Entered the US from Canada while K-1 pending

[Krikit 1,165]

I was asked once, in Toronto, what C. did for a living. I'm not sure what the purpose of that question is either, but find it interesting that it gets asked on both sides of the border.

I was told that it assists in determining a level of trustworthiness. Someone in a respectable position would carry a greater level of trustworthiness than someone who is unemployed or works in a strip club (or careers of that nature).

I wouldn't call it trustworthiness per se... One of the key points about entering the US is the need to go back. Someone who had a relatively stable profession such as engineer or accountant, etc. would typically have a job one would want to go back to... a career.... someone who was say, a clerk at a 7-11 doesn't have the same kind of stability and would be more tempted to stay awhile to lay on the beach or something.

Thanks for elaborating, Zyggy.

Right, I get why they'd ask me MY profession when I am crossing into Canada. I don't get why the Canadians would ask me HIS.

I was always asked the same question, but in reverse. (Crossing into the US and CBP asking what my husband (the USC) does for a living.) I believe it goes back to the trustworthiness issue. Perhas Zyggy can elaborate on that one as well. Or Neiks, if she's around.

[thermophile 0]

when I've been asked what the hubby did when I was going to visit him in Canada, I got the impression that it was either to check my story (ask a random question that I should be able to answer if I was telling the truth, but may not have thought of if I were lying) or to see if I really did know the guy that I said that I was visiting.

The first year that we were together I went up to see him 6 or so times and got sent to secondary pretty much every time. The borders that I was crossing at (Coutes and Pegan, AB/MT) seemed obsessed with internet dating at the time and pretty much every time would ask me 3 or 4 times if we met online and if I had actually ever met him in person. It really felt like they were often trying to protect me from myself.

the hubby has also been asked about what I do when he crossed the border southward-he thought that they were just checking his story. When we activated his visa, the POE was small enough that we could hear what the BP guy in the window was asking people. there was an interesting range of questions which I can't remember right now-but it wasn't the same question asked of each car, even though the answers were pretty similar(pretty much everyone was heading down to go shopping)

[zyggy 9]

I was asked once, in Toronto, what C. did for a living. I'm not sure what the purpose of that question is either, but find it interesting that it gets asked on both sides of the border.

I was told that it assists in determining a level of trustworthiness. Someone in a respectable position would carry a greater level of trustworthiness than someone who is unemployed or works in a strip club (or careers of that nature).

I wouldn't call it trustworthiness per se... One of the key points about entering the US is the need to go back. Someone who had a relatively stable profession such as engineer or accountant, etc. would typically have a job one would want to go back to... a career.... someone who was say, a clerk at a 7-11 doesn't have the same kind of stability and would be more tempted to stay awhile to lay on the beach or something.

Thanks for elaborating, Zyggy.

Right, I get why they'd ask me MY profession when I am crossing into Canada. I don't get why the Canadians would ask me HIS.

I was always asked the same question, but in reverse. (Crossing into the US and CBP asking what my husband (the USC) does for a living.) I believe it goes back to the trustworthiness issue. Perhas Zyggy can elaborate on that one as well. Or Neiks, if she's around.

That's usually asked more from a customs issue... Certain types of employment could result in you taking in stuff (like samples or product if a salesman)... or drugs if a doctor.. etc.

Edited February 18, 2008 by zyggy

[Krikit 1,165]

That's usually asked more from a customs issue... Certain types of employment could result in you taking in stuff (like samples or product if a salesman)... or drugs if a doctor.. etc.

Ohhhh, okay. Well that makes sense. Thank you.

[LadyNoles 0]

How can they know how long you stay if you cross at borders that dont even look at computers or demand for ur passport??

[Meridien 0]

Hi all!

Just to add my two cents...I am in the US right now visiting, and I have a K-1 pending. I got the third degree at my POE (Calgary airport). I was asked lots of questions, including 'What is the purpose of your visit?', 'When is the last time you visited?', 'Is your fiance an American citizen?', 'How long are you staying?', 'Do you have a job in Calgary?', 'What is your profession?', 'Do you have a permanent residence in Canada?'

I answered all the questions truthfully, and I had lots of evidence to back it up (although he never asked to look at any of it). I never mentioned the pending K-1 visa - I said I was coming to visit my fiance, but since the officer never specifically asked whether I intended to immigrate to the US, it never came up. I had a copy of it in my bag just in case, though. Anyway, after all that he did let me through, the whole thing only took a few minutes although it felt like hours!

I noticed that as I answered his questions, he was typing stuff into his computer monitor. I am very curious to know what he was writing! I wonder if I will be 'flagged' somehow from now on. Anyway, it doesn't really matter, since the next time I come through the border it will be with my K-1 visa.

Anyway, that was my experience, good luck to the rest of you!

[Flames9_RN 358]

in my opinion, and it ain't worth much, they (POE duded) have no clue if you have relationship visa (k1, k3, cr-1) in the works!! There system isnt updated with that info, BUT when they interview you, it can be added and tracked!! Thats just my opnion and have no way to factually back that up! Lot of the Police systems don't even talk to each other!! USA seems to be lacking in that kind of communication set up!!

[Krikit 1,165]

I noticed that as I answered his questions, he was typing stuff into his computer monitor. I am very curious to know what he was writing! I wonder if I will be 'flagged' somehow from now on. Anyway, it doesn't really matter, since the next time I come through the border it will be with my K-1 visa.

He was writing "Watch this one."

[Meridien 0]

in my opinion, and it ain't worth much, they (POE duded) have no clue if you have relationship visa (k1, k3, cr-1) in the works!! There system isnt updated with that info, BUT when they interview you, it can be added and tracked!! Thats just my opnion and have no way to factually back that up! Lot of the Police systems don't even talk to each other!! USA seems to be lacking in that kind of communication set up!!

I'm pretty sure this is the case as well - US Customs and Border Services and USCIS are two different departments, they probably don't share databases. Also, I don't recall ever being asked for my passport number on any of the I129F forms, so how would they know?

[Krikit 1,165]

in my opinion, and it ain't worth much, they (POE duded) have no clue if you have relationship visa (k1, k3, cr-1) in the works!! There system isnt updated with that info, BUT when they interview you, it can be added and tracked!! Thats just my opnion and have no way to factually back that up! Lot of the Police systems don't even talk to each other!! USA seems to be lacking in that kind of communication set up!!

I'm pretty sure this is the case as well - US Customs and Border Services and USCIS are two different departments, they probably don't share databases. Also, I don't recall ever being asked for my passport number on any of the I129F forms, so how would they know?

The passport number gets asked for on the DS-156 forms when your application gets to the foreign embassy/consulate stage.

[Melissa_italoz 0]

Thanks for sharing your story. I had also read some stories a little while back about being prepared - but I like the amount of detail you've put in yours (what you brought with you and why etc).

I am from Australia and have a pending K1 Fiancee Visa and plan to travel to my guy in USA in August this year, which will be around the 5-month mark of when the Visa Petition was passed to the Vermont Processing Centre (the 2nd step) so I'm guessing I'm going to be grilled quite a bit this next time I enter - EEK!

Last time I was questioned by Immigration and told that I was coming in too often and they recommended that I don't visit my guy again until 5mths has passed (they knew we were going to lodge the Visa Application).

So, I'm waiting just over 8-months from that last entry into the USA.

It's soooo hard to not be with your future husband and feels like I'm just waiting in limbo - but I'm hoping it will mean Immigration will just do their normal questioning and let me through. Fingers and toes crossed!

Thanks again.

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

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