# So what does it mean that having a criminal record can "spoil travel plans"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 14, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411 "2015-12-14T12:56:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/41 "2015-12-17T06:45:38Z")
Apparently UK, Norway and Finland are the best passports to have in terms of getting into the most countries with no visa and the lowest visa fees. > **[Top 10 Most Powerful Passports In The World](https://irisharoundoz.com/blog/top-10-powerful-passports-world-2014/)** > > We have often been told that an Irish passport is one of the most powerful and desired passports in the world and so it should be. It has been something we here at Irish Around ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/42 "2015-12-17T07:18:51Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > I believe you can be refused entry to the US even if you were granted a visa, if the immigration officers at the port of entry think you shouldn’t have been given one. I think we know that in practice CBP agents can get away with a lot of abusive actions, but technically, on what _official_ grounds would they refuse entry? Because they don’t like the look on your face? Maybe if you’re acting rude or belligerent to the agent, but otherwise, what information would the CBP agent at immigration in the airport have that wasn’t available in the lengthy visa process beforehand? It’s not like they’re going to start playing Colombo, and open a new investigation, with a hundred people waiting in line behind you. The only thing I can imagine would be the origin of one’s flight. Of course, if a visa holder has engaged in some kind of disqualifying activity since the issuance of the visa, and that activity is known to DHS, then the visa would be electronically canceled, and the person probably wouldn’t be allowed on the plane in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/43 "2015-12-17T07:37:15Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > I think we know that in practice CBP agents can get away with a lot of abusive actions, but technically, on what _official_ grounds would they refuse entry? Because they don’t like the look on your face? I fly into the US once or twice year for business conferences. Every single time I am quizzed about the purpose of my visit and what my job is. This is on an Australian passport. If they don’t believe your story they will ask you to step out of the line and into an office for an extended interview. Based on that interview, or the contents of your bags they can refuse you admittance. Usually the reason would be that they don’t believe your story for visiting and suspect that you are entering in order to work illegally and stay longer than your visa allows. I’ve been asked to show my business card and company brochures to prove who I work for. ---
**Author:** ![nicky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f0a364/32.png) [@nicky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicky)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/44 "2015-12-17T08:25:27Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > And an expungement for criminal law purposes doesn’t mean the conviction is wiped out for U.S. immigration law purposes. You still have to answer “yes” to the question about whether you have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime, and if you don’t answer truthfully and you are caught, that’s fraud - another ding against you, possibly worse than the ding for whatever the conviction was for. But do other countries share their records of “expunged” convictions with the USA? ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/45 "2015-12-17T15:42:17Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > I think we know that in practice CBP agents can get away with a lot of abusive actions, but technically, on what _official_ grounds would they refuse entry? Because they don’t like the look on your face? Maybe if you’re acting rude or belligerent to the agent, but otherwise, what information would the CBP agent at immigration in the airport have that wasn’t available in the lengthy visa process beforehand? It’s not like they’re going to start playing Colombo, and open a new investigation, with a hundred people waiting in line behind you. > > The only thing I can imagine would be the origin of one’s flight. Of course, if a visa holder has engaged in some kind of disqualifying activity since the issuance of the visa, and that activity is known to DHS, then the visa would be electronically canceled, and the person probably wouldn’t be allowed on the plane in the first place. The CBP can simply refuse you entry on the grounds they don’t believe you… ie. we don’t believe you are not coming here to work, we don’t believe you are going to leave when your visa expires, etc. having done that, you go home and work through the paperwork to have the denial of entry waived. They don’t have to _prove_ anything. They may not even have to give you the reason, perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/46 "2015-12-17T17:29:57Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > Yes, the police system tracks not just criminals, but witnesses and people who call 911, basically anyone who ends up identifying themselves to police or 911. This case was particularly troubling because that sort of medical information is supposed to be private. > > I remember reading a discussion about this on some privacy blog. Last time I called to report a possible drunk driver, they wanted details up the wazoo on me too… which I assume went into their database. That is odd, as I’ve called 911 more times than I care to remember and I have never had to indentify myself. They always want the location but they have the location, so I guess it’s just to confirm. Turns out our work address gives the wrong number. It’s like 123 Fake Street and our caller ID says 124 Fake Street. But I just say “I am calling to report…” And the police, fire or ambulance has shown up and I’ve never given my name. Perhaps it’s because I’ve only called 911 from a place of business? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/47 "2015-12-17T23:42:03Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > The CBP can simply refuse you entry on the grounds they don’t believe you… ie. we don’t believe you are not coming here to work, we don’t believe you are going to leave when your visa expires, etc. And some people make that easy. Not everyone who tries to break the law is smart about it. Someone who has a tourist visa and says they’re going on a two week trip shouldn’t have ten suitcases, a stack of resumes, and a chain of texts talking about the awesome goodbye party thrown by their friends a few days before they left. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/48 "2015-12-18T12:40:08Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > It means that many countries restrict entry to people with criminal records. How would the authorities in a foreign country know that you have a criminal record? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/49 "2015-12-18T12:42:31Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > How would the authorities in a foreign country know that you have a criminal record? They might not. Sometimes people succeed at doing things they shouldn’t. But a lot of people will confess it because they actually have no idea that it matters, or it leaks out before their brain tells their mouth it shouldn’t be moving. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/50 "2015-12-18T14:53:51Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > How would the authorities in a foreign country know that you have a criminal record? Answered above in detail, some countries eg US / Canada do share cirminal records databases. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/51 "2015-12-18T15:40:05Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > They might not. Sometimes people succeed at doing things they shouldn’t. > > But a lot of people will confess it because they actually have no idea that it matters, or it leaks out before their brain tells their mouth it shouldn’t be moving. …or because they know lying about it will get them in further trouble if found out. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/52 "2015-12-18T19:50:18Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > There are lots of reasons to be fingerprinted. . In Texas, everyone is thumb-printed when applying for a drivers license or a state ID card. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/53 "2015-12-19T01:03:14Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In Texas, everyone is thumb-printed when applying for a drivers license or a state ID card. That must be a recent thing. The last time I applied for a Texas driver’s license was 1998, while I was there on an emergency visit after my father had his aneurysm. My Hawaiian license had expired, so I applied for a Texas one based on my father’s address. No prints required. ---
**Author:** ![AsaMcclennon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@AsaMcclennon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AsaMcclennon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/54 "2015-12-19T07:03:45Z")
Of course it spoils the travel plans, people with criminal records may have visa issues while entering in to foreign country. For example USA never provide visa for people with criminal records. Some of the countries banned the passport of the criminals and they are not allowed to go beyond their country. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/55 "2015-12-19T07:18:06Z")
Refusal to grant a passport, or cancellation of an existing one is normally only done by very serious crimes or if its suspected you want to travel to join a terrorist group. eg this Australian muslim preacher was tracked down while attempting to join ISIS via the Phillippines. > **[Radical preacher back in Melbourne after deportation from Philippines](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/23/radical-preacher-in-melbourne-after-deportation-philippines)** > > Police question Musa Cerantonio, but Isis supporter’s ‘offensive' social media posts not found to breach Australian law He’s now back in Australia and has had his passport revoked. But for ordinary criminal offences this would be unlikely to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/56 "2015-12-19T15:17:59Z")
> [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](#): > > I was fingerprinted a number of times when I worked in the banking industry. I was told the prints are sent to the FBI. I wonder if they are still on file - I was laid off in 1999. Probably. I do [FBI criminal records searches](https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks)for clients all the time. Theoretically, at least, the FBI maintains a fingerprint database for the entire country. It’s actually very helpful when we have clients who don’t remember the specifics of a long-ago law enforcement issue; the report tells you the date, the location of the law enforcement agency involved, and in general what happened. Then at least you know where to look for additional records. (Mine are probably also there from Federal employment that ended 20+ years ago, and from a fingerprint check for the same reason as yours.) Eva Luna, Immigration Paralegal ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/57 "2015-12-19T15:21:30Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > No idea, I’m afraid; I don’t know anything about the rules or process for getting permission to enter. > > Good starting point is likely this website from Citizenship and Immigration Canada: > > [Determine if you are inadmissible](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/infORmation/inadmissibility/index.asp) [Here’s some general info.](http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/findrech/Pages/faq.aspx#idfaqs) If it works at all like the U.S. system, I imagine that in theory it’s possible to do it yourself, but in complex situations like waivers for previous criminal history, most people are likely to have better results if they are represented by a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/58 "2015-12-23T15:47:54Z")
Here’s a good example - entry denied, no reason given: [http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/us-stops-uk-muslim-familys-dream-holiday/ar-BBnPNyX?li=AAggFp5](http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/us-stops-uk-muslim-familys-dream-holiday/ar-BBnPNyX?li=AAggFp5) > [@](#): > > The group of 11, including nine children, was about to travel to Los Angeles on a dream holiday last Tuesday when they were approached by US Homeland Security officials in the departure lounge. > > The officials told Mohammad Tariq Mahmood and his party that their authorisation to travel on the flight had been cancelled without further explanation. > … > The family has also reportedly been told by their airline, Norwegian Air, that the £9,000 cost of their flights will not be refunded. > … > "The vacuum created by a refusal to provide any context for these decisions is fuelling resentment and debate. > > “Online and offline discussions reverberate with the growing fear UK Muslims are being ‘trumped’ - that widespread condemnation of Donald Trump’s call for no Muslim to be allowed into America contrasts with what is going on in practice.” They were denied entry, no explanation given, required, or offered. No refund on ticket. The border control people can do what they want. Presumably they were not on the “no fly” list (at first) or the problem would have surfaced when they first checked in? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2015, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411/59 "2015-12-24T06:36:13Z")
No evidence there that a criminal record caused the problem. No-one knows why the two families were denied entry, except US border control, and they ain’t talking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-it-mean-that-having-a-criminal-record-can-spoil-travel-plans/740411.md?page=2)