International Megan’s Law – Travel issues becoming more prevalent for registrants.
In recent months we’ve seen an increase in members reporting difficulty traveling internationally. We’re also seeing countries that formerly admitted persons required to register, now turning them away. Just last month a member was denied entry into Greece, a country that was previously not off limits and a member of the European Union. It’s raising some concern over what will become over travel to the other 26 member countries of the EU.
We are also receiving information that the United States is taking a more active roll in blocking international travel by persons required to register. For example; US Department of Homeland Security Agents have pulled people off of airplanes in Florida before even departing, stating they were not able to enter the international destination. Also, the United States has opened 80 Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Offices in 53 countries internationally. HSI agents have been waiting for persons required to register when they land in the destination country and turning them right around before they even have a chance to speak with the receiving country’s immigration officer.
While the government denies they play any role in determining whether someone can enter a foreign country or restricting international travel. Their actions contradict that assertion. They also claim that the notices are merely information and are not intended to block someone’s entry, but in this training video, they acknowledge that the SMART Office has compiled a list of countries that persons required to register cannot go to (“However, what we know is that many countries have elected to not allow offenders to come into the country. And so with this notification that’s done in advance, then the country at the time that the offender were to come to the country can make that decision. But we also know that there are, again, as I said, some countries that are not accepting offenders. And we have a list of those.”).
FAC is calling on the national advocacy groups and their state affiliates to join forces with us in fighting back against IML.
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I seem to recall that Janice Bellucci at ACSOL brought suit against IML but it was dismissed for lack of ripeness or something.
Does anyone know whether Janice is making any current efforts against IML and needs help?
Does RTAG need help?
FAC I would like to be part of the effort to fight back. But HOW can we fight back? At least with respect to the Florida registry, there are specific things we are already doing. But how do we start fighting IML?
Your article here has succeeded in making me hopping mad, madder than other entries have made me in some time (that’s how you know it’s good). Have our affiliates begun responding to it?
One of our board members is also on the Board of Registrant Travel Action Group (Registranttag.org), so we have a seat at the table. Also involved is the California-based org Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) and some others have expressed interest.
If there was unlimited time and resources, this would be a priority. But because so few registrants travel internationally (because they can’t afford it or for any reason), it’s never at the top of the list. For every call we get from an individual who got turned away, we get 20+ from one who is homeless, for example.
Still, since this touches on a concern that impacts people in ALL STATES and even other countries (for example, family of registrants who live abroad and can’t receive a visit). It’s worth combining forces.
This also got me really mad that they are planting agents now in these countries. I was looking forward to getting out of this country at some point. I don’t know what I can do in this fight, but now I really want to fight.
Not that it should matter at all, but did the registrant have a marked passport? Mine is not. I like to travel abroad and this will really screw up my plans if the schengen countries started doing this to all of us.
The absolute NERVE of that guy saying he typically starts these seminars with a PRAYER!!! Ha!
We have no business setting up offices in 53 countries. I don’t care what it is for. Although I have only been a part of this a small while it is no surprise to me that more and more countries will join in, in the rejection of person’s forced to register. It will continue. I have no doubt.
If it is “HOMELAND” Security, it doesn’t need to be anywhere but the ‘homeland”, unless the US is making a subtle claim to these other nations.
So this is the part that doesn’t make any sense. I have been registered since they came up with this in Florida in 1997 (my offense predates the Florida sex offender registry). Since then, I have traveled dozens of times throughout the United States and have reported the interstate travel every single time at the Miami-Dade County police department. I have intentionally traveled only to states where I would not be required to register under their laws, and my longest trip was for no more than five or six days. Not once have I ever been contacted by the police in any of the many states I have traveled to. I know that Florida is informing them of my trips. So apparently the states I’m visiting don’t care enough to do any checking on me while I’m there, yet the government is so concerned about me visiting foreign countries. Where is the logic in that? They don’t care enough to have anyone greet me as I get off the plane in Virginia but they are there waiting in foreign countries to send us back. It’s completely irrational, even based on their own logic.
The right to exit is a fundamental cornerstone of liberty and international law. The SO administrators and US marshals are eager to deprive Americans of their liberty, and more importantly, their expectations of liberty. It’s about power and control. The administrators of angel watch should be reminded what Justice was meted out to the fascists at the Nuremberg trials.
During WW 2 the United States saved the world from Nazis, but who’s going to save the world from the United States in the 21st century?
We can. Imagine if all the millions who saw their internment and death approaching leapt on their captors and killed them instead of protesting or trying to flee. These fascist pigs in our government need a few shots across the bow to be reminded what desperation does to people. They rule by fear because it’s the only language that they understand. They laugh and mock SOs and families as they protest outside courtrooms. When we get serious and make them know FEAR, we have a shot at putting them in their place, public SERVANTS they are
Fear is not the solution to our problems. It is the SOURCE of our problems.
If registrants engage in actions that cause fear, then that will result in greater budgets for law enforcement personnel, equipment, and training, and new laws permitting their use.
Don’t encourage the fearmongers!
This is silly. Their budgets are already incredibly bloated. Whatever they ask for they receive. Whatever lie they repeated is mindlessly parroted and believed. No matter if you’re compliant or rebellious, they will do everything they can to destroy you and your family. If you can’t get reform, get revenge.
I’m on board. Let’s coordinate.
So heres the kicker. My home state says theyve released me automatically from my registration requirement. I was a level 1 in nyc so no public access. Go to florida and now life in a state thT had nothing to do with my legal process. My plea with fed govt was totally honored and i had a great 20 years of successful work and life. Now: i am dead to the world. If i didnt come to fl id be able to go anywhere.