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Carron

Apr 15, 2009, 8:41 AM

Post #1 of 7 (1851 views)

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Passports for Felons??

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It's official: the signs on all highways leading to the International Bridge advise that as of June 1, 2009 all citizens attempting to re-enter the US from Mexico must have a passport or passport card. (As an aside, I am curious to see how those that don't have proper documents will be handled; does the government have the legal right to deny entry to one of its own citizens??)

Last week I reminded my adult kids and their families that they either needed to renew or obtain their passports soon. One of my son's numerous in-laws overheard me and asked if we could speak privately. He does Christian outreach and missionary work for a large evangelical church which has programs all along both sides of the Tex-Mex border and he makes frequent crossing in that capacity. He confessed that when he was much younger he had done time in prison and didn't think he could get a US passport because of his record.

This is beyond my area of expertise. Does anyone know anything about passports for felons??

Rolly

Apr 15, 2009, 9:22 AM

Post #2 of 7 (1829 views)

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Re: [Carron] Passports for Felons??

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In the application form, there is no mention of court convictions except for treason.

Read here: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79955.pdf

Rolly Pirate

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Carron

Apr 15, 2009, 11:08 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1805 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Passports for Felons??

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Thanks, Rolly. I will pass this along immediately and I am sure many prayers of thanks will be offered up at the result of your time and effort in answering.

prmjcm

Apr 15, 2009, 1:40 PM

Post #4 of 7 (1784 views)

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Re: [Carron] Passports for Felons??

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As Rolly said a felony will not stop him from obtaining passport, I have had a passport for ten years and also had a felony when i was young and stupid.
Pat Moore

Ponkito

Apr 29, 2009, 8:01 PM

Post #5 of 7 (1601 views)

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Re: [prmjcm] Passports for Felons??

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So some guy can walk across the border in Tijuana or Juarez or whatever and then can't get back into his own country?

Then what?

Does that make any sense? Does any other country in the world try this? How can you deny entry to your own citizens?

Rolly

Apr 29, 2009, 10:17 PM

Post #6 of 7 (1583 views)

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Re: [Ponkito] Passports for Felons??

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Citizens are not being denied entry. They are being required to prove citizenship by showing a passport. Many countries have such a requirement.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

BajaGringo

Apr 29, 2009, 10:48 PM

Post #7 of 7 (1578 views)

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Re: [Ponkito] Passports for Felons??

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There have been several cases where US citizens were deported FROM the USA when they couldn't prove their citizenship when stopped by law enforcement in the USA.

http://www.talkbaja.com/...ic.php?f=53&t=69

I can understand mistakes can happen but sometimes it seems like cooler heads and common sense could prevent much of this...

But what do I know?

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