THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL  
                                                                                                                           

For Immediate Release                                                                                          March 6, 2007

US Consulate and Government of Bermuda Advise:
“Don’t Put Yourself on the Stop List”

The American Consulate today announced a new campaign blitz directed toward Bermuda’s young people.  The campaign – following on the heels of new American passport requirements – addresses the United States’ waiver system for travelers with criminal records. The message?  “Be cool. Don’t put yourself on the so-called stop list by engaging in illegal behavior. If you make a mistake, seek a waiver of ineligibility for a visa to enter the U.S. It is the right thing to do and processing is easier than you think.” 

The Consulate counsels young people to stay out of trouble or risk permanently being denied entry to the United States. Exclusion could last a lifetime, with no guarantee that a waiver of ineligibility will be issued. U.S. Consul Margaret Pride urges those who may already have a conviction on record to do the right thing by applying for a waiver. She said, “The good news is that the process has been streamlined and the turnaround time for applications has been significantly reduced.” 

Hassle-free travel starts well before arrival at the airport. The American Consulate is working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to inform the public, particularly young people, to think ahead about the life-long consequences of illegal activity. Denial of a waiver application could have unintended results. It could prevent attending school or vacationing in the U.S. or even traveling through the U.S. to reach an intended final destination in another country. 

To reinforce the importance of personal responsibility, Consulate and CBP officials have embarked on an information campaign in the schools.  Speakers have already made presentations at local high schools, and they will continue their speaking engagements in the island’s middle schools. Consulate staff will also appear on radio talk shows, and Dunkley’s Dairy has donated space on its milk cartons - which have already hit supermarket shelves – to carry the eye-catching message. Flyers will also be distributed island wide.

Bermuda represents 10% of waiver applications worldwide. Of these, the Department of Homeland Security approves the vast majority.  The Consulate and CBP have reduced the average turn-around time by half, from 6-8 months down to 3-5 months.

Consul General Slayton is upbeat about the initiative, but he cautioned, “A shorter processing time does not equate to a less rigorous one.  The answer is to think ahead and stay clean; but if you do make a mistake, seek a waiver of ineligibility to enter the U.S. It is the right thing to do and processing is easier than you think.”