Defending Our Rights

The Cuba Travel Campaign supports the right of all US citizens to visit Cuba. The Bush Administration systematically denies both individuals and groups with legal ways of going to Cuba. U.S. travelers are subject to serious charges and fines, yet to date no one who has stood up for their rights has gone to jail or had to pay the full penalties. Criminal charges have been dropped, and in most cases, settlements have been negotiated or are awaiting appeal. By demanding our basic Constitutional Right to travel, we can make a difference!

VICTORIES VS. THE TRAVEL BAN – People who have fought back and won

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

This information is provided as a public service, and is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. Each travel challenge case is subject to specific laws and regulations, which are constantly changing. If you have been sent a Request to Furnish Information from the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), consult an attorney familiar with OFAC regulations who can address your specific situation. Remember that OFAC has strict deadlines in which you must respond to their requests.

The following sample letters may be used if you are contacted by the Office of Foreign Control Assets (OFAC) for allegedly traveling to Cuba. Link underlined words to the sample letters:
Sample Letter 1 is a form response to an OFAC "Requirement to Furnish Information" (RFI)
Sample Letter 2 is a form response to OFAC's "Pre-Penalty_Notice"

Timeline for responding to OFAC:

20 business days to reply to a Request to Furnish Information ("RFI")
60 calendar days to reply to a PrePenalty Notice ("PPN")
30 calendar days to reply to a Penalty Notice ("PN") including to request a hearing.

Academic Freedom: The Emergency Coalition to Defend Educational Travel (ECDET) is a group of educators and scholars working to end the academic travel restrictions to Cuba.

Religious Freedom: The National Council of Churches and Church World Service have joined with many other religious organizations to oppose the U.S. government travel restrictions to Cuba which curtail religious freedom.

10 Reasons to Oppose the Travel Ban

The outdated, counterproductive U.S. embargo against Cuba should not be used by the government as an excuse to violate our rights. Read more...