AndrewSM

18 months ago, I applied for and got an ESTA travel authorization, valid for two years. In the event, I never used it.

Two weeks ago, I got an email from the ESTA Program Office telling me that the authorization had been cancelled. I wrote back to inquire the reason and was told that none could be given.

Does anyone know of a likely explanation for this action. I don’t have and have never had a criminal record.

SanDiegogirl

According to your other post you live in a country without any postal service.

Where do you currently live? That could be your problem.

AndrewSM

Thanks for the response. I live in Panama

christmasoompa

Did you live there when you applied for ESTA originally, or have you moved there since? Assume you're a British citizen?

tht

When does you passport expire, what countries have you visited in the last 18 months, what do you do for a living, do you support any political causes the US might not like, there could be many reasons… reapply and if it’s not approved you will have to apply for a B1/B2 and if rejected you may get more information.

AndrewSM

Thanks for the response. I live in Panama but apparently the problem is I've been to Cuba.

AndrewSM

Thanks for the response. Apparently it's enough that I've visited Cba.

SanDiegogirl

Oh well.... problem solved. B1/B2 for you for now on then.....

AndrewSM

Thanks for the response. Yes I'm British, but have blotted my copybook by visiting Cuba!

christmasoompa

Ah, yes. That was introduced in July this year, so there’s your answer. https://www.aila.org/library/cbp-ann...-for-travelers

destone

How did the ESTA Program Office find out that you have been to Cuba given that you have not declared it?

SanDiegogirl

..... bet Home Security runs periodic checks against those with ESTA's and trips to Cuba.......

postbox134

100% and also the US gets immigration info from the 5 eyes, so perhaps that was collected from the UK or Canada even if the US wasn't involved in any travel.

Pulaski

It could also have come from a credit card transaction in Cuba processed though VISA or MasterCard systems. Much of the world's international payment activity is processed through the US even if neither end of the transfer is in the US, and even if the banks at each are not US banks or overtly affiliated with a US-based bank. In reality the US banking system operates as a "global telephone exchange" for most international banking, and almost all of it denominated in USD, which includes currencies "pegged" to the US dollar as is fairly common in Latin America and Asia.

neill

I believe the US has access to passenger manifests for flights over its territories. The vast majority of Canadian flights to Cuba pass over the US, so there's another source. Of course, Canadians generally have visa-free access to the USA and are not affected by any changes to ESTA eligibility.