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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: Bahston]
#75179
11/16/2015 07:44 AM
11/16/2015 07:44 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,345
Kennys
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Posts: 5,345
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: Bahston]
#75181
11/16/2015 07:55 AM
11/16/2015 07:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,893
Bahston
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OP
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: jeepers]
#75183
11/16/2015 10:49 PM
11/16/2015 10:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,146 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Great work by St. Maarten immigration for catching these three Syrians. They may not at all be terrorists and possibly could be refugees trying to escape from Greece, but they did not have legal documents, so they were trying to enter the country illegally. Haiti did not pick them up but St. Maarten did! Good job SXM!
Checking two forms of ID is probably a good idea right now. Glad to hear you arrived home safely.
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: Sungoddess]
#75186
11/17/2015 10:22 AM
11/17/2015 10:22 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Sungoddess said: I got stopped in a police control on Airport road late Sunday afternoon...make sure you drive with your documents I always wonder, when people say 'always make sure you drive with your documents' - exactly what documents are they speaking of? Drivers license is a given and the car rental receipts, I'm guessing, too, but is anything else required? Perhaps a copy of your passports? It's never, in 43 years been an issue for us in the past, but then, the times have never been quite like they are today. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: BeachKitten]
#75189
11/17/2015 12:09 PM
11/17/2015 12:09 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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OMGoodness, if only I was all thaaaaaaat organized!! I'm lucky if I even remember to bring the cell phone! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Just kidding - about the above, anyway, but beyond our licenses for id purposes, and the anticipated dollars for the day and of course, the car rental papers in the glove box, we've never carried the copies of our passport in the past. Thanks for the heads-up and now I've got one more thing to worry/think about! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Note to self - make extra copies of both passports.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: iscrogr]
#75191
11/17/2015 12:21 PM
11/17/2015 12:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,655 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Really?! Thank you for that info. My copier here at home only does B & W so that's not a problem and I think I can adjust the sizing. Another note to self......
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: iscrogr]
#75194
11/17/2015 12:42 PM
11/17/2015 12:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Someone here posted a link from the Passport website, I think it was, that said that was false.
Carol Hill
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: iscrogr]
#75196
11/17/2015 01:17 PM
11/17/2015 01:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,899 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
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iscrogr said: When I went to \Staples about 4 years ago, that is what they told me. Was that a min wage part time employee or a representative of the passport agency? Big difference.
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: iscrogr]
#75197
11/17/2015 02:57 PM
11/17/2015 02:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,091 Massachusetts
boucharda
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Massachusetts
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Urban legend says that photocopying your passport, as an official government document, is illegal -- yet the government recommends that you make one or more copies of your passport in certain situations. Having a copy of your passport when you travel abroad is helpful if you lose the document. That is from traveltips/usatoday ..and...the US Government site travel.state.gov RECOMMENDS that you make a copy of your passport. Nothing said about size or color limitations
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: pat]
#75199
11/17/2015 03:22 PM
11/17/2015 03:22 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
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pat said: OMGoodness, if only I was all thaaaaaaat organized!! I'm lucky if I even remember to bring the cell phone! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Just kidding - about the above, anyway, but beyond our licenses for id purposes, and the anticipated dollars for the day and of course, the car rental papers in the glove box, we've never carried the copies of our passport in the past. Thanks for the heads-up and now I've got one more thing to worry/think about! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Note to self - make extra copies of both passports. I know you're an organized Lady! You can do it. Take the phone snaps now. Make notes of your itinerary, and have it in the Notes app on your phone as well. If you do any boat excursions that go to Anguilla they complete a passenger list and request passport information. I like using my paper copy as opposed to carrying my actual passport (especially if it's a smaller boat that, oh I don't know...sinks...lol).
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: iscrogr]
#75200
11/17/2015 03:27 PM
11/17/2015 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763 Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry
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Posts: 763
Chicago area & St-Martin
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iscrogr said: When I went to \Staples about 4 years ago, that is what they told me. If you look at the Department of State's web site, it says to make a copy of your passport, but nothing about color or resizing it. See: Traveler's Check List.
--ChiTownHarry
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Re: No known terrorism threat to SXM
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#75202
11/17/2015 03:35 PM
11/17/2015 03:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,091 Massachusetts
boucharda
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Posts: 5,091
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"No known indications of planned terrorism"
Can't see what the issue is here. Three people from a terrorist generating country, maybe traveled from Syria to somewhere to Haiti using their fake Greek passports and travel on to SXM (part of which is France). Probably just couldn't get a direct flight from Syria to SXM to use their timeshare.
Really? Key word is "known"...walks like a duck, talks like a duck......
Bet they just get sent back ...to somewhere...maybe a target country of their choice <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
...and I realize that just because they are Syrians doesn't mean their expedition originated in their home country
Last edited by boucharda; 11/17/2015 03:36 PM.
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: BeachKitten]
#75203
11/17/2015 03:56 PM
11/17/2015 03:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Central Florida!
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Not sure I would put a copy of your passport in CHECKED luggage.. Definitely make copies and take with you. Definitely you're supposed to mark your luggage, including inside, with your name and contact info, but I don't think I would put a copy of my passport in checked luggage. US passports are fairly hard to fake, so it would have to be a pretty good forger, but don't think I'd give them that opportunity.
Carol Hill
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#75204
11/17/2015 04:17 PM
11/17/2015 04:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
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Yeah, I was always super leery of most things like that. But it's black and white, and the watermarks pop up all over it as a copy. Good luck Mr. Forger who is certainly way more advanced in sophistication than my crumpled copy. If flight crew on Air Force One give up their passport when checking into certain hotels in China, I think I'm ok. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Prepared by the State Dept.: page 13 discusses a copy in luggage, and I think it's page 30? that discusses turning over your passport if it's that countries law. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/19795.pdf
Last edited by BeachKitten; 11/17/2015 04:30 PM.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: BeachKitten]
#75205
11/17/2015 04:21 PM
11/17/2015 04:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 83,022
Central Florida!
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Well, you're probably right, as far as forging it, but I am thinking now the bigger threat might be identity theft.. I wouldn't want anyone to even have the number, that was a bad guy, just by stealing my checked bag.
Carol Hill
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: jeepers]
#75207
11/17/2015 04:33 PM
11/17/2015 04:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I don't know. I do know it's a lot easier to get a replacement REAL passport if you have a copy of it.
Carol Hill
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: pat]
#75209
11/17/2015 09:18 PM
11/17/2015 09:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 837 Florida
wilsonck
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pat said:Sungoddess said: I got stopped in a police control on Airport road late Sunday afternoon...make sure you drive with your documents I always wonder, when people say 'always make sure you drive with your documents' - exactly what documents are they speaking of? Drivers license is a given and the car rental receipts, I'm guessing, too, but is anything else required? Perhaps a copy of your passports? It's never, in 43 years been an issue for us in the past, but then, the times have never been quite like they are today. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> This story in the Daily Herald has a quote in which the St. Maarten Immigration and Border Protection Service expects all visitors to carry their passports at all times. IBP said also that joint and random controls will be increased. It urges the public to have a valid St. Maarten ID card in their possession when in public. Visitors should have their passports on them “at all times” and “if found to have overstayed will be taken into immigration custody to be processed.”
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#75210
11/17/2015 09:36 PM
11/17/2015 09:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,146 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I agree Carol. I feel no need to have a copy of my passport in checked luggage. It is only required that you have your name and address on a paper inside. Copies of passports are to be carried on your person and the actual passports are to be in safe keeping during your travels on the island. If the police ask for the actual passport, they will have to wait until I deliver it to them.
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Re: 3 Syrians With False Docs Arrested at SXM?
[Re: wilsonck]
#75211
11/17/2015 09:52 PM
11/17/2015 09:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 249 Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
jaxon60
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wilsonck said:This story in the Daily Herald has a quote in which the St. Maarten Immigration and Border Protection Service expects all visitors to carry their passports at all times. That is not odd or unusual. Most countries, including the USA, technically require all foreign nationals to carry their passports with them at all times. Many of us do not do that when visiting the US and other countries.
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Re: No known terrorism threat to SXM
[Re: timnboston]
#75212
11/18/2015 08:01 AM
11/18/2015 08:01 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 186
JulieandKarl
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timnboston said: Syria has been in chaos for years. Getting a passport - particularly if you are not part of the ruling clique - may be close to impossible. So your only, option if you want to travel, is to get a forged passport. Many Jews escaped Nazi Germany with forged papers because the Nazis would not issue them legal ones. Many legitimate refugee have spent their life savings to get forged Syrian passports to get away from the terrorists - much like the Jews referenced above. Much easier, I guess, to assume they had bad intentions which maybe they did, the point being we don't know. And then quickly move to arguing over whether or not to photocopy passports in what size/color, etc. they should be. Jeesh.
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Re: No known terrorism threat to SXM
[Re: JulieandKarl]
#75214
11/18/2015 08:51 AM
11/18/2015 08:51 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,022 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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The thread was about passports to begin with, and I have no problem with that discussion in this thread. As you said, there really is no way to know what these people's intentions were, so anything that is posted here would be pure speculation. Regardless, time to end this one here, as politics (and religion) are best left in more appropriate venues for discussion than a travel board.
Carol Hill
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