karina

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to update you guys about some ways we have tried to inquire about our situation. Hopefully, it will be of help to some people.

1. CBP.gov

We were able to file a complaint through CBP.gov. We received immediate response, which was really great. However, other than confirming that the description of our complaint was similar to what they have on record. They recommended that we file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

2. DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/gc_1169676919316.shtm

The Department of Homeland Security’s Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs--like airports and train stations--or crossing U.S. borders, including:

* denied or delayed airline boarding

* denied or delayed entry into and exit from the U.S. at a port of entry or border checkpoint

* continuously referred to additional (secondary) screening

We submitted a request, and are waiting for their response.

We will be traveling again this Xmas, and I hope that everything will go okay. It's difficult not to be anxious...

Thanks! - K

congrats on your wedding and honeymoon and being with your husband!! All the best to you!

Emt103c,

I am truly sorry to hear about your experience! How scary!!! I think it's a good idea to have an attorney on speed-dial, and to bring the phone in secondary. I also think that Kritkat's idea of getting info on my husband's record removed somehow is also a good idea.

Thanks!!!

Any time that type of thing happens-hopefully it never does again--do get the officers name. There is a formal procedure for complaints against these officers, especially for harrassing someone who is clearly "legal."

After a few problems I had at the border, I no longer follow the "no phones" rule. I have an attorney on speed-dial and put my phone on vibrate or silent if I'm asked to go into secondary. My hubby and I were once (before his greencard) held for more than eight hours and harrassed sufficiently that I will never let it happen again.

Though I am a citizen and had done nothing wrong, my car and all its contents, including my purse and phone were taken. Even though the room we were in had "rules" noted in it, none of them were followed. I was not allowed to speak to a supervisor (later found out none was on duty) and was not even allowed to call my family and tell them why I had disappeared. We were not allowed to eat or drink during this time and I was made to wait more than two hours to be "allowed" to go to the bathroom. . .

Congrats! how exciting!

thanks everyone, for your kind words.

We are debating whether to drive up this Labor Day weekend. I think we need to face crossing the border again. And hopefully it should be okay- I mean, legally, my husband has the right to travel.

Will keep you guys updated!

sorry for the delayed reply- but yes, i am USC, and my husband has the greencard.

hopefully it was just a power trip...

thanks!

Hi everyone,

My husband and I went to an infopass appointment and asked to find out what was written on his files. Unfortunately, we did not get any answer. The infopass person said that she is not allowed to tell us anything. She directed us to file for the Freedom of Information act (which we did like 2 years ago, and have never heard back from it)... However, we found that my husband (green card), does have the right to travel in and out of the country (which we knew). So we are really hoping that our past border crossing experience was just a bad experience, and hopefully not the norm.

Do you think that we should have certain documents ready, just in case my husband is being questioned again?

Any other suggestions?!

Thanks!

Thank you, Kathryn41. That is a great idea. We just filed for an infopass appointment.

It's just really scary and retraumatizing to go through the POE experience again.

I also plan to 1) consult an immigration lawyer, 2) bring a file of documents (like marriage certificate, approval letters etc etc) next time he crosses the border again.

Thanks!

hmm, that sounds scary. You might want to consider making an infopass appointment to discuss what might be on his file and if there is anything he needs to be aware of now or take care of to prevent such a thing happening again. That being said, border guards will be border guards and sometimes I suspect a few of them feel the need to throw their weight around a little bit, so will find whatever opportunity they can to enjoy the power trip. It's unfortunate, but it seems to be the case every now and then. All of what was said to your husband could have been done courteously and without aggression.

Hi everyone,

My husband got his green card 9/07, and we crossed the border twice since and had no problems. However, last month, we drove to Toronto for the weekend and upon return, we were stopped at the border. The border officer said the 'system' told him to pull us over. At the office, he was asked about what happened in 2006... he replied 'I was denied entry because my F1 visa was not active'. The officer then went into a tirade saying 'You need to know that you are still not a citizen and I can take this card (IR-1) from you... we gave you this card and the least you can do is to tell the truth' Then he told me that my record says something about working during that time. I told him that yes, I worked during my stay in the US. He proceeded to threaten me with a note regarding my future citizenship application. After about 20 minutes we were released.

I'm writing to get a sense of whether this is standard practice. We were shaken up by what happened... were were not allowed to take our phones into the facility and who knows how long they could have detained us. I understand the process but it really felt like one big intimidation, fear-propagating fiasco. Should we expect this whenever we cross the border? Would appreciate any thoughts and experiences you guys may have.

Thank you!

Congrats! I'm so happy for you!!

All the best!!

beautiful pix, thanks for sharing congrats!

congrats! how exciting!

hey misty...

it took us a week exactly to receive his visa, or 5 business days to have it mailed to Toronto. Our interview was completed on 8/30, and the visa was mailed out on 9/4 (2 business days). I wonder if you can ask that if you can pick up the visa at the Montreal embassy the next day? Email/call Montreal to ask about it!

Hi all,

My husband successfully entered the US via Toronto Pearson POE. He got there at 5:30AM, and only had to wait for 1 hour to activate his visa. He did not have to present his x-ray nor his case file, and the officer was kind. Thanks guys!

congrats!!

thanks, everyone! my hubby will activate the visa tomorrow at pearson. hope all goes well and i'll let you know how it goes!

Hi All,

My husband picked up his Xpresspost package from his local post office with his Canadian passport & visa, and another package that says "do not open". It took exactly 1 week, or 5 business days. Now, we're thinking about activating the IR1 visa at Toronto Pearson this weekend (he'll fly down to visit me!) and I'll fly up to Toronto to drive back down with him next weekend (via Detroit/Windsor).

A couple of questions:

1) To activate the IR1 visa, we need to bring:

- Canadian passport w/ visa

- Sealed package

- X-ray from medical?

- Copies of entire case?

When we drive down w/ the dog etc:

- latest vet report/ vaccination

- itemized list of stuff in the car

Anything else?

2) I, the petitoner, will not be there w/ him when he activates the visa, is that a problem?

3) Is Toronto Pearson a good POE to activate the visa? I've read a previous entry that someone activated their visa there, and didn't receive their greencard for months...

4) If my husband activates the visa this weekend, and then goes back to Toronto to finish up work etc, and drives down to the US w/ me next weekend.... using only his passport w/ visa, is that gonna be a problem? I think the visa should be good for reentry, but just wanted to make sure...

Please give us any advice/ tips to make this transition smooth!

Many thanks

-- Karina

You can buy the Xpresspost envelope at the post office, and remember to fill out the envelope w/ your address and write down your tracking #!

that's awesome news! i'm so happy that things are working out for you guys! You deserve it, especially after all the immigration #######.

Len,

I don't think they charge everyone a fingerprinting fee. We were confused too, but perhaps they charged us the $85 for previous fingerprinting (my husband was denied entry at a POE b4, and i think they fingerprinted him)?!?! anyway, they defin take USD and Canadian, and if i remember correctly, i think they take creditcard too. But for sure, USD and CAD.

Take care!

thanks you all you guys are all so kind, and i am so grateful for the support of vj

Ron & Sharon,

We are thinking of you guys during this time.

Your courage and strength are inspiring.

take care,

- Karina

Hi Misty,

My hubby had to w/draw his application aka. denied entry at a POE 18 months ago. The consular officer asked us about that, and therefore we had to present travel dates to show him that my husband has never overstayed in the US. Don't worry about it, as your case appears to be more straightforward that ours!

Take care!

Hi, my husband and I wrote up our experience in Montreal last Thursday...

INTERVIEW:

We were the first in line at 7:10am. The guards opened the doors at 7:30am, checked our appointment letter, and guided us through the security check. Remember, no electronic devices including cell phones, cameras, laptops, or large bags. A guard gave us a ticket indicating order (A 9). We were placed in a waiting area in the basement before ushered into an elevator that took us to the 19th floor. After approx. 15 minutes, a lady behind a window booth called our ticket number and asked us numerous questions. I think her job is to make sure our paper work and documentation are in order. She asked us for the Xpresspost envelope (remember to write down your tracking #), medical results (no xray), and 2 photos. We noticed that this pre-interview seeks to point out one or two 'potential problems' in the application. Perhaps they are observing your reaction to this stress. She asked about my correction of birthplace and seemed to be extremely concerned about it. We were then told to wait. After about 30 minutes she called for us and scanned my fingerprints (try to hold still). We waited for another 30 minutes before she summoned us again and asked us to pay extra for previous fingerprints performed $85 USD (be ready to pay for unexpected fees.. they take credit or cash). Then we waited for what seemed like eternity... probably about 45 minutes before we were called to enter a private room (room 7) with a similar window booth. This is the actual interview. A gentleman asked us about the birthplace issue, asked both of us about our line of work, questions about how we met, asked to see some documentation to prove that I did not overstay, and finally said "well, you're approved" (YAY!!). The final interview took no more than 10 minutes. He actually gave my passport back to me but my SMART wife caught it and we were able to return it to him. Remember to LEAVE your passport for them to stamp the visa and mail to you (after approval)! After walking out of the building I let out a loud scream!

In our situation, we were not asked to give any proof of relationship, nor did they need any updated financial documents (bank statement, cheque stubs). We met a two other couples interviewing for IR1 and CRI. One couple waited for 3 years (cosponsorship issue), and another waited for 1.5 years. Although all of us were nervous, it was a supportive environment. We told them about visajourney.

ENVIRONMENT:

We stayed in La Tour Centre-Ville, which is literally across from the Embassy. It's really convenient.

There appeared to have a lot of parking spaces around the Embassy too.

There's a Tim Horton's a block from the Embassy.

RESTAURANTS/FOOD:

After the interview, we celebrated at The Queue de Cheval and it was really yummy! Chinatown is 2 blocks walk from the Embassy, so there are a lot of places to eat around the area.

At the end of the day, we are just so thankful that this part of the journey is over! It was a long 18 months of being apart, and we look forward to starting our lives together again!