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What NOT to say to a USA border Agent!

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
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 by warlord

I'm just a wanderer in the desert winds...

Timeline

1997

Oct - Job offer in US

Nov - Received my TN-1 to be authorized to work in the US

Nov - Moved to US

1998-2001

Recieved 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th TN

2002

May - Met future wife at arts fest

Nov - Recieved 6th TN

2003

Nov - Recieved 7th TN

Jul - Our Wedding

Aug - Filed for AOS

Sep - Recieved EAD

Sep - Recieved Advanced Parole

2004

Jan - Interview, accepted for Green Card

Feb - Green Card Arrived in mail

2005

Oct - I-751 sent off

2006

Jan - 10 year Green Card accepted

Mar - 10 year Green Card arrived

Oct - Filed N-400 for Naturalization

Nov - Biometrics done

Nov - Just recieved Naturalization Interview date for Jan.

2007

Jan - Naturalization Interview Completed

Feb - Oath Letter recieved

Feb - Oath Ceremony

Feb 21 - Finally a US CITIZEN (yay)

THE END

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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 :blink:

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.

3dflagsdotcom_usa_2faws.gif+3dflags-canqc1-1.gif3Dflags

Removal of Conditions: GC received on 09/17/2009

Application to replace permanent resident cards filed 3/30/2019 (I-90)

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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!!!

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:lol: 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. :lol:

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

3dflagsdotcom_usa_2faws.gif+3dflags-canqc1-1.gif3Dflags

Removal of Conditions: GC received on 09/17/2009

Application to replace permanent resident cards filed 3/30/2019 (I-90)

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
:lol: 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. :lol:

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

Gal you crack me up :)

AOS:

2007-02-22: Sent AOS /EAD

2007-03-06 : NOA1 AOS /EAD

2007-03-28: Transferred to CSC

2007-05-17: EAD Card Production Ordered

2007-05-21: I485 Approved

2007-05-24: EAD Card Received

2007-06-01: Green Card Received!!

Removal of Conditions:

2009-02-27: Sent I-751

2009-03-07: NOA I-751

2009-03-31: Biometrics Appt. Hartford

2009-07-21: Touched (first time since biometrics) Perhaps address change?

2009-07-28: Approved at VSC

2009-08-25: Received card in the mail

Naturalization

2012-08-20: Submitted N-400

2013-01-18: Became Citizen

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
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.

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

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.

Jun 25/08: POE! Arrived home, finally!

July 11/08: Legally married

AOS process:

Sept 29/08: Application for I-485 & I-765 received

Oct 2/08: NOA1 for I-485 & I-765

Oct 25/08: Biometrics

Dec 22/08: Receieved EAD

Dec 24/08: Applied for SSN.

Jan 13/09: Received SSN.

Apr 21/09: AOS interview.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
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 :blink:

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" :rofl:

K-1

I-129F sent to Vermont: 2/19/08

NOA1: 2/21/08

NOA2: 3/10/08

Packet 3 recd: 3/25/08

Packet 3 sent: 4/18/08

Appt letter recd: 6/16/08

Interview at Montreal Consulate: 7/10/08 **APPROVED!!**

K1 recd: 7/15/08

US Entry at Buffalo, New York: 11/15/08

Wedding in Philadelphia: 11/22/08

AOS

AOS/EAD/AP filed at Chicago Lockbox: 12/17/08

NOA: 12/29/08

Case transferred to CSC: 1/7/09

AOS Approval: 4/2/09

Biometrics appt: 1/16/09

EAD received: 3/12/09

AP received: 3/13/09

AOS approval notice sent: 4/2/09

GC received: 4/9/09

ROC

Sent package to VSC: 1/5/11

NOA1: 1/7/11

Biometrics: 2/14/11

Approval letter received: 8/1/11

GC received: 8/11/11

Citizenship:

N-400 sent to Dallas lockbox: 3/1/12

NOA1: 3/6/12

Biometrics: 4/9/12

Interview: 5/25/12

Oath Ceremony: 6/4/2012

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline
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 :blink:

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... :rofl: Thanks for sharing :)

7829087.gif

07-22-2006 Met in Florida

09-02-2006 Been together ever since

12-09-2007 My visa expired, trip back home

01-16-2008 Dave visited me in Ukraine

04-22-2008 I-129F mailed out to Vermont

05-20-2008 I-129F returned

05-22-2008 Second attempt at filing I-129F

05-23-2008 Received by Mr. Novak

05-29-2008 NOA1 (6 days)

06-09-2008 Touched (Yay, violated for the 1st time)

07-02-2008 Touched again!!!

07-03-2008 Touched again!!!

08-29-2008 Dave's 2nd trip to Ukraine!

09-25-2008 NOA2 (126 days)

09-26-2008 Touched

09-??-2008 NVC Received

09-30-2008 NVC Left

10-02-2008 Noa2 hardcopy in the mail

10-03-2008 Embassy Received

11-05-2008 Medical

11-07-2008 Interview

11-14-2008 Visa Received

11-17-2008 Flight to Orlando :)

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

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.

N-400

02/08/12 - Mailed N-400

02/14/12 - NOA

03/02/12 - Biometrics Letter

03/22/12 - Biometrics

04/09/12 - Interview Notice

05/16/12 - Interview and Oath - USC

ROC

11/16/10 - Mailed ROC

11/18/10 - Delivered to VSC

11/19/10 - NOA1

11/23/10 - Cheque cashed

12/29/10 - Biometrics

05/06/11 - ROC Approved

05/16/11 - Green card received. Yay! (6 months)

There's diamonds in the sidewalk, the gutters lined in song

Dear I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long

There's treasure for the taking, for any hard working (wo)man

Who will make his home in the American Land

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
:lol: 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. :lol:

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

:lol: 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

"...My hair's mostly wind,

My eyes filled with grit

My skin's white then brown

My lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all the castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and for that I am proud…

If You're not from the Prairie, you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards; you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor ever my heart

Unless deep within you there's somehow a part…

A part of these things that I've said that I know,

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.

Best say that you have - and then we'll be one,

For we will have shared that same blazing sun." - David Bouchard

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline
:lol: 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. :lol:

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

:lol: 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 :)

7829087.gif

07-22-2006 Met in Florida

09-02-2006 Been together ever since

12-09-2007 My visa expired, trip back home

01-16-2008 Dave visited me in Ukraine

04-22-2008 I-129F mailed out to Vermont

05-20-2008 I-129F returned

05-22-2008 Second attempt at filing I-129F

05-23-2008 Received by Mr. Novak

05-29-2008 NOA1 (6 days)

06-09-2008 Touched (Yay, violated for the 1st time)

07-02-2008 Touched again!!!

07-03-2008 Touched again!!!

08-29-2008 Dave's 2nd trip to Ukraine!

09-25-2008 NOA2 (126 days)

09-26-2008 Touched

09-??-2008 NVC Received

09-30-2008 NVC Left

10-02-2008 Noa2 hardcopy in the mail

10-03-2008 Embassy Received

11-05-2008 Medical

11-07-2008 Interview

11-14-2008 Visa Received

11-17-2008 Flight to Orlando :)

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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.

2e020152f8374f4fbd9014e3cc2c05fe.jpg

catcatadb20080508_-7_My%20child%20is.png

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline

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

~She's my Lion~
~He's my Puppy~

[size=5]Our Timeline[/size]

05/05/08 - Sent I-129F to VSC
05/14/08 - NOA1
09/01/08 - NOA2
09/11/08 - Petition received by US Consulate in Montreal
09/20/08 - Received Packet 3
10/02/08 - Packet 3 delivered to MTL
10/16/08 - Medical in Halifax
01/15/09 - Interview in Montreal
01/20/09 - Visa in Hand
02/03/09 - Fly to US - POE Halifax NS
03/06/09 - Wedding in Yanceyville, NC

AOS
4/24/09 - Sent AOS package (after too many delays!)
4/27/09 - Signed for in Chicago
5/05/09 - Check cashed and all three NOA1's in the mail
5/14/09 - Received Biometrics appointment letter - Appointment is June 2nd.
6/2/09 - Biometrics at Raleigh field office - they were some of the nicest people :)
6/18/09 - EAD approved and card production ordered
6/20/09- received AP papers in the mail
6/22/09 EAD card arrived in the mail (that was fast eh?)
7/09/09 - received notice of GC appointment date
8/07/09 - Green Card interview at Raleigh Field office at 8:45am - Given RFE for I-693 Vaccination suppliment
9/08/09 - returned RFE to field office. Approved for Green Card
9/09/09 - Received email that Card production had been ordered.
9/17/09 - Green Card in the mail - No more USCIS until June, 2011 :D

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