Macaw

International Megan's Law of 2009

3/19/2009--Introduced.

International Megan's Law of 2009 - Requires registered sex offenders to notify appropriate jurisdictions of their intent to travel not later than 21 days before their departure or arrival in the United States. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for failure to report such travel.

Requires diplomatic or consular missions in each foreign country to establish and maintain a countrywide sex offender registry for sex offenders from the United States who temporarily or permanently reside in such country.

Directs the Commissioner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue directives for the assessment of sex offenders whose travel is reported to determine whether such offenders are high risk sex offenders.

Directs the President to establish the International Sex Offender Travel Center to monitor the travel of high risk sex offenders.

Authorizes the Secretary of State to rescind the passports of individuals awaiting trial for a sex offense against a minor or a permanent resident who has been convicted of such an offense.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make convicted sex offenders inadmissible to the United States.

Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include in the annual report of the Secretary of State on the status of severe forms of human trafficking efforts of foreign countries to identify and provide notice of international travel by sex offenders.

Encourages the President to use authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist foreign countries in identifying and providing notice of sex offenders traveling to the United States and other countries.

Sets forth reporting requirements relating to the travel of international sex offenders and the implementation of this Act.

Cry me a river. You won't get any sympathy from me. AT ALL.

You screw up, you pay for it.

Will you be my neighbor? <3

Now having sex with 18 year old can get you labeled.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/northwe...ory/715026.html

The Washington Senate unanimously approved legislation Friday sponsored by Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, to protect all students from sexual predators at school.

Haler's bill, House Bill 1385, closes a loophole that technically allows teachers to have sexual relations with students over 18 years old, the age of consent in Washington.

The bill includes language to protect students up to 21 years of age from sexual predators employed by the school district. The new language would apply to both first- and second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor.

"I'm happy the Legislature sees the validity and importance of protecting our students from being preyed upon by school personnel, no matter their age," Haler said in a statement.

Haler introduced the bill after being approached by Richland School District officials after a sexual misconduct charge had to be dismissed last year against a former music teacher because the girl was 18.

International Megan's Law 2009

http://sexoffenderresearch.blogspot.com/20...n-congress.html

For all the haters, if you think Sex Offenders should not be allowed to leave the country, then maybe you'd rather be neighbors with a sex offender that wasn't allowed to leave? And you may not know your neighbor is a sex offender, cause after all, its not like they want to advertise their crime.

So I guess if 20 years ago, that I was 18 years old and 1 day, and my gf was 17 years old and 364 days old, and I got caught, then I'd be labled as a sex offender with high risk of reoffending, and denied entry to another country.

Even though I've never had a jail sentense, I'm still labeled as an offender, and will continue to pay for crime for the rest of my life. At least I know I'm not alone on this. I plan to retire and leave this country asap, since its going down the toilet.

I hear in Canada, after you serve your time, then your record is wiped clean. Dunno if thats true.

I've already accepted being punished for a life time about what happened so long ago, and the fact that there are so many haters out there acting very self righteous. Don't get me wrong, no self pity here, just seeing reality. I still have a good life, a decent job, an understanding fiancee, and we are going on with our plan B in life.

I got a hard question for all of you that have a tough stance on crime reguardless of how minor. Would you really prefer the child molesters and rapist to continue being your neighbor, and around your children, than to let them leave the country to live some where else? Use your head and think on that one for a second.

HR-5722, "International Megan's Law" 2008 apparently calls for notifying the destination country that an American registered sex offender is headed to, for any purpose including vacation, so that the foreign country may deny entry.

This law was not passed. I was wondering if anyone knew it almost got passed last year, and if there are any updates to this law still trying to be passed?

I found a few sites:

http://cbs3.com/topstories/US.Rep.represen...e.2.693661.html

http://angryoffender.com/hr5722.php

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-5722

http://nsona.blogspot.com/2008/05/hr-5722-...megans-law.html

I know a lot of VJ members are now having trouble with IMBRA, even for simple things like being 18 years old and having sex with a consenting 17 year old. Any offense, small to big, are just being thrown into one big category and this new law could create even more problems. I've noticed the IMBRA topics have died out, not much talk about people getting denied or approved since the NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) letters we're getting from immigrations.

Hi, im sad about your situation.. Sorry.. this journey is really unpredictable.. in some topics, some were being approved in a matter of less than a month (so unbelievable) im thinking that maybe their papers are so lucky to first attend to.. But with your case, im in deepest symphaty.. really feel sorry.. I hope this Month you get your NOA2.. really wish you for that.. your waiting is really a quite long already.. i think, Its time for the VSC to make decision..

Thanks for the support and replies. Sometimes just having someone to listen or understand can help a bit. When my NOA2 arrives, I'll definately post about it. Its been a long wait, but my fiancee with worth not giving up on. Thanks again for everything.

Hey I'd take a biometrics any day if it meant not waiting any longer!!!

Man this is woeful!!!

Thats what I thought. I was eager to comply with their request for biometrics hoping not to wait any longer.

I been reading differn't fiancee visa lawyer websites. Most of they advertise doing the application for you, but I've already done that part. Im looking for one that maybe advertises they do the follow ups with the NVC and VSC, or even have a few contacts to push things along, and obviously specializing in fiancee visa's and are up to date on IMBRA which I assume is what is holding up the approval.

My fiancee and I are not giving up, but we are hoping to get approved sooner than later.

Even if later we need to have a wedding at her place and file for the K3 Spouse Visa, then we'll do that, but no point getting to the end of the waiting line waiting again we've already waited 1 year and 9 months. If we do go that route, we'll definately have a lawyer review and submit the petition for us.

I've been waiting for over 1 year and 9 months and still no decision yet.

I just took another trip to the Philippines in October 2007 and Im not rich. Would spending money on a lawyer help at this point since I've been waiting for a very long time and the VSC is ignoring me?

May 2006 Visited my Fiancee for first time

June 2006 mailed petition.

July 2006 I recieved RFE for IMBRA from VSC

August 2006 mailed RFE for IMBRA to VSC

(Starting around December 2006, about 6 months into the process, I start asking for updates thru calling up NVC and/or mailing a letter to VSC, and get another form letter reply stating to wait another 60 days. And every 60 days I request another update, only to get another letter asking to wait 60 days. Also at this point contacted a Congresswoman several times who contacted the VSC several times on my behalf and got nowhere.)

September 2007 (over 1 year after last RFE) finally get another RFE about my misdomeanor (IMBRA).

October 2007 VSC recieved my RFE

November 2007 Recieved 2 weeks notice to show up for biometrics or else our petition will be considered abandoned.

November 2007 Completed the biometrics at their scheduled place, date, and time.

January 2008 Called NVC and wrote letter to VSC. Got letter a few days later to wait 60 days.

March 2008 After another 60 days, called NVC, and got no response from VSC yet.

Everything I've mailed is obviously with a signed signature required. Also Im considering mailing updated photo copy of passport stamped showing I visited fiancee last October, along with the updated pictures that I visited my fiancee, since we need to have met our fiancee within the last two years and I dont want them to cancel our petition.

Would a lawyer be able to do anything? Please Help!

Maybe they are checking my prints vs FBI and other databases just cause I got a misdomeanor when I was 16 that I admitted to immigrations? Dunno if honesty pays off, but we're trying to do this the right way to avoid problems in the long run.

I got my Biometric done. It was as I reseached, inkless fingerprints scanned directly into the computer instantly I put my finger onto the scanner. When I went there, it was two people working at the front desk and the first one looked confused, that it was for I129F, and didn't know what I129F was. So the 2nd one said oh thats fiancee visa, and we're starting to get a few of those coming in now. So maybe Im at the start of people being required to do this? Wonder why they would need it? Just formality, or scan it vs FBI database? Even if so, nothing to find, so I just hope its approved soon, specially since my prints are in the computer now.

One big guy about 6'4" wearing a big leather coat tried getting thru security but set off the metal detector. So they start scanning him with the hand unit metal detector and it keep beeping at every pocket, and he would be "Oh ya" and pull out more stuff like keys, money, etc. The guard was starting to get mad, saying "Your not listening very well, are ya?", and so I was waiting for guards to pull out the taser after the 2nd beep, but never happened.

Other than that, things went very smoothly. About 20 minute wait taking after taking a number when I arrived, then about 15 minutes of special attention on my finger prints, and then it was have a nice day with a reciept (I-797C NOA stamped). Less painful than going to the dentist.

Anyone else getting this? If so how far along am I in the approval process? We started almost 18 months ago on the K-1.

Odd thing is, I never got update on the website nor an email, as I always do with an update from the government. Is this a scam?

Been waiting 17 months now. And now a NOA in mail requiring myself, USC, to have a biometric, with apointment already scheduled near where I live. Why?

History:

Applied June 2006.

Recieved and Responded to RFE August 2006 about IMBRA, which included a record about a misdomeanor when I was 16 years old, which boarderline applies to any categories if any.

Then waited 13 months while contacting congress + NVC for help moving the case forward, until finally 13 months later another RFE request in September 2007 asking for additional info on my criminal record.

(During the first RFE back in August 2006, I gave Certificate of Disposition from the court certified. But during their second RFE 13 months later in September 2007 I realized they also need a police record in addition to the court record, so I sent in that info from police along with another cert copy from courts of certificate of disposition.)

Then October 2007 they recieved the RFE info.

And now November 2007 Im required to have my biometrics. Does this mean Im approved? Maybe a final step in the visa process? Has anyone else ever needed this, and if so, how many more steps or time until the approval letter? Since they have moved onto this step, Im assuming the police/court records I sent were finally accepted?

After 17 months, I haven't lost hope yet, and will never give up, even if I have to hire a lawyer to try again instead of doing it myself.

Thanks for the advice. I'll google search for Senate privacy release forms and do that. How long would I expect results. Do I wait 30 days before harassing them for a current status update as to what they've done so far about the visa petition?

Would an imigration lawyer help? Some of their websites say they have connections that the public doesn't have, and that they'll refund the money if the visa doesn't go thru. Any suggestions, good or bad? Or references who might be good to choose? I did a google search already and see 1 of 2 possible places I might try.

Been waiting over 1 year now for approval and feeling helpless. I need some advice and help.

June 2006 the K-1 Fiancee Visa petition sent to Vermont, and recieved NOA1 June 9th.

IMRBA RFE sent to them and got notice they recieved my REF in August 3rd 2006.

In maybe Jan 2007 the website timeline finally showing 30 days past our NOA1, which is about 6 months after our NOA1.

So I call the NVC number with my case receipt number. The best they could do for me is to write a letter to Vermont office because of 2 milestones, one being 180 days waiting on our approval, and second being 30 days past the processing date on website. They told me to wait 30-45 days for an expedited decision from Vermont.

After 45 days, I call NVC again since I still have no decision. They told me all they can do is write another letter to Vermont to try and get an expedited decision. A week or so later, I get a letter from Vermont stating they got the letter from NVC about my case to be expedited, and for me to allow them 60 more days for a response.

So after 60 additional days of waiting, I write a letter to a Congresswoman in my county, explaining clearly our situation, with enclosures/attachments of our NOA1, letters from Vermont asking us to wait 60 more days, print out of websites current process times, print out of website about our current status "On August 3rd we recieved your RFE, etc". I sent that letter out with sign signature return receipt one day delivery.

In June 2006, I spent over 40 hours putting together the petition making sure everything was readable with most of it being typed, not hand written. Also, in the correct order with everything required of things to send out with the petition, such as pictures, money order, etc etc. I made 2 complete copies of the entire petition, and did everything possible to make sure it was perfect so we wouldn't get RFE's. The only RFE we got was about IMRBA which everyone else got at the same time.

Im sure if there was anything else needed that I would have gotten another RFE. We have not got a desicion yet on our case. Not a yes, not a no, and no more RFE. Im being told over and over to wait 30, 45, and 60 days for expedited decision that never happens. Our case is not complicated. My fiancee is from the Philippines, and neither of us have ever been married before nor have kids. I make 2-3x needed for Advicate of Support (income). We have our pictures together. There is no reason for the application to be denied. Its the lack of a decision, over a year later, that is getting us fustrated.

Sorry for long story. To sum it up, we're waiting over 1 year now since June 9th 2006 for a decision. After calls to NVC being unable to successfully expedite a decision, I then wrote a Congresswoman over 30 days ago with no response yet.

We're not giving up, but we're feeling helpless and dont know what to do. This week I will try to call the Congresswoman to verify that they got our letter and if so what the current status is. If not satisfied, then maybe hire a lawyer? Anyone have any advice, if a lawyer would be helpful? I know it would probably cost $2k or something, which I can afford to do. Please help!

from the way I understood it, it is 60 days from the date they recieved your RFE so for you if they recieved it on August 3, you should have called them on Oct 4th

OMG I sure hope not. Can anyone verify this?

You *could have* called after 60 days - it doesn't matter that you didn't.

Did you send the RFE response via Fed Ex or UPS, meaning you have confirmed that it was actually received there?

Forgot which, maybe post office, but it was return receipt, so I know they got it, plus the mailed me that they recieved it, and the website shows they recieved the REF.

from the way I understood it, it is 60 days from the date they recieved your RFE so for you if they recieved it on August 3, you should have called them on Oct 4th

OMG I sure hope not. Can anyone verify this?

If you recieved a request for evidence and you have responded more than 60 days ago and have not recieved a decision, Please call our National Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

More than 60 days ago to what? Todays date or website processing date?

If they mean 60 days from NOA1 date if REF was sent in, and the NOA1 date is June 9th, then would we have to wait until the website shows August 9th before we call in?

By the way everyone, thanks for your help so far. Seems the first 6 months flew by cause I knew there would be time waiting anyway, but now that we're due for an answer, each day seems like a year. Trying to not have a panic attack here

I mailed the petition to Vermont June 7th, and the recieve date is June 9th, and notice date is June 19th. Later recieved and sent the request for evidence which they recieved Aug 3rd.

The process time for Vermont is now July 17th.

I subscribed to the website, and to get udpate thru email. The website currently shows they recieved request for evidence on August 3rd.

So I tried to call 1 800 375 5383 and went thru the automated menu system, which eventually asked for the Receipt Number that started with 3 letters followed by 10 digits, and required me to put in the 10 digits. So I put in the 10 digits, and it said not enough digits were entered. So I tried again, and again, carefully. Kept getting same error message. Maybe cause it starts with a 0? Or Im calling after hours? (7:30pm eastern). Or is the case just lost and not in the system anymore? Which wouldn't make sense cause on the website I still see the August 3rd for last update when they got request for evidence back.

Anyone else aprox mail their case out in June, and mailed out request for evidence in August, still waiting for a decision?

I spent 40 hours preparing all the papers, typing them (not hand written), all requirements are met, and evidence sent in including photos and IMBA REF. I tried to make it easy as possible for whoever would be reviewing the case.

So we're waiting now over 7 months for decision and getting worried. This is my first attempt to get a status update other than using the website which I've been checking more frequently lately for processing dates, and case status update on our receipt number.

Any advise? Please help.

Just go to las vegas. Head to the courthouse downtown, fill in the form, go to the chapel 'o love and bam...you're married

Hey! That was my plan! Just waiting for the visa, and then getting her a plane ticket to Vegas.

Slow down. First, make sure you both want this. Give yourself a little time, you do have 90 days.

Then, it's really simple and low tech. Open up the telephone book, you remember that right. Check under the county offices for the Clerk and look specifically for marriage licenses. You can call and schedule an appointment for the marriage. They can do the whole thing. Costs will vary depending upon county, but I was able to get married, obtain certificate and license all within an hour and it cost only $127. My wife was thrilled. She didn't want us spending a lot of money so other people could party and get drunk.

Check it out and relax. Make sure the two of you are really positive about this.

Slow down? Been waiting for visa now over 5 months, along with everyone else here. I think its been going slow enough lol.

By the way, after my girl lands in Vegas, we plan to get married 2-3 days later. I know it'll be a long flight for her, and we'll enjoy the first couple days with dinner, get some rest, etc.

The "slow down" thing could hit a nerve with the VJ people here lol.

Thanks for that idea. I thought about sending her an ATM card where I could just add money here to it and she can take it out over there. Now I know exactly how to do that. Its good for long term, but...

Is there any way that I can send her money in the next few days? What would be the best way?

Appreciate all advise, thanks.

I've already met my fiancee in person and started the K1 Visa process. I left her some money before coming back to the states but I need to send more to her.

I used Western Union Online once already sending about $100 USD as a test, which worked out perfectly. So then I go to send a $500 and they denied it. So I tried again with $100 USD, maybe the 500 was too high, but they continue to deny it. Very wierd. They want me to show up in person with the cash but Im trying to do this from the internet wity my Master credit/debit card.

So I do a google search and I find several companies/websites that offer similar services of transerfering money world wide, some specifically dealing with just Philippines.

Anyone else sending money to their fiancee by doing it online? If so which website/company would be recomended? For best, fastest, secure way of doing this? I want least hassel too but I understand the hassel is for fraud purposes.

Please advis, thanks.

They are concerned about felonies, not misdemeanors. When you have a 'felony' conviction, you have done something bad enough that you are considered to be a criminal. Most of the time a DUI is a misdemeanor (unless you have hurt anyone) until #3.

You just need to know what you were convicted of, misdemeanor or felony. Misdemeanor, no problem. Felony, you are going to need to document your things a bit more.

So I have a misdemenor, then I wont need documentation?

Plus it happened 12 years ago, dunno if its purged. My gf knows all about it. Its the matter of finding the criminal background check to submit with the petition.

Actually, that information is required for the beneficiary. The person misunderstood that you were talking about the petitionary.

Agreed. At first I thought someone was starting trouble with false info then thought they misunderstood that I was talking about the beneficiary.

Maybe some others can share how they obtained a copy of their criminal record, by mail or walk-in, fee or no fee, and which types of places such as I was recommended the Police Court. I've done online background checks for a fee and my record never comes up lol. Plus I think we need a "certified copy" so would have to be from the source. I doubt this is something every USC does on a daily basis or even knows where to start.

You need to obtain a police report for every country in which you have lived for at least 6 months, You require it regardless of whether you had commited a crime or not...

Police reports are obtained by filling out a form (obtained at a police office.)

I thought such evidence was required only if you commited a crime. Please let me know exactly where your source is about obtaining a police report for every place you lived in the last 6 months. I did not see it on the new 129 form, unless I misread or overlook part of the directions on it. Or did you get a RFE yet with more specific instructions?

I found out how to get a copy of your criminal record.

Seems to be an issues that people have differnt opinions on how to obtain. And far as I can tell, you only need it if you were convicted. Otherwise no evidence needed. My crime was a grey area, sure I could argue its not related to the list of crimes but if someone else views differnt then I'd be in trouble for lying and dont know what I'd do if the petition was denied for lying. So Im going to submit anyway out of fear. Probably best off being truthful than the risk of consiquences.

I had a misdemenor criminal record at 16 years old about 12 years ago. I had no clue if the record still exist or the exact wording of the crime. I know that I'll get a RFE eventually so I want to be prepared.

I called up my lawyer that represented me when this happened and I was told to contact the Police Court to obtain a Certificate of Disposition.

So I call up the Police Court and ask them how to obtain a Certificate of Disposition and they said I can fax or mail the request with name, date of birth, aprox date of arrest, and signed with notary. I asked if there is any fee. They asked me if the report is about myself. I said yes, so they said no fee.

Much easier than I thought it would be, and yet I'd been stressing out a few weeks how to do this. Yes, I read a post here about how to obtain your FBI file and you need a fingerprint card done, money order, and wait 8-10 weeks. I think I read someone got it in 3 weeks by request. Still I think this is too much work and I dont think the new law is requesting your FBI records. So unless you've lived in so many places and commited so many crimes that you cant remember them all with their dates etc, then I think it'd be easier to just contact the Police Court where you were convicted, or whatever court you went too. And if they cant help you then they'll point you in the right direction.

Im no expert here, just excited to acomplish something and moving forward one step at at time. A 12 year old crime and I have yet to ever see the actual report. Should be interesting. Its a minor crime so I doubt that it'll affect my petition and my fiancee still accepts me. Im more in the same boat with everyone about the inconvience of waiting for the new law to figure out how they are going to implement it and just sitting here waiting for any word.

"submit certified copies of all court and policerecords showing the charges and dispositions for everysuch conviction."

I have a misdemenor from when I was 16 which was 12 years ago. Looks like I have to get a certified copy of my records? How do I do this? I dont even remember the exact dates or wording of the charges.