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-   -   Crossing The USA Border - Experiences? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/crossing-usa-border-experiences-612152/)

Atlantic Xpat Jun 4th 2009 5:22 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by newshoney (Post 7634088)
I crossed at Roosville on the 93 between BC and Lake Koocanusa. To my surprise, they didn't care about our PR cards and we were treated totally different from the Canadian passport holders in our midst.

As British citizens we were required to pull over and park and exit the car into a visa office. We were not treated with courtesy or politeness (first time this happened to me in more than 20 years of visiting the USA). All this to put in a visa-waiver application and pay a $4 entry fee apiece. The waiver then lasted for 3 months and we were told we had to return it before expiry OR ELSE. Not a pleasant experience at all though perhaps it had something to do with the fact that my children are browner than I am?

As Ramsey has pointed out, being a Canadian PR is of no relevance to US Immigration. You are a UK citizen so would be treated exactly the same as a UK citizen visiting from the UK - even if you are entering the US through the Canadian border. It's only when you have citizenship that things change.

In actuality, I suspect a UK PR might get treated with more suspicion by US border guards. "Why are you living in Canada then? Just to get into the USA illeglly. Goddamn Limeys!"

I haven't been to the US for 3 years or more and any time I go it's invariably by air as it's a long drive to the border from here. I expect to get the third degree and just remain calm and polite as there is bugger all one can do about it otherwise!

dbd33 Jun 4th 2009 5:31 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 7634251)
In actuality, I suspect a UK PR might get treated with more suspicion by US border guards. "Why are you living in Canada then? Just to get into the USA illeglly. Goddamn Limeys!"

While my OH had questionable status in Canada she found that US officers gave her a hard time getting into the US due to her probable illegality in Canada. The Canadians, otoh, either didn't notice or didn't comment. It was very odd to enter the US with an American in a US plated car and see her get grief while I was ignored.

immichaelcaine Jun 4th 2009 5:52 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 
http://mikeely.files.wordpress.com/2...abu_ghraib.jpg

MB-Realtor Jun 4th 2009 7:44 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by immichaelcaine (Post 7634326)

Another contestant refuses to sing on Britain's got Talent.

jamesmc Jun 4th 2009 7:59 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 
until you get canadian citizenship you are guaranteed a hard time at usa border,a fast card is suposed to show you have had an interview and been checked out by homeland security but in reality nothing changes.

jamesmc Jun 6th 2009 9:14 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 
crossed into usa 2times yesterday at a smaller crossing in rural mb. what a difference to emerson/blaine etc ,homeland security actualy were v pleasant.and wished us a good trip..

MB-Realtor Jun 6th 2009 10:12 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by jamesmc (Post 7640729)
crossed into usa 2times yesterday at a smaller crossing in rural mb. what a difference to emerson/blaine etc ,homeland security actualy were v pleasant.and wished us a good trip..

Crossing at the smaller border stations is a better experience, we sometimes go over at Neche ND to collect packages and they have always been friendly.

G77 Jun 6th 2009 3:20 pm

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 
I cross regularly - no problem as long as you're polite and use some common sense....

Going over again tomorrow, probably jinxed myself now and the rubber gloves and KY are being prepared right now....

happy hatter Jun 6th 2009 6:11 pm

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 
Ive always found the septics to be better than the cannucks

dboy Jun 7th 2009 6:00 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by minimeeze (Post 7619530)
We had a our first trip over the border today into the USA. My! What an experience that was :ohmy:

We pulled up at the border patrol, got asked questions about who we were, our jobs, where we lived, how long we'd been in Canada, where we were going and why. Did we have food, fruits, etc in the car (we packed a picnic). We then got asked to pull over and go into the border patrol office to get our visas to enter the USA. Same questions all over again, plus fingerprints. We had to leave our car and keys with another border patrol guy whilst we went in and did this. Because we had fruit in the car (I'd packed a home prepared fruit salad, not knowing that some of the stuff wasn't meant to be taken into the USA), our car was searched whilst we were obtaining our visas and I was given a leaflet on foods allowed into the USA. Nothing was confiscated. We paid our $6 each for visas, then we were on our way. We felt like criminals :( Sort of put a dampener on our day out.

Is this the usual experience for USA border crossings? Puts me off going again.

Very typical - I found it better once i got a canadian passport. I once had to go to olympia, WA due to my ex being in a very serious car accident while there on business. I was being quizzed by the border guard - when i told him why - he said (and i quote) " Sir, my family and I will pray for you. God speed." At which time he let me pass without further delay.

dboy Jun 7th 2009 6:03 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by JonboyE (Post 7620727)
It happens. Not every time, of course, but often enough to stop you getting complacent. Even though I have had a Nexus card since they first came out I still get an occasional grilling and visit to the office/car searched. Don't take it personally, the level of security and who they pick on is intended to be random so the bad guys can't plan.

This is true - the computer will often randomly identifiy vehicles for enhanced searches - to remove any biases.

dboy Jun 7th 2009 6:12 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 
About 3 years ago my dear old mother came to bc to visit me and I had a brain wave to drive to seattle for the day (not sure why the place was as much of a dump as the last time I was there).

Anyway she being a brit had to get a temp visa. Fast forward to last year my mother went to Vegas from the UK with some friends. On arriving in Vegas she was detained since they accused her of having been illegally in the US since her last visit to seattle! Apparently you are supposed to advise US immigration when you have left the country. It was all sorted out in the end, but while its funny now, at the time, my mother was treated with a complete lack of respect, was absolutely terrified and would gladly have boarded the next flight back to the UK. She did go on to have a nice holiday though.

act1980 Jun 7th 2009 8:12 am

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by immichaelcaine (Post 7634326)


Originally Posted by MB-Realtor (Post 7634725)
Another contestant refuses to sing on Britain's got Talent.

LMAO:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Oink Jun 7th 2009 12:14 pm

Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
 

Originally Posted by G77 (Post 7641228)
I cross regularly - no problem as long as you're polite and use some common sense....

Going over again tomorrow, probably jinxed myself now and the rubber gloves and KY are being prepared right now....

KY? :eek: They must think the sun shines out of your arse, sonny!


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