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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there’s too many comments on here for me to expect anyone to read this, but I feel my story is important. I recently talked traveled to Thailand to visit my girlfriend. I registered my intent of international travel here and of course Megan’s law notified the country upon receipt. however, I had been in contact with Thailand and had received confirmation verbally from agents at immigration that as I was not blacklisted in that country, my offense would not be a barrier to my entry. transiting through Singapore as my final stop, I was barred from further travel. they said that Thailand had denied my entry. this was not true, but Singapore had received notification from Megan’s law of my offense history. My girlfriend went to the immigration office in person, and got further confirmation that I was not denied entry. Singapore continued this charade until their contact in Thailand was able to process a denial and as a direct result of Megan’s law international notification procedures, I am now blacklisted from Thailand. I have been searching for resources on how to get a visa, thereby granting written permission for entry to a country, so that I may travel without wasting thousands of dollars and multiple days in the air. The only talk I see is about traveling two countries that allow sex offenders without a visa, but as you can see, that is not sufficient anymore.
If you read this and other forums you would know any notification would have you banned. You had a shot to go if you left the country first and then decided to go see your GF. I would have suggested Hong Kong and or Europe as you destination and once you had been out of the country and then decided what place and when to meet your GF you would have been compliant. A much greater chance you would not be blacklisted.
Arrogant reply. Discussion of how to circumvent notification repercussions (as you are suggesting) is extremely limited, and one risks their travel itenerary being flagged and a felony arrest awaiting their return.
If transiting through
Moving along, if anyone has relevant experience to share with the community, please do so and disregard those who will tell you “you should have known better”
Does hong king allow rso to visit the country?
Has anyone with a tier 1 offense or unbranded passport had any success entering South America?
This is a question regarding dual citizenship. I have read federal law that states that U.S. citizens who hold U.S. passports MUST use those U.S. passports to exit the U.S. and return to the U.S. The State Department writes on its website that it is NOT illegal to use a U.S. passport to exit the U.S. but then use a foreign passport to enter the destination country, so long as the U.S. passport is used again to reenter the U.S. So one could use his U.S. passport to board his flight at a U.S. airport but when he lands in, let’s say Italy, he can present his Italian passport at customs at the Italian airport. The State Department says this is perfectly fine.
My question is, with me complying with all requirements and giving the 21-day notice, because I am an S/O, can I get in trouble for switching passports? Does the U.S. receive a notification that I landed and that my U.S. passport was scanned at Rome’s airport?
If that is the case, I’m wondering what would happen when the U.S. receives a notification that my passport was scanned as I left the U.S. but was never scanned for landing in Italy. Then all of a sudden, I show back up in the U.S. and scan my U.S. passport at the U.S. airport when I return.
Can I be arrested? Is there anything that specifically bars S/Os from switching passports given that the State Department says that it’s ok?
What would happen when I give my 21-day notice and the U.S. notifies Rome that I am coming and I use my Italian passport in Rome’s airport upon arrival? Will the U.S. start an investigation/manhunt because the computer shows me never arriving in Italy?
I would have to check again however from what I remember at least in Floridah we must report ANY passports we hold and they record the number. Its also on ALL your travel notices. So I can see how this still could be a issue. I thought the names had been checked based on some old info but have had friends travel under a new passport and not have a issue to only report that new number later and no more entry. Its a ever evolving game of cat and mouse
Thanks for your reply. Please educate me.
What travel notices are you referring to?
In my state (will remain unnamed), all I do is email the s/o registry guy at my local police station and give him the required info. Basically, my flight itinerary. That’s it.
Who do you have to report your foreign passport numbers to? Is that federal law or just Florida law?
It’s Federal Law. I would just go ahead and share that info with that guy you are talking about. Also, if you have two passports ,let us designate A and B. If you want to enter another country with the B passport, then you buy tickets with that. To leave A country you have to use A’s passport. Pretty much what ever passport you use to enter, that is the passport you should use to exit. You cannot use A passport then B to leave. It has to always be AA or BB.
There is no federal law requiring the giving of information. Federal law imposes obligatory on STATES (not offenders) in order for them to obtain their federal grants for law enforcement funding. States COULD choose to ignore those requirements but they would lose certain federal funding. Your STATE of residence (also work and school) dictates the rules.
We have to respectfully disagree, Kevin. Please read https://floridaactioncommittee.org/a-deeper-dive-into-iml/
If you dont want to take our word for it, read the FAQs on here: https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/international-megans-law-complaint-form-traveling-sex-offenders
@ Kevin: A few years ago, upon arriving in Paris, I was called off the airplane – by name – by the French police. A message sent from the US Marshals Service to the French authorities falsely identified me as a “fugitive”. Apparently, that message was sent to the French because my local registering agency (in California) had not submitted my 21-Day Advance Travel Notification to the US Marshals in a timely manner.
So if you wish to try traveling without submitting a 21-Day Advance Travel Notification, be warned that you are likely to be met on the other end by a contingent of police, just as I was.
David they still let you in on that time?
How does IML effect a RSO that is not a US citizen and who does not have a US passport? Green Card holder here that was not deported for a CP conviction, currently on supervised release, but wants to get out of the country and never come back.
⭐ Don’t stop traveling just because you have an IMP-stamped passport!⭐
I flew into Paris CDG airport last week. I have an IML-marked passport and the customs-border officer actually glanced at the p.51 notification (the 1st person to bother doing so!) He shrugged – he couldn’t have cared less. In fact, he was far more concerned with giving my passport a good, solid “France” stamp on a blank page.
What about hong kong do they allow entry for rso?
I recently traveled to Italy via Amsterdam and back home. I Gave the required notifications and had no issues at all except the usual mostly minimal harassment stop at US customs on the way back. I do not have a marked passport.
-As a side, I was considering traveling to Las Vegas and was wondering if anyone had any experience or what to expect if I register as a tourist there. I Don’t know exactly where to ask this question. So thanks if anyone can help!
As a Florida registrant I have actually traveled to Las Vegas 4 separate times in the past 8 years. They were actually quite accommodating to me. I simply provided my local county registration about my travel plans, as I expected to be gone 5-6 days. When I arrived in Vegas I immediately that morning went to the county registration to register as a traveler. It did take me about 2 or 3 hours as there are a LOT of things going on. I recommend being there when business opens.
I gave them the name of the place I was staying, and how long I was going to be there. That’s pretty much it! As I said, they were easily accommodating to me and never gave me even the slightest Hassle or problem.
Sorry for the delay, but Thank you for the response. Good to know
Hi, I would like to ask hows your Netherland Trip? Is Netherland let Rso in?
Hi Checha, I just returned from one month in France. I have a “unique identifier” IML U.S. passport, but had no problems at all entering France. The French customs officer at the airport looked at the special notification in my passport, shrugged and ignored it. I suspect you would have no problems at all entering any EU country including the Netherlands.
The only hassle was returning to the US and being sent to secondary CBP customs inspection at LAX – the waste of a whole hour for no good reason. 😒
This is the point that you never come back to USA. Once they let you in STAY there and never come back and when it comes time for Political Asylum present your case! After a 6 months to 12 months you have abandoned your country. Run Runnnnnn they say ! The fact is that during the civil war they took the Creek Indians and tried to get rid of them apprehended them and just like runaway slaves they are trying to the very same thing when leaving the USA. They are trying to treat us like they’re our “master” and Germany Courts are hot on their trail! Read Facts not fear! This is what the Nazis did to rid of a certain race for imperfections. The 6th Circuit already ruled that it’s punishment!