(Decided to share this story in hope it might keep somebody else from the humiliation i experienced with my family and add to your travel site data base )
Unfortunately i found out the hard way about International Megan’s Law while traveling to Bahamas on a family/birthday vacation.
Since i had traveled to the Bahamas multiple times before the law was enacted and did not have to register under IML until 2017, I was totally blindsided when i was ushered into a small room, advised they had received notification from Interpol and the US marshals service as to be on alert to my flight and party and traveling as a rso . All they cared about if i was in fact a rso–nothing about the charges being over 20 years old and my legal papers showing i was removed in my home state–or the fact i had traveled throughout the Bahamas for years after my conviction and actually lived in Grand Bahama for 3 months.
I was summarily separated from my family and promptly ushered back on the plane back to Miami– I barely had time to give my fiancee (she knows of my background and status) my credit cards and cash to continue with the trip without me. She had to cry and beg for the hotel to honor our reservations since the cc were all in my name and the touted fishing trip had to be cancelled.
OVERSEAS REGISTRANT WINS BATTLE WITH ANGEL WATCH CENTER
October 17, 2018 ·95 Comments
A registrant who has lived overseas for more than two years recently won a battle with the Angel Watch Center after the Center falsely notified the State Department that he was currently required to register as a sex offender. As a result of that notification, the registrant’s U.S. passport was revoked because it lacked a “unique identifier”.
The registrant, who was traveling on business, learned that his passport had been revoked after a letter was sent to the home of a relative where he had previously resided prior to departing the U.S. Because his passport was revoked, the registrant could not return home from the country where he was conducting business.
The Angel Watch Center’s determination was based upon an incorrect interpretation of a state’s registration laws. In order to correct that determination, a letter was obtained from the state police which clarified that the registrant is not required to register in that state because he had properly notified the state of his move overseas and that he is not a current resident of that state.
After receipt of the state police letter, the Angel Watch Center notified the State Department of its error and the State Department eventually issued the registrant a new passport without the “unique identifier” at no cost. This process took about six weeks and resulted in the registrant’s inability to return to his family as well as significant hotel and other related costs. The registrant is now reviewing his legal options due to harm caused by the Angel Watch Center’s errors.
Tweet
Share
Pin it
Comment
A fallen Angel apparently . When you do whatever you can at “ANY” cost or measure to protect one group while lying or making mistakes against another.
The news does this crap. Falsely report something on an offender then when corrected, never do a retraction. I have seen many stories of people being called a Predator before even being found guilty, just an arrest. When later they are found to not be the person they were looking for, news just stays quiet.
If you try and sue them, they cry “Freedom of the press”.
I believe legally these “Jump to be the first to report” reporters should be held civilly liable for their actions.
Need the source of this story (a link to where it came from).
https://all4consolaws.org/2018/10/overseas-registrant-wins-battle-with-angel-watch-center/
If you register anywhere, for any offense, minor or adult victim, notification of travel is being forwarded and you will be denied entry.
You need to be free and clear of all state registries, and free from the Angel Watch List, which they will confirm for you:
Mr. ,
The Angel Watch Center has verified that your previous conviction for a sex offense did not involve a victim that was a minor, therefore, you are not subject to the passport marking provision of International Megan’s Law. The Angel Watch Center has not notified the Department of State that you are required to have the IML endorsement in your passport. If you believe that there is an issue with your previous or current U.S. passport we recommend that you contact the Department of State Passport Office directly.
Regards,
The Angel Watch Center
I am confused. The Angel Watch Center letter (which I assume you copied from an email) said your passport is good and doesn’t need IML endorsement. So what’s the problem(s) you experienced? Can you please explain in detail? Were you denied entry into a country? If so, which country (or countries)? Did you give the 21 day notice?
Thanks,
R.
Perhaps this will help: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/a-deeper-dive-into-iml/
Actually that link made it more confusing, lol. I am curious on this person’s problems since he didn’t have to get a new passport identifier under IML. Has anyone who doesn’t need to get a new passport (i.e., not a case involving a minor), have any issues entering any foreign countries, not limited to Caribbean countries. That’s what I am trying to find out.
Question
is IML retroactive?
what about the person whom was released yrs ago before IML
Yes
I dont think if you no longer register in any state that it applies per the email from Angelwatch. I could be wrong tho.
I had a passport prior to IML which I had somehow misplaced when I moved to a different city in my home state of CT. When IML was implemented, I never received any notice that I had to turn in my passport for a new one with the stamp.
Anyway, I have been off the registry since June 2018 and since I could not find my passport, I applied for a new one which I received today and it has NO “s.o.” indicator on it anywhere.
I’m also now living in FL, but if anything happens that forces me to have to register all over again – I’m leaving this state. But not without taking them to court first for not honoring that fulfillment of my punishment from my original state.
I’ve heard Nevada doesn’t make former registrants re-register. Anyone know of any other states that don’t?
Personally Maestro get the hell out of Florida
you never know if a neighbor decides to run a search on you and put it up your A$$ by sending demand letters to FDLE or push your information to the governor for an action
1000s of letters to the governor asking to get off reg.will never happen
100 letters with the right information will possibility put you on as there is proof of past offense,
I think many people here will say the same thing if your no longer a member of the club in your home state dont come to Florida you may end up with the automatic Renewal
there is a lot more to this story as it was done to me
luck was on my side friend in sheriffs office let me in on it
I got out of Floridah less then a week.
FAC
[email protected]
Thu, Jan 9, 6:02 PM (12 hours ago)
to me
IML is retroactive in that it applies to all registrants. If you no longer have to register,
then you are no longer a registrant and are not required to abide by IML/
As for your friend, his passport will not be marked and they should not send an alert.
However, he still must give travel notification. So India should treat him as
any US citizen
Yes. Mexico. The Angel watch center is not the only source of notification to other countries. The US Marshalls will still notify other countries of travelling registrants with or without minor victims.
After that, yo are not getting in. There are a few exceptions to that, Aruba may be one, but they are getting fewer as time passes.
Bottom line: if you have a minor offense, you are not travelling abroad anymore. If you have an adult offense and are registered, probably the same.
No legal challenges to be filed as the US is simply communicating truth about convictions. Most countries have policies regarding allowing criminals into their country, and when we are flagged by the US prior, its like shooting ducks in a barrel for them.
No matter if you have a minor offense or not, if you are no required to register or removed from it in all places, you would be allowed to travel.
I have to register and I was sentenced under a diversion program where the case was dismissed, record sealed, and no conviction. However for purposes of Sora, my state still requires registration. The legislatures are working to pass a new law for those in my situation who have no conviction, but still required to register ( they finally get that it makes no sense to do that). If and once I’m removed, I doubt the Marshall’s office or angel watch would be sending anything. It’s not the same as registering until your time runs out (25 years etc). Here, my legislators are changing the law period.
That being said, this is which I have not, and will not get a passport until I am removed. Seems like once you are Angel Watch system, especially if they sent notice to another country about you, it could be that much harder. I would just rather be patient and not travel abroad right now until either I’m removed, or until IML is defeated.
It would suck to be on a plane wondering the ‘entire 14 hour flight,’ if you are going to be sent back. Not putting myself thru that. Too much embarrassnent as these recent stories have shared.
Does your case involve a minor?
Not sure how much of a financial impact it is now but I use to spend about $4,000 a year on International travel. If all people on the registry and their families can no longer go together, most families won’t travel alone without Dad, especially in a foreign country, that could cause at least a slight dip in revenue.
Jack
I can say it does have impact on the country I spent 60k plus pr yr, I lived there 7 yrs built a home there
expats of all nations spend Big money to live there as I did , now with Pres.Dirty of the Philippines hes planning to ensure all Americans have a visa Before entry this will destroy the phils economy 7000 us veterans reside there alone how much more of other expats, yes It will have a devastating Impact
No, not according to Paul at RTAG. If your case doesn’t involve a minor, all you have to do is give 21 day notification. Angel Watch should not be transmitting it to anyone.
Rocky
though im some cases a person not required to have a stamp in the passport, cause their offense didn’t involve a minor
the 21 day notice is the sleuth box to catch the rest.
(of the loopholes)
Need proof of this sleuth box. Not conjecture.
If you are registered the US Marshall’s are still notifying and being denied entry should be expected
M
your right either way Minor or Adult offense,
stamp or not, if your registered Person 21 day notice is the catch all,
you go 21 days in advance to report your destination
in turn the sheriffs dept/LE transmits your travel plans to the US marshals /state Dept of intent to travel
and whom do they report it to ? Angel Watch Center for action green notices sent out from Interpol
we can be armchair quarterbacks and argue of the plays but the fact remains this ball is in the governments court and we are carrying the penalty as a registered Person minor or adult offense
21 day notices are there to keep registered persons (on notice In check) that they are a POWs of the unconstitutional Registry and til the day it is #abolished it will remain that way.
and for those who think my offense is on an adult I’m exempt, go travel to the country if you happen to be allowed in Awesome! keep your A$$ there never come back if you can afford it,
if you go there get stopped at point of entry be prepared for shame humiliation disgust anger 1000s of hard earned money gone, no recourse to get that money back the only thing you have managed to do is earn the knowledge that traveling out of country is over.
I’m no longer a member but still multitudes of collateral damage after the Registry we are not free
Any proof because according to Paul at RTAG you are wrong? Please provide proof that this is happening to people with no mark on their passport.
Rock
we discussed earlier and I cant divulge a Reg persons name he has my full respect of privacy
but what i can say he was blacklisted in 2016 from Philippines he notified 21 days in advance his offence was a date rape trump up charge I know well I read his reports ADULT offence
since November of 2019 he was released and want to move on with his life Im helping him now get back into the Philippines its going to be a long Journey But I’ve done this before with another person and including myself in December 2013 and back in April of 2014 use your letter of release proof of a marriage and I told his wife to by property and get sign agreement of his co- ownership of land
I don’t need his name. I need proof that he has an adult case and was denied entry because it contradicts Paul’s info. There is too much fake information being spread online. Hence, we need a reference, news article, letter, evidence, etc., to show that US Marshalls and Angel Watch are not following the rules.
rocky
adult or a offense against a minor they send green notices OK
they dont claim your offense is for a child or an adult their main focus on destroying a persons life, it letting the country know you are a reg,Person its part of IML
US Marshall’s and Angel Watch are the entries that send green notices its there Job. and why are they sending these notices?
it all started with the 21 day notice to your local sheriffs dept do you see a check mark box to claim adult offense or offense with a minor? possible the issue starts there,
stamp or not, adult or not granted no matter what you have been told from tag.
it still happens and will keep happening, you can have all the proof in hand to prove what is happening but for the fact our government is going to claim the country of destination has a right to refuse a RP for any reason. thusfore your SOL on any kind of lawsuit
and FYI find this Blog this green notice was accidentally left in the RPs paperwork when he was deported yes Adult offense do you see anywhere it says he had adult offense?
NO just a RSO/a registered SO ….it is an IML notice
#experienced on January 9, 2020 at 9:24 am
Int’l Mess on January 9, 2020 at 1:08 pm
This letter is not intended to cause a hold departure order on the subject,it is only provided for us in assessing eligibility for admission
If other Posters on this page would like to Jump in and correct me if im wrong please do..
I think he’s saying, a person he knows who committed a crime against an adult, was denied entry into a country. That’s that country’s prerogative. What proof do you need?
If you are subject to an Interpol green notice, some countries may deny you entry, regardless of whether there is a mark on your passport.
Thank you Jacob!
rock wants proof in hand, proof he will never get, and this country will NEVER admit to wrong doing the way the green notices are written its to inform that a RP is in route its up to the other country to make that decision
In or out.
HongKong
same guy I know has been there 8x he is RP IML sent green notices they pull him in ask questions and allowed him in every time cause his wife from the Philippines arrived there ahead of him
until IML and the registry is #abolished we have to just suck it up.
I don’t think you are understanding my post. There is a contradiction between RTAG (Paul) and someone on here about whether SOs with adult cases are being denied entry into foreign countries. Whenever there is a contradiction of information, you try to collect more evidence to see what is true and what is false. I need evidence of SOs with adult cases being denied entry into a foreign country.
Rocky – This site is not a source for legal opinions. FAC is not a law firm, we do not have lawyers on staff and the individuals responding to your questions are providing anecdotal information based on past information and belief.
The IML, as all registration laws, are complex and not uniformly applied. While IML is a Federal Law that should apply nationwide, some states’ laws vary in application and some states are not AWA Compliant and if you are not required to register in their state and show up to report international travel, they might be confused or their state agency might not report it to the US Marshals in which case no green notice is sent. There are also other registration laws aside from IML which might come into play. These are all “mights” – if you ask whether Federal law authorizes the sending of travel notifications for persons on the registry regardless of whether their offense was against a minor:
Travel notifications are sent by the Angel Watch Center pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 21503(f) AND the National Sex Offender Targeting Center pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 21504(a)(1) (formerly 42 U.S.C. § 16935c(a)(1)). The Angel Watch Center is limited in its ability to make notifications of foreign travel to cases where a person is registered on the basis of an offense against a minor, the National Sex Offender Targeting Center is not.
I hope that answer satisfies you and we can move on from this topic. As complex as the laws are for attorneys and law enforcement officers to understand, they are even more confusing for the “regular” person. You seem frustrated because you are not getting the specifics you are looking for, but unfortunately the only person who can do the research and draft an opinion for your situation is someone who is qualified to do the research and licensed to provide the opinion. If you are having a legal issue related to international travel for which you need actual legal guidance, we have a list of lawyers on our referral page.
Paul did NOT say, did he, that no one who committed a crime against an adult had any problem at any border crossing. Not even the Registrant Travel Matrix goes that far.
It partly depends on the receiving country and what their policies are. We know from RTAG that some countries, for example, admit hardly any former felons at all.
All we can say is that if someone was denied due to a past crime against an ADULT, then it was not the doing of International Megan’s Law but some other law or policy (or combination thereof).
thank you Jacob for clearing up the matter.
not to be a smart A$$ but here is the real travel notification
Dear sir,Per our previous discussions,the information to follow is provided for your use,as you deem appropriate.This letter is not intended to cause a hold departure order on the subject,it is only provided for us in assessing eligibility for admission to the republic of the Philippines._____________an American citizen and convicted felon and RSO is reported to be possibly enroute to the Philippines.The Us immigration and customs enforcement (ICE),Homeland security Investigations(HSI),Manila Philippines,was notified that______a registered SO departed the US bound for the Philippines.It is believed ______may pose a a potential risk for the community abroad.This message is to inform your office of the possible presence of _____in the Philippines.If you have any questions regarding this notification,please do not hesitate to contact me (ICE contact number).
If FAC decides to go forward with any lawsuits based on being denied entry into a country and then sent back (when entry was gained the year before), I’d be more than happy to be one of the John Doe CRR (Citizen Required to Register) on the lawsuit. It was embarrassing, humiliating, inhumane, and traumatizing for my wife and I. I’m sure you could fill up the court room with CRR’s and similar stories to go with. Let’s fight this IML garbage with real life occurrences. They’re existing now and we have the numbers.
Add me to that list as well…
Maybe a really good attorney; someone of Janice Belluci’s caliber would know of a vulnerability that would make it open to a good federal lawsuit.
I have been (and constantly am) thinking about any angle to attack this problem. The overriding issue is the ruling that the Supreme Court has deemed the registration process “not cruel and unusual punishment”. Given that ruling it would take another SC ruling to overturn that stance, which was unfortunately made on bad data.
That being said however, I’m wondering if the travel restrictions that we are currently experiencing could be deemed cruel and unusual – ie: prisoners in our own land. It really chafes my hide that they send letters to the receiving countries basically outlining us as all boogiemen without any other justification for something we did 10, 20, 30 (gad) 40 years ago…
So not all registered people have crimes involving a minor. For those who don’t, what have been your experiences with your passport and traveling internationally?
I don’t know what your charges were. Although I feel your pain. The government obviously has NO LEGAL right to use any after time served for you as you served you time and that is what the system calls for. Before 1900 time served meant you always get your rights back, regardless of the crime. Obviously, that is the way it is suppose to be according to the constitution. Unfortunately, these self appointed dictators have their system and that is all they care about. Convincing the public that all ex-felons are extremely dangerous when they are released and don’t deserve their rights back???? What? Our forefathers never intended for this to occur and case and point a man earned his rights back by serving time. The life appointed crooked politicians who should be in jail themselves for various crimes and misdemeanors are never convicted or serve much time even if it is a serious felony. Just like the so-cops who are hired to serve the political agenda at the time. They are ruthless and derive most of their arrested from paid informants while they take the credit. They could care less if the person of interest is a low degree potential felon.
Since the child predatory registry was implemented their has been no reduction is a crime due to a child predator laws. It is just a matter of harrassment and keeping ones rights away from him. Obviously, America is NOT america anymore. It has been sold out to the highest bidder and the politicians who have their own agenda working they say for joe public, which could be father from the truth. The law enforcers do what they want when they want without fear from the public.. We are suppose to fear them now or else. They are the dirtiest players of all in the game. Just look at any Youtube video on police misconduct and you will see for yourself. It is completely out of hand And needs the public’s attention before we all become victims. They hire ex war vets with mental disabilites and that’s the way they like it. They take precedent over over any other hire. Gee, go figure. They are sociopaths, psychos and extremely dangerous people Cross them and you will end up dead at their hand without any recorse to stop them or or without a high powered expensive attorney who knows the judges you do not stand a chance against them and they know it. the have unlimited resources thanks to the taxpayers. They are liars, killers and absolute the opposite of what they say.. Gee, the last time I tried to call a cop for attempted home invasion it took them 27 minutes to respond.. REally?? Sad but true. When they got there the guy was hiding in my laundry who in the back of the house. believe it or not they let him go, buying his story that he was only looking for protection from people chasing him… Bullshit, a simple deduction ruled that story out and anyway the guy walked and I could not even bring the police department to help me with filing a trespassing complaint against him…NO such luck,,it was my fault. Remember now I cannot legally protect myself from harms way whatever that may be and was only armed with a baseball bat and a few dull knives. Thanks politicians! You can damn well bet that they will make sure their body guards have every weapon know to man to protect the worthless imposiles…
thanks for reading
And shame on all these foreign countries for following the U.S in making registry laws. Almost all these nations had laws that allowed ex felons to rebuild their lives before the U.S started the Scarlet letter campaign of the registries which have only gotten more and more strict.
Then each thing they add seems to be done retroactively with very little if anything to be done to fight it since the courts seem to be 90% of the time on the side of registries, even when applied as retroactively.
Maestro
Im off registry I give NO notice!
and notice to whom? If i was suppose too?
Off the registry in which state? Was your conviction against a minor? You don’t give 21 day notice before you travel internationally?
Does anyone know if there is any pending legislation in the federal courts to Fight the constitutionality of IML?
Thanks.
Not at this time that we know of. There is discussion
FCC can we do a POLL
we all know the numbers of Reg. citizens but what is the actual numbers of reg citizens whom actually was released? and what yr? we know it will start release dates of 2006-?
we could end up with the actual amount people (numbers to date) total over all that was scared for life
I can say without a doubt I was 1 of the first ones on and first 1s off Released date July 2006
#abolish advocates are using statics of re-offend rates of people who are on the registry, to prove a point but how about people who was released since 2006 there be your real proof to present to a court,
Just read read my post the thoughts are there, just Jumbled
This is why I stopped traveling. I use to travel with only the return trip home being the issue once I arrived back in the U.S. Once they stated they would start notifying the intake countries of our arrival I stopped traveling.
NOT because I was going there for sex and was being sneaky, but because I knew once they would learn of this, it didn’t matter if you were traveling with the a missionary group, you were screwed.
So it appears from this poster, that even getting off the registry will not make everything right.
Registry removal does not relieve you from IML. In fact, I don’t recall IML mentioning registry status at all. Instead, IML applies to someone who has been convicted of a sex crime against a minor.
been off 15 yrs 1 Issue ever filed I-130 petition for my wife at an embassy abroad thy passed false information to bureau of Immigration making a claim i was a reg person, sent them strongly worded letter of rights violations I was back in the country in 2 weeks later
pulled in 1 time on a return trip the first time out I explained what went down never again pulled in
also spoke with Paul at [email protected]
he claimed if your off reg, no issues no AWC
I believe IML was drawn from AWA which refers to Reg persons
Soooo if I would have not come to florida (off registry in homestate) i could have traveled. Just because i came to florida I cannot go international
Jm
sadly but true
but I have to ask if your off of registry in your offending state, Why are you registered in Floriduh
you released in home state when your living in Floriduh?
I do not understand why all these people get off the registry then move. You are moving into a trap. If I ever get off in Florida, I am staying put. I already know some states have for life with no chance to get off and if you move there, you will be put on theirs for life. ( In some instances )
Sort of like getting a second chance scratch off ticket and throwing it away.
If the Expo Facto case wins, we need to have a huge fund raising event for the F.A.C. I am awaiting for that day so my locked funds can be released to me.
I don’t understand the system to operate that way. From what I know/have read, the goal is to create a closed-loop. So you if you inform the new state that you have moved back to your home state, they will remove you from their registry, assuming that you will be placed back on the prior state’s registry. No state wants the extra work of maintaining a registry of people who don’t live there. This is how it’s legal to vacate the country (if you can pull that off) and be off the registry and why the US is pushing for other countries to join the registry system. It’s a jurisdiction thing.
wait Florida dont mind keeping dead people on the registry its a funding issue to drop people off no $$$$
That is correct. The law applies to registrants required to register in ANY jurisdiction, regardless of status in your state.
Ive to have been of 15 yrs and travel abroad BUT each yr ill pull a FIOA at inter-pole to see if there was any bullshit added behind my back
I use Certification of Identity
FORM APPROVED OMB NO.
1103-0016 EXPIRES 05/31/2020
actually DOJ form 361
then i sent it to InterPole
[email protected],
if an Reg citizen has plans of travel I strongly suggest this method
I didn’t understand your post. What do you do and is it before or after you travel? Do you have a marked passport? Do you give the 21 day advance notification? Please email me: djrock76 (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Rocky
as I said been off 15 yrs I pull a FOIA Each January before traveling that yr
I want to see if any entity has pulled any bullshit on me (I dont trust No one) reason fore Pulling FOIA it will state if you had any crimes in the last 7 yr or if your a Reg person, if i see any flags I would cancel my trip save the MONEY and shame and aggravation (precautionary measure,)
and spend the rest of my time getting to the bottom of all of it, though it hasn’t happened been flying 2013 to present
You pull a FOIA how? to whom? What’s the exact step by step procedure? After you find out, what can you do next? Does it give you information from Interpol? I don’t think a RSO can stop them from doing what they do even if you find out on the FOIA, right? Do you have a new passport? What if you crime is not against a minor?
are you you off the registry or just off in Home state makes a big difference
So sorry this happened to you.
I had this same question as well. If you were off in your home state, who then made you still register? Did you move to another state prior to being removed from your home state? Some states like NY will keep you on the registry even if your home state subsequently removes you, which is why I wouldn’t recommend relocating anywhere, until my state removes me first.
So are these IML notices being sent because you managed to get on the Florida registry even though you have been removed by your state of violation (or home state?) People have stated that there is no “Federal” registry, but the national registry is taken form the states. Please explain further how this happened to you.
here is the problem as well
you get off in 1 state Reg….but required to REG in life time state
IF you ever get pulled over and they run the the system and REG citizen pops up well your screwed taking a chance of FTR or force you back on it its getting bad another way to circumvent the system
FTR?
I believe FTR means “failure to register.”
Failure To Register FTR
Strongly urge this member to submit report to RTAG also— need to get the Registrant Travel Matrix updated to reflect this experience.
Similar questions:
1) Was your old conviction against a minor? Did you have to get a new passport with the “RSO stamp” on the last page?
2) Have you tried traveling elsewhere besides the Bahamas?
3) Have you tried talking to the Bahamian Consulate?
Wow. What an unfortunate story. That made me think of something. I was reading a thread a while back about RSO and taking cruises – how some cruise lines allow RSOs and some flatly do not. In respect to those cruise lines that do allow RSOs, what happens when they port in countries like the Bahamas? Are RSOs allowed to disembark at these locations, or do they have to just stay on ship?
What a messed up, complicated and unnecessarily shameful web they (the authorities) continue to weave.
I have taken many cruises in the past few years. My last cruise was in September, we went on a short cruise to the Bahamas. This is what you can expect; the ship will make a public announcement as soon as the ship gets to port and the local immigration begins clearing the manifest. The will also phone your cabin. They will ask you to meet a ship’s security agent at guest services, and then they will escort you to a private area. Usually the main dinning room since it is closed in the morning, other than the main level. There you will meet with the country’s immigration officer. If you get a nice officer, they will explain the reason you are asked to meet (as if we don’t know), and they will ask you a few questions. They have asked me, What are you planning to do while in the country?, Do you intend to leave with the ship? Have you been here before? When was the last time you visited?, etc. Other countries like St. Lucia will like to get into the details of your charge, which I have learned to refuse to answer. After the questioning, the officer will make a decision then and there whether you are allowed to disembark. I have gotten mixed results.
In the past few years I have cruised extensively and I can tell you for a fact that it is getting tougher. I mostly travel on one cruise line. Two years ago I was never questioned, or stopped or prevented from entering a county, well only when we got back to the home port :-(. The last time at Port Canaveral they even searched my ipad and iphone! Guess what I am NOT taking on my next cruise? Every time a book a cruise I know that I may not be able to leave the ship so I prepare before hand. This thing with IML has really thrown a wrench in my everyday life, my old job required me to travel all about latin-america which I can no longer do. So like many others I had to leave my job and take a significant pay cut. My wife and my children we all had to make huge adjustments but thanks to God and the support of my family we are managing day to day.
If you don’t mind my asking, what’s the name of the cruise line (or lines) that doesn’t care about RSO status? I’ve been afraid to take a cruise for fear that the company won’t allow me to get on. Thanks!!
All cruise lines are “concerned” as to who they allow to board. That I know of only DIsney and Carnival will flat out deny registrants to cruise in their ships. Other cruise lines will have a vetting process and their security group will review and make a decision on a case by case basis. My suggestion to you is to call the cruise line directly and speak to one of the security consultants. They will be able to provide you with information on their clearance process.
Thanks for the response!
I have heard royal Caribbean is a no go. Has Norwegian ever given any problems, or asked about registrant status, security clearance, etc? My last cruise was on carnival in 2015. Somehow I was allowed on and no issues at any port nor upon returning to the US.
I would just not want to call the cruise line and get my name blacklisted, especially If i may be removed from registry soon. Your thought?
I’m honestly surprised Carnival has let you sail, they banned my husband when we tried to book a cruise with them in 2011. We were going to try and cruise on RC with our friends last fall, but the travel agent my friend dealt with with said that my husband couldn’t sail on any ships docking where RSO’s aren’t allowed in the country, so that basically ruled out any Caribbean destination because most go to the Bahamas, the VI’s, or Mexico at some point of the itinerary(even if they do stop at countries that don’t have an issue) I anything, talk to a travel agent,I’m curious if you’d get the same answer we did.
You can call the cruise line and NOT give them your name :-). I would focus on the cruise lines that market more toward adults for example Princess Cruise Lines (even though it is owned by Carnival) or Celebrity (owned by Royal) or M$C. It has been better for me to deal with the cruise line directly and not trough travel agents, travel agents are not well informed. Try it, plead your case the worst the can do is say NO.
How odd that people would call a company and plead to be allowed to give them business and money! I need people doing that to me. Personally, I’m going to skip companies that give RPs a hard time. I’m going to go to their competitors. And any time that I come across any way that I can harm such a company, I’m going to do it. Life is long and I’ve been surprised by opportunities that arise along the way.
The really funny thing is that companies that exclude RPs aren’t changing the risk to anyone in any significant way. They will still have the exact same safety risks regardless. They get little for drinking the Kool-Aid.
Reality: The $EX Offender Registries are nothing but a giant pile of excrement. They are clearly not needed or beneficial. That is trivial to prove. There is nothing legitimate about them. They are nothing but harassment by out-of-control Nanny Big Government and the emperor never had any clothes. They are all liars.
Hi,
Is your passport stamped (conviction involving a minor)? Do you have to give 21 day advance notification before going on a cruise? What were your mixed results (more denial of leaving the ship or more able to leave the ship)?
Thanks,
Rocky
My Passport was revoked last year. I travel with my birth certificate. So since IML I have traveled and allowed in Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, St, Thomas (US Territory), San Juan PR (US Territory), Cozumel Mexico, Jamaica. Not allowed in St. Kitts, St. Lucia, or British VI. I was questioned in the Bahamas for the first time last year, but I was allowed to disembark. And yes you have to give 21 days or more notice at your sheriff department.
You can travel without a passport? Did your conviction involve a minor? What about people with adult cases? Do you know anything about them?
You can cruise with a birth certificate IF you leave and return to the same port within the US. It’s called closed loop cruising google it, select the article from cbp.
was your passport revoked at a Point of entry or exit? (US)
or sent to you by certified letter
The letter was sent to an old address that I have not lived in or had on the registry for quite a few years. By the time the old landlord got a hold of me, I was a week away from my trip.
ABC – where did you learn to not provide details of your offense to the receiving country? I got turned away in Jamaica and during my questioning they asked me about my offense. I figured being forthcoming with my details and owning my past transgressions would be of a benefit vs. a detriment.
Brian – As you can see owning up to your past mistake didn’t get you an entry into Jamaica. I am sure it was not easy for you to have to discuss in detail your case one more time. I think it’s embarrassing and demeaning. In my opinion, they have already made their mind by the time they board the ship. So if I start hearing that line of questioning, the one that focuses toward the details of my offense, I respectfully decline to answer.
And since they take notes, I can assume that those notes are going to end up somewhere, and it will probably wont be good for me.
The authorities in this case, and essentially all cases, belong to the federal government. From SORA, SORNA, IML, ICAC, etc… it’s our federal government at play. The madness that many states implement yearly stem from what’s already in place and receive Grant money for doing so.
Yea, we learned the hard way too after the last time my husband and I tried to book a cruise on Carnival in 2011. The only decent thing they did was cancel our reservation the day we made final payment (which was about a month out from sailing) and call us to explain why.
2 questions:
Are you off the registry?
Is your passport stamped with the RSO info?
The federal government keeps a registered individual on their listing for a lifetime, regardless of what state they are in.
But that defeats the purpose of even being off the registry in one’s home state. Especially if they still reside in that home state. Because if you’re off the registry, there is no need to be giving anyone any notice of your travel attempts.
the Key word is registered persons federal government and yea to a point its true Angel watch DHS USCIS and others