Can going to Cuba hurt my chances to be a U.S. citizen?

[R_P_A_S]

I am a mexican citizen living in the U.S. I have legal status here in the states and for my summer vacation I'm going to Cuba. My father and his close family are trying to keep me from going. Claiming that a couple of years when I'm ready to be a U.S. citizen that It will hurt my chances because "they will find out."

I don't really care or wanna be a U.S. citizen... But I figured since I live and work here might as well. its just convenient. plus my family is pressuring me since I'm the last one yet to become one.

So what do you guys think?

[Red October]

If they find out you've been I think it would definitely hurt your chances. Just being a communist or associating with communists can get you disqualified (they still ask you that on citizenship forms). If you pay with cash and are careful though, you can get to Cuba without the US government finding out.

[R_P_A_S]

It's pretty pathetic that this is such a big deal you know?

[BIG BROTHER]

well sorry if I didn't answer your question man, but I'm mexican too, exept I still in no way close to legalizing right now.

so yeah its convinient to be a citizen of the empire, good luck.

[Neutrino]

I don't think so. Who decides to confer citizenship anyway? Is there an actual decision or are there just some steps you have to follow. I'd think it would be the latter. As a non-citizen, I don't think there are any restrictions on travel to Cuba. Of course, upon becoming a citizen, you'll have them in place and all.

Go for it if you want, I guess.

[Panda Tse Tung]

Actually when applying for citizenship they will ask whether you 'ever had any communist sympathies', you 'had ever shown any positive viewpoint towards any existing socialist state', have ever 'been a willing member of a communist mass-organization', have 'ever said anything positive about Communism' or 'have been a Communist Party member'.
But luckily go to the Granma page and they have a way for U.S. citizens to get around the embargo.


Barred Classes of Aliens
The following classes of persons are barred from naturalization:

Subversives - INA §313


Anarchists;
Individuals who advocate or teach opposition to all organized government, or are members of or affiliated with any organization that so advocates;
Individuals who are members of or affiliated with the Communist Party of the United States or of any foreign country, or any front organization (membership must be meaningful);
Members of any other totalitarian party of the United States;
Persons who, although not members of or affiliates with the Communist Party, personally advocate the economic, international and governmental doctrines of world communism or the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship in the United States;
Persons who advocate or teach the overthrow of the United States government by force or violence;
Saboteurs; and
Persons who write or publish subversive material or cause such to be published or are members of any organization that publishes any of the foregoing.

Source: http://www.americanlaw.com/citnat.html

Edit: you can still marry an American girl, saves a lot of trouble.

[EscapeFromSF]

I am a mexican citizen living in the U.S. I have legal status here in the states and for my summer vacation I'm going to Cuba.

What I would worry about is the possibility you might lose your legal status in the US.


My father and his close family are trying to keep me from going. Claiming that a couple of years when I'm ready to be a U.S. citizen that It will hurt my chances because "they will find out."

From what I hear, your family is correct in that "they will find out." The last account I read included photographs being taken of everyone in a Mexican airport flying to Cuba, with the expectation that these pictures would end up with the CIA.


I don't really care or wanna be a U.S. citizen... But I figured since I live and work here might as well. its just convenient. plus my family is pressuring me since I'm the last one yet to become one.

I'd much rather be a Canadian citizen. But the empire has a long reach and "sovereignty" means little, particularly in the western hemisphere.

[Bright Banana Beard]

I suggest you become citizen of European, unless you love your family then be careful about it instead.

[RHIZOMES]

If they find out you've been I think it would definitely hurt your chances. Just being a communist or associating with communists can get you disqualified (they still ask you that on citizenship forms). If you pay with cash and are careful though, you can get to Cuba without the US government finding out.

Oh whoops I guess that means I'm disqualified. :laugh:

[black magick hustla]

just get permanent residency, it is the same thing.

[lombas]

Resident of Europe, had no problem visiting Cuba for two weeks.

:D

[Dominicana_1965]

A general overview of travelling to Cuba and challenging the travel ban:

http://www.cubasolidarity.com/visitcuba/index.htm

[R_P_A_S]

man.. this is so fucking pathetic. seriously... are they really gonna try to find out that i went? or do they really read into every little detail. oh shit you can't be a citizen because you are member of an online forum that "advocates totalitarianism" are you fucking serious?

guys how can i be a canadian citizen or even european? I live and work here how would that help my status??

Im just afraid that if i try to renew my residency they might not let me. and im force to leave.. i cant leave my parents with all my debt.

[Panda Tse Tung]

oh shit you can't be a citizen because you are member of an online forum that "advocates totalitarianism" are you fucking serious?


Thats actually quite possible.

[Renewed Revolution]

Why do you want to be a US citizen anyway?

[gla22]

I know people that have gone. Just don't bring attention to yourself. If your U.S passport is going to stamped with Cuba bribe the guy to not stamp it.

[R_P_A_S]

Why do you want to be a US citizen anyway?

because my residency expires in 4 years and there's a chance they might not renew it. and my life and work is in the U.S. thats why.

[R_P_A_S]

Thats actually quite possible.

okay.. can someone erase all my post please?????

[RHIZOMES]

okay.. can someone erase all my post please?????

Can it be linked to your real name?

[Kwisatz Haderach]

Just don't leave any personal details on this forum and you should be fine. It's not as if the US government checks every detail of the life of every person who wants to become a naturalized citizen. As long as you don't draw attention to yourself they have no reason to suspect you.

[Illus]

It's pretty pathetic that this is such a big deal you know?
It's hardly surprising, anti-communism is institutionalized in America.

[Sugar Hill Kevis]

I couldn't be certain on this; but I heard a comrade say it before... if you go to the dominican republic and then enter cuba from the dominican republic - they wont stamp your passport saying you've been to Cuba but just give you some forms which the details (obviously which are later disposable)... I think its what most US comrades do...

Try PMing 'Nothing Human Is Alien' (he's an admin), he might know this better...

[BuyOurEverything]

Just a few points. First, to everyone asking why he would even want to be a citizen, I think you're all taking your own status for granted. It's hardly a patriotic thing, it just means you have more rights and the government can't deport you for no reason and hassle you every few years to renew your status, which they can deny on a whim.


man.. this is so fucking pathetic. seriously... are they really gonna try to find out that i went?

I really don't see how they would. Americans go to Cuba all the time. Most just fly through Canada. They won't stamp your US passport upon entry to Cuba (unless you really want them to I guess, for whatever reason.) It's standard operating procedure to give Americans separate papers to stamp (no need for a bribe.) Considering that just having a Cuba stamp on your passport is enough for criminal charges and tourism is a big industry in Cuba, it would be somewhat stupid not to do this. Although, considering you're no an American citizen, I'm curious what passport you'd be using? If it's not American just remember to request that it not be stamped. They do this all the time.


From what I hear, your family is correct in that "they will find out." The last account I read included photographs being taken of everyone in a Mexican airport flying to Cuba, with the expectation that these pictures would end up with the CIA.

That sounds very dubious to me. While I have no doubt Mexico allows American intelligence officials to operate on its territory, a foreign intelligence agent openly operating in another country's airport taking pictures of people indiscriminately for something that's not even a crime in that country sounds a bit made up to me.

In all seriousness, the chances of getting caught traveling to Cuba are extremely remote (unless you're already under government surveillance I guess in which case you have bigger problems.) People do it all the time and the US government doesn't have the resources (nor honestly the desire) to monitor everyone who travels to Cuba.

Even if you do get caught, I'm not sure it would be a deal breaker necessarily (obviously I'm not an expert on US law, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt). I don't think it's illegal for you to travel to Cuba, since the law only applies to citizens. Obviously it would be better if they didn't find out, but if they did you could probably just explain it away. Say you have relatives there or that your parents went and made you come or something. Seeing as your parents are already citizens, I doubt they'd bar you just for this.



Thats actually quite possible.

No, it's really not. Obviously make sure you don't have any personal information posted, but no need for excessive paranoia.

[chegitz guevara]

It is illegal for American citizens to go to Cuba, but not for non-American citizens. Going probably will not hurt your chances, but don't be stupid. Use your home country passport, ask the Cuban government not to stamp it when you get there because you're trying to get American citizenship, etc. They want your money, so they aren't going to try and screw you.

Being a revolutionary, however, will not only prevent you from getting citizenship, it can be revoked, if you're a naturalized citizen. Don't use your real name politically, wear a face covering at demonstrations, and don't get political material sent to you directly.

[R_P_A_S]

It is illegal for American citizens to go to Cuba, but not for non-American citizens. Going probably will not hurt your chances, but don't be stupid. Use your home country passport, ask the Cuban government not to stamp it when you get there because you're trying to get American citizenship, etc. They want your money, so they aren't going to try and screw you.

Being a revolutionary, however, will not only prevent you from getting citizenship, it can be revoked, if you're a naturalized citizen. Don't use your real name politically, wear a face covering at demonstrations, and don't get political material sent to you directly.

to late.. the socialist alternative has sent me shit

[Panda Tse Tung]

No, it's really not. Obviously make sure you don't have any personal information posted, but no need for excessive paranoia.

I said it was quite possible, which it is.

[RHIZOMES]

Sucks for me too since until the communism I was eligible for US citizenship too as my father was American.

Oh well the US sucks anyway.

[chegitz guevara]

to late.. the socialist alternative has sent me shit

If you're careful, and don't bring it up, it's unlikely they'll know. While we have many aspects of a police state, and surveillance is growing, they have no way to keep tabs on all of us. Anyway, they more interested in anarchists than commies, cuz the anarchists are always destroying property.

[turquino]

, and don't get political material sent to you directly.
How do you suggest ordering or receiving political material?

[abrupt]

Last I heard Americans are not supposed to spend more then like $50 a day. Because of the Embargo the US is trying to keep a lost of money out of Cuba every way they can. Since tourism is what Cuba tends to rely on most, American government does not want it's money going into Cuba.

Fines and jail time can occur if they find you spend more money or do other shit.

Like most said, if you ask it not to be stamped you should be good.

[R_P_A_S]

Last I heard Americans are not supposed to spend more then like $50 a day. Because of the Embargo the US is trying to keep a lost of money out of Cuba every way they can. Since tourism is what Cuba tends to rely on most, American government does not want it's money going into Cuba.

Fines and jail time can occur if they find you spend more money or do other shit.

Like most said, if you ask it not to be stamped you should be good.\

bro.. i am not a U.S. citizen. check out what i said and what my concern is.

[abrupt]

\

bro.. i am not a U.S. citizen. check out what i said and what my concern is.

I read, and I was saying US citizens still go to Cuba and are not penalized until they break a 'rule'.

My bad though, I reread my post and realized it really doesn't mention your peticular situation too well. I don`t think it will hurt you too much, but I am not fully aware of restrictions that would be held against you.

I came across a site not too long ago that may have had answers, I`ll see if I can re-find it.

[Dust Bunnies]

Wow thats pathetic... I guess Washington is afraid of us eh? Having a secret name sounds fun sort of... My name will become Joseph Maniron (who ever gets the last name reference from is reading too much 1920s-50s history :)

[manoj8788]

It will hurt your chances..

[chegitz guevara]

How do you suggest ordering or receiving political material?

Get it sent to you indirectly. Order it through stores and pay cash.

[R_P_A_S]

It will hurt your chances..

thanks for your in depth opinion! lol :D

[joe_the_red]

Where are you from? I am currently an American Citizen and want to get out! Wouldn't it be awesome if we could just trade citizenships? Why can't we do that!?!?! Haha, but seriously, visiting Cuba will likely not effect your chances of becoming a citizen. The only thing that will really do that is how much money you have. It will be harder to acquire citizenship if you don't have much, but they will welcome you with open-arms if you are wealthy. That's just the way of things. -Joe

[R_P_A_S]

citizenship is so fucking stupid and overrated.

[Cossack]

I've got a question of my own, if your a citizen by birth can you have your citizenship taken away if your communist?

[hekmatista]

I've got a question of my own, if your a citizen by birth can you have your citizenship taken away if your communist?
No, unless they change the 14th Amendment (which is being actively discussed in right-wing circles as part of bashing immigrants through their kids).

[CheGuevaraRage]

Fuck the states..they have the statue off freedom but there is no freedom in the USA...