Had my first trouble at the border

[LindaB 0]

I am down with my husband in Washington state as I am every weekend. I always travel down in the Nexus lane and have never had a problem. Today we went back up to B.C. together to go to an RV show and dinner with friends and when we were coming back through the border the border guard asked my husband where we live, he said he lived in Bellingham and I lived in White Rock and he said what were we doing in Canada, how long etc and then asked where we were going now and James said "we are going home". That must have triggered something with the guy because he filled out that wonderful orange piece of paper and we had to go inside. The guy inside asked our relationship, where we live, how often I come down, who was immigrating where and when I said I was he wanted to see proof. I pulled out the packet of information I always carry with my NOA1, NOA2, my pay stub, my utility bill etc. He went away for quite awhile to process it all and came back and said I could cross but to make sure I keep my information up to date because they may not let me cross one day.

Sure been glad when this is all over! Next time my husband will make sure he says "we are going back to my place"

[MrsCat 6]

Glad to head that they let you guys across. Its such a pain!

[DavidsPrincess 1]

*whew* close one! Picky border guards

[raymaga 25]

I had exactly the same experiences as you when I used to travel from BC to Washington state when my husband and I were going through the K-1 process. Most times I got through with no problem, but then on one occasion, I was told that if I didn't have all my proof of ties to Canada with me, that the officer could send me inside and cause us all kinds of problems.

They didn't seem to like it when we travelled together from BC to Washington. When I was by myself, it was a lot easier.

I broke my leg skiing once and I was "recuperating" with my fiance in the US. I had to return to Canada for my medical appointments, physiotherapy, etc. and when we crossed the border back into the US after my trips, we told them I was going down to my fiances to recuperate from my broken leg. They could see I had a brace on my leg and always let me through really easily. We joked that maybe we should start a business selling fake braces for people who want to get across the border easily.

Hope you guys are together permanently soon so you won't have to go through the hassles anymore.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Glad in the end it worked out!!

[sandozwalker 0]

Believe it or not, I had this experience the last time I came into CANADA. My fiance was in the car with me, and I've never ever had a Canadian border guard even look at my ID! I used to make the trip every weekend too...so I understand where you are coming from. But, I had been in Canada at that point for about 2 months, and we left to go to visit a friend in Pittsburgh. When we came back-I had an experience that was pretty much the same as you, but in Canada. They took issue of course because I didn't have a job-or any major ties back to my home. But once we went inside, the lady in there was very understanding. I was like 'look, we're trying with everything we can to just get HIM into the USA....legally of course. We would do nothing to jeopardize our visa application & I have no desire to reside permanently in Canada'. She understood & sent us on our way I've been in Canada ever since-about 3 months! But now, I'm nervous about leaving again because I'm scared they'll give me a hard time to get back in.

[thermophile 0]

Believe it or not, I had this experience the last time I came into CANADA. My fiance was in the car with me, and I've never ever had a Canadian border guard even look at my ID! I used to make the trip every weekend too...so I understand where you are coming from. But, I had been in Canada at that point for about 2 months, and we left to go to visit a friend in Pittsburgh. When we came back-I had an experience that was pretty much the same as you, but in Canada. They took issue of course because I didn't have a job-or any major ties back to my home. But once we went inside, the lady in there was very understanding. I was like 'look, we're trying with everything we can to just get HIM into the USA....legally of course. We would do nothing to jeopardize our visa application & I have no desire to reside permanently in Canada'. She understood & sent us on our way I've been in Canada ever since-about 3 months! But now, I'm nervous about leaving again because I'm scared they'll give me a hard time to get back in.

I used to be sent to secondary pretty much every time that I drove up to see the boy before we got married (roughly ever other month). I was never denied, just came to expect to talk to the lovely immigration officers. That was before I really had any contact with any other cross border couples-I just assumed that it was normal to have to talk to secondary and didn't really consider that they might deny me entry. I did find that I had an easier time if I brought something with me that had to be declared. Seems like I was more trustworth if I told them that I had beer or liquor. don't know if that's true but most the time that I declared alcohol, I wasn't sent to secondary.

[itsallgreektome 0]

Believe it or not, I had this experience the last time I came into CANADA. My fiance was in the car with me, and I've never ever had a Canadian border guard even look at my ID! I used to make the trip every weekend too...so I understand where you are coming from. But, I had been in Canada at that point for about 2 months, and we left to go to visit a friend in Pittsburgh. When we came back-I had an experience that was pretty much the same as you, but in Canada. They took issue of course because I didn't have a job-or any major ties back to my home. But once we went inside, the lady in there was very understanding. I was like 'look, we're trying with everything we can to just get HIM into the USA....legally of course. We would do nothing to jeopardize our visa application & I have no desire to reside permanently in Canada'. She understood & sent us on our way I've been in Canada ever since-about 3 months! But now, I'm nervous about leaving again because I'm scared they'll give me a hard time to get back in.

Hey, I completely understand!!! I am afraid to leave the u.s. to go back home to canada till my k-3 interview because they might give me an even harder time to get in from the last time I crossed over (Sarnia Ontario). I really do like how you were totally honest with them. They probably liked that too.

MC

[samaci 0]

Funny, almost 3 years of dating, and over 3 years of marriage, the only time I was pulled into the border and questioned (2 times), and almost NOT let through, was when we were together in the car (going to the US). Whenever I was alone, never had a problem.