Traveling to Cuba

[MandR 0]

Hi Everybody

Ii'm peruvian married to an american. Been in USA since 2006 got my resident card same year as permanent resident. I was invited to go to Cuba last year and this year once again but I'm scared that the USA Inmigration Department will take away my residence or maybe denied my process to become a USA citizen (I'm thinking to apply for it next year). I still has my peruvian passport but I want to know if someone else has been out from Miami to Cuba without a problem. Need help

[CC90 90]

Under what conditions would you be going to Cuba?

If you say you're leaving from Miami, I assume you either claim to be covered by a general license or otherwise have a specific license from OFAC? If so, you are traveling legally and will have no issues.

If you're not going with OFAC authorization--and CBP finds out--you will be reported to OFAC but will not lose your LPR status. It will look rather poorly in a naturalization application, however.

[MandR 0]

I just want to go for four days with another peruvian friend as tourist

[CC90 90]

If you don't have permission from OFAC or otherwise fall under an OFAC general license, you will not be allowed to depart on a plane directly from Miami. Tourist travel to Cuba by those subject to US jurisdiction is not allowed.

At risk of large fines and denial of naturalization, I would refrain from going if the trip is not legal.

[MandR 0]

what doespermission from OFAC or otherwise fall under an OFAC general license means and how do I process this requests?

If you don't have permission from OFAC or otherwise fall under an OFAC general license, you will not be allowed to depart on a plane directly from Miami. Tourist travel to Cuba by those subject to US jurisdiction is not allowed.

At risk of large fines and denial of naturalization, I would refrain from going if the trip is not legal.

[CC90 90]

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are complicated. There are many provisions, and you can research them yourself. However, none pertain to tourist travel. There are provisions for humanitarian projects, visiting Cuban family (if you are Cuban), academic research, church missions, etc.

There are two types of license groups. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) enforces the regulations and issues licenses. Applying for specific licenses is very complicated and may necessitate a lawyer depending on the circumstances.

Regardless, many Americans travel to Cuba by connecting in 3rd countries (Bahamas, Dominican Republic, etc.) illegally and commit perjury when lying on the customs form about countries visited when coming back to the US. Some airlines share the passenger manifests with the US government and CBP can find out if you're lying.

If you care about not being fined potentially $10,000 and denied US citizenship, I would not go unless you are part of an organization authorized to go. Without a license, you will not be allowed to leave from Miami; these are not normal flights.

If you decide to go illegally and go through a third country, you're doing so at your own risk.

[MandR 0]

Thanks so much...definetely I'm not doing this illegaly...I'm really deciding in visiting another country now....

I hope that Cuba will let americans visit their country soon.

The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are complicated. There are many provisions, and you can research them yourself. However, none pertain to tourist travel. There are provisions for humanitarian projects, visiting Cuban family (if you are Cuban), academic research, church missions, etc.

There are two types of license groups. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) enforces the regulations and issues licenses. Applying for specific licenses is very complicated and may necessitate a lawyer depending on the circumstances.

Regardless, many Americans travel to Cuba by connecting in 3rd countries (Bahamas, Dominican Republic, etc.) illegally and commit perjury when lying on the customs form about countries visited when coming back to the US. Some airlines share the passenger manifests with the US government and CBP can find out if you're lying.

If you care about not being fined potentially $10,000 and denied US citizenship, I would not go unless you are part of an organization authorized to go. Without a license, you will not be allowed to leave from Miami; these are not normal flights.

If you decide to go illegally and go through a third country, you're doing so at your own risk.

[CC90 90]

Cuba welcomes all Americans, particularly tourists.

It's the US that won't let us go!

[az110965 252]

Cuba welcomes all Americans, particularly tourists.

It's the US that won't let us go!

Correct! Cuba wants US$$$. That is why the Cuban Immigration authorities stamp USC entry permits on a piece of scrap paper (so your entry never is listed on your passport). The US Government is prohibiting you from visiting Cuba, not the Cuban government.

Sad commentary about the "land of the free"...

[Karee 4,190]

American Airlines flies there from Miami.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

topic has been moved from General Polls to General immigration as it is not a poll and is more appropriately discussed in this forum

[ceadsearc 516]

American Airlines flies there from Miami.

They do but their flights are run as charter flights and you still need special permission to book one.