MPs from both parties have been addressed in the House of Assembly by the US Consul General about the United States stop list policy.

The briefing, the first of its kind, by Gregory Slayton took place on Thursday and was designed to explain the policy and let MPs ask questions about the issue.

Premier Ewart Brown said: "We stand united in an effort to highlight a critical issue and that's building a better understanding in Parliament on both sides of the importance of encouraging residents to stay off the stop list.

"I am tired of hearing and reading the daily reports of countless Bermudians going through our court system for drug possession or some other offence. I only wish they could understand that their actions will have lifelong consequences.

"This briefing, the first of its kind, provided us with a variable opportunity to ask any and all questions in regard to the stop list and the waiver process.

"So to all the young people out there just starting to make their way in life, understand this, it's the choices that you make that decide whether you will be able to travel freely and enjoy all of the opportunities that the world and life has to offer."

Mr. Slayton said: "This is important. This is not about the PLP or the UBP this is about the children of Bermuda, in fact all people of Bermuda because we Americans love it when our friends from Bermuda visit the States, we love it when Bermudians attend universities, go to Disneyland, go for medical treatment, whatever it is.

"But unfortunately the reality is there is a law, very clearly written, no doubt about it, that anyone who has committed a crime, this is not just Bermudians, it is true for Europeans, Asian, people around South America, wherever you are, if you have committed a crime you have dramatically reduced your possibility of coming to the United States."

Mr. Slayton said the list was permanent and said: "If you get on that stop list you are not getting off."

However, he said there was a waiver option open to those with past criminal convictions, who have proven to be "upright citizens" – they can go to the website usconsulate.hamilton.gov and fill out an application.

"All of this information is contained on this website and I sincerely request that you take a moment if you are thinking about travelling to the United States and think 'I'm just going to sneak out, pull one over,' that's not going to happen."

Opposition Leader Kim Swan said: "I think we are very unique to have had the opportunity to have the US Consul General meet with Parliamentarians in a joint session and an opportunity for us to come together on an important issue and look at it in a bipartisan way."

"We in Bermuda are very fortunate to have and enjoy a very unique and special relationship with the United States and I believe that every man woman and child of this country certainly appreciates it.