Red Flagged at Border, anyone else? What are my chances...

[Flames9_RN 358]

Strongly agree with the bolded part. take necessities only. My mistake was too much stuff as well as my dogs and dog food etc etc.

Yeppers and some people answer question incorrectly--they are rude (of course not in their eyes,lol), etc etc!!

[a and m 2]

Good luck kiddo - Got no advice on this yet as you know our situation. How long are you staying (maybe we will come visit you guys)?

[Teddy B 17,252]

Hi Everyone, I was REALLY ignorant to the laws of the land back in September 2012 when I tried to return to the USA after already being there for just under 6 months. I tried to recross to visit my boyfriend only a week after returning. I was pulled into secondary for a 3 hour interrogation and my luggage and car were stripped (carpet even torn out of the trunk). I have no criminal background. I had no proof of ties and at the time I wasn't engaged. Of course I was denied entry. I wasn't told a time frame of when I was allowed to "try" to visit again. It's been almost 8 months now. The 7 officers interrogating me did say I was trying to illegally cross the border and I'd mooch off of the USA-they kept saying it over and over like they wanted me to admit something like that. I will never mooch and I'm as goody-goody as they get.

K1 was filed April 3/13. I have the page long list of things the border officer has requested me to bring when I do try to go back. I'm definitely prepared now. My questions to all of you who've been through this:

1) Has anyone ever been denied entry again even after having everything required? (I know it's up to the individual border officer)

2) If they've let you cross, has anyone had their passport stamped for a specific date they have to come back to Canada?

3) I plan on visiting in June for 2 1/2 weeks-yes i have return flight booked. I also plan on visiting again Sept 1. Will that look suspicious to them that I'm visiting just under 2 months from the June visit?

The fact that you were given a list of things to bring by a POE officer is a good sign. That tells you that you can get in, you just need more proof.

My wife was denied entry into the US a few years back at the Detroit Tunnel when she tried to enter as a tourist. I had gone to Windsor, Ont. to visit her for a week and she was to come back with me for a couple months vacation. We were driving over the border and going to fly to Mass from Detroit Metro. The reason for her denial was also lack of ties. Our biggest mistake was not purchasing a return ticket. We weren't sure of her exact return date, so we didn't purchase the ticket. We were separated at the border, she was crying, we lost the $600 for the plane ticket and I had to fly home next to an empty seat, that wasn't any fun.

The POE officer at the Detroit Tunnel crossing also gave her a list of things needed to meet the criteria of sufficient ties. It took her about a week to gather everything on the list. We then purchased a round trip ticket and her friend drove her to the tunnel. After about a half hour of questioning and looking over her paperwork she brought as requested by the POE officer, she was admitted!

Remember to always tell the truth to the POE officers and bring paperwork to back yourself up.

[Hypnos 6,578]

A round-trip ticket is required for someone attempting to enter the US as a tourist.

[Fayeara 8]

People who tell you stories about trying to cross and have been refused may have overpacked (don’t show up at the airport for a “2 week visit” with 5 gigantic suitcases - it looks suspicious),

Packing not enough is also suspicious to them XD that was one of the reasons I was put into secondary.

My parents were also pulled into secondary once, because they didn't bring toothbrushes with them oO;.....

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

I was denied entry at the airport in Edmonton - I brought along my NOA1, my paystubs, dental appointment that I had in the future (when I returned home), letter from work aaaaaaaaaaaand I was STILL denied.

It all depends on the mood of the officer you get on the day you try to cross (in my opinion).

I was "advised" not to try again for another 6 months (which I didn't) and the next time I tried, I brought pretty much the same evidence I just listed above and I allowed in, no issues what-so-ever.

Good luck with everything!

[Hannah777 8]

Thanks everyone. I think I like the post of "the fact that he gave me a list of things to bring back" point. I'm not too worried about them letting me in in June BUT when I go in September is when I'm really worried, I will buy a return ticket, have all my proof of ties but I'm hoping to stay longer than a couple weeks. I would like to 'ride out' the rest of this process with my fiance, without overstaying in the usa of course! I just really don't want them to stamp my passport with a return date unless it's to say 5 months down the road. Anyone have a crystal ball? So difficult living like this

[SF2007 48]

I was denied entry right before my then fiance sent our K1 petition. I was interviewed, fingerprinted, photographed, etc for hours in secondary. It would have been my 3rd couple months stay. They considered I had too little ties to Canada to show, so they sent me back home. I withdrew my petition for entry and was told to get my visa before coming back, which I did. That was a loooooong 11 months... I did have no issue when I activated my visa and, later, when I came back from a trip to Canada (with my GC) over the Holidays.

Sorry I got no better advice than bringing a LOT of proof of ties with you and be prepared for denial. Good luck!

[Marilyn. 340]

I was denied entry and banned for a year but they didn't stamp my passport or anything. Of course I didn't visit for that year. After the year was up we got married and applied for the Cr1. The year it took to get the visa I didn't visit either, I was too scared..

I did disclose the denial and the banning on the forms and the only thing the interviewer asked was if I had any other issues at the border and I said no.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I was denied entry and banned for a year but they didn't stamp my passport or anything. Of course I didn't visit for that year. After the year was up we got married and applied for the Cr1. The year it took to get the visa I didn't visit either, I was too scared..

I did disclose the denial and the banning on the forms and the only thing the interviewer asked was if I had any other issues at the border and I said no.

Marilyn, Did you have a previous overstay?

[Marilyn. 340]

Marilyn, Did you have a previous overstay?

no, they thought I was moving to the US because I had a lot of stuff in my car...

[Hannah777 8]

Well I made it across the border. As soon as my passport was scanned, I was called into secondary (at the airport). The officer was very friendly and told me: "If I catch you in one lie, I won't let you across." I have nothing to lie about so that didn't worry me. I'm pretty sure he had on his screen the entire conversation-word for word-of what happened at my last border crossing. It took an hour for him to read through it and to ask me a few questions. I'm also positive if it wasn't for me having the NOA1 for the K1 Visa, I wouldn't have been able to cross. He saw that I was trying to do every thing legally. Sad news is I'm on my way back away from my fiance now and I'm just so sad about it. Sitting at the airport now.

[hikergirl 277]

Well I made it across the border. As soon as my passport was scanned, I was called into secondary (at the airport). The officer was very friendly and told me: "If I catch you in one lie, I won't let you across." I have nothing to lie about so that didn't worry me. I'm pretty sure he had on his screen the entire conversation-word for word-of what happened at my last border crossing. It took an hour for him to read through it and to ask me a few questions. I'm also positive if it wasn't for me having the NOA1 for the K1 Visa, I wouldn't have been able to cross. He saw that I was trying to do every thing legally. Sad news is I'm on my way back away from my fiance now and I'm just so sad about it. Sitting at the airport now.

I’m glad you made it across.

The separations are hard but the end result is you will be together which is awesome.

I hope the rest of your journey is speedy.

[Hannah777 8]

Thanks, Hiker girl. Looks like we will both be living in the south. I was in SC 2 weeks ago at Myrtle Beach. The weather is so great! Think you will miss our winters? I won't! lol!

[hikergirl 277]

I’ll miss the Rockies in summer and possibly the wide open blue prairie sky now and again but definitely not the winters.

All of my winter gear is going to my mum. No need for Sorels in the south.