Crossing US border after CR1/IR1 visa approved but with previous border crossing denial?

[skyzee 182]

Just wondering if anyone had anecdotes to share about being denied crossing the border to the US before getting a CR1/IR1 visa and then later on getting a green card / alien resident status (ie approved by USCIS).

 

My main question is - do you continue to have problems crossing the US border (ie. getting pulled into secondary, questioned about previous denial) even after the CR1/IR1 visa is approved, or is the flag removed once the visa is approved?

 

Thanks in advance...

[geowrian 22,338]

You may get pulled into secondary since you are entering on an immigrant visa, but barring a reason for them to suspect an issue, it should just be a time sink but no issues.

[Ontarkie 14,378]

~~Moved to the Canada forum, from IR1/CR1 P&P - The OP is looking for similar experience crossing the US/Can border.~~

 

 

 

[Ontarkie 14,378]

I was turned back once. When we just started dating, I had no problems after that. I was asked at the a few extra questions but allowed to go through without going into secondary. Once the K1 was filed I crossed 2 more times to visit, once was to drive through the US side to get my medical done. On the return trip the BP almost turned me back because my now husband misspoke and said I lived in Sault Ste Marie MI not SSM Ontario. I saw the guys face and spoke up real fast and said Sault Canada. That would not have been fun to drive all the way back through Canada. 

 

You will find many of us with similar experience. 

Edited April 17, 2018 by Ontarkie

[acidrain 325]

I haven't tried to re-enter the US since getting my green card. The thought of getting on another plane after this past year isn't all that appealing. However, I was told by US customs upon my POE that it is possible the flag still remains. Her advice was to be 100% honest in the withdrawal for admission as apparently some people lie or try to hide it because they are embarrassed. When I looked at other people's experiences it seemed some people had the flag removed, others not. For some people it takes a few re-entries.

 

If anyone runs into this issue I would suggest letting the first person at POE know so if they take you into secondary perhaps they can expedite you through. Part of the hassle with secondary is having to wait to get called up.

[Ontarkie 14,378]

Oops missed the second part of your question. 

 

I've never had to go to secondary after I received my GC. Been back and fourth at least 8 times. Just the usual question, how long have you been gone, are you bringing anything back. 

[NikLR 13,231]

Some people do but it depends on why they were pulled into secondary and denied entry the first time.  Most people dont have issues but some do.  

[skyzee 182]

Thanks all!

[iPod 89]

I never had another issue. I have been back many times over the years and was never again taken into secondary. In fact, they usually don't even ask anything but: "Going back home?". I was never once asked about it since getting my green card. If they did, I would just be honest and tell me, I don't think it's a big deal. At the time, I thought it was a big deal, but over the years (and reading about so many other people on the forum having dealt with it), I came to realize that it's not that big of a deal.