kenish

If you ever plan to get a job requiring a US security clearance, any "below board" travel to Cuba will probably nix being able to get the job. That's unreasonable/ unfair by my personal yardstick, but that's the reality of current laws which I hope will change.

Rest assured, all your travel is known about. A friend recently had his security clearance upgraded to work on a new government contract that his employer had been awarded. During a routine but lengthy interview to process his clearance, they focused on domestic flights he had taken in SE Asia on a vacation, as well as local phone calls he had made to arrange and confirm local tours and flights. This isn't a rant or paranoia with Snowden at the top of the news...it's been reality for decades.

So, I'd recommend being totally above-board and complying with US laws if you or any family members may need to get a security clearance. Agree with others that the Treasury or State Departments are probably not a concern. Again I don't agree with our Cuba policy at all.

BenniRed

Thank you all for the great feedback! I'll read the articles (links) and research some more.

skyken

try this

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=us

JDiver

The OP had better not rely on information from FlyerTalk. We may have opinions - and I certainly have them as much as any others - and we may have the best of intentions, but we are not going to stand behind the OP when things go wrong, and she will not have any defense by sating "but... they told me so on FlyerTalk!"

The OP had better be careful or she could be fined and worse by the U S authorities. Those who feel departing from Canada or Mexico would mean the US authorities would not know of a trip violating the continuing embargo is incorrect - I know people and of people who were sanctioned (U S Treasury iirc) for trips to Cuba from Canada and other countries, including divers who purchased a package from a Canadian agency and had them travel from an origin not in the US. Even years ago, reliable authors reported Mexican officials were providing the CIA with lists of Americans who flew to / from Cuba.

Merely failing to declare (concealing) one went to Cuba is breaking the law for a U S citizen and can incur penalties. Got Global Entry? Kiss it goodbye. Want extra attention every time you enter the US internationally? You are likely to get it, and not in a good way.

Getting a Canadian citizenship - takes significant time and one must meet certain criteria - may allow dual citizenship and a legal way to travel to Cuba.

OP, check out official information only - perhaps consult a qualified immigration attorney before going much farther(Texas has a number of such in practice). I am not fond of the Cuban embargo, personally, but under Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code merely lying to a U S Government official (orally, failing to disclose, whatever) can result in significant penalties; ask Martha Stewart.

Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code says, in part:

TeaLoverDenise

I am American married to a Brit, living in the UK. I'll be getting my UK citizenship next month.

Would traveling to Cuba on holiday with my husband - using my British passport - be okay?



UPDATED TO ADD: Sorry, didn't read through to page 2 of this thread, and just read JDiver's note above - sounds like it would be okay for me to travel to Cuba using my UK citizenship.

BenniRed

Thanks for the great advice. I am taking this very seriously. I may end up not going with him. 3 months is not that long, we have been apart for 6 months at a time so 3 months wouldn't be a hardship.

RCyyz

As a Canadian, my personal view on Cuba is that Fidel (& now Raul) aren't Evil; they're just misunderstood.

I can understand that the American Government and possibly a fair portion of the American people were rather peeved at Mr. Castro back in October 1962, but gee 51 years is kind of a long time to hold a grudge ...

Anyhow, in these circumstances I would think that going for Canadian citizenship might be the logical solution particularly if the Cuba factor is going to be a long term thing.

mkt

Are you still a US citizen, or will you be renouncing it?

glg

Trying not to go too OMNI here, but I don't really think most Americans care, just a very small community in Miami who think that their corrupt government will return to power if/when Castro's government falls. That community's influence on our Cuba policy is ludicrously outsized.

MSPeconomist

It seems pretty easy for USA based academics to get permission to go to Cuba now. I think the OP should follow what was suggested upthread to check whether she can similarly get permission as the spouse of an academic, even if that person isn't a USA citizen.

VidaNaPraia

You have, as mentioned, a slim chance of getting caught. You "went to Canada and stayed there". However, do prepare not to have access to your funds in US banks or to US based credit cards for the duration of your stay in Cuba. Sounds like a very interesting trip, so enjoy to the fullest.

JDiver

We can't give advice that would be considered a leg to stand on... but you are, AFAIK, required to enter and depart the USA using your US passport (and giving the airline your US information for travel to the US to satisfy the USDHS requirements)). Beyond that, where you go with your UK passport is up to you and the United Kingdom, of course.

At one time, dual citizenship was definitely frowned upon on the US; I know because at that time I had one. Things have become much more lenient, and I know a number of people with U S citizenship as one of their citizenships - such as those of Irish descent who acquire Irish passports (and thereby can work in the EU without having to acquire work permits, etc.)

Congratulations, by the way.

JDiver

It's mostly about politics and special interest groups, most likely; there's not much strategically hinging on changes in the US relationship with Cuba. But further opinion is indeed more suited to OMNI/PR, as this forum is about travel to Cuba.

So now we return to the topic...



But

mkt

Not just Miami. Their community down here is absurdly powerful with the local and mainland right wing, and with the US's Cuba policy. The very first and wealthiest that left Cuba during and after the revolution came to Puerto Rico.