Travel to Cuba (from Mexico) with Green Card?

[dunebuggy 18]

Hi, we are planning to travel to Mexico and Cuba on a I-551 Green Card. Are there any regulations we should be aware of when traveling to Cuba with a Green Card? Our flights would be Mexico City-Havana-Mexico City before returning to USA.

 

I think that the rules are the same for US Citizens but thought I would check here if anyone has any insight... thanks!

[TNJ17 1,329]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2017/12/22/what-americans-traveling-to-cuba-need-to-know/#f80b03a3f299

[JFH 12,189]

You need to be certain that your travel purpose falls into the permitted purposes:

 

https://cu.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/traveling-to-cuba/

[Londonergirl 133]

If you are a Spanish citizen, I don't see the issue for you going to Cuba?

[kris&me 572]

Check the State Department warnings as they issued a new one for Mexico travel to USC (would apply to green card holders also)

i heard news this AM saying the new warning was issued 

[JFH 12,189]

28 minutes ago, Londonergirl said:

If you are a Spanish citizen, I don't see the issue for you going to Cuba?

Depends whether he intends to apply for US citizenship or not. If he does, the trip will be heavily scrutinized. So the question is whether it's worth the risk. 

[Londonergirl 133]

35 minutes ago, JFH said:

Depends whether he intends to apply for US citizenship or not. If he does, the trip will be heavily scrutinized. So the question is whether it's worth the risk. 

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Where is this information? 

[JFH 12,189]

1 minute ago, Londonergirl said:

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Where is this information? 

Because the rules regarding travel to Cuba apply to anyone living in the USA, not just citizens. When you apply for citizenship it is expected that you have obeyed all the rules and laws and you must list all travel out of the country. If you're listing Cuba you will then be questioned to make sure it falls within the 12 permitted reasons - and general tourism is not a permitted reason.

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/243/kw/cuba and lpr/session/L3RpbWUvMTUyMDc5NDEwNi9zaWQvY29BX1dtSG4%3D

[JFH 12,189]

And from the department of state:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cuba.html

 

Travel to Cuba is regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Anyone located in the United States, regardless of citizenship and nationality, must comply with these regulations. Individuals seeking to travel to Cuba are not required to obtain licenses from OFAC if their travel is covered by a general license. If travel is not covered by a general license, you must seek OFAC authorization in the form of a specific license. Travelers who fail to comply with regulations may face penalties and criminal prosecution.

[TNJ17 1,329]

I don’t wanna start a political debate here, but this is freaking bull #######. The current White administration has far beyond fracked up the world. 

[Londonergirl 133]

8 minutes ago, JFH said:

Because the rules regarding travel to Cuba apply to anyone living in the USA, not just citizens. When you apply for citizenship it is expected that you have obeyed all the rules and laws and you must list all travel out of the country. If you're listing Cuba you will then be questioned to make sure it falls within the 12 permitted reasons - and general tourism is not a permitted reason.

 

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/243/kw/cuba and lpr/session/L3RpbWUvMTUyMDc5NDEwNi9zaWQvY29BX1dtSG4%3D

I am not saying that you are wrong. I just had never heard about this before. The last information I was given was that it was now OK to travel to Cuba. 
I had also never heard that if you traveled to Cuba, you couldn't later apply for US citizenship. 

[Londonergirl 133]

@JFH I have read the link but where does it say that you might not be allowed to apply for US citizenship if you have traveled to Cuba? 

[JFH 12,189]

23 minutes ago, Londonergirl said:

@JFH I have read the link but where does it say that you might not be allowed to apply for US citizenship if you have traveled to Cuba? 

It doesn't and that's not what I said. 

 

Tourism to Cuba is illegal for anyone living in the USA. That includes green card holders. You can go to Cuba now but only if your purpose for travel fits into one of the 12 permitted reasons. A holiday in the sun is not a permitted reason. Cruise ships get round it by claiming that it is "humanitarian travel" because the passengers make donations to charitable foundations or volunteer whilst they are there. But to just go and see the sights and sit by a pool is not permitted.

 

Breaking the law can be a bar to US citizenship. That includes illegal travel to Cuba. Hence if the OP applies for citizenship he/she will be interrogated to make sure that the trip falls with the legal reasons for travel. So far, he has not said anything to suggest that his purpose does fall within those reasons. Maybe it does. But from what he's posted so far, it's just a relaxing vacation. Not permitted. 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2018 by JFH

[JFH 12,189]

35 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

I don’t wanna start a political debate here, but this is freaking bull #######. The current White administration has far beyond fracked up the world. 

What has Trump got to do with it? It was Obama who introduced the new rules regarding Cuba. 

[Londonergirl 133]

@JFH I am sure that you are correct. I just didnt think it was that strict anymore. Especially as there is even direct flights to Cuba now.