told me she was 16 and started chatting with me I said to myself let me see if this is really a minor after awhile I began to say to myself this might be one of those traps like to catch a predator so I then said to myself if this is the case then I’m going to mess with them. So I said I’m going to make them think I’m some sick individual and when they try to get me to meet I will not be there. So after the conversation which was a lengthy one I sent her several links and after that we she was trying to get me to meet her in her house in queens but I said no and told her to come meet me in the Bronx when I said that she ended the conversation with me and that was it I never contacted her again. I wasn’t intending on actually meeting her anyway I was hoping that they would try and set me up but it would be to no avail because I would not be there. So anyway a month went by with nothing happening. Then I end up taking a trip to Miami and I get a call from my brother who was blowing up my phone so I picked it up and my brother was asking me if I talking to young a young girl over the internet and at that point I immediately remembered the conversation I had with the girl a month before. Now let me back track for a second back to the conversation I had with the girl. During the conversation she asked me my name and for some reason I gave her my brothers name since it just popped in my head because it was the first name that came to my head and I also sent her a picture of myself as well but it was a normal picture fully clothed. So now fast forward to my brother calling me. So when he asked me that question I assumed that my brothers girlfriend was there listening because maybe somehow she heard of the conversation and though my bro. was cheating so she was having him call me to prove that he wasn’t. So I being very stupid answered yes to it and right after that he hung up. So I thought that was it and a few minutes after I received a phone call back from my dad saying that the detectives had just executed a warrant at our house and that they were going to take my brother in because I had used his name but when they showed him the picture he told them that it was a picture of me his brother. So they then threatened to take him in unless he could somehow get me on the phone to admit it. Now remember I was in Miami at the time enjoying the sun. So that was when he called me and when everything I mentioned earlier had occurred. So after months of adjournments and two years later I refused their plea bargain which was cop out to the charge and take 5 years probation. They were very slick because they tried to hide the fact that if I would have taken the plea deal that I would have still had to register. So knowing that I said to myself F it if I’m going down I’m going to go down fighting so I said I’m taking it to trial even though I was stuck with an inefficient state appointed attorney. He convinced me to have a bench trial by telling me that these tend to me cases of emotion and that most jurors tend to make decisions involving children based on emotion so knowing this I said o.K. I’ll go with a the bench trial because at least the Judge knows the law I will not go based off emotion. So long story short I was found guilty and sentenced to 1 too 3 years split bid in which I served two years in a medium facility and did the third year on Parole.
So while I was on Parole I decided to finish college and get my degree. It was funny because the Parole officer tried very hard to convince me not to go to school because I would have to disclose my case to the administration. Now coming out of prison I was gun-ho and I did not care about who I told my case to so I did it anyway and the school took me in thank goodness these colleges are so liberal. In fact they even had me talk to the dean and the dean told me that if I experience any sort of discrimination to notify him. So I felt comfortable and was welcomed with open arms. Eventually I graduated with a B.S. right after finishing my parole. Right at that last semester I decided to do a study abroad program for my winter intersession. I wanted to visit Uganda and was accepted into a primate program. So after securing scholarships to pay for my trip and working through all the finer details I was ready to go. Now I said all I have to do is let the Sex offender unit know that I am leaving the country. SO I called them up and they just told me to give them the dates and the country that I was traveling too. what I didn’t tell them was that I had like a 12 hour layover in Dubai going and coming. So all they told me they were doing was writing a note of my travel into my file in the computer. Now I was all set to go. I ended landing in Dubai where I said the hell with sitting in the airport for 12 hours I’m going to go out and explore and let me tell you it was the fastest exit I ever made from a customs process ever. I went right up showed them my passport and then they stamped it if I remember correctly for 30 days and I was on my way. Now I forgot to mention that I was classified as a low-risk level one sex offender. After that I made my way to Uganda which was no problem and on my way back I explored Dubai some more and even visited the Burj Khalifa tower and traveled to the observation deck. In all this trip was a total of two weeks. When I got back state side I called the SOMU people up to let them know I was back because that is what they had asked me to do. There was never any issue with this whole trip.
My next trip was a few months after in which I traveled to El Salvador for over 30 days I believe it was about 35 days I was out of the country for in total. For this trip I did as I did before and called the SOMU people up this time like 3 days I was about to leave and told them where I was going. once again they just told me they were writing a note on my file in the computer and I gave them the dates and they said I was good to go. Let me tell you guys about my experience in El Salvador just in case anyone is interested. It is a very beautiful country like the rest of central America. The city is a little run down but it also has it’s ups though. I like it more outside of the cities such as the country areas. It is way more beautiful and the people are more relaxed and more to themselves and very nice as well. Now as far a crime goes yes there is crime but don’t listen to the propaganda that you see on T.V. you are not going to see gangsters at every corner with tattoos waiting to mug and kill. In fact I didn’t see any of that the whole time I was there. I rented a car and traveled all over. Now I hear that a lot of those things happen on the buses but since I rented a car I assume I was insulated from all of that. I did take the bus one time but I felt very safe the whole time. I visited a lot of the Mayan archaeological sites while I was there. I also decided while I was there to go for three days to Copan, Honduras in which I also had to pass through Guatemala. For this trip I paid for a private shuttle to take me there and I entered each country with no problems. It was a really awesome experience. I even rented a very nice private beach house for me and my girlfriends family for a week which was about only 800 dollars. They use the U.S. dollar in EL Salvador. It was very nice and located right off the coast in an area known as Costa del Sol. It had a private pool and like enough bedrooms to fit 12 people. It had a nice kitchen and direct access to the beach which we had almost to ourselves. I’m telling you all consider El Salvador. Yes there are dangerous areas but those areas are the areas where you would not want to go anyway but the tourist areas are safe. And there are lots of affluent communities that are gated and with security. You would be surprised by what they have in El Salvador. There are lots of wealthy neighborhoods if you have money. Honduras was really nice but I can’t say much because I was only there for three days and only visited Copan. Once I got back stateside I notified SOMU that I was back. Now the person I spoke with told me that I was suppose to do a change of address but I told her that whoever I spoke with told me I was fine and that they entered a note into my file. I told her to check because I couldn’t remember the persons name and after doing so she told me that I was fine. So that was another successful trip.
My last trip I just came back from this January. I just visited Egypt. Once again I called SOMU the week before my departure and they placed a note into the my electronic file again. The trip was a total of 11 days it was suppose to be 10 but we ended up having to stay a day longer because of a blizzard in N.Y. I also didn’t tell them that on my way to Egypt that we had a two day layover in Belgium because my professor whom I do research with has family their and she wanted to visit them on our way to Egypt. So after going to the customs counter and showing my passport the agent just asked me what was my purpose there and I told them that my professor has family there and that we are on our way to Egypt and I showed him my itinerary and he waived me off. On the way back from Egypt we stayed for 3 days because as I mentioned before we had a snow storm in N.Y. Now in Egypt the only problem I encountered was while entering the country which was really nothing. The customs agent kept on asking me to show other I.D. because he said I had looked different from my passport photo. Now the passport I have been using for all my trips was the passport I had been using before I had gone to prison. So in that photo I was a whole lot younger. I just showed him all my other I.D.’s such as school I.D. and state license and once again I was good to go no problems. I stayed in Egypt for a total of 7 days. Back state-side I once again called SOMU to notify them that I was back and all was well.
Now my next trip is to Yucatan, Mexico to work on an Archaeological project in which I am suppose to be at for 30 days. Now I’ve been reading all the bloggs and I have to admit that I am very nervous but I’m hardheaded and I’m going to take the chance anyway and attempt to go. Today I emailed the N.Y. Consulate and and explained to them my situation and they responded back to me right away and very kindly. They told me that Americans don not need visas but that ultimately the final division of whether to admit or barr you falls upon the customs agent who you are before at the time. I am going to roll the dice on this once and take a chance I will let you all know how it goes once I’m back.
Now just a word about what I know about N.Y.C. from what I’ve researched NYS does not opted into the AWA because they say that despite the cut in federal funding the cost of operating such a large policy statewide would far outweigh the cost they would incur for opting out. So they just do the bear minimum of what the federal guidlines require from the state. From what it looks like though NYS might just be participating in the portion of that act which involves information sharing but as far as placing other restrictions that directly affect us it seems that N.Y.S. is not complying, so please correct me if I am wrong. The reason I mention this is because I ‘m not sure if this would have to do with me not having much issues traveling or is it just because the countries I traveled to really don’t have any agreements with the U.S. and also that the capable countries that I did visit I was ultimately just transiting through en route to a lesser developed country. Please inform me if you know otherwise. Anyway if you guys have any further questions feel free to contact me and I hope this helps and I will update you guys on the Mexico situation once I get back. Take care all.
…..Wait for it……wait for it……
Cue the tape……. and 3…2…1…..
usak response:)
Wasn’t sure where to put this, so…
Just got approved for TSA pre check. I’m an RC, tier 1, living in state that does not post tier 1s on public website. CP charge 7 years ago, have been off probation for 3 years.
Bottom line – looks like RC do qualify for this as long as they haven’t committed one of the disqualifying crimes listed on the TSA pre check website.
I know this doesn’t help with the international travel issues, but at least it is something.
AS of Monday May 3rd the CBP has not yet begun to steal people’s passports.
I passed through the Laredo Port this morning on foot, without incident and with my passport intact. Besides, of course, the usual secondary inspection with the dog checking my bags making sure I didn’t bring any illegal narcotics back into the United States. After all, it’s always possible for an RSO with a Misdemeanor Sex Offense from 16 years ago, would want to carry narcotics.
Anyway, this will for sure be that last time I will cross back into the United States in my lifetime. I’ve already established a life in Mexico and I’m married there. I only came back here this last time to get as much cash as I can as well as the medication that I need. I felt somewhat confident from the statements expressed from the person in charge of stealing passports, that they will not implement this until late 2016. To me, my passport is probably worth about $50,000 and it’s crucially important- I’m glad my passage went well
Anyone know the possibilities of studying abroad or teaching English abroad?
Pk- You need to stay postive, as this law will be changed we’re already seeing change with the AWA as its over the top and the states are seeing this. IML makes to many assumptions.
I believe in our constitution which will prevail. The fight has begun and threw our collective efforts truth and change will come threw our courts, as it will never happen with polticans as their scum lying currupt idiots that just want to line thier pockets. The irony is everyone knows this and yet we keep putting the same idiots in office which makes us just as bad, the change wont come fast and will be painful at first but will come. I have faith as faith conquers all. Remember are polticans are stupid with their heads up their ass’s..
That’s why we have a none elect supreme court to maintain justice from our pandering idiot polticans that pass idiot unjust unconstitutional laws so they can get relected threw lies and off the backs of peole they think cant fight back (SO) and not have to do anything that truly helps the people they claim to represent and maintain status quo…
I cross the boarder weekly so I know my passport will be mark but I have a resident visa so I keep postive as the US can’t stop me from traveling or you once yours is in place as well. Stay postive as being negative does know good for anyone
Does anyone know of a nation that might accept an American RSO? My offense was 23 years ago. I have an online business and would probably at least 100K of cash after selling my house and possessions. I have no degree, and my wife and my two adult children would be coming with me, since we all work in the same family business together. I would be willing to start over anywhere to get out from under the lifetime of shame of not being forgiven by this nation for my past crime.
Wow…very informative Erin .
Thank you. That was like bringing to the table a nice tray of food to share . Food for thought.
Would anyone one be able to open communications with me regarding traveling and living abroad? My email is firesaplingwoodworks@gmail.com
Thanks
Concerning the links about permanent visa/retirement visa requirements for South Africa and Belgium. Don’t get all excited. The link for S. Africa is to a visa consultancy agency that wants as many people to apply as possible, even those with criminal records. If a client is rejected, they still get their money. Also, be aware that all countries to my knowledge, require a criminal background. The examples for acceptable crimes are things like DUI. Any sexual offense is going to disqualify because it is a serious crime showing “Moral turpitude”, showing the person is of bad character (and therefore likely to re-offend).
The Belgium requirements: Application must be filled out in German, French, or Dutch. You must prove a reason that links you to Belgium (ancestry, business, marriage to a national), and the 5-year FBI background check does not mean they will not reveal your entire history. Years ago the Philippines also required a 5-year criminal history. I was able to apply at LAPD in Los Angeles, and found out that they would report your entire history. When I pointed out that only five years was required, I was told that they were going to report everything.
Pk my application did go to court what saved me was four things good lawyer, married to a Mexican citizen, 26 years had passed from my convection and my case involved a family member who admitted she was manipulate by others to claim I touched her privates 20 years later… I tried to take it back to court in the US but that’s another story
If you visit one of the 26 Schengen countries (most of Europe), you can stay (without visa) 90 days out of 180 (three months of out of six). Then you have to leave for three months and the clock resets and you can return for three months. There are several attractive visa-free countries not in the Schengen zone which you visit in the off months, like Croatia. There are also other options, notably the long-term or “D” visa, available in (at least) France and Sweden without background check. You have to have enough income to live without working, have medical insurance, and other requirements. It would take some work and logistics, but it would be a nice life. Here’s a website with useful details: http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/how-to-legally-stay-in-europe-for-more-than-90-days/