Campaign urges residents to stay off US stop list

Bermudians are being reminded that they need to stay conviction-free if they want to travel to the US — thanks to a message on their milk cartons.

Dunkley's Dairy is backing an awareness campaign launched by the US Consulate yesterday which warns Islanders that if they commit a crime they face being barred from the States for life.

The message is aimed particularly at young people and speakers from the Consulate and US Customs and Border Protection plan to visit every school on the Island to drive it home.

US Consul Gregory Slayton told a press conference yesterday that Bermuda was one of the few countries whose citizens were allowed into America without a visa.

He said he was constantly asked by Bermudians how they could get themselves off the "so-called stop list" which bars people with criminal convictions from entering the US.

"I just have one word of advice to all our friends in Bermuda," he said. "Keep yourself off the stop list. The reality is that people go onto the stop list because they commit crimes. We really want all people in Bermuda to be able to visit the United States.

"I hope the people of Bermuda realise that they are very, very fortunate to have visa-free travel to the United States."

Despite his words of warning, Mr. Slayton said it was possible for people on the stop list to apply for a waiver of ineligibility and that most who did were successful. Bermuda represents ten percent of waiver applications worldwide to the States.

He said the time it took for waiver applications to be processed was now about three to five months, whereas it used to be between eight and 12 months.

"You have a very, very good chance, a better than even chance, especially if you have been a model citizen, you have a good chance of getting off the stop list."

His words were echoed by Premier Ewart Brown, who said a young person could hamper their ability to realise their dreams by getting barred from the States.

"I would encourage our young people and those not so young to engage in practices that are helpful to the community at large," he said.

Opposition Deputy Leader and Dunkley's Dairy chief Michael Dunkley said: "I think we are all well aware that we live in a very remote Island. It hinders our lifestyle if we don't have the ability to visit our close neighbour."

Deputy Police Commissioner Roseanda Young said: "Our message is very clear: if you don't want to be on the stop list then you must keep yourself off. The Police do not put you on the stop list; the US Consulate does not put you on the stop list; Bermuda Customs doesn't put you on the stop list; your actions put you on the stop list."

To find out how to apply for a waiver visit http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov.

Courtesy of Royal Gazette reporter - Sam Strangeways