What NOT to say to a USA border Agent!

[warlord 73]

NEVER have they asked for my passport, so I didnt hand it over. Of course this time she wanted it.

And since you don't need a passport to travel over land, what would she have done if you didn't have a passport? Did she see it and then want to look at it, or how did she know you had one?

On another note, I was once comming to Canada on a visit for a week and they asked me (since I was on a Green Card at the time) how long I was away. I looked at the customs guy and said, "I'm comming to visit Canada for a week". Think he just automatically was thinking all Canadians were visiting the US and the standard question is how long was your trip. It was kind of amusing when I told the guy how long I was visiting rather then how long I was away, he had kind of that embarrased look and then just let me through...

Edited July 8, 2008 by warlord

[Mephys 2]

Never had too much problems either with the border officers, except when we actually activated my Visa.

1- My hubby got pulled into secondary at Sarnia because they thought it was weird that everytime he was visiting Canada he was taking a plane, but this time he was broder crossing in a car. So they searched his car and asked many questions about who it belonged to. Also he didn't have a luggage at the time and for a joke for me he grabbed one of the kid's with Hulk on it, so they looked at it a bit confused... I guess he looked more like a child molestor or something

2- When we crossed back to the US at Port Huron, they asked him if we had any food, then he mentionned about the chicken sandwiches my mom had prepared for me, then still looking at hin they asked if there was any beef in it, to which he answered no. Then the officer told him to shut up that he was talking to the lady (me). I was like #######. So I said no there is no beef in my CHICKEN sandwiches. He asked me if I was sure, so I was like " Yes thank you my mom made them so I know what's in it" If I would want to smuggle beef accross the border I would be more imaginative than a fake chicken sandwich. And with the car packed and my list, the officers into secondary never actually bothered about the car, just that guy that freaked out about my sandwich.

[DairyFarmer 1]

When I was in college in Western New York, we would frequently go to Canada b/c of the drinking age etc. I would always have my passport and say I was Australian but all but twice they didn't even care. OK so it was pre Sept 11 but still. Now when I enter the country I'm sure I am as nervous as a smuggler even though I'm not smuggling anything!!!

[Krikit 1,164]

Mephys. I guess the "Warm welcome" code of conduct Emancipation mentioned hasn't made it to Port Huron yet. Maybe it's just a suggestion.

[Mephys 2]

Mephys. I guess the "Warm welcome" code of conduct Emancipation mentioned hasn't made it to Port Huron yet. Maybe it's just a suggestion.

Well my mom's sandwich didn't feel welcome at all!

[Emancipation 2]

Mephys. I guess the "Warm welcome" code of conduct Emancipation mentioned hasn't made it to Port Huron yet. Maybe it's just a suggestion.

Well my mom's sandwich didn't feel welcome at all!

Gal you crack me up

[Flames9_RN 358]

NEVER have they asked for my passport, so I didnt hand it over. Of course this time she wanted it.

And since you don't need a passport to travel over land, what would she have done if you didn't have a passport? Did she see it and then want to look at it, or how did she know you had one?

On another note, I was once comming to Canada on a visit for a week and they asked me (since I was on a Green Card at the time) how long I was away. I looked at the customs guy and said, "I'm comming to visit Canada for a week". Think he just automatically was thinking all Canadians were visiting the US and the standard question is how long was your trip. It was kind of amusing when I told the guy how long I was visiting rather then how long I was away, he had kind of that embarrased look and then just let me through...

I was flying. No, she never saw it, I left it in my back pack. I was interested in seeing if she would ask for it, as in the past I have handed over my passport and they never even open it up.

[Daly 0]

Oh man, I love the agent stories. My husband visited me back in 2002, then in 2007 to propose. On his 2007 visit, they asked him "Have you been to Canada before?" "Yes." Then proceeded to ask that same question three more times till the guy said, "Ok, I'm not dealing with this" and sent him to secondary. What had happened was that when he visited before, they hadn't stamped his passport, but apparently there was record of it on the computer or something. Matt said the secondary agent look absolutely baffled as to why he was there.

[JillA 2]

Never had too much problems either with the border officers, except when we actually activated my Visa.

1- My hubby got pulled into secondary at Sarnia because they thought it was weird that everytime he was visiting Canada he was taking a plane, but this time he was broder crossing in a car. So they searched his car and asked many questions about who it belonged to. Also he didn't have a luggage at the time and for a joke for me he grabbed one of the kid's with Hulk on it, so they looked at it a bit confused... I guess he looked more like a child molestor or something

2- When we crossed back to the US at Port Huron, they asked him if we had any food, then he mentionned about the chicken sandwiches my mom had prepared for me, then still looking at hin they asked if there was any beef in it, to which he answered no. Then the officer told him to shut up that he was talking to the lady (me). I was like #######. So I said no there is no beef in my CHICKEN sandwiches. He asked me if I was sure, so I was like " Yes thank you my mom made them so I know what's in it" If I would want to smuggle beef accross the border I would be more imaginative than a fake chicken sandwich. And with the car packed and my list, the officers into secondary never actually bothered about the car, just that guy that freaked out about my sandwich.

"No Beef in your CHICKEN sandwiches"

[Ana&D 0]

Never had too much problems either with the border officers, except when we actually activated my Visa.

1- My hubby got pulled into secondary at Sarnia because they thought it was weird that everytime he was visiting Canada he was taking a plane, but this time he was broder crossing in a car. So they searched his car and asked many questions about who it belonged to. Also he didn't have a luggage at the time and for a joke for me he grabbed one of the kid's with Hulk on it, so they looked at it a bit confused... I guess he looked more like a child molestor or something

2- When we crossed back to the US at Port Huron, they asked him if we had any food, then he mentionned about the chicken sandwiches my mom had prepared for me, then still looking at hin they asked if there was any beef in it, to which he answered no. Then the officer told him to shut up that he was talking to the lady (me). I was like #######. So I said no there is no beef in my CHICKEN sandwiches. He asked me if I was sure, so I was like " Yes thank you my mom made them so I know what's in it" If I would want to smuggle beef accross the border I would be more imaginative than a fake chicken sandwich. And with the car packed and my list, the officers into secondary never actually bothered about the car, just that guy that freaked out about my sandwich.

Hulk and chicken sandwiches... You've made my night... Thanks for sharing

[Gypsyangel 11]

One time I was driving across the Peace Bridge on my way to see a Bruce Springsteen concert at Giants Stadium.

Border Dude: Where are you going?

Me: NJ

Border Dude: For what purpose?

Me: I'm going to see Bruce Springsteen.

Border Dude: (eyes get big) Does he know you're coming?

Me: Um .... I don't think so (picturing myself in the crowd at Giants Stadium with 50k other people)

I guess he thought he'd caught a stalker, but I clarified I was going to a concert. I tried not to laugh because I didn't want him to feel too foolish and thus punish me.

[thetreble 19]

Mephys. I guess the "Warm welcome" code of conduct Emancipation mentioned hasn't made it to Port Huron yet. Maybe it's just a suggestion.

Well my mom's sandwich didn't feel welcome at all!

This made me laugh ferrr sureee. I feel so sorry for your mom's sandwich.

One time I was driving across the Peace Bridge on my way to see a Bruce Springsteen concert at Giants Stadium.

Border Dude: Where are you going?

Me: NJ

Border Dude: For what purpose?

Me: I'm going to see Bruce Springsteen.

Border Dude: (eyes get big) Does he know you're coming?

Me: Um .... I don't think so (picturing myself in the crowd at Giants Stadium with 50k other people)

How do some people get so dumb? hahha

[Ana&D 0]

Mephys. I guess the "Warm welcome" code of conduct Emancipation mentioned hasn't made it to Port Huron yet. Maybe it's just a suggestion.

Well my mom's sandwich didn't feel welcome at all!

This made me laugh ferrr sureee. I feel so sorry for your mom's sandwich.

One time I was driving across the Peace Bridge on my way to see a Bruce Springsteen concert at Giants Stadium.

Border Dude: Where are you going?

Me: NJ

Border Dude: For what purpose?

Me: I'm going to see Bruce Springsteen.

Border Dude: (eyes get big) Does he know you're coming?

Me: Um .... I don't think so (picturing myself in the crowd at Giants Stadium with 50k other people)

How do some people get so dumb? hahha

Maybe it's pre-requisite for a Border Dude job

[Autumnchik 6]

yeah almost every time my hubby came up to visit me he got "interrogated" at the Vancouver Airport...

one time they sent him over to secondary inspection and the lady asked him why he was there and hubby said i don't really know.. the lady checked over his things and just sent him on his way...

Never go through YVR if you're looking to visit your Canadian boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance(e) or spouse. They go absolutely crazy there. I've heard YYZ is just as bad or even sometimes worse. I suppose that makes sense, though. Both Vancouver and Toronto probably receive the most people and therefore, the highest number of foreign visitors.

I HATE YVR!!! That is where hubby (fiance then) was denied entry to the U.S. The border guard told us that K-1 applicants cannot visit while the application is processing. Obviously incorrect as I now know, but didn't have a clue at the time. That and inability to show ties to Canada caused the denial. Hubster NEVER had any problems crossing anywhere else, even when we were still in the K-1 process.

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Oh I'm so glad I found this thread! lol

My first trip down to see Bo, the CO (Montreal) asked me what the purpose of my trip was, I said vacation. He asked me what state I was going to, I said "North Carolina". He looked at me for a good 15 seconds, blinked and said "you're going on VACATION in NC? Have you seen the place before?" I laughed and said I had someone I was staying with...he said "thank god you have someone to entertain you at least". LOL

2nd trip through pre-clearance in Halifax, I had THE NICEST CO...asked me about my work, and was so interested in it, we talked for like...5 mins.

3rd trip...(May)...J-A-C-K-A-S-S! Asked me:

Where are you from? NB

Where are you going? NC

How long? a week - I work next weekend

Why? see my fiance

When are you getting married? not sure..we've applied for a K-1 - just recieved our first notice..

ARE YOU COMING BACK?....?!!?!? uh yeah, I have to WORK NEXT WEEKEND *show letter* and I have bills and a huge student loan *shows papers*

*stare, stare, stare* "you know, if you don't come back, you're gonna REALLY screw things up for yourself

....DUH!?

So, I'm going back down on the 19th (next Sat), and again going through Hali. I figure, if for SOME reason they won't let me in the country, I'd rather be safe in my own than stuck at some POE far from home. I really hope I get that lad from my 2nd trip

<3 Jen