US Citizens to be Required ''Clearance'' to Leave USA

[Emo 0]

http://sianews.com/modules.php?name=News&a...le&sid=3023

We're All Prisoners, Now: US Citizens to be Required ''Clearance'' to Leave USA

October 26, 2006

Forget no-fly lists. If Uncle Sam gets its way, beginning on Jan. 14,

2007, we'll all be on no-fly lists, unless the government gives us

permission to leave-or re-enter-the United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSA) has proposed that all

airlines, cruise lines-even fishing boats-be required to obtain

clearance for each passenger they propose taking into or out of the

United States.

It doesn't matter if you have a U.S. Passport - a "travel document"

that now, absent a court order to the contrary, gives you a virtually

unqualified right to enter or leave the United States, any time you

want. When the DHS system comes into effect next January, if the

agency says "no" to a clearance request, or doesn't answer the

request at all, you won't be permitted to enter-or leave-the United

States.

Consider what might happen if you're a U.S. passport holder on

assignment in a country like Saudi Arabia. Your visa is about to

expire, so you board your flight back to the United States. But wait!

You can't get on, because you don't have permission from the HSA.

Saudi immigration officials are on hand to escort you to a squalid

detention center, where you and others who are now effectively

"stateless persons" are detained, potentially indefinitely, until

their immigration status is sorted out.

Why might the HSA deny you permission to leave-or enter-the United

States? No one knows, because the entire clearance procedure would be

an administrative determination made secretly, with no right of

appeal. Naturally, the decision would be made without a warrant,

without probable cause and without even any particular degree of

suspicion. Basically, if the HSA decides it doesn't like you, you're

a prisoner - either outside, or inside, the United States, whether or

not you hold a U.S. passport.

The U.S. Supreme Court has long recognized there is a constitutional

right to travel internationally. Indeed, it has declared that the

right to travel is "a virtually unconditional personal right." The

United States has also signed treaties guaranteeing "freedom of

travel." So if these regulations do go into effect, you can expect a

lengthy court battle, both nationally and internationally.

Think this can't happen? Think again. It's ALREADY happening. Earlier

this year, HSA forbade airlines from transporting an 18-year-old a

native-born U.S. citizen, back to the United States. The prohibition

lasted nearly six months until it was finally lifted a few weeks ago.

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are two countries in recent history

that didn't allow their citizens to travel abroad without permission.

If these regulations go into effect, you can add the United States to

this list.

For more information on this proposed regulation, see http://

hasbrouck.org/IDP/IDP-APIS-comments.pdf.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I already reported this over in the Immigration forum. But I suppose it's good to have it posted here as well.

Yes, this is a major issue with me. I go to Canada to visit my fiancee. I don't need -- or want -- the DHS and the government at large demanding "special clearance" from me in order to leave and re-enter the United States.

This is probably the main reason why I decided against backing the Republicans this midterm election. Any party that would have a hand in something like this won't get my vote. I know some people will claim "tough times call for tough measures," but that, to me, is bullcrap. Since when have U.S. citizens been on the list of suspected terrorists? Since when has the United States fallen in line with the likes of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union? Since when have we, as a nation and as a people, decided that a feeling of overall security is so important that it's right to give up our freedoms and liberty?

I realize we'll never go back to the days of pre-9/11 air-travel; however, there's no need to put so many checks on a country's own citizens. It's ridiculous enough as it is, with the TSA regulations and passports becoming a requirement, and so on. Basically, it sounds like the U.S. government wants to keep it's own people in it's borders and everyone else out. The only problem with that is it'll hurt business, and annoy a hell of a lot of people who want to travel.

I don't know... The more I keep reading about what my country is doing, day after day, the less I like it.

[Cristy 4]

Can't leave your own country? So kind of like North Korea now.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Can't leave your own country? So kind of like North Korea now.

Well, the article doesn't say "you can't leave the U.S." it just says you need prior clearance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The airlines or cruise ship companies will get this clearance for you via passenger manifests; however, if DHS refuses you (or doesn't respond), then you're SOL. It won't matter that you're a U.S citizen who's legal in every way with a passport.

[mawilson 2,133]

I'm going to fight the US government on this one, as I'm sure will many others.

[Scott & Lai 12]

I'm going to fight the US government on this one, as I'm sure will many others.

Where do I sign up?

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'm going to fight the US government on this one, as I'm sure will many others.

I'm with you all the way on this issue.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

This goes back to what are rights and privileges. Being able to travel outside of our great country and return is a privilege and not a right. Therefore we will have to fight like hell from having this privilege tyrannized by laws and policies. If this does come to pass, it's a slap in the face for even having a passport and/or visa. I just don't see the benefit in an added level regulating a USCs freedom to travel in and out the country without "permission". Has the government identified a security threat or loophole in the current laws warranting such restrictive approach? On the other hand, I can understand and totally agree with regulating the travel of foreigners in and out of the United States.

Edited November 9, 2006 by Uling

[Caladan 19]

What a weird proposition. Surely it's people trying to come in that's the problem, not people leaving?

[mybackpages 0]

Being able to travel outside of our great country and return is a privilege and not a right.

The Supreme Court has ruled many times we do have a right to travel abroad.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Being able to travel outside of our great country and return is a privilege and not a right.

The Supreme Court has ruled many times we do have a right to travel abroad.

DAHAMN!!! Well if this "clearance business" is true... they are treating it like a privilege. We're all in trouble now... LOL!!!

[Dean iWait 0]

I don't buy it. And the example that was given was somone trying to come in the US not someone trying to leave. I'll believe it when I see it. Until then I'm really not to worried. US citizens have not been allowed to travel from the US to Cuba for over 40 years. Of course many get around that by going to Mexico and then Cuba. I might understand why they would want to know why a US citizen might want to travel to Iran for instance.

[Artegal 1]

Comming Soon: Exit/Entry Visa Forum: Where US Citizens can find information on filing the I-666 for exit and entry from the USA.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Comming Soon: Exit/Entry Visa Forum: Where US Citizens can find information on filing the I-666 for exit and entry from the USA.

dayum!

Daniel

:energetic:

[William33 110]

This sh!t will never fly. We all know this. Don't listen to the rhetoric. That is all.