If you have traveled to a foreign country after President Obama signed HR 515 / International Megan’s Law into law on February 8, 2016, please complete this survey to help gather details about the effects of this legislation. We will also share this data with the RTAG group for incorporation into their travel matrix. Thank you.
Go to International Travel Survey
Thanks to all for your experience and input. I have traveled to Mexico once since my event and did get caught going thru Canada on the way back from Alaska and that was scary as they said they could send me to prispn Canada for ‘illegally entering the country’; looked like any felon was plucked from the cruise ship and not just RSO.
Thanks again and Janice keep up the good work on Tiered in CA
I wanted to give an update in terms of the entry back into the US through the Miami Airport Port.
As of April 30th, it would appear that they have streamlined their process for the better.
When I returned back last night, the Secondary Inspection was fast and non-humiliating, as compared to years past. They simply checked for outstanding warrants which took about 3 minutes, without a single question asked. Again, far different scene than in years past. I can remember as far back as 3 years ago, going through the Miami Airport, when several agents were literally drooling over themselves in disbelief. over my BS Misdemeanor Conviction from 17 years ago.
The bags check was via the XRay Conveyer, and nobody went through my bags by hand. That was it!
FYI: A general definition regarding vague laws is more or less defined as this… Any law that is vague that a person gets arrested on can be challenged for its ambiguity. The Doctrine of Lenity is a doctrine under well-settled criminal law that mandates that a law has to be written in such a way as can be understood by a reasonably thinking person who can determine what is a criminal act or what act will constitute criminal liability. If it is a poorly written law and it can be determined both for and against a person and they are arrested on the law for some criminal act, under this doctrine, if you, the Reader, were arrested on a vaguely written law which can creates and ambiguity of the law, then, properly argued, the law will work in the Defendant’s favor and the criminal charges must be dismissed. This is a loose definition of vague law and its criminal liabilities.
Hi Everyone.
Background: I became a registrant 11 years ago here in California, served 7 months jail time and successfully completed 10 years probation. My passport expired in 2016.
This spring, around March I think, I renewed my US Passport paying an extra fee for a quick expedition. I received it with NO markings that I can tell, but then again, it does have a chip in it. I attempted three different times to set up an appointment with the local detective in my jurisdication to fill out the SORNA form, even though CA does not require it, but to no avail. Nonetheless, I left a brief message on his voicemail of my travels.
I booked my trip and had no issues at each of the locations. The following is my itinerary.
Flew from SFO to Amsterdam on WOW Airlines with a layover in Iceland. Iceland stamped my passport but went right through. Nothing was needed in Amsterdam. Took the train from Amsterdam to Cologne, Germany, then flew from Germany to Paris on RyanAir. Then flew again from Paris to Barcelona on Eurowings. At the end of my trip, I flew from Barcelona to Oakland with a layover in Sweden. Got stamped in Sweden, but no questions.
So upon my arrival, I just knew that I would get called out or stopped or strip searched. Sure enough, I was in line, I kind of stayed in the back to not draw too much attention to myself when I noticed a security or customs supervisor looking at his phone and looking into the crowd. I knew who he was looking for. He then asked me to go with him. Knowing I had done nothing wrong, I kept calm and collected. He takes me to an open area and starts taking EVERYTHING out of my backpacks and asks me if I knew why I was being searched. He was pretty respectful. I told him I understood why he was made to do what he was doing, but that I apologize for wasting his time and I thanked him for not being an ass. He said that this would happen every time I traveled out of the country and all agents are different. He asked me where I went, what kind of work I did here, and if I was traveling alone. So passports are marked via the info on the chip. No surprise.
It was rather quick, a little embarrassing, but the silver-lining, I was able to cut through the line. 🙂 Another agent that was with him was nice and just told me to know which countries I could go to or not so that I don’t waste money. I thanked them and went on my way. Of course, there were stares, but I knew I couldn’t let it get to me and just move forward.
I can’t wait to travel again. So when you travel, don’t do anything stupid or illegal. Enjoy the countries you are visiting as there are some beautiful areas out there and amazing sites. Luckily, I had a friend in Cologne and in Paris which made it more affordable, but next time I’d like to travel with a friend.
Stay strong, be vigilant, and continue moving forward!
I want to go to US Virgin Islands, but I cannot find information on how many days required to register there if I will be just visiting?
Well, I have to travel to the USA again. It is my mom’s 75th birthday and my dad says she wants to see all of her children while still alive. I will only be there a week. Geeez I am beginning to dread the US government. Would that be the definition of oppression?
This is an interesting video about airline travel and some ways of crossing boarders without a passport. Worth watching if you want to travel. It also talks about jurisdiction for crimes while traveling.
Which Country Are International Airports In?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkCeKc1GTMs&t=318s
For those that want to travel to U.S Virgin Islands. I want to share this post from tripadvisor –
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147400-i171-k10591421-Re_entry_to_the_U_S_from_St_Thomas_DACA_Recipient-U_S_Virgin_Islands.html
Looks like you have to go through immigration while exiting from USVI. Meaning, you have to hand in your passport and they will run it on the computer. I wonder if they are going to see everything and then question you like you were coming from International trip into USA as opposed to just custom formality of goods, etc. Anyone has experience with traveling to USVI as RSO? I cannot seem to find any information about one’s experience online. I am just concerned if they are making any huge deal or cause any issues.
@AJ – thank you for the link. The article is so vague about how many days needed to register in USVI as a visitor, but it does mention alot about 3 days.
Any feedback from travelers flying back from european countries through JFK?
I have had problems in Detroit, none in Minn. – How is JFK?
Hi could someone let me know how many days we can stay in Florida before we have to register?
Any new news on this IML thing? not that i have the money to travel but what about going to Maylasia? any restrictions, wanna see my wife who is in the philippines but seems i cant go there anymore. they can travel to maylasia and its not too expensive anyone have any info that can be of use to me thanks all
My wife and I are planning a cruise on Princess from Ft. Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to LA. Anyone have any experience on Princess lately? I have seen reports of SOs being barred from Carnival and Royal Caribbean. What about shore excursions? The cruising blogs seem to suggest that there is no customs when going ashore for the day, and that you don’t even need to take you passport, only the cruise ID.
I’m reluctant to call Princess directly to ask about this, because I don’t want to call their attention this issue.
If this works, we’re thinking of another Princess cruise — to Alaska. The wrinkle there is it lands in Vancouver (Canada) and I would have to get to the airport for the flight home. I have seen that there is a way to get either permanent “rehabilitation” or “special permission (temporary resident’s permit) to enter Canada,” which would work because I will only be going from the dock to the airport. Has anyone gone through the process with Canada? Did you use a lawyer of try to fill out the online forms yourself?
If it matters, I live in a non-SORNA state and am required to give only three days notice of travel to the police.
Who has traveled Schengen in the last MONTH? European Parliament is implementing new rule causing massive waits at Schengen airports, including “security checks.” Anybody been through a Schengen passport control in July? I was there in Mar and April and going in September for work.
EU Regulation 2017/458 (google for info)
Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4748182/EU-border-checks-leave-UK-tourists-queuing-FOUR-hours.html
I know that this isn’t a travel question, but is it possible for an RSO to study abroad?
thanks.
For the benifit of clarity if anyone chooses to travel to Guam, their registry offender level designation is the reverse of the U.S.
Level 1 – highest
Level 2 – medium
Level 3 – lowest
They seem to run their registry more “civilized” than the U.S. as well. Any additional input or comments is welcome ( if constructive ).
I flew into Paris on June 18th. after giving notice that I was relocating to France from Mass. No problem. Since then I have flew to Albania, Italy, and recently to Spain without incident (July 01, 2017) Albania, who is not an EU country, did not even stamp my passport coming or going. They want Americans to live there as long as they want. (the official visa limit is 1 year, but not enforced)
I have had zero problems since arriving in Europe.
Just received my new passport today. Still no markings.
Has anyone here returned from abroad, entering the U.S. through San Francisco airport? Customs was no problem when I returned entering the U.S. through LAX. What can I expect entering at San Francisco ?
Has anyone ever requested copies of anything Interpol has on them? (https://www.interpol.int/INTERPOL-expertise/Notices/What-are-your-rights, I want to know if INTERPOL is processing information related to me) If they give anything back, it would perhaps be helpful in future court cases.
In my opinion about the IML, it should’ve been handle like this, whenever a registrant is traveling anywhere internationally, a registrant should do the notification with the authorities like so and receive a notice beforehand that he/she will be allowed to travel to their destination unmolested and not have to worry about being turned away from a foreign country as long as they stay out of trouble and be in compliance. It’s the least thing for the IML, instead of our government collecting a list of registrants to be sent to the Angel Watch Center for analysis of anyone traveling that’s on the registry that alert notices will get sent off to their foreign destination, which is nothing more than a set up to be refused entry to that destination. Other then that the IML is unconstitutional, it’s cruel and unusual punishment and the purpose of it is to prevent all registered citizens from traveling to anywhere they want for business or leisure as normal travelers, and certainly nothing to with preventing child sex trafficking and tourism, but based on fear, anger, and hatred.
Any recent reports of travelers being turned away from Costa Rica? Is the Matrix going to be updated anytime soon? What about adding a cruise section. I’d gladly contribute if there were some attention to these issues. Thanks.
Van – Thanks for your input. I was just concerned that the RTAG Travel Martrix lists Costa Rica under “SOs turned away.”
I guess the issue is if the foreign country receives a notice — however — will they care? I notified local police that I was traveling to Germany last year, and breezed through customs in Frankfurt without a second look. Wonder how to find out what the reaction will be in Costa Rica (or other countries)? I don’t think RTAG is up-to-date and reliable any more.
Whew! Glad I asked. Anyone have recent knowledge of Belize, my second choice?
AlexO germany lets us in?? Are you serious? And If you are, how do you know about all this stuff?