Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Jun 4th 2009 | 5:22 am
#46
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10,146
From: St. John's, Newfoundland
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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 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?
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!
Jun 4th 2009 | 5:31 am
#47
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40,070
From: Ontario
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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.
Jun 4th 2009 | 5:52 am
#48
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 298
From: Morris Park, New York
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Jun 4th 2009 | 7:44 am
#49
RETIRED Realtor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,087
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Jun 4th 2009 | 7:59 am
#50
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,001
From: MB rural.
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.
Last edited by jamesmc; Jun 4th 2009 at 8:01 am. Reason: oops spelling.
Jun 6th 2009 | 9:14 am
#51
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,001
From: MB rural.
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..
Jun 6th 2009 | 10:12 am
#52
RETIRED Realtor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,087
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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.
Jun 6th 2009 | 3:20 pm
#53
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,374
From: Windsor, ON
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....
Going over again tomorrow, probably jinxed myself now and the rubber gloves and KY are being prepared right now....
Jun 6th 2009 | 6:11 pm
#54
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 185
From: The Bridge
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Ive always found the septics to be better than the cannucks
Jun 7th 2009 | 6:00 am
#55
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
We had a our first trip over the border today into the USA. My! What an experience that was 
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.
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.
Jun 7th 2009 | 6:03 am
#56
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
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.
Jun 7th 2009 | 6:12 am
#57
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
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.
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.
Jun 7th 2009 | 8:12 am
#58
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,830
From: UK
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
Jun 7th 2009 | 12:14 pm
#59
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: Crossing The USA Border - Experiences?
They must think the sun shines out of your arse, sonny!
