cigarlover

zyggy doesn't know what he/she is talking about.. .

this is a very interesting question, one that should be treated seriously but should be considered.

First, violating the travel ban is not a criminal offiense (technically its a civil one) . . i am no lawyer but this could make a difference.

Second, a rumor, but i have heard before that they treat cuban americans who violate the travel ban for a family visit (say your wife's father dies) and they just go back for funeral.. technically not legal (if your wife would have travel once in the past 3 years) but..

anyway, my fiancee is cuban and as soon as she gets here and after she gets permanent resdience; we will hire a lawyer to consult us on this same quesiton that you ask. .

Anyway, to respond directly to your question, i have no idea really, consult a lawyer and if you learn anything please let us know!

also, call your congressperson and senator and argue for the end to cruel restrictions on family visits for cuban-americans (its 1 per 3 years now, it was 1 per every year until 2002; I doubt much will change until 2008).. If anything it will get worse for family visits.....and if there is an emergency in your wife's famlly down there, she may just have to take the chance.. i mean, no one could stop me from attending my own parents funeral.

Not criminal? That's not what it says here...

! INTRODUCTION - The Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR

Part 515 (the “Regulations”) were issued by the U.S. Government on 8

July 1963 under the Trading With the Enemy Act in response to certain

hostile actions by the Cuban government. They are still in force today and

affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are

located, all people and organizations physically in the United States, and

all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world.

The Regulations are administered by the U.S. Treasury Department's

Office of Foreign Assets Control. The basic goal of the sanctions is to

isolate the Cuban government economically and deprive it of U.S. dollars.

Criminal penalties for violating the sanctions range up to 10 years in

prison, $1,000,000 in corporate fines, and $250,000 in individual fines.

Civil penalties up to $55,000 per violation may also be imposed. Please

note that the Regulations require those dealing with Cuba to maintain

records and, upon request from the U.S. Treasury Department, to

furnish information regarding such dealings.

I think it is you, sir, that does not know what they are talking about...

Its true the law does read it is a criminal offense. I just arrived back from Cuba yesterday and for the 2nd time i was caught, the first time was in May and they went through my passport and documented 6 trips at least in the last 2 years.

I am getting married next year in Cuba and at this point I have no choice but to keep going. On the high end at 55,000 per violation I am looking at over 500,000 in fines. Is this rediculous? If i lived in any other country in the world I would be able to travel there legally. I live in the land of the free and am persecuted and trwated like a criminal if I want to see my fiance..

Anyway, my advice to anyone traveling there is dont get caught. I am on a list and i will be searched everytime I reenter the US now. Customs confirmed this for me in the Bahamas. I sometimes think renting a fast boat in Miami would be faster and cheaper than trying to do this legally.