POE @ Queenston-Lewiston (NY)

[EmilyRugBurn 0]

Hey VJ-ers!

Just thought I'd post my POE experience. My husband and father-in-law (since he has a van for all my stuff) brought me from Toronto to (upstate) NY yesterday (Tuesday).

We crossed at the Queenston-Lewiston bridge around 12:30pm (our car was in line for 10-15 minutes). When we reached the booth the guy was really nice. I opened the side door of the van to tell him that I was there to activate my K3 visa and he had a look in the van and said "Yep -- looks like you're movin' in! Anything other than personal belongings with you?" And we all said "No - just my dog." He took all of our ID's and gave us the little slip of paper and told us to park and go into the building. (My father-in-law stayed outside with the dog.)

10-15 min. later my name was called and hubby came up to the counter with me. The guy was immediately rude: "Sir - go sit back down, please!" As if hubby should know that, although he was the petitioner - and my spouse - that it was not necessary for him to be up there with me. He handed me back hubby's and dad-in-law's licenses and asked me, rudely, "So - do you know where you're going to live?" and I said, "Actually, I think it's all right here in the mystery envelope." And, with disappointment he said "Oh, you have one of those...". And, even though there were only about 3 other couples in there, he said "Couldn't you have crossed at a less busy time?". I apologized and told him that I thought a Tuesday afternoon would be less busy than a Friday or the weekend and I asked when I better to time to come would have been and he said "Midnight." and the guy next to him said "September". They shared a snide chuckle. I did not find it remotely amusing.

The rude guy (who shall henceforth be known as McPherson, because that's what his name tag read), then said, with a huff, as if it weren't the job he was being paid to do: "These things take a loooooong time. Go sit down." No one came in during this time, so the place was even more vacant than it was before. 15-20 minutes later (after watching him move slower than molasses in June and spend a good 5 minutes looking for a pen) he called me back up to the counter and had my passport opened to the visa page where a shiny new stamp now laid. "This will get you in and out of the country until you get something more permanent." I said, with a smile, "Thank you very much, I really appreciate it." And that was it. They didn't ask about what I brought with me (I had a typed list) and they didn't ask about my dog (I had his Rabies Vaccination Certificate and a Health Certificate). No fingerprints, no fees - no nothin'. The entire border crossing and K3 activation was over in less than an hour (even though I crossed at such a "busy" time). Aside from McPherson and his condescending attitude, everything went smoothly.

I am finally with my husband in NY and we have house hunting appointments all day today! I can't believe I'm FINALLY here! SUCH a relief! I slept like a baby last night.

Hope everyone's doing well and staying cool.

The next step for me is to mail my EAD application (and then apply for an SSN) while my I-130 is pending at the NVC. But I'm taking today off!

[Krikit 1,164]

Congratulations Emily!!!!

I'm sorry you had such a rude officer. I crossed at Buffalo Peace Bridge and they were super nice there. Nastiness is so unnecessary. Happily, McPherson will receive his karma.

Welcome to the US, Emily!!!

[Emancipation 2]

UGH!!

Sorry to hear about the border guard... Perhaps he was having a bad day?

WELCOME HOME!

[lynamon 0]

Congratulations!!! ... Have a great time house hunting .. and don't forget to have fun!!!

[L_n_O 3]

=) best POE story ever!

[EmilyRugBurn 0]

Thanks, everybody!!

It's so weird trying to wrap my head around "living here". I still feel like I'm visiting... but once we're in our new house, I'm sure I'll feel right at home. (Found one we loved yesterday, btw! Putting in an offer as soon as we hear back from our agent! Woot!)

Cheers!,

~ Em

[misa 2]

Hey Emily! I had been wondering about you recently since we both had interviews the same day (albeit, across the country from each other). Glad to hear you made it "home" okay despite having to deal with rudeness!

Edited June 28, 2007 by misa

[nyhazmat 2]

Congratulation...The 'gentlemen' at the Lewiston-Queenston bridge are usually the hardest to deal with. If you go back for a visit I would suggest crossing at Rainbow. Both Canadian and US sides seemed to be easier to 'get along with'. Welcome home