Tips to avoid being denied entry at US border

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Poprocks, telling them you had a pending K-1 was probably the reason you had uneventful crossings. You were indicating that you were aware of the proper immigration process and had already initiated it - a big reassurance to a border official who might suspect your motives.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I always had a very easy time crossing the border as well. I would always declare I was visiting my boyfriend, then fiance, and was never really asked any questions or raised any eyebrows. I would usually just get asked routine questions like, how did you meet, and have you been to Colorado to visit him before, etc. After I would say yes, and that we've been together and traveling for years they would just let me though. I was never asked for any evidence of ties. Once I was asked if the border official could see my flight itinerary and that's about it. In the years of traveling to see each other, I probably crossed a dozen times a year and no problems, ever. I was never asked if I had a pending K-1 and I never brought it up.

Unfortunately a lot of people aren't as lucky as people like poprocks and I have been over the years. Then again, there have been many people who have had very positive experiences as well. So you never really know! As long as you are prepared and confident you shouldn't have any issues. In reading personal experiences from people who have been denied entry, there seems to be a few common themes. The biggest problem seems to be when people make it seem like they are hiding something or doing something wrong. If you are asked a question, answer it confidently. Don't give short uncertain responses that make the IO question you and start to get suspicious. Aside from all the advice you've already been given, that's all I would like to add. Good luck!

[Persona 0]

hey most of the time people forget about it ...but its a good idea to bring a receipt for an insurrance ... i took a travel insurance of 1 week...thats good proof that i only go and come back

[Bern. 3]

When it comes to crossing the border, lying is never a good idea. When I started crossing when I was 18, I always told them I was visiting my boyfriend. They asked me the typical questions, how long have we been dating, where'd we meet, how long was I staying etc. Then at 19, I said visiting fiance. I ended up being grilled a lot more. But everything worked out. No denials! This one guy even shouted ''HAI'' like japanese people do in those samurai films. That was emotionally scarring.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Bern.

[Dan and Ali 3]

Thanks for all the information, everyone! I decided to be on the extra safe side and called the Sweet Grass, Montana border crossing yesterday and spoke to an officer there who advised me that in addition to the letter of consent from my daughter's father, I should also have a photocopy of his driver's license or passport with his signature on it so they can verify the signature on the consent letter is, in fact, his signature. He stated that this letter does not have to be notarised, the signatures are enough. He recommended I bring a long form copy of her birth certificate as well so it proves he is her father. He also suggested I include a contact telephone number and to warn him that they may potentially call and verify the letter. Needless to say I am thankful we are on good terms, I can't imagine how stressful it would be to obtain all of this stuff if we weren't!

As for proving I am coming back to Canada ... he said my offer letter from work would be a good idea, as well as current utility bills and a bank statement. He definitely said I should bring the NOA1 we have, and he also recommended I be forthcoming about the fact that we have applied for a K-1 visa (which I fully intended to be, the border guys always intimidate me so much I couldn't lie to them if my life depended on it!). He also stressed packing light, and he gave me quite the mini-lecture about not bringing stuff down for later. So, in conclusion, you guys were right on the money and here is hoping that our crossing goes well

Thanks again everyone!

[Sam and Ben 2]

Thanks for all the information, everyone! I decided to be on the extra safe side and called the Sweet Grass, Montana border crossing yesterday and spoke to an officer there who advised me that in addition to the letter of consent from my daughter's father, I should also have a photocopy of his driver's license or passport with his signature on it so they can verify the signature on the consent letter is, in fact, his signature. He stated that this letter does not have to be notarised, the signatures are enough. He recommended I bring a long form copy of her birth certificate as well so it proves he is her father. He also suggested I include a contact telephone number and to warn him that they may potentially call and verify the letter. Needless to say I am thankful we are on good terms, I can't imagine how stressful it would be to obtain all of this stuff if we weren't!

As for proving I am coming back to Canada ... he said my offer letter from work would be a good idea, as well as current utility bills and a bank statement. He definitely said I should bring the NOA1 we have, and he also recommended I be forthcoming about the fact that we have applied for a K-1 visa (which I fully intended to be, the border guys always intimidate me so much I couldn't lie to them if my life depended on it!). He also stressed packing light, and he gave me quite the mini-lecture about not bringing stuff down for later. So, in conclusion, you guys were right on the money and here is hoping that our crossing goes well

Thanks again everyone!

Sounds like you're all set, then. Good luck with your crossing and be sure to let us know how it goes.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Just FYI -- I'm down in Washington D.C. now as mentioned in another thread or two, but I actually had a bit of a hitch at the border, even though I have a NEXUS pass, which has always been a no-questions-asked fast lane. Well, the border guard decided to grill me quite a bit despite this...and fortunately I had my return itinerary with me. She was pretty skeptical, but ultimately let me through.

I'm guessing that there IS a flag that comes up on their screen once the case clears USCIS. I could be wrong, but I've NEVER had an issue going across through the NEXUS lane...or even regular lane...but the questions this border guard asked me were pretty specific to a potential abandoner...

So there you go. I DO suggest all of the supporting documents you can bring, just in case!

How long have you had a Nexus card for? They do random checks once in a while. You can get anything from getting questioned more than usual, to vehicle search at the "line", to being sent into secondary where they search your vehicle, while inside they ask you a few Q's. It's all relativley painess(just a waste of time), but they can & do do it.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

How long have you had a Nexus card for? They do random checks once in a while. You can get anything from getting questioned more than usual, to vehicle search at the "line", to being sent into secondary where they search your vehicle, while inside they ask you a few Q's. It's all relativley painess(just a waste of time), but they can & do do it.

I suppose you could be right -- I've had the NEXUS card since March, but haven't been pulled over in the fifteen or so times I've gone through the borders with it. I've had a trunk check once before.

Ah well. I'm not too concerned about it...I AM in D.C. right now, after all.