Un-licensed Travel to Cuba

[Ide & Sam 1]

Hey

So I am making my K-Visa (I-129F) packet today and I spoke with my lawyer....he is a general immigration lawyer (doesn't have allot of Cuba specific experience). But he expressed concern that I could be opening myself up for trouble with the Treasury Dept. regarding my un-licensed travel to Cuba. Has anyone who has gone through the sponsorship process had any problems with submitting proof of illegal travel to Cuba ? Honestly, I've never heard of anyone having problems but my lawyer is required to raise these concerns and now I'm curious.

Thanks !

[maestra_katy 0]

I had NO problems whatsoever with that issue. I am American and traveled to Cuba four times illegally. I have never traveled with a permit or anything. Our K-1 visa was approved within about 3 months with no questions regarding my travel at the interview or anywhere along the way.

However, he has not yet been granted the carta blanca. He has had the visa since Nov. 15, so you can imagine that we are becoming quite frustrated, but my government has no more say in it now-- it is all up to Cuba releasing him.

I would think long and hard about whether you can live without this man. This process is very long and tedious and might go on much longer than you anticipate. I am hoping that my man gets here soon because I miss him very much and am excited to explore the possibilities together; however, many days I wish we'd never met b/c my life has been in limbo for more than 1.5 years. His limbo has been utter hell there in Cuba.

What were you doing there, and how and where did you meet?

Katy

[ann and aties 9]

I have also been illegally, we've received our NOA2, the interview is in October. OFAC is concerned about cigars and rum, only and have not cared about your basic tourist for years. Even those that have reported at immigration on their way back into the U.S. that they were in Cuba without a license have not received letters from OFAC.

Katy, I would love to hear about your novio - what kind of job or training has he had that they won't let him go?

[Beau & Digna 5]

I'd read much about the risks/consequences of un-licensed travel to Cuba before my first visit, and found very few instances where people actually got fined, and that seems to be more of a thing of the past. I've never read of anyone having problems because they submitted un-licensed travel evidence as part of the sponsorship process. It seems immigration has a don't ask / don't tell policy in regard to how you went to Cuba...it doesn't, and shouldn't matter to them. Besides, I understand that the Treasury Dept. has no enforcement for fines if you were to get one, so if one requests a hearing...the fine is dropped. I'm not a legal advisor by any stretch, but just passing on what I've read from many sources...and no problems yet after 5 visits, and I-129F approval.

[RumbaBumba 4]

Glad to see this post.

You won't face any problems. Just when asked about your context, you never lie about it. There is where you enter a lot of trouble. Be honest at all times.

I am curious how everyone managed to get an interview! I am still waiting just for the date!

[baronson23 0]

USCIS falls under the state department. The trade embargo with Cuba is just that: a trade embargo. In other words, you can travel there, but it is illegal for you to SPEND MONEY there. Any trouble you encounter will be with the Treasury dept, not with the State Dept. They don't care.

Confirmed this with the Director of Constituent Affairs at my local congresman's office. He was a big help, so maybe try your local office.

As for lawyers, mine was a complete waste of money, and actually wound up costing me even MORE time. Don't use them unless you feel overwhelmed by the process. I'm sure some are better than most, but make sure you get one with Cuban experience. Mine has been practicing immigration law for 28 years and even taught at Florida Int'l University in Miami of all places), and the guy was an uninformed jackass. Using him was the worst decision I made in the whole process.

Also make frequent visits to Cuba if you can. I just got back and seeing my chica again made it worth it all over again. You'll get there.