Can Registered Sex Offenders Travel To Canada

A new federal police in the United States now requires bedevilled sex activity offenders in that country to turn over their passports for ones with a unique identifier branding them equally such.

In early November, the U.Southward. State Department began to revoke the passports of registered child sex offenders.

It also announced that other offenders would still be permitted to travel with their existing passports until they received a notification in the mail from the department proverb their travel documents were invalidated.

When the offender then reapplies for a new passport, information technology volition be branded on the back inside cover with the following message: "The bearer was convicted of a sex activity offense against a pocket-sized, and is a covered sex activity offender pursuant to" the applicative U.S. law.

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The changes come in response to concluding year'southward "Megan'due south Law" in the U.S., aimed at cracking down on child sexual activity tourism and child exploitation.

Global News spoke to several travellers outside Saskatoon'southward John Chiliad. Diefenbaker International Aerodrome who applauded the change.

"They have to discriminate against people similar that because those people shouldn't be out in society to begin with."

Not anybody on this side of the edge agrees with singling offenders out, saying the changes may do more harm than proficient.

"It strikes me that this measure is more geared toward a further deterrent for offending and further punishment than it is actually practically profitable people at the border," said Saskatoon criminal defence attorney Brian Pfefferle.

Co-ordinate to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), most criminal convictions, felony or misdemeanor offences brand visitors inadmissible to Canada.

"All persons seeking entry to Canada must present to CBSA and may exist subject field to a more in-depth exam. All persons must demonstrate they run across the requirements to enter and/or stay in Canada. Admissibility is decided on a instance-by-case basis and based on the information fabricated available to the edge services officer at the time of entry."

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In a argument to Global News, CBSA would not speculate on the move by the U.S. to target sexual activity offenders' passports or whether something similar might be considered on this side of the edge.

"I don't think we should be looking to our American neighbours … when in my view we have a more than effective justice organization in Canada already," Pfefferle said.

He said publicly shaming offenders may not be the all-time choice in the long run.

"Whatever fourth dimension you label someone, it has an result on their ability to exist reintegrated into society, and society benefits from people existence able to do their time and (then) become back into the customs and contribute in a positive mode."

While Country Section officials say they aren't aware of whatsoever other group of felons who might be subjected to this type of identifier on their passport, Pfefferle argues it's a slippery slope. If changes are beingness fabricated to criminals' passports, he says, it should be for all convictions or none at all.

"What makes ane offence worse than another? A repeated drunk commuter is likely more dangerous than an individual who has ane sexual set on conviction on their record," he said.