IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION: International Megan's Law
The Senate passed HR 515 formerly known as “International Megan’s Law” with another NEW title “International Megan’s Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders” and added a section about Passports.
Essentially, all current passports for folks CONVICTED of a sex offense/s MUST be reissued, with the words “SEX OFFENDER” prominently displayed on the passport. And all new passports for folks convicted of sex offenses will be issued with same wording.
The Senate also added a section for appropriating funding ($6,000,000) for each of these years (2017-2019) to implement IML.
The Senate then sent the bill with changes back to the House for them to review and pass. It is very likely this will be on the FAST TRACK because lawmakers want to go home for Christmas break.
Advocates and their families and others need to immediately contact their U.S. House Representatives and object to the entire IML bill (and concept), and any other similar bills that may arise.
The FULL bill may be found HERE and the Senate Amendments HERE (The Corker amendment [Sen Bob Corker R-TN] in the Federal Register).
YOU CAN FIND THE FLORIDA REPRESENTATIVES HERE: http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_fl
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Please write your representatives. Flood them with mail. Encourage your friends and family to do so as well. I know it’s a pain to do, but too often these bills are easily passed because there is no pushback. Let them know they are being watched.
I just emailed Sen. Bill Nelson, picking topic “Constitutional Issues” and Sen. Marco Rubio picking “International Relations.” The message was the same: IML will violate the travel rights and due process rights of traveling Americans, may have dangerous collateral consequences for affected citizens and their families traveling with them, and is not supported by any evidence that it will achieve a reduction in international sex trafficking. Citizens across this country have been convicted of single offenses involving someone known to them, have otherwise unblemished records, but are categorized for life as violent offenders. This punitive proposal targets all convicted offenders. They currently live and move freely in society without incident, yet somehow they are presumed by this flawed legislation to present a threat in international travel. Placing travel restrictions on convicted sex offenders 1) does nothing to protect society, 2) adds more restrictions on a group of already-marginalized citizens who have paid their debt to society, and 3) adds another punitive requirement in federal law that is valueless. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics, “… sex offenders are more likely to be rearrested for nonsexual crimes than sex offenses.” Last year, only 18 other countries had enacted any sex offender registration laws, yet Congress is proposing to label its citizens with a past conviction without providing any public safety risk assessment. There exist proven methods of combating international sex trafficking that are worthy of support by the United States Congress. The International Megan’s Law is not among them. I strongly urge this legislation not be enacted into law.
Thank you Jerry – WE ALL need to write our representatives.
Ridiculous! Why not “prominently” designate murderers, child and animal abusers, and also ndividuals with narcotic charges as well!
Also $6,000,000 for what!? Another money-making scheme.???
@Onetoseechange @F_A_Committee PUMP UP THE VOLUME ON THE BOYCOTT OF ALL US COMPANIES. GET THE WORD OUT.
This is insane. I have long finished my sentence and now they don’t want any of us traveling and humiliate us in the process with a labeled stamp? Man, I wish I would of been born in another country. I would even take primitive tribes living in the Amazon over this one. I’m so done. It is shameful being an American and pretending we have a constitution.
As I read through this complex mess of a extension I see many problems. The Country you are entering could easily deny a RSO entry even though the US has no problem with travel to said country. A destination country could take a RSO and hold them, harass and question a person. And it could be worse… this has been in the works for awhile. Interpol is supposed to have registrants that are on watch lists already in their scopes. Being the current trends then US Passports should also mention such as; “American Born Muslim” or Member of KKK. Megan’s Law is completely out of control because the Majority of Lawmakers believe that this Law is the end all Best ever Law to keep the Sex Offender in their grasps. My Florida Congressman didn’t even know this was happening. Thanks FAC for the Alert!
OK John Mica district 7 (R) has been requested to vote NO and for a written reply will post when received. Fill this post with the names of those you have contacted please don’t continue to be silent to such grave persecution
This has me so incredibly depressed there is no hope…. this is a witch hunt.. they just want us to off ourselves… so depressing
Start writing letters Phil. Get involved. The fight will keep you motivated.
Don’t get depressed, but get angry.