POE Experience Part 1 - Access Denied!

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

So got my passport back today. Came home from work, packed my clothes, got in the car and drove to the Ambassador Bridge. Got in the nexus lane and got the third degree by the 3 officers randomly standing in the plaza before even getting up to the booth. Explained I was there to activate my CR-1 visa and moving in today. Had my trunk searched. Was told my the 'nice lady' (mega sarcasm intended there) that I wasn't supposed to use the nexus lane for immigration. Replied that the nice man (no sarcasm) at the consulate said I could so long as I told whoever in the booth what I was doing.

Pull up to the booth. Tell the guy I need to go to secondary to activate my visa and import my car to which he began to get in a pissing match with me about where my stuff is, whether or not I'm actually moving today (mega suitcase, etc stuffed with so much ####### in the car I'm not sure what else it would have looked like I was doing) and proceeded to tell me that if he was in secondary he wouldn't be stamping my visa today, he would be sending me back to canada. I explained to him the rest of my stuff, which isn't much since I've been living with my parents, would be coming on saturday so he told me to activate my visa on saturday and proceeded to tell me that I would have no problems what so ever (ya friggin right) driving back and forth everyday until then to go to work. And he let me enter the US today. Am I here as a visitor? Not according to me. Am I here as an immigrant? Not according to them.

So call my husband crying my eyes out of course and he calls the border. 'Nice lady' (there's that sarcasm again) tells him that technically the officer who dealt with me was right and technically so I am right about the situation. Then tells my husband to have me go back to Canada tomorrow and wait till saturday to bring all of my ####### and do it then.

Morale of the story: just when you think it's over it's not

The border people really should read up on their policy. I work for the government of canada and read mine everyday so as not to make an assinine mistake like the above. Apparently they missed the part about being able to bring your stuff over for 10yrs following your entry. I guess that's changed somehow.

[Simply_Uno 1]

sorry about your ordeal, but glad you made it

[MissStacey 1]

Wow. I don't really have any advice or words of wisdom for you but I'm sorry you had to go through that.

[Marilyn. 340]

wow, I just moved with a suitcase full of stuff and I wasn't hassled like that... although I flew ..

but lots of people here cross over on the land borders with just a bit of stuff and go back and get their rest of their stuff later

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Oh boy! that totally sukcs.

[knowledge 0]

So bassically the rule being we can not activate the 1sr time we bring stuff, but when everything is done right?? I heard other people doing it with no problem. Now I'm confused. Anyone knows where those rules or instructions are?

[Marilyn. 340]

So bassically the rule being we can not activate the 1sr time we bring stuff, but when everything is done right?? I heard other people doing it with no problem. Now I'm confused. Anyone knows where those rules or instructions are?

I wasn't aware there was a rule of when you had to brig your stuff or how much stuff you brought over the first time....

you can bring stuff whenever.. the cr1 visa is a multiple entry visa.... plus you usually get your green card in about 4 weeks after activate your visa..

[thetreble 19]

####### mate? That sucks bigggg time. Sorry about your ordeal.

[MrsCat 6]

Oh my goodness that's awful! jerkstores for certain!

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

ya ####### is right. And to the person who posted above saying at least I made it, re read my post and you'll see that I'm here today and gone tomorrow. I'm debating on whether or not to show up again at a regular lane tomorrow and see if I get a different story. The guy saying 'well how do I know you're moving today' was priceless. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh cause the f'ing visa and my presence here is a good indication don't ya think. I'll tell ya what I'm writing letters to damn near everyone I can think of about this.

As for the 'rule' it clearly states on USCIS website somewhere that you as a CR 1 or IR 1 can show up at the border, get your visa stamped and turn around and go right back to canada to take care of things and that you have up to 10yrs to bring all of your stuff over.

[wowswift 3]

you should print it out and fax it to them. maybe they will get a clue lol

[Flames9_RN 358]

I think the problem was her going through the NEXUS fast lanes. Those lanes are meant to be "speedy".

I activated my cr-1 with a full U-haul truck with no probs!! Sorry for such a crummy crossing

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Here is the link to the official information about importing belongings for up to 10 years after the 'importer's' arrival in the US - it is from 19 CFR section 148.52(d):

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-...2.2&idno=19

It is from the electronic code of federal regulations. You can also check here to look at any other regulations in this general area:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-...148_main_02.tpl

Edited August 7, 2008 by Kathryn41

[brown_eyes 0]

How frustrating! Talk about getting the run around...

[LindaB 0]

Thats awful!!!!!

When I activated my CR1 visa the other week, I just had my regular stuff that I normally bring down for the weekend and had no problem activating it (once they found someone who knew how to do it). I just told them I would be bringing the rest of my belongings down the next week. And then had no problem last Thursday when I brought my belongings down. I still have not imported my car as still waiting for my compliance letter from Chrysler.

I also went through Nexus and the guy waved me through like normal before I could say anything. The only thing they said in secondary was that I should have told the guy at the Nexus lane what I was doing so I could get an "orange" slip.