Border crossing with residency card (aka green card)

[Krikit 1,164]

Nice to see you back again, Spirit! I was wondering only yesterday how you were doing, and here you are.

It sounds like you hit the random-check jackpot. I've been "lucky" enough to get it twice. Once while flying and once while driving. Fortunately, they told me both times that it was computer-generated randomly, so I wasn't left guessing what it was about me that they found disturbing. lol

You've reminded me of the time I got the third degree for going on vacation by myself. lol. The officer was incredulous and disbelieving that I actually did things like that. "You mean to tell me that a single young female is going to vacation BY HERSELF??" I'm a big girl now, buddy. And I like my own company. I am by myself because I am trying to get a BREAK from people.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

We haven't been harassed at either border since being married and acquiring a GC. The Cdn guys barely look at us, ask where we're going (my parents to visit) and then when we return I have my receipts ready and everything we bought is readily available for them to see if needed.

not once have we been questioned about anything more then what we're bringing in or what we bought upon return to the US.

[Rustbelt 0]

My wife crosses frequently and uses the Nexus lane. It's worth it - cuts down the time for sure. Occasionally she's been pulled for "Nexus compliance" which means they check to see if you are bringing anything into the country you shouldn't (it's a customs thing only). She's never had trouble through Nexus, although once or twice she had hassle when getting her I94 renewed. You learn which BGs are grumpy . . .

Basic tips for crossing:

Get a Nexus card if you can. It's worth it for the minimized hassle.

If you have a Nexus card, make sure you understand the customs rules for each side. Bringing an apple into the country (either one) will get you banned from the Nexus program and back into the regular passport lanes for life.

Always bring proof of ties to Canada. (My wife includes utility bills, rent receipts, recent work contracts and similar).

Always be clear why you're visiting the US and how long you're staying. If you're vague BGs seem programmed to assume the worst, so be specific. "I'm visiting for the weekend and will be coming back on Monday".

Nexus compliance is random, but my observation is that they seem to have set times at which they run the "random" program. So you can guarantee that at 7:40 a.m. on a weekday morning, people are going to get pulled over "at random". If you cross at that time, your chances of being pulled for customs compliance are much higher than at, say, 2pm in the afternoon.

[SomberCat 0]

We haven't tried crossing with the GC yet as my husband just did the POE a few weeks ago and we don't have it yet. However, as a USC, I have been pulled over at least 75% of my trips back into the US. They always say my number comes up, but after so many times, I'm not sure I buy it. Each time involves the usual vehicle search and on multiple occasions, they ripped the car apart so much, I couldn't believe it. My favorite times were the ones when they didn't bother to put things back either... big things... like the freakin' spare tire for pete's sake.

A few trips ago, I had my 13-year-old son with me and we were sent to secondary again. He had not been with me previously but had heard my stories about what they do so he was nervous. I told him everything was fine and not to worry about it but not to expect to make any friends. We got two VERY young women (real early 20s) who were the nicest things ever. One did the computer work while the other searched our car. They talked very nicely with my son and I and we were out of there in 15 minutes (usually over an hour). As we were walking to the car, we were discussing how friendly they were, but when we opened the car doors, we nearly fell over. The girl that had done the search had tidied up the car! She not only picked some things up and threw away some trash that was on the floor, she went so far as to fold up a few shirts and sweatshirts we had carelessly thrown in the back. It goes in my top 5 funniest things that's every happened at the border over my traveling time.

Maybe you should look for really young girls Spirit? I think those two made up for all of the meanies I've had in the last two years.

[Rustbelt 0]

OK, here's a funny story for you. My wife got pulled for Nexus compliance as happens every so often. So the guy starts going through her car and he looks in the glovebox and pulls out the Canadian Traveler Declaration Card booklet.

(For those of you not using Nexus, this is something that Canadian residents get for Nexus - you get a book of forms that you fill out if you've bought anything in the US on your trip, drop it in the box next to the guard booth, and they charge whatever duty you owe directly to your linked credit card/bank account).

Well he pulls this TDC booklet out and I don't know what he thought it was, but he was asking her in tones of great suspicion what it was. Like it was some kind of import documentation for the car or something, or she should have gone through the commercial lanes. She's thinking "this must be a trick question . . . ", but no, he really had no idea what it was! How funny is that!? She had to try really hard to answer in such a way that she didn't make him look stupid.

[trailmix 77]

Great stories somber and steve

We have never been hassled at the border, never asked anything really unusual (except when we came in to Canada this time the guy did ask us in two different ways if we had any firearms - I don't think we particularly 'look' like gun toters - but whatever - plus he said it really fast, like an auctioneer - luckily we are good listeners because I guess we could have admitted that we like the 'sun' when he said do you have a gun)

The only other time was once when we were coming back from Montana, after a shopping trip. We had rented a vehicle in Calgary, so it was a new vehicle and they asked us if it was ours - we told them it was rented and that was that.

Now with that said, one time I did experience a hassle in Hawaii. Flew to Hawaii, from Auckland, with my Son and my ex Husband - on our way to Calgary but spending a week in Hawaii first.

So we arrive there late at night, my ex had a visitor's visa for the U.S. - all bought and paid for from the consulate in Auckland. Well the immigration guys in Hawaii decided that possibly it wasn't right or real or whatever, so he was called in to secondary. We had to sit there all night until the consulate in Auckland opened so they could verify it. I don't remember how many hours it was - just many.

My Son and I were free to go, of course, and we did leave that room once or twice to get something to eat. The other funny thing was there was a woman there and I am 100% sure that I went to highschool with her in Singapore, however neither of us acknowledged each other, me because I didn't know why she was there, so it seemed like a bad idea to start chatting.

At one point I just broke down, around hour 5 probably - and the immigration person came over and said it probably won't be much longer - he actually felt bad.

Long story short, the Auckland consulate opened - the visa was, of course, all good.

[trailmix 77]

Nice to see you back again, Spirit! I was wondering only yesterday how you were doing, and here you are.

It sounds like you hit the random-check jackpot. I've been "lucky" enough to get it twice. Once while flying and once while driving. Fortunately, they told me both times that it was computer-generated randomly, so I wasn't left guessing what it was about me that they found disturbing. lol

You've reminded me of the time I got the third degree for going on vacation by myself. lol. The officer was incredulous and disbelieving that I actually did things like that. "You mean to tell me that a single young female is going to vacation BY HERSELF??" I'm a big girl now, buddy. And I like my own company. I am by myself because I am trying to get a BREAK from people.

This kind of stuff I think is weird! You kind of go along thinking that the world is enlightened and that a female taking a vacation by herself would be a huge non-issue - then something like this happens

[SpiritAlight 1]

I've never had any problems crossing. Reading your story, and a few others that have posted recently is getting me paranoid! I'm crossing on the 24th of September for a short vacation in Ontario. Wish me luck.

I agree with an earlier poster saying that since they got a NEXUS card, they breeze through. A few Canadians that travel frequently have done this. Might be something to look into. I know that you even use another lane, and from what someone posted, you have to have an interview and everything, so maybe the Border officials look at a NEXUS card as something more "official" as if they "know" everything is okay with frequent crossings.

Nice to see you posting again Spirit, we haven't seen you in awhile.

Thank you Carlawarla.

Life has sure been keeping me occupied...that will be another thread.

I'm sure you need not worry about crossings.

It felt to me like they were looking for some kind of smuggling...drugs, cash.

Odd.

And not too odd, as I had gone through the same border crossings about 2 months ago.

They suspect too much...that's their job I guess.

I just remember sitting there for a long while looking at everyone in there.

Every single person and entire families pulled in were just sweet and innocent.

I could feel it.

They were all flabbergasted as i was.

A baby got loose and walked behind the counter.

That was funny as the mom almost panicked as did the agents.

"Yes, go get him." with a look of OMG what to do what to do?

Well, it puts some fear in me about what is readily visible on the car.

For example I have some bumper stickers i can never put on my car if I do not want to be questioned about my opinions on shtuff.

Too bad because they are really great.

Have a great journey and do not worry.

They can smell that!

Hahaha!

Breathe.

Be calm.

Wait for the sign.

[Krikit 1,164]

I just remember sitting there for a long while looking at everyone in there.

Every single person and entire families pulled in were just sweet and innocent.

I could feel it.

They were all flabbergasted as i was.

A baby got loose and walked behind the counter.

That was funny as the mom almost panicked as did the agents.

"Yes, go get him." with a look of OMG what to do what to do?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Nice to see you back again, Spirit! I was wondering only yesterday how you were doing, and here you are.

It sounds like you hit the random-check jackpot. I've been "lucky" enough to get it twice. Once while flying and once while driving. Fortunately, they told me both times that it was computer-generated randomly, so I wasn't left guessing what it was about me that they found disturbing. lol

You've reminded me of the time I got the third degree for going on vacation by myself. lol. The officer was incredulous and disbelieving that I actually did things like that. "You mean to tell me that a single young female is going to vacation BY HERSELF??" I'm a big girl now, buddy. And I like my own company. I am by myself because I am trying to get a BREAK from people.

Thank you Krikit.

It's like a warm comfortable bath here in the Cannuck forum.

Yup, it's a problem when one does not tow the line of what society deems "normal"...when one does not fit a profile.

I'm in my 40s – granted quite childlike – and a wanderer of sorts; a traveler.

Believe me I get it.

When I got turned around by an agent way back in January 2007 for suspicions of ???, he was beside himself delighted when he blurted out towards the end of our 4 or 5 hours together, "You are like, like, a, a gypsy!" with a huge smile on his face.

What does one say to that?

I told him that i understood him and that because I didn't fit in some box and liked travelling and sailing I was made to feel like I was a bad person.

We got somewhere that day.

Still though he had told me to have all those "ties and equities" satisfied to return to visit the U.S.

That never happened.

Hahaha!

My sweetie proposed a month later, and the rest is history.

Now i look good on paper, and that is all.

I have not changed much.

[SpiritAlight 1]

We haven't tried crossing with the GC yet as my husband just did the POE a few weeks ago and we don't have it yet. However, as a USC, I have been pulled over at least 75% of my trips back into the US. They always say my number comes up, but after so many times, I'm not sure I buy it. Each time involves the usual vehicle search and on multiple occasions, they ripped the car apart so much, I couldn't believe it. My favorite times were the ones when they didn't bother to put things back either... big things... like the freakin' spare tire for pete's sake.

A few trips ago, I had my 13-year-old son with me and we were sent to secondary again. He had not been with me previously but had heard my stories about what they do so he was nervous. I told him everything was fine and not to worry about it but not to expect to make any friends. We got two VERY young women (real early 20s) who were the nicest things ever. One did the computer work while the other searched our car. They talked very nicely with my son and I and we were out of there in 15 minutes (usually over an hour). As we were walking to the car, we were discussing how friendly they were, but when we opened the car doors, we nearly fell over. The girl that had done the search had tidied up the car! She not only picked some things up and threw away some trash that was on the floor, she went so far as to fold up a few shirts and sweatshirts we had carelessly thrown in the back. It goes in my top 5 funniest things that's every happened at the border over my traveling time.

Maybe you should look for really young girls Spirit? I think those two made up for all of the meanies I've had in the last two years.

I love this story!

Thanks for posting SomberCat.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Great stories somber and steve

We have never been hassled at the border, never asked anything really unusual (except when we came in to Canada this time the guy did ask us in two different ways if we had any firearms - I don't think we particularly 'look' like gun toters - but whatever - plus he said it really fast, like an auctioneer - luckily we are good listeners because I guess we could have admitted that we like the 'sun' when he said do you have a gun)

The only other time was once when we were coming back from Montana, after a shopping trip. We had rented a vehicle in Calgary, so it was a new vehicle and they asked us if it was ours - we told them it was rented and that was that.

Now with that said, one time I did experience a hassle in Hawaii. Flew to Hawaii, from Auckland, with my Son and my ex Husband - on our way to Calgary but spending a week in Hawaii first.

So we arrive there late at night, my ex had a visitor's visa for the U.S. - all bought and paid for from the consulate in Auckland. Well the immigration guys in Hawaii decided that possibly it wasn't right or real or whatever, so he was called in to secondary. We had to sit there all night until the consulate in Auckland opened so they could verify it. I don't remember how many hours it was - just many.

My Son and I were free to go, of course, and we did leave that room once or twice to get something to eat. The other funny thing was there was a woman there and I am 100% sure that I went to highschool with her in Singapore, however neither of us acknowledged each other, me because I didn't know why she was there, so it seemed like a bad idea to start chatting.

At one point I just broke down, around hour 5 probably - and the immigration person came over and said it probably won't be much longer - he actually felt bad.

Long story short, the Auckland consulate opened - the visa was, of course, all good.

Sometimes tears actually work.

Sometimes you are met with just more poker faces.

sigh...

Of course the visa was good.

#######?

Ahem.

Excuse my ...

Nice to see you back again, Spirit! I was wondering only yesterday how you were doing, and here you are.

It sounds like you hit the random-check jackpot. I've been "lucky" enough to get it twice. Once while flying and once while driving. Fortunately, they told me both times that it was computer-generated randomly, so I wasn't left guessing what it was about me that they found disturbing. lol

You've reminded me of the time I got the third degree for going on vacation by myself. lol. The officer was incredulous and disbelieving that I actually did things like that. "You mean to tell me that a single young female is going to vacation BY HERSELF??" I'm a big girl now, buddy. And I like my own company. I am by myself because I am trying to get a BREAK from people.

This kind of stuff I think is weird! You kind of go along thinking that the world is enlightened and that a female taking a vacation by herself would be a huge non-issue - then something like this happens

It boggles my feminist mind.

B)

[LindaB 0]

I cross the border every day from the U.S. into Canada to work and have never had any hassle coming home. I have a Nexus card and a couple times a week, they may ask me what my status is and I always have my permanent resident card ready and they send me on my way.

[SpiritAlight 1]

I cross the border every day from the U.S. into Canada to work and have never had any hassle coming home. I have a Nexus card and a couple times a week, they may ask me what my status is and I always have my permanent resident card ready and they send me on my way.

That's great LindaB.

Obviously they have learnt to accept that you go back and forth often and that is nothing to be suspicious about.

There is a pattern.

[trailmix 77]

I would really like to know what border guards are taught. I would like to know how/why they single people out. I would also like to know why in some circumstances they believe it is acceptable to be totally rude and abusive to some people.

We need a border guard in here to explain this