canadian with no i-94/stamp

[kikiembryonic 0]

I was just sent a request for evidence-Proof of lawful admission to the US. I am a Canadian who came to the US via a land border. I gave them my passport, which was scanned, but it wasn't stamped. I wasn't issued an i-94. I don't know how to navigate this or what to do. I only have 65 days to sort it out, and give my proof, otherwise they deny me.

Everything else has been done, biometrics, medical, everything.

What can I do?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

[kikiembryonic 0]

I'm sorry i haven't filled it in yet. HOnestly, I don't know the dates, and it would take me a while to go through, to sit down and sort it all out. I'm just really really stressed, as I need to get this figured out before time runs out.

I filed a marriage based i-130 and i-485 together, In march I believe.

then i had my appointment for biometrics in the middle of June

And the last I heard from them was this RIE (for lawful entry) on august 12/08

I hope that helps

Edited September 4, 2008 by kikiembryonic

[Steph0814 1]

I'm sorry I don't have a good response. However they did not give me an I94 either when I entered, i put a letter in my package stating this.

When I asked the Immigration Officer at my Infopass apointment he chuckled and said that they do that a lot with Canadians.

Not sure what to tell you, you may be able to send in an I-90 (I am pretty sure that is what it is), see what the timeline on that is?

All the best on your journey

[richo 0]

Here is a link about Custom border protection and about I-94 there's a number below this link for you to call and maybe ask them about it?

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/...ture_record.xml

[kikiembryonic 0]

well i noticed on a law website, that because this is a problem unique to Canadians, where they have no proof of border crossing even though they did so legally, that INS will accept a signed affidavit with detailed description of your entrance into the US. Does this sound familiar to anyone? This might be my only hope.

I can't think of anything else to do. I was only given a total of 87 days to file the info, so filing a i-102 is out of the question as it won't be processed and sent back in time.

I'd love to give them something, i just don't have anything to give

THe border crossing did scan my passport, is it possible that that particular border would retain records of my entrance (july 1 2007)?

GAH!

Having some wine trying not to panic.

Thanks to all who've already responded, I appreciate it.

[Maad 0]

Having some wine trying not to panic.

Thanks to all who've already responded, I appreciate it.

Yes, have some wine and do not panic.

IMHO, as soon as you can write them an letter/affidavit stating what you told us so far. Be specific as much as you can, including the age of BPO officer, hair color atc. I am not kidding. Have it sign and notarized. If you have someone who was crossing the border with you ask him/her to do just the same. Send it ASAP. And hope that will be enough for someone at CIS office. I did hear similar story which ended with AOS approved.

Then you will have a good reason to have some more wine To celebrate.

[Reba 2]

Yes, there will be computer record of your entry if they scanned your passport. They know that Canadians are not given I-94s at the borders, and htey know that in most cases we're just waved thru without even checking IDs. However, if they did scan your passport, that information is kept in their computer system for several life-times (I read in an article recently files are kept as long at 75 years...but considering computers haven't been around that long, I'm guessing that was just an estimate )

They're fishing for information to find out if you entered the country with intent to marry and stay (which is illegal btw). If you entered for a vacation only, and just up and decided at the last moment to get married and stay, and you've got proof of that (ie: didn't quit your job and sell all your stuff before you came down here) then you're good to go.

If there is any way at all that you can prove the day you entered the country (other than USCIS computer record of your passport scan) then send them that. Include a letter explaining that you are Canadian and crossed at a land border crossing, and as a Canadian citizen you were not required to fill out an I-94. If you've got any kind of evidence at all, like maybe if you had a job before and then after you decided to get married (I'm of course giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you entered legally with no intent to get married and stay), and then you just called your boss and quit over the phone, then they could write a letter stating that.

Failing anything like that, the only proof you have of legal entry is you write a letter stating you're Canadian and as such were not required to have an I-94 upon entering.

[kikiembryonic 0]

Yes, there will be computer record of your entry if they scanned your passport. They know that Canadians are not given I-94s at the borders, and htey know that in most cases we're just waved thru without even checking IDs. However, if they did scan your passport, that information is kept in their computer system for several life-times (I read in an article recently files are kept as long at 75 years...but considering computers haven't been around that long, I'm guessing that was just an estimate )

They're fishing for information to find out if you entered the country with intent to marry and stay (which is illegal btw). If you entered for a vacation only, and just up and decided at the last moment to get married and stay, and you've got proof of that (ie: didn't quit your job and sell all your stuff before you came down here) then you're good to go.

If there is any way at all that you can prove the day you entered the country (other than USCIS computer record of your passport scan) then send them that. Include a letter explaining that you are Canadian and crossed at a land border crossing, and as a Canadian citizen you were not required to fill out an I-94. If you've got any kind of evidence at all, like maybe if you had a job before and then after you decided to get married (I'm of course giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you entered legally with no intent to get married and stay), and then you just called your boss and quit over the phone, then they could write a letter stating that.

Failing anything like that, the only proof you have of legal entry is you write a letter stating you're Canadian and as such were not required to have an I-94 upon entering.

well i got fired from my job. I didn't want to be fired, in fact i still harbor great resentment about that whole thing, it most certainly wasn't a big plan to get fired...lol. But no, all my things are still sitting in my parents garage (calgary is 'spensive, and with no job, moving home was my only option) I had/have only the barest amount of clothes. No furniture. Nothing. I came here with nothing. And I just decided our long distance relationship wasn't worth it. So I stayed on for a while, my parents went home and i was like...eff this. I'm done doing this border crossing relationship #######. I want to get married and be normal...well relatively anyway

I mean, my own parents weren't even at the 'wedding' we cobbled together last minute at walmart and had in the back yard of the house we rent now.

Do you think I could ask the Sweetgrass Border station for proof? Would they give it to me? Or should I just not bother, and just send in the letter (my mother is also sending one on, as she and my dad were in the car with me that day, a wee vacation)?

I kinda thought they had to know that canadians didn't get these things, stamps or visas or whatnot. Ok. More wine now. Thank you guys for being so helpful!!

[cdn_in_wa 1]

I kinda thought they had to know that canadians didn't get these things, stamps or visas or whatnot. Ok. More wine now. Thank you guys for being so helpful!!

They do, but sometimes they need reminding! Perhaps they didn't note that you were Canadian and crossed at a land crossing when they were reviewing your form. Who knows why they're asking for it. I imagine that once you *remind* them of this fact, tactfully, with a statement as suggested above, they will remember.

[kikiembryonic 0]

just want to say thanks again to everyone who responded, you guys have settled my nerves and been really helpful. I 'spose the wine helped a bit too

Again, thanks, and I'll keep you posted.