Almost denied entry this past weekend

[Misty1979 0]

To make a long story short, I was given quite a bit of trouble this weekend when I crossed the border via the Victoria Clipper and arrived in Seattle.

When you travel on the Clipper, you go through customs twice; once before you board, then again after arrival. The first officer was very nice and was perfectly fine with me visiting my husband.

The officer in Seattle however, was new (I think...since i have never seen him before, and I'm come to recognize most of them during this process,) and not so nice at all.

His response after finding out that the folder in my hand carried documents containing my CR1 visa was "Well I'm not supposed to let you visit now." I politely told him that I was sure he was wrong since I found a printout online from the NVC website stating that I was allowed to visit if I could prove ties to Canada. He asked to see the printout, so I pulled it out of the folder and he read it.

He pointed out the last part of the area I highlighted which stated "however, the CBP officer has the final say." I responded by informing him I was aware of that, and normally if I can produce ties to Canada as the form has stated, I am not given any trouble, since I have travelled back and forth many times during this process.

He then asked me for my ties to Canada (his supervisor was watching all this going on, and I was preparing to speak with him next if he still wasn't going to let me through.)

I pulled out a year's worth of pay stubs, an employment letter, some bank statements, which he sifted through and examined for a few minutes.

FINALLY... after a few more questions and pestering, he told me (with a big sigh) that I could go.

I can't even put into words how relieved I was after all that was over. The whole time he was looking over my documents and questioning me my heart was beating so hard I could feel it pounding in my chest. I don't think I showed my nervousness though, which I think is what saved me in the end. That and the endless amount of evidence I brought (my family always bugs me and tells me I worry too much when they see me preparing my folder for my travelling..now I think it's safe to say I proved them wrong.)

Anyways, I just wanted to post this as a bit of a reminder that too much evidence is never a bad thing. Going to the border over-prepared is better than showing up empty handed. I really don't think I would have gotten through if I didn't have that mountain of evidence with me, so if you ever think you are over-doing it with worrying and collecting evidence, think again! Better to be safe than sorry.

Now...I'm going to relax and enjoy my visit with my husband. The weather here in NC is warm, the sun is shining and the best thing is we're together to enjoy it

[L_n_O 3]

wow! way to go re: being prepared

[Melyssa 0]

I was thinking about visiting next week but I don't think I'm going to go (I would only be able to visit for 2 days maybe...) partly b/c it doesn't totally make sense for me to go and partly because now that my interview is so close I am kind of nervous! But we'll be together soon enough. I am glad that you made it through to be with your husband!!

Edited October 2, 2007 by Melyssa

[Flames9_RN 358]

Always good to be prepared!! Glad it turned out well. I always found it funny that I had no problems at all visiting the USa, but got more of a hassle coming back to Canada,lol

[bradcanuck 1]

With US Customs you can NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER be TOO prepared.

Bottom line.

[raymaga 25]

My daughter used to take the Clipper down to Seattle to see me before she got her K-2 visa, and I always worried that she might not be allowed in, but she never had any problems. She told them she was going to see her Mom who lived in the U.S. now and that she was awaiting the approval of her K-2 Visa. She was never asked for proof of ties to Canada.

I'm glad you were allowed to enter and that you were well prepared for the officers. I sometimes think they just like the power trip they are on in their jobs.

Have a wonderful visit with your husband.

Edited October 2, 2007 by raymaga

[thetreble 19]

Glad it worked out in your favour, misty. Being prepared always helps.

[Krikit 1,164]

Phew. That's a relief. Good for you, Misty. Keeners drive me crazy sometimes.

[bakofoil 27]

Thanks for posting this. Just goes to show that you never can tell how much hassle you're going to get. Seems to depend entirely on the individual opinion of the immigration officer you end up dealing with. So, having as much information as you can to prove your ties back home is essential.

Anyway, glad you made it, enjoy your time together

[samaci 0]

"I politely told him that I was sure he was wrong since I found a printout online from the NVC website stating that I was allowed to visit if I could prove ties to Canada. He asked to see the printout, so I pulled it out of the folder and he read it.

He pointed out the last part of the area I highlighted which stated "however, the CBP officer has the final say." I responded by informing him I was aware of that, and normally if I can produce ties to Canada as the form has stated, I am not given any trouble, since I have travelled back and forth many times during this process."

Do you have a link of where you found this print out? I think i could use that too.

[Misty1979 0]

"I politely told him that I was sure he was wrong since I found a printout online from the NVC website stating that I was allowed to visit if I could prove ties to Canada. He asked to see the printout, so I pulled it out of the folder and he read it.

He pointed out the last part of the area I highlighted which stated "however, the CBP officer has the final say." I responded by informing him I was aware of that, and normally if I can produce ties to Canada as the form has stated, I am not given any trouble, since I have travelled back and forth many times during this process."

Do you have a link of where you found this print out? I think i could use that too.

Here's the link:

http://www.amcits.com/immigration_usa_relative.asp

The paragraph I showed him is at the very bottom, I just highlighted it after I printed it out to make it easier to find.

[PfcsBaby 0]

I'm glad you were able to get through to see your husband. I had a similar experience when going through Toronto airport to see my fiancee 1 time. I had all the evidence in the world to show them I was returning, yet they still wanted to hassle me. They finally let me through, but gave me 10 minutes to get to my plane and I still had to go through security with my son, who was 3 at the time. This goes to show you, you can never be too prepared and always give yourself enough time.

Edited October 3, 2007 by PfcsBaby

[Carlawarla 1]

I'm glad you were able to get through! Again, time and time again we've talked about having all the documention, which you did...and a great job you did of putting this stuff together by the sounds of it!

You can never be too sure eh? Each individual border official can use their descretion. Sometimes descretion is good...you know, not rigid rules? Other times...it can give a lot of leeway for abuse of power.

While you're heart was pounding I'm sure, with the guys supervisor looking over his shoulder, it does sound like he was just doing his job, and was being thorough.

Relax and enjoy your special time with your partner now!

Carla

[lynamon 0]

That's awesome that you were able to state your case, inform the duty guard that you were educated with the procedures and you had all of your documentation in order.

Good for you!!!!! I understand that the guards are there to protect their country ... but I've found that so many of them can be extremely misinformed .. and that they can have a powertripping attitude.

[jynxNdragnfly 0]

I had a great laugh when I read this as it brought back one of my most recent crossings to see my husband. Normally I am prepared with my I130 package, pay stubs, bills, etc though definately not as much as Misty LOL In the last few weeks I've been crossing ALOT and nexus finally sent me in for a 'compliance' check (computer randomly selects you, though I think it's BS) and in I go to secondary. Now I've just come from the US into canada that morning and now I'm heading back that evening and all of my paperwork is sitting in my gym bag, which is sitting in the living room in the US LOL So the guy at the desk starts with 20 questions, where am I going, where does my husband live, where do I work, how often do I cross, how many nights a week I sleep there, have I filed paperwork, when was it received. I answer all of these as honestly as possible

I get released and not a problem, though I'm pretty sure the nice guy at the desk typed some notes right next to my name I'm thankful that in Windsor/Detroit they deal with this all the time otherwise I probably would have gotten turned around. So yes it's a good idea to be prepared all the time. I have to remember that.