More questions regarding border crossing?

[Mrs. P 6]

Whenever I travel I always say that I'm going to visit my husband...this usually comes with a whole load of questions. Should I just not bother and say that I'm going to visit a friend? I have proof of ties that show I intend to come home. Because I have said that I'm visiting my husband so much and I've been sent to secondary inspection a few times, do they have it on file that I'm married to a USC? I don't want to get caught lying. I always answer what they ask I never provide more information. However, I'm sick of the harassment! Also when when we do file for my K3, do I let them know this at the border, do I let them ask me and show them this NOA1(sp?) receipt that I see a lot of VJ members speak of?

[Fe M 0]

I don`t think anyone here on VJ is going to advice you to provide wrong information to the immigration officers. When you are at the POE you should honestly answer whatever they ask, but be brief, you don`t need to load them with information they don`t ask. You should always bring all the evidence you have showing that you are going to go back to your home country. The harassment is up to the office at the border, some are nicer than others, but they are just doing their job.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

It's not harrasment - they are just doing there job.

They are looking for people that are trying to illegally immigrate - and having an USC husband flags you, so you get more attention.

Also - are you aware they could bar your entry since you are using the visitors visa as a defacto greencard (multiple visits in a short amount of time).

I would not recommend lying. Misrepresentation at the border has dire consequences. You are probably in their system by now, with the notation your married to an USC.

Best thing to do is get the greencard (which you are doing with the K-3) and just carry on as you are doing. Even with the NOA, they could bar entry, so ensure you can show strong ties back home (which is what they are really looking for).

[Mrs. P 6]

It's not harrasment - they are just doing there job.

They are looking for people that are trying to illegally immigrate - and having an USC husband flags you, so you get more attention.

Also - are you aware they could bar your entry since you are using the visitors visa as a defacto greencard (multiple visits in a short amount of time).

I would not recommend lying. Misrepresentation at the border has dire consequences. You are probably in their system by now, with the notation your married to an USC.

Best thing to do is get the greencard (which you are doing with the K-3) and just carry on as you are doing. Even with the NOA, they could bar entry, so ensure you can show strong ties back home (which is what they are really looking for).

Very true. Which is why I always tell the truth. I also understand that it isn't really "harassment", it's just that I've had some bad experiences, and pretty recently so I'm still bitter. And basically it's a case of some bad apples spoiling the bunch, people that fraud the system and what not just end up ruining it for those of us who are truly in love and want to relocate to be a family.

So you are saying that with my traveling so often (every 2 months for a week to 2 weeks at a time) that I'm doing something wrong? Come to think of it, with this last trip the officer told me I need to get some visa work underway because all my visits will sooner or later affect my travels. To be honest, I could go longer without seeing my husband it's my son seeing his father that is the reason for my frequent visits. *sigh* I'm so ready to pass this phase in our lives.

[Mrs. P 6]

I don`t think anyone here on VJ is going to advice you to provide wrong information to the immigration officers. When you are at the POE you should honestly answer whatever they ask, but be brief, you don`t need to load them with information they don`t ask. You should always bring all the evidence you have showing that you are going to go back to your home country. The harassment is up to the office at the border, some are nicer than others, but they are just doing their job.

Thanks. And you are very right! Some are nicer than others. I travel so much that on occasion I get the same officers (not sure they remember me, but I remember them) I always have to defend and say "I always leave and come back when I say I will, I never overstay my allowed time...etc."

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Very true. Which is why I always tell the truth. I also understand that it isn't really "harassment", it's just that I've had some bad experiences, and pretty recently so I'm still bitter. And basically it's a case of some bad apples spoiling the bunch, people that fraud the system and what not just end up ruining it for those of us who are truly in love and want to relocate to be a family.

So you are saying that with my traveling so often (every 2 months for a week to 2 weeks at a time) that I'm doing something wrong? Come to think of it, with this last trip the officer told me I need to get some visa work underway because all my visits will sooner or later affect my travels. To be honest, I could go longer without seeing my husband it's my son seeing his father that is the reason for my frequent visits. *sigh* I'm so ready to pass this phase in our lives.

No- constant visits are not "wrong" - it's just that they have protcols to look for people that travelling back and forth (de facto resident) constantly (without a real GC) and then they start denying you.

(usually they will note it in your file)

Here is what it says on the CBP site (regards B-2 - however, can be easily applied to the VWP also)

. Remember, a B1 or B2 visa allows you to come to the U.S. to visit. If the CBP Officer suspects that you are actually trying to be a de facto resident, you will be denied entry.

Constant trips within days/weeks of each other can raise suspicions.

(they actually do it to GC holders to)

[Mrs. P 6]

No- constant visits are not "wrong" - it's just that they have protcols to look for people that travelling back and forth (de facto resident) constantly (without a real GC) and then they start denying you.

(usually they will note it in your file)

Here is what it says on the CBP site (regards B-2 - however, can be easily applied to the VWP also)

Constant trips within days/weeks of each other can raise suspicions.

(they actually do it to GC holders to)

Oh ok! Thanks for this info. I never knew that or looked at the reason for their scrutiny in this way. I always assumed that I just needed to prove that I would be returning home. Never thought of it as cause for suspicion that I could already be living there and just keep coming back and forth. Well I don't travel weeks apart, it's usually 2 to 3 months, the least a month and 1/2. I'm sure that doesn't exempt me, but I also have a reason for traveling so often and have brought it up to the last officer I spoke to last month on my visit down, which is that my husband is inadmissible to Canada. Like I said, it's only because I want my son to see his father as much as possible. Trust me, I HATE traveling so often, and our bank accounts hate it just as much!

Thanks again for your advice!

[Carlawarla 1]

Whenever I travel I always say that I'm going to visit my husband...this usually comes with a whole load of questions. Should I just not bother and say that I'm going to visit a friend? I have proof of ties that show I intend to come home. Because I have said that I'm visiting my husband so much and I've been sent to secondary inspection a few times, do they have it on file that I'm married to a USC? I don't want to get caught lying. I always answer what they ask I never provide more information. However, I'm sick of the harassment! Also when when we do file for my K3, do I let them know this at the border, do I let them ask me and show them this NOA1(sp?) receipt that I see a lot of VJ members speak of?

Hi cad bacon,

Welcome to VJ! I haven't seen you post before and wanted to invite you over to the Canada Forum here. As well, there are some other links I'll post here that will help you on your journey that are specific to Canadians.

Saying that you're married to a USC does present some increased scrutiny as BO's are thinking perhaps you're going to try and immigrate. Always making sure you have sufficient ties is the key. If you've not been denied, then you must be bringing sufficient proof. Letting you cross, is up to the BO's discretion. Sometimes you'll be allowed in, but it's never a "given".

In Canada, we are allowed up to 180 days being in the US. We're not under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) and you don't need a B-2 Visa to enter. So don't confuse those issues.

You mentioned your husband is not admissible to Canada. Are you going to be applying for a marriage based visa soon? Once you apply and get a receipt from USCIS, bringing that along will help immensely...letting them know you're journeying through the system the legal way to immigrate.

You also mentioned a K-3 visa. They aren't used much anymore. At one time it was a quicker way to get to the US once married, but the costs are a more and the wait times are around the same for a CR-1 so that's what you should probably be looking into. Are you going to be applying soon?

Come visit us in the Canada Forum!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=191858

[pushbrk 12,877]

Best thing to do is get the greencard (which you are doing with the K-3) and just carry on as you are doing. Even with the NOA, they could bar entry, so ensure you can show strong ties back home (which is what they are really looking for).

Just to be clear K3 visa holder is allowed multiple entries for two years without a green card but must adjust status before obtaining a green card.

[Mrs. P 6]

Thank you Carlawarla!

What's funny is that although I bring documents to show ties (currently I'm unemployed and full time student) I bring, a letter of enrollment from school, I also bring my lease (is there anything else you can think of that I can bring) they never seem to ask me for it. They are ALWAYS concerned about who is moving where, if he is moving to Canada or me to the U.S, they always question about the baby, why doesn't he have a us passport yet and such and such. I am gonna get that done asap!

We are gonna be applying for a CR1 by the end of this month. From reading on the site I notice that NOA2? is the receipt that I can bring along with me?

I will definitely head on over the the Canadian forum!! Thanks!

Hi cad bacon,

Welcome to VJ! I haven't seen you post before and wanted to invite you over to the Canada Forum here. As well, there are some other links I'll post here that will help you on your journey that are specific to Canadians.

Saying that you're married to a USC does present some increased scrutiny as BO's are thinking perhaps you're going to try and immigrate. Always making sure you have sufficient ties is the key. If you've not been denied, then you must be bringing sufficient proof. Letting you cross, is up to the BO's discretion. Sometimes you'll be allowed in, but it's never a "given".

In Canada, we are allowed up to 180 days being in the US. We're not under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) and you don't need a B-2 Visa to enter. So don't confuse those issues.

You mentioned your husband is not admissible to Canada. Are you going to be applying for a marriage based visa soon? Once you apply and get a receipt from USCIS, bringing that along will help immensely...letting them know you're journeying through the system the legal way to immigrate.

You also mentioned a K-3 visa. They aren't used much anymore. At one time it was a quicker way to get to the US once married, but the costs are a more and the wait times are around the same for a CR-1 so that's what you should probably be looking into. Are you going to be applying soon?

Come visit us in the Canada Forum!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=191858

[sdw 10]

I find when they ask question and you answer and know about the visa process it has helped.

[Mrs. P 6]

Thank you Carlawarla!

What's funny is that although I bring documents to show ties (currently I'm unemployed and full time student) I bring, a letter of enrollment from school, I also bring my lease (is there anything else you can think of that I can bring) they never seem to ask me for it. They are ALWAYS concerned about who is moving where, if he is moving to Canada or me to the U.S, they always question about the baby, why doesn't he have a us passport yet and such and such. I am gonna get that done asap!

We are gonna be applying for a CR1 by the end of this month. From reading on the site I notice that NOA2? is the receipt that I can bring along with me?

I will definitely head on over the the Canadian forum!! Thanks!

Hi cad bacon,

Welcome to VJ! I haven't seen you post before and wanted to invite you over to the Canada Forum here. As well, there are some other links I'll post here that will help you on your journey that are specific to Canadians.

Saying that you're married to a USC does present some increased scrutiny as BO's are thinking perhaps you're going to try and immigrate. Always making sure you have sufficient ties is the key. If you've not been denied, then you must be bringing sufficient proof. Letting you cross, is up to the BO's discretion. Sometimes you'll be allowed in, but it's never a "given".

In Canada, we are allowed up to 180 days being in the US. We're not under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) and you don't need a B-2 Visa to enter. So don't confuse those issues.

You mentioned your husband is not admissible to Canada. Are you going to be applying for a marriage based visa soon? Once you apply and get a receipt from USCIS, bringing that along will help immensely...letting them know you're journeying through the system the legal way to immigrate.

You also mentioned a K-3 visa. They aren't used much anymore. At one time it was a quicker way to get to the US once married, but the costs are a more and the wait times are around the same for a CR-1 so that's what you should probably be looking into. Are you going to be applying soon?

Come visit us in the Canada Forum!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=191858

[Krikit 1,164]

Don't EVER lie to a CBP Officer. It will come back to haunt you.

So you are saying that with my traveling so often (every 2 months for a week to 2 weeks at a time) that I'm doing something wrong?

No, you're not doing anything wrong. The land border CBP Officers are used to Canadians travelling freely back and forth.

I'm going to move your thread from the K-3 Process forum to the Canada regional forum. Canadians are in a unique situation that doesn't apply to regular travellers so you're less likely to get erroneous information.

[Mrs. P 6]

Thank you I haven't lied yet...but from my last trip this holiday, I wont say it didn't cross my mind for the next time. By now i'm sure they have something documented about me having a spouse in the USA.

Don't EVER lie to a CBP Officer. It will come back to haunt you.

No, you're not doing anything wrong. The land border CBP Officers are used to Canadians travelling freely back and forth.

I'm going to move your thread from the K-3 Process forum to the Canada regional forum. Canadians are in a unique situation that doesn't apply to regular travellers so you're less likely to get erroneous information.

[Mrs. P 6]

Thank you I haven't lied yet...but from my last trip this holiday, I wont say it didn't cross my mind for the next time. By now i'm sure they have something documented about me having a spouse in the USA.

I'm not willing to mess up my traveling to the U.S so I tell them the truth and hope for the best. My last trip. I felt like I was in court on the stand...I had to PLEAD my case to this man...he talked to me like I was his child...it was so horrible...and after all my tears...he laughs as says "all of this for a tangerine huh?" I had been sent to secondary inspection for a "tangerine" sure right....its because I said I had a USC spouse.