New ILR Stamp

To bring this back to the original subject, my son has just arrived today.  Although he did get questioned by Immigration and they even rubbed his stamp, he did however make it through using two US Passports.

*wipes her fevered brow*

YEAH!  That's great news - I bet you're over the moon!

Great news Caitlinn!  Glad to hear it!!!!

Of course, this is all hypothetical because my kids and I aren't eligible for UK passports until Sept of 2005...and the first place I'm thinking of visiting on it is Cuba!

If you do travel to Cuba on a UK passport, and later on have to present that passport to a US authority, and they see that you've been in Cuba, you've committed an offense according to US law (it doesn't matter that you're a dual citizen and that you entered and left Cuba on the UK passport). You see, the offense is not limited to a US citizen entering Cuba with a US passport; the offense is that a US citizen enters Cuba at all.

Why would you need to give your UK passport to a US authority? When the Royal Mail lost my passport during my naturalisation process, I had to go to the US Embassy here in London to get a replacement. In order to prove I was who I was, I had to present...my UK passport, as I'm not a driver and have no other legally-recognised identification.

Now, all this being said, it's possible that Cuban immigration officials can stamp something other than your UK passport, thus leaving no evidence that you've been to Cuba. I'm unsure of this and a quick look at the Cuban Embassy website here in London doesn't give me any specific information. But do be cautious.

Yes, I know I'm a big wet blanket on this thread, always warning about stuff. However, better information is always good and I'm sure that travel to Cuba is possible on your UK passport with not much trouble.

Chris Hansen
http://www.hansenhome.demon.co.uk

I wish I knew how a certain Collier County (Florida) judge used to visit Cuba twice a year without any sanctions being imposed on him...

You're not a wet blanket, Chris.  Before I made this move I found your website to be invaluable.  You know what they say - "Ignorance of the law is no excuse," and you just make sure that people aren't ignorant!  Just because we (I!) may not like the facts as they stand is no reflection on you.

Thanks!

I wish I knew how a certain Collier County (Florida) judge used to visit Cuba twice a year without any sanctions being imposed on him... >:(

You're not a wet blanket, Chris.  Before I made this move I found your website to be invaluable.  You know what they say - "Ignorance of the law is no excuse," and you just make sure that people aren't ignorant!  Just because we (I!) may not like the facts as they stand is no reflection on you.

Thanks!

Anytime. Oh, and congrats to the young man who got through Immigration's stern questioning!

As for visiting Cuba, there have always been "exceptions" made. People with Cuban relatives are usually allowed (after asking for a waiver) to both send money (illegal for US citizens under US law) to Cuba and to visit. Journalists, politicians (the judge may have gotten in under this one), and humanitarian trips are also usually allowed.

And, don't forget that you shouldn't buy Cuban cigars here in the UK and bring them into the US for your Uncle Dudley who is yearning for a real Havana smoke--that's illegal too. Cuban rum, too, may not be imported, or anything made in Cuba. We're giving "aid and comfort" to the enemy through buying their products and thus giving them money.

I'd love to go on one of those "sponsored for charity" bicycle trips through Cuba, but am hesitant because of the strictures.

Oh, well. I'll just go have a Cuban cigar with my rum 'n' cola and think about it for a while! <g>

Cheers!

Chris Hansen
http://www.hansenhome.demon.co.uk