Two American Registrants Denied Entry to the Philippines
Two American persons forced to register as sex offenders, one for an offense that took place more than two decades ago and one for an offense that took place 36 years ago, were denied entry into the Philippines earlier this month.
It’s an unfortunate reminder of how persons forced to register continue to deal with lifelong consequences from decades-old convictions and how the US’s policy of branding passports and sending notice to receiving countries contributes to their banishment.
Most people travel for legitimate purposes, such as business or to visit with family. There was nothing to suggest these two individuals were traveling for nefarious purposes or that they had done so in the decades since their offenses.
Before you travel, be sure to check RTAG’s Travel Matrix to avoid being turned away and to also avoid the shame of being named in newspaper articles such as this one when you are 54, for a crime committed when you were 18.
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I am in good company. I was denied entry tot he Philippines and blacklisted when I travelled to visit my (now) wife 2013. I have also been kicked out of Thailand when I travelled there to vacation with my then fiancé (now my wife).
One good thing now that I am married to a Filipina (who lives with me now), I can apply for a waiver and be taken off of the blacklist, but I have no desire to visit a country who kicked me out.