Peter Thomas Senese's critically acclaimed novel 'Chasing The Cyclone' has been hailed by readers and critics alike as a call-to-arms against international parental child abduction as well as a book of miracles and heroes. 'Chasing The Cyclone' has not only been critically reviewed in the literary community, but has entertained and educated readers around the world about the pandemic known as international parental child abduction.
Come ogni genitore che ha
inseguito nelle tempeste della sottrazione internazionale di bambini dei
genitori, sono stato a Lui! e ritorno. Non c'è nulla che io possa confrontare ciò che è come
essere un genitore che insegue la ricerca per il vostro bambino.
Recentemente l'Examiner ha
pubblicato un articolo molto dettagliato sulla I Care Foundation e il nostro impegno per
aiutare i bambini lotta contro il cancro o che sono destinati a bambini genitori
internazionale rapimento. La storia pubblicata ha un tema che apprezzo al di fuori
del mio lavoro di advocacy, e questo è davvero in grado di libri e non fare una
grande differenza nella nostra vita. Chasing
Il ciclone
ha fatto che per un vasto e crescente numero di genitori. Vi
invito a leggere la storia Examiner . Nel frattempo, invito tutti i
genitori, in particolare quelli coinvolti in multi-culturali rapporti che
mostrano segni di tensione precedente o in corso per ricordare che la stagione
delle vacanze di Natale è un momento hightened dell'anno in cui i bambini
vengono rapiti a livello internazionale.
Si prega di non credo che questo
problema non è importante per voi - la maggior parte tutti i genitori che hanno
avuto il loro bambino rubato l'altro genitore non si sentiva che era importante
sia, tuttavia, con il maggior numero di 125, 000 americani e 20.000 bambini
canadesi dovrebbe essere a livello internazionale rapito nel corso dei prossimi
10 anni - ne vale la pena 2 minuti del vostro tempo per
capire.
La scorsa settimana, molti di noi hanno giocato la nostra parte migliore possibile per aiutare coloro che hanno pesantemente risentito di uragano Sandy.
Molti dei miei amici e lettori da tutto il mondo mi hanno scritto chiedendo come si può aiutare, e che ha bisogno dell'aiuto di più.
Dal mio punto di vista, ovviamente tutti interessati alle esigenze di assistenza; Tuttavia, ci sono alcuni gruppi che possono bisogno di più aiuto. Essi comprendono:
1. Non documentati i residenti. Molti di questi individui che vivono nell'area di New York hanno bambini piccoli.
2. I residenti che in affitto. Molti di questi individui, tra cui un gran numero di famiglie con bambini, non stanno ricevendo l'aiuto e sollievo che hanno bisogno, specialmente poiché non hanno alcuna assicurazione.
Nel tentativo di determinare quali organizzazioni che potrebbero essere migliori fornire supporto a, ho concluso che la Caritas sarebbe la mia prima raccomandazione per dare supporto. Si prega di considerare visitando il loro sito Web o chiamando direttamente al 718 722 6202.
Ecco perché:
Attualmente operano in alcune delle zone più interessate di uragano Sandy - significato che sono all'avanguardia del battleline.
Pensiero sono 'Caritas', essi non considerano la credenza religiosa quando fornendo aiuto: aiutare tutti.
Essi sono stati in giro un tempo molto lungo e hanno una reputazione tremenda di aiutare gli altri.
Ovviamente allevarli donazioni sono importanti e possono essere inviate direttamente a Caritas visitando il loro sito Web o chiamano 718 722 6202.
Per quanto riguarda forniture, questo è quello che stanno cercando proprio ora:
Nuovi sacchi a pelo e coperte
Baby Daipers
Baby Formula e conserve alimentari
Calze per adulti e bambini
Biancheria intima per adulti e bambini
Torce e batterie
Forniture per la pulizia
Burro di arachidi
Lattine di tonno
Cappotti e giacche
Guanti e cappelli
Intimo termico
Rain Gear
Grande prodotto donazione Nota: Se siete un gruppo o organizzazione che potrebbe essere in grado di inviare un grande rifornimento di questi elementi, vi suggerisco di indirizzarli a Cattolica di beneficenza centro di distribuzione centrale, che succede così a far Rockaway, regine, che è una delle zone più influenzate da uragano Sandy.
L'indirizzo del centro distribuzione centrale recitazione è:
St Mary Star della parrocchia di mare
1920 New Haven Ave
Far Rockaway, New York 11691
Individuo responsabile della distribuzione è Mr Sheldon Peters. Può essere raggiunto a 347 585 7734.
Altre posizioni: che è possibile inviare rifornimenti:
A Brooklyn:
Beata Vergine Maria della Visitazione
98 Richards Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
La Chiesa del Santuario di nostra Signora della consolazione
Catholic Charities, along with the Red Cross are at the forefront of providing assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Over the past week, many of us have been playing our part best we can to help those who have been heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Many of my friends and readers from around the world have written to me asking how they can help, and who needs the help most.
From my viewpoint, obviously everyone affected needs assistance; however, there are a few groups that may need the most help. They include:
1. Undocumented residents. Many of these individuals living in the New York area have young children.
2. Residents who rent. Many of these individuals, including a large number of families with children, are not receiving the aid and relief they need, particularly since they have no insurance.
In trying to determine which organizations that may be best to provide support to, I have concluded that Catholic Charities would be my first recommendation to give support. Please consider visiting their website or calling directly at 718.722.6202.
Here is why:
They are presently operating in some of the most impacted areas of Hurricane Sandy - meaning they are at the forefront of the battleline.
Thought they are 'Catholic Charities', they do not consider one's religious beliefs when providing aid: they help everyone.
They have been around a very long time, and have a tremendous reputation of helping others.
Obviously finanical donations are important and can be sent directly to Catholic Charities by visiting their website or call 718.722.6202.
As for supplies, this is what they are looking for right now:
New Sleeping Bags and blankets
Baby Daipers
Baby Formula and canned food
Socks for adults and children
Underwear for adults and children
Flashlights and batteries
Cleaning Supplies
Peanut Butter
Cans of Tuna
Coats and Jackets
Gloves and Hats
Thermal Underwear
Rain Gear
Large Product Donation Note: If you are an group or organization that might be able to send a large supply of these items, I suggest that you direct them to Catholic Charities Central Distribution Center, which so happens to be in Rockaway, Queens, which is one of the areas most impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
The Acting Central Distribution Center Address is:
St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish
1920 New Haven Ave
Far Rockaway, New York 11691
* The individual in charge of distribution is Mr. Sheldon Peters. He can be reached at 347.585.7734.
Other Locations You Can Send Supplies To:
In Brooklyn:
Blessed Virgin Mary of the Visitation
98 Richards Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
The Shrine Church of Our Lady Of Solace
2866 West 17th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11224
In Queens:
St. Helen's Church
157-10 83rd Street
Howard Beach, NY 11414
In Staten Island
Catholic Charities
120 Anderson Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10202
Phone Number: 347.447.6330
Recently the Examiner published a fairly detailed article about the I CARE Foundation and my efforts to help children fighting cancer or who are targeted for international parental child abduction. The published story has a theme that I appreciate outside of my advocacy work, and that is books really can and do make a big difference in our lives. Chasing The Cyclone has done that for a large and growing number of parents.
In the meantime, I urge all parents, particularly those involved in multi-cultural relationships that show signs of previous or ongoing strain to remember that the Christmas Holiday Season is a hightened time of the year when children get internationally abducted. Please do not think this issue is not important to you - most every parent who has had their child stolen by the other parent didn't feel it was important either; however, with as many as 125, 000 American and 20,000 Canadian children expected to be internationally abducted over the next 10 years - it is worth 2 minutes of your time to understand.
I will be donating 100% of my book earnings generated from the sale of my best-selling international geopolitical thrillers to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts with a focus on Long Beach, Rockaway Beach, Breezy Point, Gerritsan Beach, Staten Island, and communities on the New Jersey shore.
Please take the time to consider helping by picking up a copy or two of one of my novels today. There are so many individuals that need help that are falling through the cracks.
"In Appreciation For Your Work With The I CARE Foundation And Model Citizenship"
It is a tremendous and humbling honor to receive this magestic United States Flag that was flown over theUnited States Capitol Building in my and the I CARE Foundation's honor due to our volunteer activism trying to help protect children and parents everywhere who are targets of international parental child abduction at the request of the United States Senate.
When I first found myself Chasing The Cyclone of international parental child abduction, I made a promise that one day I would try to help other parents and children who face abduction. My desire to help first came in the form of writing Chasing The Cyclone, which critics have been very kind to. It was from the power of a book that so much more occurred, including the creation of the not-for-profit I CARE Foundation. In fact, the impact of Chasing The Cyclone has been beyond any of my initial hopes.
The I CARE Foundation's mission is expansive, but so too are the challenges children and parents face who are targets of abduction.
Over the course of this past year alone, the foundation has helped reunite numerous children of abudction with their chasing parents. We have helped prevent a expotentially larger number of abductions. We have helped build a pro bono network of lawyers committed to protecting children from abduction. We have embarked upon a grassroots educational campaign to abduction awareness with the tremendous assistance of an incredible group of parenting bloggers. We continue to conduct research in the area of international child abduction. And we have worked hard at creating new laws and policies that will protect against international child kidnapping and trafficking.
Our successes have been meaningful; however, they remind us of just how much more has to be done in the name of children. Equally, when I fly this flag, I am reminded of the incredible men and women advocates who came before me who fought to help protect children from abduction. Collectively, it is through all of our voices rising up together that we are pushing back the mountain.
On a deeply personal note, one day I will pass this flag down to my son, who I love with all my heart.
Some Call Them Parenting Bloggers, While Others Call Them Mommy Bloggers, While Others, Myself Included Simply Call Them Amazing Women Writers Who Are Changing The World. An Incredible Group Of Women Who Are Mothers Have Come Together To Help Raise Awareness Of International Parental Child Abducton
Over the past 6 months I have been working with an incredible group of women writers who have assisted the I CARE Foundation raise awareness about international parental child abduction (IPCA). Each of these writers happen to be mothers, writers, thinkers, partners, and incredibly thoughtful individuals who push society's conscience toward an enlightened and globally connected place. In the process, they are revolutionizing the way information and ideas are disseminated in a similar magnitude that Mary Welsh Hemingway and Jacqueline Saix did. And that is pretty remarkable. And unquestionably, the world is a much better place because of these highly talented, insightful writers who happen to also be mothers or mothers-to-be. Through my and the I CARE Foundation's process of building a grass-roots awareness initiative concerning IPCA, I know I have become a better person: more compassionate, understanding, a bit more patient, and definitely a whole lot more educated about a variety of things that would have never come across my plate because I have been able to connect with each of you.
Yes, even with my hectic schedule, I do take the time to read the stories and essays posted on each of your sites! This said ... I want you to all know that some of my male pals think I'm nuts when over a friendly poker game or a writers meeting I attend from time to time, I will share some things I have read on these sites that week - which I actually find very interesting . . . there is nothing funnier than seeing a few big tough guys squirm a bit, "Oh, why'd you have to bring that up?" or "You're getting to in touch with your feminine side - we don't need to know about that!" So thank you for that, too!
Not only have each of you helped our community of activist fight against the horror of abduction, but you have raised the bar of what I expect from myself.
Earlier today, as I was looking out at the U.S. Capitol Building, thinking a bit about Martha Washington, I found myself really reflecting about how blessed I am that a select group of wonderful women graciously allowed me to come into their lives and decided to stand the line and help protect children at risk of abduction by using their websites as forums to raise awareness amongst their readers. From these efforts the I CARE Foundation has been able to directly help protect several children. It would be proper thinking that the material shared amongst these important sites will also help other parents and children in time . . . some who we will eventually meet and some we will never know. But the information is there, and with as many as nearly 150,000 children expected to be internationally kidnapped abroad from the United States and Canada over the next 10 years, their effort is so important.
For all of this, and so much more, I am so thankful that each of you took the time to answer an email and to stand, in your own way with those of us who know the darkness of having a child lost and who stand the line so others will not face the same fate. And through it all, there has been a whole bunch of laughter and giggles!
I might not have said it directly, but if you pay attention to my work ... you would know that each of you are an inspiration to me. And my life is so much richer because of this.
In the near future I will be publishing an extensive essay about how women writers who are also mothers - writers, parenting bloggers, mommy bloggers - whatever you prefer, but to me collectively society's conscience - have in fact changed the world for the better.
I would like to personally thank in no particular order Jennifer, Willa, Mary, Erica, Susann, Heather, Tracy, Lauren, Patsy, Lyndsay, Carlia, Natasha, Stephanie, Melissa, Janice, Leslie, Kathy, Alicia, Jade, Ariel, Leah, Amanda, Carrie, Tamara, Ashley, Jessica, Raquel, Erin, Mindy, Abigail, Elizabeth, Sharon, Janice, Tamara, Tricia, Stacy, Hana, Bobbie Anne, Janessa, Julie, Cascia, Amanda, Katie, Lauren, Sabrina, Laura, Claire, Erin, Ewa, Heather, Jade, Nishana, Janice, Elisabeth, Aprile, Elisa, and Melissa, Diane, Katrina, and Katie for all that you have done to help protect children from abduction and possible trafficking. My words of thanks in truth cannot every be expressed in reflection of the depth of my gratitude. I mean, how could I ever express the appreciation in my heart for your help protecting innocent children, other than to say 'Thank You'! In the spirit of friendship to each of you, again, 'Thank You'. Peter Thomas Senese Founding Director The I CARE Foundation
On October 19th, 2012 at the request of New York Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, a beautiful American Flag was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of both Eugene Pothy and his son Philippe.
For those of you who may not be aware of this, Philippe had been living in the Ivory Coast for nearly 10 years without the consent of his father, who, during that time had done everything possible to try and reunite with his son.
To have an American Flag flown over our nation's Capitol Building at the request of an American Senator in your honor is a tremendous honor. It is something that is not done often.
As for my dear friend Eugene, I am so honored to call him one of my dearest friends. He is a hero to me. He is a hero to many.
CM is a New York City resident and a highly decorated active duty police officer who previously was a New York City firefighter was attacked has been fighting a three-year war to try and reunite with his internationally abducted daughter, who was illegally detained in Germany.
International parental child abduciton is expected to see anywhere from 100,000 to 125,000 American children illegally detained abarod over the next 10 years, with as little as 10% of these children ever coming home.
As the case of CM demonstrates, no parent, even highly decoreated police officers are not immune to international parental child abduciton.
Please take a moment to read about the incredible journey of a man who has served his city, state, and nation in the name of justice and good citizenship, and the nightmare he and his daughter have faced.
If you are a reporter interested in knowing more about CM, please contact me at peter@stopchildabduction.org.
In an ongoing effort to help protect children from international parental child abduction, best-selling author and child advocate Peter Thomas Senese, the author of several internationally heralded novels including 'Chasing The Cyclone', 'The Den of the Assassin', and 'Cloning Christ' has donated 100% of his e-book royalties to the International Child Abduction Research and Enlightenment Foundation ( known as the I CARE Foundation), a New York based not-for-profit organization he is the founding director of that was created to help stop international child abduction. In addition, to his donation stemming from his writing, Peter Senese has continued to provide additional financial support to the foundation in an effort to support its various activities.
New York City attorney Joel Walter, a board member of the I CARE Foundation who has been practicing complex family law for nearly 40 years commented about Mr. Senese ongoing support to help protect children of abduction when he said, "Mr. Senese's continual financial support and dedication to children through his
generous financial support of the I CARE Foundation has had a great influence on
so many lives. It is with generous support such as what Peter has previously
provided, what he continues to provide, and his honorable pledge for future
support that the foundation, in part, has been able to create more than a few
miracles. For example, as some of you may not be aware of, legally reuniting
with a child wrongfully detained in Africa, and safely creating a path to bring
that child or children back home to the United States is a very difficult task.
One that has not happened too often in the grave world of international child
abduction. In fact, It is a rarity. There are numerous cases like this from all around the world. The majority of which are not publicly mentioned due to the nature and severity of the situation . . . but they exist, and I know this first-hand because of my role with the foundation. In fact, I have said often that any person out there trying to help children is doing God's work. And I strongly and undeniably say that about my wonderful friend Peter Thomas Senese. He asks for nothing, gives so much of his time, his money, his spirit, and his knowledge in hope of protecting others who can't defend themselves. In the process, he never speaks poorly about anyone, but instead is the eternal optimist. Again - he's doing God's work. Along the way, Peter Thomas Senese's leadership and financial support of the I CARE Foundation has been extremely generous. His gifting comes from not only the direct donation of sales from his novels, but also directly from his own resources. Some may not know this, but I will never forget when Peter was forced into the storms of abduction - I was there from the beginning and was the first person he turned to when we filed his own Hague Convention application- he said he would do his best to make a difference in this fight to help children. It was a fight I quickly joined him on. And so, our work continues years later in great part initially because Peter was willing to step up to make a difference. Something he continues to do."
"It has been incredible to see, as an author, the impact of Chasing The Cyclone . . . so much started from the idea of a book. That seed has grown into the I CARE Foundation, which I am thrilled to be a part of. My support of the foundation will continue to the best of my ability," added Senese.
Peter Thomas Senese's geopolitical novels include CHASING THE CYCLONE, THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN, and CLONING CHRIST. All three titles are available in E-book. Chasing The Cyclone will be released in hardcover this Christman, while both CLONING CHRIST and THE DEN OF THE ASSASSIN are presently available in hardcover.
The Impact of Peter Thomas Senese's 'Chasing The Cyclone'
I love reading books. I love writing books. I love talking about books! And I love being around books! I think Malcolm Forbes got it right when he said, "the richest person in the world – in fact all the riches in the world – couldn’t provide you with anything like the endless, incredible loot at your local library."
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American essayist, philosopher, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement of the early 19th Century and known for his speech entitled The American Scholar, that is considered to be America's Intellectual Declaration of Independence, once said "man’s library is a sort of harem." I couldn’t agree more! Emerson’s fanciful insight is supported by his opinion that "some books leave us free and some books make us free."
Clearly, a book is a free ticket to anywhere in the universe, and a library is the realm transporter that takes us to new worlds and new dimensions.
But perhaps most of all, a book is a ticket to freedom.
A Book is Freedom
Unquestionably,the power of the written word is alive and well today, as it has been ever since mankind first etched hieroglyphics on stone. Despite living in the nano-universe of digital storytelling, at the root of our ability to convey a story or issue in the detailed substance that it may deserve, it is my opinion that there is nothing more powerful and insightful than a book.
When I first decided to write 'Chasing The Cyclone', I did so with the hope and intent that perhaps one parent or one lawyer or one judge may learn something about the growing pandemic of international parental child abduction and either prevent the abduction of a child or assist in the safe legal recovery of a child. What has originated from the first pages I penned of my deeply personal novel while I was sitting on the wind swept sand beach of Paradise Cove located in Malibu Beach has come to be nothing short of a Call-To-Arms against the despicable, unacceptable abuse of a child that is international child abduction and child trafficking.
Before I go any further, I want you to know that I have learned that by following your heart, you can make a difference for others. And regardless if that difference benefits one person or many, the privilege of helping another is in fact the greatest gift we can receive.
It is based upon this notion coupled with other blessings I have in my life, that I have volunteered both my time and significant resources to help protect children and their parents.
I have done this by making significant contributions to the highly respected 501 C 3 not-for-profit organization I am the Founding Director known as the I CARE Foundation (I invite you to read more about the I CARE Foundation).
In fact, outside of direct contributions I have made to the foundation, I have also donated 100% of all my earnings from all e-book sales of my various novels to the I CARE Foundation (I invite you to see 'Peter Thomas Senese Donates Book Sales To Help Children).
Has this been successful?
Incredibly.
How?
Because my primary goal in writing Chasing The Cyclone was to be able to publish a highly educational, interesting book that would lead to one thing: protecting children from abduction. And there is no question that from the seeds that are Chasing The Cyclone, children who have been abducted have been safely reunited with their parents, and children who were targetedfor abduction were protected.
So what has made Chasing The Cyclone a great success? A great deal. Here is a sampling of accomplishments that have and will continue to help children and their parents.
THE I CARE FOUNDATION
1. The creation of the 501-C-3 Not-for-profit ‘International Child Abduction Research & Enlightenment’ Foundation' (I CARE Foundation) that was established to and has successfully rescued numerous internationally kidnapped children while conducting advanced research in the area of IPCA in order advocate for the creation of new laws that will protect children from international kidnapping.
5. Board Member Carolyn Vlk wrote the legislation for the State of Florida's Child Abduction Prevention Act while Board Member Peter Thomas Senese orchestrated lobbying efforts that led to the unanimous passage of the CAPA legislation into now effective law; and,
6. Successfully advocated for the federal implementation of the 'Prevent Departure Program' to be used as a tool to stop international parental child abduction; and,
7. Writer and advocate behind legislative initiatives to prevent international child abduction by modifying the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative; and,
8. Writer and advocate behind legislative initiatives to prevent international child abduction by modifying the Prevent Departure Program II; and,
9. The co-authoring and creation and FREE publication of the extensive 'The World Turned Upside Down' open-tablet E-book resource guide on IPCA; and,
13. The creation of one of the most informative websites on IPCA; and,
14. The ongoing efforts to create additional federal laws that evolve around child abduction prevention.
15. The stout support and advocacy that led to the passage of on line impersonation laws such as those passed in the states of California and New York.
17. Upcoming I CARE Foundation sponsored educational legal training seminars for lawyers in the area of IPCA.
18. A large and growing grass-roots effort to educate parents about the risks of IPCA and child trafficking.
19. A promise to continue my efforts to educate society about the issues of IPCA, use my resources whenever possible to assist others, and to work toward the passage of new laws that will protect children, as demonstrated in the sworn testimonials of my conduct.
All from a book called 'Chasing The Cyclone' that was inspired by the time in my life I was required to chase into the storms of abduction.
One final note, and this is personally extremely important to me to share. Before I raised my voice and tried to make a difference in the fight against IPCA, there were, as there are today other wonderful advocates who have fought so hard to protect children by raising their voice, using their resources to fight a good fight, and to pass new laws that will protect children. I recognize and applaud each of these individuals who make up the community of child advocates who are dedicated to protecting children.
For more on me, Peter Thomas Senese, I invite you to visit my official website.
We are also very concerned that the documentary requirements for a “closed loop” cruise ship or other water vessel’s voyage or itinerary to contiguous countries or adjacent islands allows travelers to be exempt from the documentary requirements necessary for other types of travel. The CBP defines “closed loop” as occurring when “a vessel departs from a U.S. port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon completion of the voyage. U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.”
Travel requirementsfor children traveling at sea are quite alarming. The porous documentation controls in place due to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative facilitate child abduction opportunity at sea in unthinkable ways. For example, there are certain cruise ships that have ports of call in other countries that cater specifically to children. These cruise ships hold over 5,000 passengers and typically have weekly departures. With thousands of children boarding one of these cruise ships, we acknowledge it is clear there is substantial opportunity for a parental or non-parental child abduction to occur.
In a likely scenario for cruise ship related international parental child abduction or child trafficking, an individual could presumably board a cruise ship with a targeted child with limited or fraudulent documentation for the child, travel to WHTI designated foreign ports, disembark with the child at a port of call and simply choose not to re-board the ship, effectively circumventing the necessity of a passport which is required for other types of travel.
The potential to illegally remove a child across international borders via cruise ship travel is substantially magnified because currently there are no systematic data base controls and other security measures that would prevent a child's illegal departure from the United States. Exemplifying this grave concern are direct statements made from the security departments of two of the world's largest cruise lines operators. In statements made by both companies, neither have a security database that would enable a parent nor a court of law to place a child's name on a 'no embarkment' list due to specified court order. So even if a court order is issued that either directly names the cruise ship company as part of the action or if the court order references the cruise ship company to prohibit a child's departure but does not list the cruise ship as part of the legal action, the cruise ship companies have nothing in place that would enable them to comply with the court order.
When representatives in the security departments of both cruise ship companies were asked what could be done with a court order prohibiting a child's departure, each spokesperson suggested that if the targeted parent knew what cruise ship and departure date their child was scheduled to travel on, then it would be up to the parent to contact local law enforcement.
Obviously, the ability for a single parent trying to protect their child's abduction to run from cruise ship port to cruise ship port hoping to determine if their child is traveling on one of the ships is more than daunting and unrealistic, particularly since the vast majority of international child abductions are well planned, and cleverly orchestrated.
In a time of increased international security concerns, it is inconceivable that the only type of data bases most cruise ship operators have in place is a data base that flags previous passengers from traveling on their fleet due to past conduct on board one of their ships.
Remarkably, there is no systematic check to determine if a child’s name has been placed on any law enforcement or government travel alert lists. However, if a U.S. passport was required and the U.S. passport was scanned, then a border patrol agent would have immediate access to potentially critical information regarding the safety of the child. We call upon the cruise ships to act responsibly by establishing security procedures including a 'no-embarkment' database that would assist in the prevention of international parental child abduction and human trafficking.
When we consider there are approximately 760 cruises scheduled to depart from the U.S. and travel in a ‘closed loop’ to the Caribbean during fiscal year 2011, this becomes very concerning. Our worry increases after we consider there are 47 "closed loop" cruises scheduled to depart the U.S. to Canada during the same period. And finally, our concern surges when we realize that there are 379 cruises scheduled to depart the U.S. and travel in a "closed loop" to Mexico.
As previously discussed in this report, Mexico is a hotbed for ‘reported’ and ‘unreported’ incoming and outgoing international parental child abduction cases. A substantial number of U.S. parents have filed a Hague application due to the criminal international abduction of their child or children. Unfortunately, very few abducted children return to the U.S. despite court orders demanding the child’s return. These opinions are substantially backed by the U.S. Department of State, as Mexico has repeatedly been reported to Congress as a non-compliant member of the Hague Convention. In addition, Mexico’s record as a country known for its criminal activity of human trafficking is substantial.
We express our grave concern that cruise ships may be utilized to transport children illegally to and from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada as well island nations of the Caribbean.
It is inconceivable that U.S. children are still permitted to travel to specific foreign countries in accordance with the WHTI without a passport. Today, nearly 30% of all U.S. citizens possess a passport. As that number continues to grow substantially each year it is unthinkable not to require a passport for a child to travel abroad. In 2011 cruise ships are scheduled to originate from the U.S and travel to 63 ports of call in Mexico, 48 ports in the Caribbean, and from 20 ports of call in Canada. We contend that a failure to require children to present a passport for all international travel is an act of misguided negligence.
Closed-Loop Foreign Destination Number of Cruises Number of Ports
Caribbean 760 63
Canada 43 20
Mexico 379 48
Watch Peter expalin the issues of WHTI
The CBP does state that a U.S. Citizen “may” be required to present a U.S. passport if disembarking at a foreign port but that this requirement is up to the individual ports-of-entry. We must also consider that smaller personal watercrafts traveling to foreign ports under a “closed-loop” journey offer distinct opportunity for child abductors and human traffickers to circumvent our nation’s laws or court orders. The lack of formidable travel documentation for cruise ship or other water vessel excursions originating from and returning to the United States is a black hole for would-be child abductors or traffickers.
The fact that cruise ships are being utilized in human trafficking is not unrecognized within the U.S. or in other countries. The following statements come directly from a human rights watchdog organization in Belize.
The Belize Organization for Responsible Tourism (ORT) issues this appeal to cruise lines bringing passengers to Belize, a superhighway for human trafficking. “We are asking for your help in stopping human trafficking in Belize. In particular, we appeal to Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, which bring a combined 700, 000 tourists to Belize annually.
Cruise lines have a moral responsibility to help stop human trafficking in Belize. Each year thousands of human trafficking victims are transited through Belize via its porous and corrupt borders. Many are exported to other countries and never seen again by their families. Many endure lives of forced prostitution in Belize ficha bars.”
As these serious challenges come to light, we need to create a comprehensive short-term and long-term strategy that will prevent child abduction and human trafficking from occurring due to limited WHTI child travel documentation requirements for land and sea travel. There remains a significant amount of work necessary to enhance border security so that current weaknesses will no longer be available to be exploited. Our children must become a priority and the risk of abduction and human trafficking be lessened through mandating legitimate and uniform travel documentation.
The issues of child abduction and child slavery have received relatively limited public exposure. There has been limited government reaction directed toward changing public policy, government agency operations and protocol, and reform of laws that may facilitate or enable international abduction. It is important to recognize that over the past two years there have been over 1,000 ‘reported’ cases of U.S. child citizens being criminally abducted to Mexico and untold numbers of unreported cases. Imagine how our nation would act if:
1. 25 school buses containing 40 defenseless 5th grader American students disappeared in Mexico; or,
2. 4 Boeing 757 passenger jets containing 250 middle school children each was hijacked; or,
3. A cruise ship with 1,000 high school students on a spring break trip was pirated off of Mexico’s borders; or,
4. A train traveling with 1,000 students and their teachers was hijacked.
Undoubtedly, there would be public outcry and reform at every level. However, our public and government concern has not reached levels that it should. The many voices of this unthinkable crime tend to be diluted due to the singular reporting methodology. It is imperative that immediate revisions in law and government policy be initiated including reform of the WHTI land and sea travel requirements for minors.
One of the great challenges at-risk parents of international parental child abduction face is that the cruise ships do not presently have a centralized way of determining if a child embarking on their ship has a legal right to depart. The United States does not have any exit controls. The only way a child could be flagged is if their passport is flagged. However, if a child's travel documentation only requires presentation of a naturalization document such as a photocopy of a birth certificate, it is up to targeted parents to contact the security departments of each potential cruise ship a child may be put on and request that the cruise ship company review its reservation manifests.
The WHTI may in fact have many benefits, including ease of travel; however, there are many problems, one of which is putting our children at risk of abduction.
How Parents Commit International Parental Child Abduction
Cruise Ships, Ground Crossings, and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Policy
Peter Thomas Senese ongoing educational documentary film series on IPCA CHASING PARENTS
Last night I was speaking with a grandfather living in the southwest who has several grandchildren who are at great risk of being abducted to a non-Hague signatory Middle Eastern Country that is not on the best of terms with the United States.
The potential abductor is known to have previously procured false identification documentation. The family, sadly like too many other families, thought the children were safe because the court has the kids American passports (there is no determination whether passports have been issued from the country in the Middle East as of yet -which is real trouble).
It was hard to explain to this caring grandfather that despite the passports being held, the potential abductor simply needs to go to Galvaston, board a cruise ship with his kids to Mexico (by presenting a photo copy of their birth certificates), then head straight to the airport in route to his country of origin.
You see, as explained in the report issued by Carolyn Ann Vlk and myself, under the WHTI, a child can cross the U.S., Canada, and Mexico's borders (and the Caribbean too), by land or sea (cruise ship) without a passport.
Modifying the WHTI Policy is one of the main objectives of the I CARE Foundation.
