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I am a Mexican national. I served a 3 year sentence in jail in USA and was then deported to Mexico (drug offense) 2016-2018 (2 years 8 months).

I currently traveled to the Dominican Republic. In transit through Panama they told me I cannot have a layover there again because of my criminal record and their policy on not allowing felons through there. They gave me a courtesy one time at their discretion permission to board the plane heading to the Dominican Republic but not to return through Panama sgain.

I am now traveling via Colombia (to get back to Mexico City) to avoid a Panama layover.

I plan to go to Greece in mid June since it’s one of the few European countries open for travel. Some help or insight on whether I will run into trouble at port of entry.

I’m very excited for this trip but would like to know if they ask about past convictions, does my passport have a flag because of my past criminal history?

It’s a bummer some countries will still punish a felon after serving his full time for mistakes.

DavidRecallsMonica
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Rodo16
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2 Answers2

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AFAIK, countries don't maintain criminal records internationally with the exception for high prolific individuals who are on Interpol's watchlist.

Criminal records are generally shared in intranational regions (i.e. US/Canada/Mexico, Australia/NZ, EU member states).

Eric Hernandez
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In Europe, Rehabilitation (penology) - Wikipedia is the primary goal of the penal policy.

In general, once the sentence has been served, you are again considered a member of society (i.e. you are not considered a criminal until the Kingdom comes).

The general criteria is whether the foreigner 'endangers public safety' or not.

Short term stays will be treated differently than long term stays (residence).

In German law §54 Interest in expulsion - AufthG, will give you an idea what is understood under the general term 'endangers public safety'. Assume this will differ slightly depending on the jurasdiction.

For short term stays, in your case a visa free entry, a border guard may see what is on record and make a determination if you are presently considered a person that 'endangers public safety'.

Just because this may have been the case in the past, does not necessarily mean that it is presently.

The overall circumstances will be the base on any final decision.

Mark Johnson
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