US citizen pulled into immigration at Canadian Border

[Canadiandggal 49]

You allowed to visit--BUT you have NO RIGHT to visit! You have to satisfy them that your not living in Canada! And like the other stated, it may appear since you are spending so much time in Canada, it may appear that you are living in Canada. The onus is on YOU to prove that your only visiting. Best of luck

This!

[maya62 7]

Hmmm.... this may seem like a tiny, irrelevant point, but in your original post, you say you were traveling "back" to Canada. Almost makes it sound like you were just visiting PA and now you are going home. I could be wrong, and way too detail-oriented, but if I were Canadian border patrol, that language would send up a red flag to me.

Just sayin'

I think those who are suggesting routinely carrying "proof of ties to your home country" with you as you travel have it right.

Best wishes!

Maya

[Flames9_RN 358]

Hmmm.... this may seem like a tiny, irrelevant point, but in your original post, you say you were traveling "back" to Canada. Almost makes it sound like you were just visiting PA and now you are going home. I could be wrong, and way too detail-oriented, but if I were Canadian border patrol, that language would send up a red flag to me.

Just sayin'

I think those who are suggesting routinely carrying "proof of ties to your home country" with you as you travel have it right.

Best wishes!

Maya

Thats a big thing for anyone when visiting Canada/USa (other countries) A lot has to do on how you handle yourself! They are looking for people that are lying! As well, using the wrong words can set off alarms. You may be visiting, but you mistakenly say "live" that sets off alarms. being all nervous, not looking the POE official in the eyes, etc etc sets off alarms! Plus if they see a lot of traveling, that may set off alarms! You see it as proof that your returning, they see it possibly as your spending to much time in that country. Best of luck

[sheeshkabelle 153]

That little room they put you in in Immigration is no fun! I've been there twice! Once on a road trip and once at the airport.

Just make sure they stamp your passport on your way back so you have proof you went home.

Like others have said, keep paperwork with you. Hubby and I both keep a folder in our carry on or a backpack with our papers showing we are doing immigration the right and legal way, that we in fact live in two separate countries and we are going back to our respective homes after a visit.

Do not do what I did. I was pulled into immigration in Winnipeg, I didn't get my passport stamped or a record of arrival slip, but I was in that computer stating I was going home on X date. I didn't go home until three weeks later and from another airport 1800km away (Calgary). The next time I went to Canada the customs officer was NOT impressed and lectured me about lying to immigration officials and he could ban me from Canada. Since then I've watched my Ps and Qs.

[theone11 0]

CBSA is canadian, CBP is US. second off you always need to bring info like that with you because they will ask for it. they dont have to grant you access to there country and all that jaz. the queenston bridge is always like that going both ways i just avoided it all together, it was never worth the time i would have saved and always worth it to just go around lool hope that helps

We have only crossed the Queenston twice, one being last week and the other back in September, and both times were given a difficult times. So, needless to say...I will not be crossing that bridge again. I am glad to learn that I just need to carry papers with me documenting ties to the US.

Thanks!

[theone11 0]

Hmmm.... this may seem like a tiny, irrelevant point, but in your original post, you say you were traveling "back" to Canada. Almost makes it sound like you were just visiting PA and now you are going home. I could be wrong, and way too detail-oriented, but if I were Canadian border patrol, that language would send up a red flag to me.

Just sayin'

I think those who are suggesting routinely carrying "proof of ties to your home country" with you as you travel have it right.

Best wishes!

Maya

it is a tiny irrelevant point...just sayin'

Thanks for pointing it out though!

You should be an editor

There is nothing to look into or a facade of good behind bad, because neither one of us have done anything wrong. Just two people living in two different countires for now and travelling back and forth to see one another. No one is living illegal here nor there. I was just looking for some advice to prevent any difficulties in the future.

Thanks

[Kimbear 53]

it is a tiny irrelevant point...just sayin'

Thanks for pointing it out though!

You should be an editor

There is nothing to look into or a facade of good behind bad, because neither one of us have done anything wrong. Just two people living in two different countires for now and travelling back and forth to see one another. No one is living illegal here nor there. I was just looking for some advice to prevent any difficulties in the future.

Thanks

We get that truly we do or none of us would be here. Whatever you throughts are, or attitude is towards this encounter, enough of us who have done no wrong have been pulled into seconday and interogated etc. Some of us on both sides of the border, and some interogated by their own country. We were just offering advice on the kinds of things that send up red flags. You have to keep in mind, the border people are doing their job with the thinking that everyone is an immigrant or possible threat until proven otherwise, even if in a court of law its innocent until proven guilty.

[Flames9_RN 358]

We get that truly we do or none of us would be here. Whatever you throughts are, or attitude is towards this encounter, enough of us who have done no wrong have been pulled into seconday and interogated etc. Some of us on both sides of the border, and some interogated by their own country. We were just offering advice on the kinds of things that send up red flags. You have to keep in mind, the border people are doing their job with the thinking that everyone is an immigrant or possible threat until proven otherwise, even if in a court of law its innocent until proven guilty.

Yes it is funny how on a site where people give advice, and are "on the same side" the op sort of gives an attitude to this help! Attitude given at the border won't work in your benefit! A POE officer can simply deny you entry, it is that simple.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

When I was involved in a cross border relationship (before I met my husband) we visited back and forth, although I did more travelling since he had young children at home. I would generally go over Tuesday evening, then Thursday evening and often for the weekend. I was challenged by US immigration to prove I wasn't living in the US because of the frequency of my crossing. I loaded myself with every piece of paper I could find - upcoming doctors appointments, pay stubs from work, health insurance claims, phone bills, recently renewed car and renter's insurance, veterinary bills, utility bills (I had no written lease) and always made sure that I kept it updated every week, moving out 'old' or dated documents and replacing them with something up to date. I didn't wait to be pulled into secondary the next time I crossed - I went in and showed them the package of information! It was one of the smaller border crossings and the same agents were staffed there so we eventually 'recognized' each other after a while. After this, the only time I had problems was when there was a new agent on duty. I always had my file with my proof with me every time I crossed the border. The US and Canada are each separate countries and being allowed in to visit is a privilege, not a right. They don't need a reason that you understand or know - when you reach the border, the onus is on you to prove that you have no illegal or harmful intentions in the country you wish to visit. You may be perfectly fine with no illegal intentions - but what about the person before you, or after you? What about the couple who are indeed trying to live in two countries, unaware of the immigration laws? It happens regularly. So, while it is annoying and frustrating to be stopped at the border, this is your opportunity to reassure them you are what you say, a visitor to the country. Help them to do their jobs by proving you are who and what you say you are, and you will find your border crossing experiences much easier.

If you two do decide to make your relationship permanent, include the relevant immigration paperwork in your evidence file. It actually reassures the border authorities that you are not only aware of the proper immigration process, but you are taking the steps to follow it.,

Edited February 24, 2012 by Kathryn41

[Gypsyangel 11]

I have to agree that a hard part of a cross-border relationship (and then going through the immigration process) is the feeling of being treated like a criminal, like you're doing something wrong, especially when you're playing by the rules. All the fingerprinting, photos, interrogations, going into secondary, proving your relationship ... it's wearing and intrusive. When you're being treated like ####### and have to take it because there's no alternative, it's hard to bite your tongue and be polite. It's just the process. You can't take it personally. But it can suck. Big time.

I always get tense at a border crossing because you never know what's going to happen. I always have whatever papers I need and cross my fingers. All you can do is know the rules, play by them, know they're just doing their jobs, be calm and know for yourself that you're not doing anything wrong. And if there's some sort of problem, you'll manage it and figure it out and it'll be fine. Even if it means you're stuck in secondary for a couple of hours. Again. It's just part of the program. And then be grateful that it's the US/Canadian border. I'm sure people from other countries have an even tougher time.

Mind you, along the way there have been a lot of nice people too... (like the helpful people at VJ!)

[Julie B. 2]

Trust me I know how frustrating this issue it. My husband lives in Windsor and I live an hour north of Detroit. He has to cross every weekend and it's a pain about 25% of the time. He always brings his lease agreement, paystub and paperwork showing we have filed for his visa. He hasn't been turned back yet, but it's always a possibility. Plus they aren't very nice, which I know they don't have to be, but jeeeeeez. Not everyone is up to no good.

[GnBnL 50]

yep. border crossing sucks. Most people that cross are not doing anything "wrong" but they have to treat us like that to catch people off guard that are. They will def look at your body language, your eyes, your tone of voice, your physical symptoms (sweating, breathing etc) your language, anything that would indicate you could be hiding something. They are just doing EXACTLY what they were hired to do, and although it really sucks (esp to be threatened to be arrested and berated for 3 hours in an interrogation room for doing "nothing wrong") you just have to know it can happen. I myself am still very nervous crossing the border on both sides because of the first time I was interrogated. Now, I get interrogated EVERY time....correct documents and all. They will even try and trip you up by asking you questions that don't make sense....when I went to visit while my K-1 was pending, the first question the CO asked me was "so how long have you been married?" haha! it sucks, but they are there for our protection so.....

Anyway, smiles and politeness can go a long way with all your papers in order too of course!

[dukeandduchess 141]

I felt the same way when it happened to me but once I understood how complicated this entire process is, I totally understood. They are just doing their job and they have every right to be suspicious.

[Rattlehead 69]

it is a tiny irrelevant point...just sayin'

Thanks for pointing it out though!

You should be an editor

There is nothing to look into or a facade of good behind bad, because neither one of us have done anything wrong. Just two people living in two different countires for now and travelling back and forth to see one another. No one is living illegal here nor there. I was just looking for some advice to prevent any difficulties in the future.

Thanks

Those tiny irrelevant points jump out when they have a 2, maybe 3 minutes to figure out who you are, what you're doing, and assess the veracity of what you're telling them... They don't know you from the guy with a rap sheet several pages long, and have a very small window to sort out the difference - its not as easy as you might think. Be able to relate in about 2-3 sentences what you're doing - why you're crossing, where you're going, what you're doing there, when you're coming back and all that - to the point where there's almost no ambiguity.

[Karee 4,191]

We live within about 10 minutes of the border and go to Montreal frequently and I go to Canada even more often since I often work near the border and sometimes go there for lunch (viande feu! Mes OUI!)

I have been pulled out and searched, warned, lectured on three occasions for no particular reason (once because they saw sawdust in the back of my truck and had to determine it was, in fact, sawdust) Last time, just before Christmas I was warned about the perils of "human trafficking" No kidding. I was entering by myself and to this day I think they confused me with someone else. The woman even called me to the counter and showed me the penalties for "human trafficking" Um, OK. I promise, I will not traffic humans into Canada. They gave me the lecture, gave me my ID and released me into the wilds of Quebec!

I was once accused of atempting to immigrate illegally when I said we were going to visit a friend in St Lazzar. Go figure. NO! I did not have a copy of our mortgage with me! How negligent of me! I did happen to have a check stub inmy clipboard fromwork and I guess that was enough. I got one of those visitor records on that trip also and turned it in when I left.

99% of the time it is something like passing through a toll booth and nothing more. every so often they get a bug up their behind and do this.

As much as we take easy travel to Canada for granted, and we do, imagine many of our favorite restaraunts are in a foreign country...how fortunate are we as Americans?...it IS a different country and they WILL do this at times. Just be polite and go along, do what they say, smile. I have never been doing anything wrong or illegal and I know that it will be over and I will be allowed to pass.

I have lived in Ukraine and believe me, I sleep much better than I would this close to Belarus. OK?

I used drive to Plattsburg to get me some taco bell and Marlboros. Can't get either in Montreal. If you go the Vermont route there's a ####### bar on the way back. I highly recomend it. St. Jean sur Richalieu.

Edited February 25, 2012 by Karee