Originally Posted by
invisible
Because lying to a border agent is justification for deportation.
I'm on forums that have more people (than here) who have visited countries such as Iran and Iraq (I've been to both.)
There are a
lot of people who have been to countries that mean they cannot apply for an ESTA. But, a large number of them will lie on their ESTA application, take a 'clean' passport (easier these days because more and more countries will not stamp the passport), and I have not heard of a single case of them not being allowed into the USA. If their past travel history came up when their passport was scanned, then I would think that they wouldn't be allowed to enter the USA on their ESTA.
Note: I would never, ever, do this myself. If I need to travel to the USA I will apply for a traditional visa. But, I would describe myself as being in the minority.
Originally Posted by
HarryTheGreyhound
I don’t want to give a guarantee, but a coworker went to Cuba three years ago and got an ESTA in 2022 (they didn’t know you had to apply for a tourist visa). Had no problems travelling in June.
Is this a more recent change?
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en...d%20ESTA%3F%20
Cuba invalidates an ESTA, but I don't think this was the case three years ago. I could easily be wrong, but some sites don't list Cuba. E.g.
https://e-visums.co.uk/usa/apply-for...malia-or-yemen