Todd Bertrang?

[kristoff]

You can not get a passport if you have a record. New laws as of 9/11.

River

Actually, one can get a passport. Just most countries won't issue a visa because they don't allow felons to enter their countries. And they do check Federal criminal files.

[Riverwind (imported)]

Actually many countries are now that way, go figure.

We are so free except for all the restrictions.

River

[xgmzfpys (imported)]

We are so free except for all the restrictions.

I'm going for a chisel...

But: For many countries(ie in Europe all with excepition of Russia,Belarus, Albania) you don't need visa for tourist, 90 days visit, twice per year. And, there is no border-check inside shengen area. So there is a plenty of options, how to stay here without "working visa". Personally, I have few friends from US or Canada, who stay here for years just as a tourists, staying in grey zone of economy. And US citizens are not precieved as threat, so until big problems nobody is searching for what are they doing here. Not mentioning other ways how to get citizenship, if it's needed, like (faked) mariage or in the worst case foregin legion still have their office opened.

[A-1 (imported)]

...and the CATCH-22, is that you CAN steal an identity and go, but that's a FELONY...

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:withstupi

[fhunter]

You can not get a passport if you have a record. New laws as of 9/11.

RiverWhat? O_o? Is there any reference to specific law? Quick googling does not show anything.

[Riverwind (imported)]

OMG BOB/3 are you watching, I WAS WRONG.

ok now that I got that out of the way, here is the story.

The USA as with other countries issue a passport, this is only an international ID. you still need to get a visa to the countries that your going to travel to so that country may refuse you or may not.

River

[transward (imported)]

Actually many countries are now that way, go figure.

We are so free except for all the restrictions.

River

Sort of like:

Freedom, said the jailer, as he locked the steel barred gate,

Is the distance from the wall to the gate.

And you, in your youth, may be truly free,

If you never reach the gate.

Transward

[moi621 (imported)]

Sorry Todd. It's called thread drift.

My (extremely +++ wealthy) friend married into a Tajik family. To obtain a visitors visa to America from Tajikistan is not easy. And denial need not be explained. America usually get you on failure to prove you will not over stay your visa. SO - They fly into Mexico then apply for the visitors visa there. Never fails.

This system has not changed since 9/11 but speaks to the extreme discrimination as to assume guilt with prejudice on foreign visitors visa applications.

I would like to see a system of sponsorship where an American citizen might take "responsibility" for the usually denied foreign visitors visa applicant. Like the single Thai lady. Wealthy. Properties. Family. But, a single Thai lady. Denied repeatedly a visitors visa.

Blah Blah Blah

Moi

[Riverwind (imported)]

Moi, you know Americans don't want to take responsibility for anything, that would never work.

River

[moi621 (imported)]

Moi, you know Americans don't want to take responsibility for anything, that would never work.

River

It took two years and two application fees to obtain "visitors visas" for my Russky wife's best friend and her husband + 2 kids.

The second time, The Orange County Register had written an editorial about the guilty until proven innocent program and how can we expect people to emulate the American way if we don't let them see it.

I would have "sponsored" these people.

My rich friends would sponsor the Thai or Tajiks. The option is not there.

Moi