US Immigration Rules Could Put Scots Dream Holidays at Risk

Measures by the US Government to tighten immigration rules may be putting the dream holidays of local people to Florida at risk according to representations made to Sandra Osborne MP.

She said:
'A number of local people have informed me that they have booked a holiday for their family to Florida at substantial cost only to find that a VISA is required if there have been any previous convictions no matter how trivial, and whether or not the convictions are 'spent' as far as the UK is concerned.  The US has always been very strict about entry requirements and I of course understand that security has been increased post September 11.  However the travel companies do not seem to be making the position clear enough to people before they part with their cash to pay for their holiday to the States.

I have been informed by the US Consul General that the United States Immigration Law prohibits individuals with prior convictions from travelling visa -free on the visa waiver programme.  The rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to US Visa Law. Therefore even travellers with spent convictions are not eligible to travel visa free.  The US Embassy advises all applicants against making irrevocable travel plans prior to receiving their visas.  However I do not believe that this is widely known and it appears that the rules are being more rigorously applied than in the past.  Most people would not expect that for example a fine for speeding more than five years ago could deter them from a holiday in Disneyland.

This is causing great anxiety particularly when children are told they may no longer be able to go on the holiday of their dreams.  Many parents work and save hard to give their children this opportunity and I find it unbelievable that the US would wish to damage their tourist industry in this way and urgent clarification is required.   The UK cannot of course dictate immigration policy to the US or any other country but I intend to raise this next week (Tuesday 22nd June)  at a meeting in Westminster with Mr Thomas Fury US Consul General.’