Border crossing

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

I have just finished reading all the posts in this thread and my heart aches for you LandRStepp. What an ordeal to have to go through. Please keep us updated.......we'll all send you good karma in the meantime. As stated just previously, I believe the lawyer's advice was sage but if you do decide to marry your boyfriend one day, really, you do not need to pay anyone for assistance. This is what this website is for! We help each other through the red tape. When you first start it's overwhelming but it all starts to fall into place after the initial process.

I was turned away at Buffalo when I was entering with my immigrant visa (CR1) for a bizarre reason. The USCIS system was down and they couldn't process me! They sent me away and I tried again at Niagara Falls (along with everyone else and their dog). They didn't give me a hard time but a lot of people who were trying to cross had issues. Needless to say there were a lot of raised voices in that office and everyone's nerves were frayed. Eventually I got through but the whole thing set me back six hours in my journey to get to my new home in North Carolina. I spent a sleepless night in a Holiday Inn Express in Erie, PA enroute.

Fingers crossed for a speedy resolution to your situation.

[Miranda&John 0]

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation, LandRStepp. I hope you and your son can figure out what your next step is.

Personally, my boyfriend and I met online and in January we decided we needed to spend real time together to see if we were truly compatible. I began looking for an internship and had plans to quit my job and move with my daughter to California (from Ontario). Thank goodness I found this site and began to read some of these stories or I fear I would have been in the same situation you are. Fresh out of university, no real estate, no money, basically no ties at all in Canada. I was even driving my car across the country. I had to get creative when coming up with evidence to show I was coming back after 1 year. My boyfriend flew into Buffalo (the day before) and we drove down to Fort Erie. I was SO, SO nervous of being turned away because of custody of my daughter, havin just quit my job, the funds to support myself, or a million other reasons they could have cited to turn me away.

I got called up, I spoke to the BG. He seemed angry and barely asked me anything. Where am I going, how long I am staying, can he see my internship paperwork AND if I was on any medication. Actually, he asked that last one twice. I guess I was more nervous than I thought. After that, he let us through. He even spent 5 minutes rummaging through the office for a special stamp to put on my daughter's passport (she was 10).

But what I got from that experience is -- the whole thing is one big crapshoot. You could have all the evidence in the world, or none of the evidence and it doesn't make any difference whether they let you through or not. It is totally out of your hands, and completely in theirs. If you get stuck with the wrong person, or that person is having a bad day, or they're new, or their dog just died, you may ultimately pay the price. Unfortunately for you, you got stuck with one of the bad ones and now you'll have to deal.

It looks as though you'll have to go home and put another plan into motion. If Greyhound won't refund your money, contact some local (or national) media outlets and let them know your story. Greyhound is already catching bad press for threatening to cancel some rural Canadian routes if the government doesn't subsidize them, so I'm sure they don't want any more bad press.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Sparky&Me 0]

Agree, lawyer gave u good advice, BUT dotn use her!! lol $4500, ouch!! Get all the info you require for the k1 or cr-1 right here for FREE!!! lawyers do not speed up the process!!

I agree, $4500 is a lot of money. If you want a lawyer for peace of mind, I’d shop around. Our lawyer charged less than half that price. There was a thread on here somewhere about how much people had spent on their attorneys, and from what I remember, our rate was pretty typical.

[Flames9_RN 358]

We used a lawyer---didnt find VJ in time,lol!! Her fee was $2500 plus of course the filings charge! All a lawyer is going to do is proof read the filled out documents! Thats it! YOU have to gather the required documents such as the birth certificates (long form) police background checks, any divorce cert etc etc! We filled out the forms ourselves and then sent them on to the lawyer!! I do believe she sent us the forms--big whoopeee,lol! At the top fo each forum (k1, CR-1) are stickies, they tel lyou what forms you require. There are even pics of already filled out forms at the top of the page that states EXAMPLE FORMS!!!!! best of luck

[LandRStepp 0]

I have to say I am so happy to be apart of this visaj family. I want to answer one question about my ties to Canada. I had a lot of proof I do have a place to live or go in BC whenever I am ready to go back there and yes its horrible what we have been through in BC but I would have to return after the 6 months or 1 depending how long I stayed in the US anyway. My son and I just wanted the break to let things settle in BC and so I can make some decisions but we haven't been allowed that. Now that I am in this situation and so upset the thought of going back to another nightmare isn't what I want to do right now nor do I feel strong enough. I had proof of my tuition paid and the courses I am taking in BC online which I take because i need to use a computer for my disabilities, I had proof of my disabilities as well and of my address as well as my phone bills etc. and I provided phone numbers to verify where my residence is in BC and where I was going in the US they just chose not to use them. On top of that they refused to listen to me about my disabilities. They made up their minds from moment one at both borders and there was no way I was going to cross even if I owned a home and was a millionaire they had my number and that was that. Yes my son is traumatized and doesn't deserve to be going through this but I am talking to him and supporting him as best as I can and showing him I have some strength left even though I am scared as hell. As far as working goes because of my disabilities I am not required to work in BC that is why I chose to go to school even so and see if I could have a career that won't be affected by my disabilities instead of giving in to them. I can't actually have a job at this time as well as be a single mom and go to school because of my health. They wouldn't listen to that and said I had to have a job well technically because I have an income going to school I have something I'm doing instead of a job but they wouldn't listen. They had a problem with me home schooling my son yet I have that right as a parent to do that but they didn't care even though it would be Canadian schooling and so is mine.

My situation right now is difficult and I have to decide whether to go back to BC and be judged and harrassed after this has happened or try to cross again or stay here start a life and be closer at least to my boyfriend who lives in South Carolina. As far as me traveling across Canada I couldn't afford to fly I could only afford a bus so when I went to buy tickets these were the only ones I could get, why they dragged us across Canada is a mystery to me ecept that all I can think is that its the Canadian Grey hound and so they make more money picking up and dropping off people who are traveling within Canada and across the border. I should have gone with my gut feeling and drove across the BC washington border that i have been traveling across all my life and caught a bus to SC in Seattle or Bellingham but I couldn't find anyone to drive us across the border. I never even thought of just renting a car but who knows how they would have reacted to that. I have a couple of days to make my decision because I paid for a week in this motel so I didn't have to rush with my decision. Everyone in the US want me to try again they are so upset about what has happened to us and very supportive more so than what we would face in BC. I am my sons rock and actually he is mine too lol he is a very good boy and together we will endure no matter what decision I make and that decision will have him on the top of my priority list.

I contacted our Canadian embassy in Buffalo and our local MP office here today and they said there is nothing they can do it is an American matter so I decided to be strong and take on a few battles over this. What I found out today is yes our Canadian borders can refuse Americans and I'm sure they are no angels either but they do not finger print, take mug shots because it is not our policy to do that yet at the American border we are treated like criminals. With this in mind I have contacted the Senetor of NY Chuck/Charles Schumer and if I don't hear back from him I will keep calling until I get some answers. I was never really told why I was turned away and why I was treated like a criminal in front of my 11 year old son accept that I didn't have all the documents listed on a piece a paper that I received after I tried crossing the border. When Canadians travel to the US and if we do a search as to what is required when we cross it doesn't say we need to go around carrying our personal and financial information in our back pockets. It says we need a passport so unless you are looking for what they asked me for we don't know. I am considering getting set up here but I am still not sure and will be discussing this with my boyfriend and like I say I have a lot of support in South Carolina and that is where we want to be for the time we are allowed. Thank you for your support here on VJ I am truly glad to have this site to turn to as well it takes away some of the loneliness. I will keep in touch and keep you informed of our progress and I still welcome any comments or questions especially if it will help anyone else and that is why I am sharing my story. All the best to all of you and please keep us in your prayers. . . . . . Leah

[raphael7546 0]

I want to tell my story here and I hope no one has been through this. My fiance and I have been on visa journey and we were going to get married but after some problems with family among other things we decided to wait. I made arrangements to go and spend some time where he is and get to know a female friend and spend some time with him for about a month and if I changed my mind I knew I had 6 months legally as long as I could support my son and I while being in the US. So I set it up so I had a place to stay and sent money to visit there for a month and I would go from there.

My son and I set out on our journey and after all we had been through over the past 9 months (very hard times) we were excited for the trip and the time away and I was going to help my friend because she hasn't been well. For some reason greyhound decided to sell us a ticket that meant we travel across Canada and cross the border at NY city. This didn't make sence to me because we lived right beside the Washington border which I had been traveling through since I was a child, but it was the cheapest way to travel so I bought the tickets. We went on our 3 day journey with very little sleep but excited just the same until we got to the border. The officials sent our bus on and made my son and I sit there until we were the last people for them to deal with. I had return tickets for October 12th my passport and (children under 15 don't require a passport for land travel) my son's birthcirtificate and my custody papers which I had already given to him and we had our luggage. Then I was called up. I have always just had to produce ID at the border or my passport. I have no criminal record and have done nothing wrong in Canada or the US. I'm a single mom, student and have some disabilities that are not visible. The border guard then threw my tickets at me and said where is the return date on here. I looked and he was right there weren't any. When I bought the return tickets they had to be hand written because the computer wouldn't allow them to be printed. I had told the person who sold me the tickets that I'd be returning on October 12th but for some reason he didn't put that on them. Even so the tickets were paid for and very valid because then they were considered an open ended ticket allowing me the option of staying longer or a shorter period of time.

Next thing I knew I was being interigated and they asked what proof I had that I was going to return to Canada. I told him for one thing I have two children and my other son is there in high school and I told him I am a student at a Canadian university and so on. I gave him phone numbers to verify where I live in Canada and where I was going to be staying in the US that wasn't good enough and he refused to call. I was of course denied entrance into the US and was finger printed and had my picture taken. I started to cry and say why are you treating me like a criminal and the female guard said I shouldn't be upset because my son would get the wrong impression about them and what was going on I said I have no idea what is going on and I'm exhasted.

So they ordered me a cab and sent us back to Canada. I asked the guard if I could still cross the border and he said yes but I had to have all the documents listed on this paper and if I didn't have them I could be refused again. Well now that they had red flagged me I had no idea what I was in for. I was taken to a motel and dropped off after paying 35 dollars for the cab. I then went to greyhound in Niagra falls ontario where I have never been before and thousands of miles from my home and had my tickets repaired and I looked through all my stuff and I had sufficient paper work to provide them proof. The bus ticket sales fellow told me my tickets were still valid and so I should try again because this bus would be going through buffalo and I said ok. So away we went only to be treated even worse at the next border. The guard sent our bus on and interigated me, I told him what I was doing and asked me what had changed and I said I have the information you require and he laughed at me he had already seen them at this point. The female guard beside him said are you taking her upstairs he said yup and next thing I new I was told to follow him with my son. Just before that he told me that him and his supervisor didn't believe my story and that I had a choice to either tell the truth and only be told to stay out of the US for a short time or stick to my story and be banned for life and he said I could think about it. So after we moved he called me up and asked me what I had decided. I told him basically you want me to lie to you so I won't get such a harsh punishment or stick to my story and you will bann me? I then said I refuse to lie to you and I am sticking to my story and if you choose to follow through with you threats I will be getting a lawyer, talking to my Canadian government and seeking help he said fine was angry then sent me over to sit down. Next thing I new I was being finger printed again and my picture was being taken. I was given everything back except my passport they called me a taxi and when we got outside he handed my passport to the taxi driver for us to go through the canadian border and said to me take my advice next time you try and cross into the US make sure you have all your paperwork that is required and don't try and cross again without it. I was basically left in the dark with no real reason as to why they treated me like this but because there is a red flag on me in their system I will now be hassled every time I try to cross the border and will be lucky to get across. I had provided them with proof of my courses I had paid for, over $4500 in my bank account to live on and money that would be coming in monthly as well. I also provided them with the phone numbers to where I live in BC and where I was going. I went through the list and had everything they required except my income tax papers for 2 years and a rent receipt but the phone number instead to the person who was renting to me. He also refused to call the numbers.

I am devastated, when I crossed our Canadian border the guards were very upset by what happened both times. So I sit here not knowing what to do. I've called our international trade and canadian diplomatic counselors service and they said they couldn't help me because I was safe in Canada. I then called the head at the US customs and Border - Mr. Garara and he didn't like how I was treated but would do nothing about it but told me the process I could go through to report them for what they had done to my son and I which basically is a bunch of stupid red tape. He asked me why I didn't ask to speak to their supervisor and I said I was afraid they were already threatening to bann me for life.

So I thought I would tell you all what happened and I hope this hasn't happened to many people but I am very angry and I plan to find a lawyer and I may go to the media. This is unacceptable treatement but they have the power to do what they want to people with no real reprocussions for their actions. We have treaties with the US and we are their neighbours yes I understand we don't have the right to just go there and live the rest of our lives and we have to follow rules and processes but I didn't deserve to be treated that way because I didn't do anything wrong. My son and are now stranded in Fort Erie Ontario in a motel where we can see the border with no way home because my tickets are non refundable and are only to be used on Oct 12th. I not only cannot get home but I am paying a fortune for a motel room and running out of money. My name is mud for no reason and I can't get across the border unless I have all the documents they require but even if I do I am most likely going to be refused anyway especially if the border guard is having a bad day. I have no idea what to do we are alone here and I am very angry hopefully a lawyer will be able to give me some advice.

Been there , done that! Read what happened to me by clicking on my name and reading "My Story"

As for writing or complaining to border patrol or whatever, don't bother wasting a stamp. I reported the jerk I dealt with and all I got was a "form" letter stating how sorry they were that I was treated so badly and that thier border guards needed more training. Ya whatever!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I have to say I am so happy to be apart of this visaj family. I want to answer one question about my ties to Canada. I had a lot of proof I do have a place to live or go in BC whenever I am ready to go back there and yes its horrible what we have been through in BC but I would have to return after the 6 months or 1 depending how long I stayed in the US anyway. My son and I just wanted the break to let things settle in BC and so I can make some decisions but we haven't been allowed that. Now that I am in this situation and so upset the thought of going back to another nightmare isn't what I want to do right now nor do I feel strong enough. I had proof of my tuition paid and the courses I am taking in BC online which I take because i need to use a computer for my disabilities, I had proof of my disabilities as well and of my address as well as my phone bills etc. and I provided phone numbers to verify where my residence is in BC and where I was going in the US they just chose not to use them. On top of that they refused to listen to me about my disabilities. They made up their minds from moment one at both borders and there was no way I was going to cross even if I owned a home and was a millionaire they had my number and that was that. Yes my son is traumatized and doesn't deserve to be going through this but I am talking to him and supporting him as best as I can and showing him I have some strength left even though I am scared as hell. As far as working goes because of my disabilities I am not required to work in BC that is why I chose to go to school even so and see if I could have a career that won't be affected by my disabilities instead of giving in to them. I can't actually have a job at this time as well as be a single mom and go to school because of my health. They wouldn't listen to that and said I had to have a job well technically because I have an income going to school I have something I'm doing instead of a job but they wouldn't listen. They had a problem with me home schooling my son yet I have that right as a parent to do that but they didn't care even though it would be Canadian schooling and so is mine.

My situation right now is difficult and I have to decide whether to go back to BC and be judged and harrassed after this has happened or try to cross again or stay here start a life and be closer at least to my boyfriend who lives in South Carolina. As far as me traveling across Canada I couldn't afford to fly I could only afford a bus so when I went to buy tickets these were the only ones I could get, why they dragged us across Canada is a mystery to me ecept that all I can think is that its the Canadian Grey hound and so they make more money picking up and dropping off people who are traveling within Canada and across the border. I should have gone with my gut feeling and drove across the BC washington border that i have been traveling across all my life and caught a bus to SC in Seattle or Bellingham but I couldn't find anyone to drive us across the border. I never even thought of just renting a car but who knows how they would have reacted to that. I have a couple of days to make my decision because I paid for a week in this motel so I didn't have to rush with my decision. Everyone in the US want me to try again they are so upset about what has happened to us and very supportive more so than what we would face in BC. I am my sons rock and actually he is mine too lol he is a very good boy and together we will endure no matter what decision I make and that decision will have him on the top of my priority list.

I contacted our Canadian embassy in Buffalo and our local MP office here today and they said there is nothing they can do it is an American matter so I decided to be strong and take on a few battles over this. What I found out today is yes our Canadian borders can refuse Americans and I'm sure they are no angels either but they do not finger print, take mug shots because it is not our policy to do that yet at the American border we are treated like criminals. With this in mind I have contacted the Senetor of NY Chuck/Charles Schumer and if I don't hear back from him I will keep calling until I get some answers. I was never really told why I was turned away and why I was treated like a criminal in front of my 11 year old son accept that I didn't have all the documents listed on a piece a paper that I received after I tried crossing the border. When Canadians travel to the US and if we do a search as to what is required when we cross it doesn't say we need to go around carrying our personal and financial information in our back pockets. It says we need a passport so unless you are looking for what they asked me for we don't know. I am considering getting set up here but I am still not sure and will be discussing this with my boyfriend and like I say I have a lot of support in South Carolina and that is where we want to be for the time we are allowed. Thank you for your support here on VJ I am truly glad to have this site to turn to as well it takes away some of the loneliness. I will keep in touch and keep you informed of our progress and I still welcome any comments or questions especially if it will help anyone else and that is why I am sharing my story. All the best to all of you and please keep us in your prayers. . . . . . Leah

I'm not trying to be rude or make u upset. but one isnt (as u have found out) guaranteed entry into the USA. Many Cdns think they are, they just think since our countries are neighbors, its an easy admission! The POE officer made a judgement call, and gave you a list of things to bring with you before you attempt to cross over, which by the sounds of things you have not done! Of course we the reader, dont have ALL the information,just bits and pieces. Probably does you no good contacting a USA Senator, as ur Cdn, they really dont care about you, would be better if ur boyfriend made the call. By the sounds of things, you dont have strong ties to Canada (job, etc) having a place to "go", isnt a strong tie. If it were I in your shoes right now, staying in a hotel for a week, I would gather up the evidence the POE officer wanted and try again! If your polite,answer their questions, all may go well, OR they may turn you around, without any kind of formal denial, just as they did this past week, and of course they could as well officially deny you entry and give you a ban. best of luck

[thetreble 19]

Sorry to hear this happened to you. It really is terrible. I've been through all of Buffalo's borders probably 50-100 times so far in my life and never have been denied entry once.

The fact is, is that "phone numbers" really don't do it for POE officers. They aren't going to waste their time calling every phone number you provide. I don't want to sound rude as you took the time to bring those to them, but part of my job entails a customer service aspect and if some kid gave me 10 numbers to call, I just simply would not have the time to do that.

What my biggest concern for you is, and this is in no way a judgment, is your son. I would imagine he's younger than 5 or he would be in school. I would also imagine that he's probably home sick and feeling out of his element. You said you had $4,500.00 in your bank account when you came. Wouldn't it be best to use some of that money and just go back to BC for now? While we all cherish our significant others, maybe you need to wait to see him this time. To be honest with you, if you keep trying to enter the US you may really hurt your situation by getting a 1, 5, 10 or a life time ban. If I'm a POE officer, which I'm not, and I see the same person try to enter the border multiple times in the same week, I'm just going to keep denying them.

Best of luck to you. Best thing in my opinion would be to go back to BC, have your boyfriend visit you, and decide what you are going to do as far as your future plans. It also seems from one of your posts that you were thinking about going to the US and possibly getting married...I'm not sure if I saw that somewhere....but you can't just go to the US, plan to get married, and then end up staying.

Any ways, I wish you the best of luck and I hope your son is well.

[Ontarkie 14,304]

I'm really sorry, but I think you should go back home wait it out some and then try to cross at your usual border. The homeschooling and online courses are hurting you more then helping you as far as ties to Canada. Both of those can be done from any where and that's how the border guards are looking at it. Once home get stronger ties to Canada and maybe shorten your visit. You can always tell them do to the fact you where turned back before you don't have as much time to stay in the States so you will be just going for a few weeks. I didn't work either do to a back injury and was on disability, I brought in the part that said if I was gone out of town longer then 7days I was at risk of loosing my checks( can't remember how long I had but it was something like that) I also brought in the deed to my house I had no mortgage papers. Phone bills, Internet bills, Satellite bills, Bank book, I brought every but the kitchen sink.

Each guard has their own criteria that they look for and if you don't have what they want forget getting in. I was told I needed 100$ a day cash for every day I wanted visit for they didn't care if I had cash on me and the rest in the bank or credit cards. She said the machines could go down. That's why I needed cash. There was no way I was going to carry that much money on the Greyhound. I went into Mich to catch the bus since the Canadian greyhound added 12 hours (not as bad as yours)to my ride so I know how crappy that is.

I wish you luck with everyting your going through

Danielle

[amberL 0]

It seems that you hear more and more stories of Canadian visitors being harassed at the border these days. Why would any Canadian bother visiting if you're going to be treated like a criminal for the privilede of spending foreign money in the US.

~ Catherine

I had a horrible time while entering on my K1 visa at the peace bridge, and I made a comment similar to this. Surprisingly they don't care. Previously I always defended the border patrol, but after my experience realized that a lot of them are cruel and heartless just like the people that are employed at the US embassy. If anyone is thinking of complaining to someone I dont know who about how they were treated at a border crossing let me know, I will add my experience.

[Residentangel 1]

So why not call your school and your doctor and have them fax a letter to your hotel? Then you don't have to travel all the way back to BC. Just an idea. I know I'd definitely try it before paying more money to head back.

[Spoom 8]

I don't want to make you feel worse, but let me play the Devil's Advocate here and show you how the border officer is looking at this.

I had a lot of proof

They only care about verifiable paperwork specifically related to the items on the checklist they gave you.

I do have a place to live or go in BC whenever I am ready to go back there

If you don't have a lease, you don't have ties. "Having a place to go" does not create ties to Canada. They want to see that you have a contractual, financial obligation to return, and that can only be satisfied with a lease or mortgage.

I would have to return after the 6 months or 1 depending how long I stayed in the US anyway.

Prove it. They don't think you will.

I had proof of my tuition paid and the courses I am taking in BC online

Stop right there. You're taking courses online, which means that you can take them from anywhere, which means they're not ties to Canada. You don't have to return to take them, and you can pay for them online with your credit card, which you so helpfully pointed out to them.

I had proof of my disabilities

...meaning precisely nothing...

as well and of my address as well as my phone bills etc. and I provided phone numbers to verify where my residence is in BC and where I was going in the US they just chose not to use them.

Border officers on the US side will never call anyone at your request. Never. Canadian ones will, but not the US ones. Furthermore, your residence means nothing as it was previously shown, since you don't have a contractual obligation to return and pay. The only thing that is of value here are your phone bills, and those can be cancelled with a single call.

On top of that they refused to listen to me about my disabilities.

Because as far as ties to Canada go, they mean nothing.

They made up their minds from moment one at both borders and there was no way I was going to cross even if I owned a home and was a millionaire they had my number and that was that.

No, they didn't. You simply haven't provided what they ask for, and you probably (unfortunately) cannot, given your situation.

As far as working goes because of my disabilities I am not required to work in BC that is why I chose to go to school even so and see if I could have a career that won't be affected by my disabilities instead of giving in to them.

Your disabilities do not give you a pass to enter the United States. They actually hurt you here because you're saying you're unemployed, which means you cannot satisfy the requirement of a note from your employer, and means that you probably can't provide proof that you'll be able to support yourself in the US.

USCBP wants proof that you will return to Canada. Usually that proof is in the form of contractual obligations that would cause you harm were you not to return, or other obligations that would do the same thing (such as being a student at a college in Canada, since missing classes would cause you to fail).

All in all, you simply don't have a very good case here. Until that changes, I don't think you're going to be allowed in without a visa. Sorry.

Edited September 22, 2009 by Spoom

[trailmix 77]

Any update LandRStepp?