Will Canadians make it to Inzane? US border guards arbitrarily blocking entry.

[Gryphon Rider]

These kinds of stories are getting more and more common.  White Canadians better make sure they stay away from the tanning booth before attempting to cross the border, and Canadians of non-European descent should bleach their skin and change their names to European-sounding names.  And you dare not have a drug conviction, even if pardoned and decades-old.

Canadian citizen denied entry to U.S. told she needed visa to get in

A Montrealer who is a Canadian citizen by birth says she was barred from entering the United States and told to get a valid visa if she ever wants to cross the border. Manpreet Kooner said she was turned away at a crossing along the Quebec-Vermont border on Sunday after a six-hour wait where she was fingerprinted, photographed and questioned before being refused. She said she was told she was an immigrant without a valid U.S. visa.

Kooner, 30, is of Indian descent and was born in Montreal to parents who came to Canada from India in the 1960s and have lived in the same LaSalle district duplex for decades.

There have been several reports of Canadians encountering issues at the U.S. border, including a Canadian Muslim woman from Quebec who believes she was denied entry because of her religion.

Kooner said she’s perplexed given she was travelling on a Canadian passport and has no criminal record. The only issue she had was a computer glitch that prevented her from crossing into New York State for 24 hours in December. Kooner didn’t think much of that snafu until Sunday when she was stopped at Highgate Springs as she was travelling with two white girlfriends. Her friends were not questioned but she was asked about the December incident. “At the end of it, they told me I was not allowed going in and that I would need a visa if I ever went in the States again,” Kooner said.

Kooner claims the border agent told her, “I know you might feel like you’re being Trumped,” in reference to U.S. President Donald Trump – a statement she found odd.

Kooner went to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, as suggested at the border, and was told the situation was “odd” and that a visa isn’t necessary for Canadians.

“Maybe there is no valid reason, maybe this is something that I can’t shake because I’m born like this,” Kooner said of her skin colour.

Calgary man warning others after ‘humiliating’ experience at U.S. border crossing

Bill McLevin’s planned holiday to Phoenix ended when he tried to get across the border into Montana at the Coutts, Alta. crossing on Saturday. The 66-year-old Calgary man said he’s been to the United States a half dozen times in the past 40 years by air and car with no problems. But this time, he said he was asked if he had a criminal record.

“I said, ‘yes, I have a pardon.’ The next thing I know, they are pulling me into the front office,” McLevin said.

McLevin was charged with drug trafficking 43 year ago and spent four months in jail. He got a pardon 10 years later. At the border crossing, he said he was photographed, had his fingerprints taken and was denied access.

”It made me feel like I was a real criminal again,” McLevin said.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  I guess the silver lining is they weren't arrested and deported to Syria.

[Moonshot_1]

No one truly knows the details of either story posted. But from the stories I see that in the first one the woman had previously been detained due a computer issue. Is it possible that this computer issue now requires her to have a visa for entry? Granted not her fault but clearly there were other possible reasons for such a change in her status other than her skin color for denying her entry.

Story #2 has the guy being asked about a criminal record. No where in the story does it say what the policy is for entry into the US with a criminal record. I know he says he was "pardoned" but I'm not sure if this means absolved of the crime or simply means sentence was served. Just don't know what the  legal term actually means in Canada. But again, the actual policy isn't presented in the story.
This might be normal policy.

In any event, highlighting a handful of incidents and oddities, likely at the rate it occurs everyday, hardly qualifies as Guards arbitrarily denying entry to the extent that it is a concerning trend.

[Gryphon Rider]

No one truly knows the details of either story posted. But from the stories I see that in the first one the woman had previously been detained due a computer issue. Is it possible that this computer issue now requires her to have a visa for entry? Granted not her fault but clearly there were other possible reasons for such a change in her status other than her skin color for denying her entry.

Story #2 has the guy being asked about a criminal record. No where in the story does it say what the policy is for entry into the US with a criminal record. I know he says he was "pardoned" but I'm not sure if this means absolved of the crime or simply means sentence was served. Just don't know what the  legal term actually means in Canada. But again, the actual policy isn't presented in the story.
This might be normal policy.

In any event, highlighting a handful of incidents and oddities, likely at the rate it occurs everyday, hardly qualifies as Guards arbitrarily denying entry to the extent that it is a concerning trend.

I only quoted the first parts of the stories.  If you click through, you will get more information.  The arbitrary part is that there is no way of knowing when something will cause trouble entering the US.  It might be a computer glitch, it might be the mood of the officer, it might be something (pardoned crime, in this case) that wasn't an issue the last X number of times suddenly becomes an issue.

[Serk]

Roughly 300,000 people a day cross that border.

There's always gonna be some abnormalities.

That doesn't make it right, but it is pretty much par for the course.

I've been profiled by the Canadian side for being a Texan, had 'em rip everything out of the minivan, break things, throw stuff on the ground, etc, just determined that I was trying to smuggle some of my freedom into Canada. (This was 20+ years ago, and no I wasn't bringing any freedom with me, I knew better and left it all at home, and was polite and gave no attitude to said agents.)

*Shrug* Those things happen sometimes, both sides. Nothing out of the ordinary or new about that.

[hubcapsc]

Me and Carolyn went up there after we got married (a lot
of her family is from there)... we were in a pickup truck with
two dirt bikes in the bed and came back with a u-haul added
that had a bunch of furniture from the house her mother grew
up in in it... I had fun with the Canadian agents on the way
back into the country... "where you from?"... "Saf Coliner."... they
looked around in the U-haul and sent us on...

Another time, I was with Carolyn's mother (this was before 9/11)...
I got to her mother's house around 5am and moved my stuff from
my car to her mother's car. I left my wallet in my car. The US agents
picked us to do a heavy search on... they were all through the trunk
rooting around in her mother's suitcase, looked through everything
in the car. They never asked me who I was, though...

-Mike

[..]

This TV series and others like it show the ups and downs of border crossings around the world

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2518480/

The 2 examples above are pretty typical of what could happen.

DUI in the USA you are not crossing into Canada.

Drug conviction in the USA you are not crossing into Canada.

[Gryphon Rider]

This TV series and others like it show the ups and downs of border crossings around the world

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2518480/

The 2 examples above are pretty typical of what could happen.

DUI in the USA you are not crossing into Canada.

Drug conviction in the USA you are not crossing into Canada.

It's not as harsh as that. E.g. if the crime you are convicted of would have a maximum sentence of less than ten years in Canada, your sentence is served, and you have kept your nose clean for ten years since, you are deemed rehabilitated and can enter Canada.

http://immigrationcanada.pro/criminal-issues/

Roughly 300,000 people a day cross that border.

There's always gonna be some abnormalities.

That doesn't make it right, but it is pretty much par for the course.

I've been profiled by the Canadian side for being a Texan, had 'em rip everything out of the minivan, break things, throw stuff on the ground, etc, just determined that I was trying to smuggle some of my freedom into Canada. (This was 20+ years ago, and no I wasn't bringing any freedom with me, I knew better and left it all at home, and was polite and gave no attitude to said agents.)

*Shrug* Those things happen sometimes, both sides. Nothing out of the ordinary or new about that.

The frequency of arbitrary and discriminatory refusal of entry seems to be increasing.  Whether or not the numbers bear that out, your president's proclamations have made the rest of the world hyper aware of the problems that people, who are playing by the rules, are experiencing.

[..]

This TV series and others like it show the ups and downs of border crossings around the world

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2518480/

The 2 examples above are pretty typical of what could happen.

DUI in the USA you are not crossing into Canada.

Drug conviction in the USA you are not crossing into Canada.

It's not as harsh as that. E.g. if the crime you are convicted of would have a maximum sentence of less than ten years in Canada, your sentence is served, and you have kept your nose clean for ten years since, you are deemed rehabilitated and can enter Canada.

http://immigrationcanada.pro/criminal-issues/

Then the customs agents shown in the TV series need to be advised of the correct procedure 

[Serk]

seems to be increasing

Stop believing the media narrative...

March 2015 - https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/03/disney-vacation-turns-to-nightmare-for-mississauga-family.html

October 2015 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-family-denied-entry-into-u-s-held-at-border-for-7-hours-1.3269341

November 2013 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/canadian-woman-refused-u-s-entry-because-of-depression-1.2444960

September 2016 - http://www.mintpressnews.com/canadian-denied-entry-us-admitting-past-pot-use/220214/

Tons more pre-Trump examples.

You're being emotionally manipulated by the media.

[..]

seems to be increasing

Stop believing the media narrative...

March 2015 - https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/03/disney-vacation-turns-to-nightmare-for-mississauga-family.html

October 2015 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-family-denied-entry-into-u-s-held-at-border-for-7-hours-1.3269341

November 2013 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/canadian-woman-refused-u-s-entry-because-of-depression-1.2444960

September 2016 - http://www.mintpressnews.com/canadian-denied-entry-us-admitting-past-pot-use/220214/

Tons more pre-Trump examples.

You're being emotionally manipulated by the media.

If the initial post was a reference to Trump it went completely over my head having seen many examples on REAL TV of US and Canadians citizens being refused entry.

I thought it was just a kinda update on what can happen at the border.

It's been going on for years nothing to do with Trump.

[Alberta Patriot]

Be prepared...Remove Sun Glasses, shut off your vehicle, have your Up to Date Passport ready to produce...speak clearly...and respectfully and be ready to state your reason for visiting, destination and duration of stay...these guys live a boring tedious day in a 4'X4' booth for hours on end and hear every bullshit story known to man, so spare them that...if you have a criminal record...good luck!!

[Romeo]

Here's the thing folks. No one who isn't a citizen of The United States of America has any right to entry to this nation. They never have had that right. i know that some of the more enlightened among us see this as a problem. Historically Canadians and Americans have enjoyed what is possibly the most accommodating border in the history of the world, but both nations have always reserved the right to determine who enters their respective nation. Unfortunately we live in an age where we must curtail certain privelidges to insure ourselves a little more security for our citizens. Hopefully, in the not too distant future we can return to those more graceful  and  peaceful times. I certainly hope so.

[Gavin_Sons]

I'm sure none of you Canadians will have a problem crossing the border for a week or 2. 300k + people cross the border each day and only a few have a problem. And out of that few are a few cry babies that felt inconvenienced and went public with their story. Quit listening to the media and the liberals and come enjoy our country.

[Pete]

Have crossed a lot of borders in my lifetime, repeatedly. Mostly business travel.

Crossing into Canada from the US has been the most trouble and has consistently gotten worse over the years.

I have no pity for the crossing guards or the country, and to be honest I do not care if I ever visit Canada again.

There schemes of profiling and repeated leading questions are some of the silliest I have ever seen used at a border crossing and the most ineffective. 

You could slip a neon ox by most Canadian border crossing guards.

I will never forget going into Canada with a declared shotgun. The guard kept referring to it as a rifle, over and over. I finally just said ok call it what you want and he was happy with that. He never checked it or ask to see it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Here's the thing folks. No one who isn't a citizen of The United States of America has any right to entry to this nation. They never have had that right. i know that some of the more enlightened among us see this as a problem. Historically Canadians and Americans have enjoyed what is possibly the most accommodating border in the history of the world, but both nations have always reserved the right to determine who enters their respective nation. Unfortunately we live in an age where we must curtail certain privelidges to insure ourselves a little more security for our citizens. Hopefully, in the not too distant future we can return to those more graceful  and  peaceful times. I certainly hope so.

I didn't see where anybody said anything contrary to that. I think the issue was how they were dealt with. If a Border Agent refers to it as being "trumped" there must be something new going on.

[msb]

Historically Canadians and Americans have enjoyed what is possibly the most accommodating border in the history of the world, but both nations have always reserved the right to determine who enters their respective nation. Unfortunately we live in an age where we must curtail certain privelidges to insure ourselves a little more security for our citizens. Hopefully, in the not too distant future we can return to those more graceful  and  peaceful times.

                ^^^^^THIS ^^^^^

I have and still do travel extensively back and forth across the Canada/US border...both riding/driving and flying. Personally, I have nothing to hide either in my present or past history, so usually don't have a problem. I have however, experienced boarder guards on BOTH sides of the fence that were for whatever reason at an increased height of alert, not very professional in their duties, or as has been previously suggested just plain bored and looking for something to "do" and were what I would consider "excessive" in their approach. There are also plenty of stories of either ignorance or biases being being exhibited by both Canadian and US border agents when dealing with citizens from either country crossing back and forth. It's really pointless to trade instances back & forth to try and show one side is more unfair than the other....I don't think that's the case.
It's a fact of life...it can happen if you cross the border more than once in a long while...to anyone. If you've got something to hide, it's your own fault. If you've got nothing to hide, then you may just have to put up with it now and then. Personally, in today's climate I would rather see border security a little tougher than too lenient..... as long as they don't delay me on my way to or returning from Valhalla and Inzane in June of course...

[Gavin_Sons]

Here's the thing folks. No one who isn't a citizen of The United States of America has any right to entry to this nation. They never have had that right. i know that some of the more enlightened among us see this as a problem. Historically Canadians and Americans have enjoyed what is possibly the most accommodating border in the history of the world, but both nations have always reserved the right to determine who enters their respective nation. Unfortunately we live in an age where we must curtail certain privelidges to insure ourselves a little more security for our citizens. Hopefully, in the not too distant future we can return to those more graceful  and  peaceful times. I certainly hope so.

I didn't see where anybody said anything contrary to that. I think the issue was how they were dealt with. If a Border Agent refers to it as being "trumped" there must be something new going on.

How come every time I see something you post it sounds like charlie browns teacher. Wawawa wa wawa wawawawa. Or is that just in my head?  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Here's the thing folks. No one who isn't a citizen of The United States of America has any right to entry to this nation. They never have had that right. i know that some of the more enlightened among us see this as a problem. Historically Canadians and Americans have enjoyed what is possibly the most accommodating border in the history of the world, but both nations have always reserved the right to determine who enters their respective nation. Unfortunately we live in an age where we must curtail certain privelidges to insure ourselves a little more security for our citizens. Hopefully, in the not too distant future we can return to those more graceful  and  peaceful times. I certainly hope so.

I didn't see where anybody said anything contrary to that. I think the issue was how they were dealt with. If a Border Agent refers to it as being "trumped" there must be something new going on.

How come every time I see something you post it sounds like charlie browns teacher. Wawawa wa wawa wawawawa. Or is that just in my head?  

You could always put me back on your blocked list. Win, Win for everybody. 

[..]

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/us-donald-trump-refugees-fleeing-america-canada-border-crossing-justin-trudeau-a7604781.html

[old2soon]

As an over the road trucker Canadian Customs and the border folks pissed me off once. After that little piss off I NEVER took another truck into Canada. Different companies I drove for tried/attempted to get me to take loads to Canada without success. Asked them-are you FORCING me to go to a foreign country? If that didn't sway them I gave them the number of my Barrister. THAT always ended the argument in my favor. Just could NOT see my way clear for That level of harassment. And before I retired passports were needed to go to Canada. I'm thinking today a lot of this tempest in a teacup can be laid at the doorstep of the lame stream media. RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

Interesting, but things work both ways.   As told to me by my good friend who I have no doubt is telling me the truth.

A close friend and his son were to go fishing at some remote lake in Canada, when he tried to cross, he was stopped and questioned and then denied entry into Canada because thirty + years earlier, he was convicted of writing a hot check.   He lost his deposit on the cabin he had already paid for, the boat rental and all.   He was not a happy camper so, I guess both sides are getting picky. This was two or three years ago.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Interesting, but things work both ways.   As told to me by my good friend who I have no doubt is telling me the truth.

A close friend and his son were to go fishing at some remote lake in Canada, when he tried to cross, he was stopped and questioned and then denied entry into Canada because thirty + years earlier, he was convicted of writing a hot check.   He lost his deposit on the cabin he had already paid for, the boat rental and all.   He was not a happy camper so, I guess both sides are getting picky. This was two or three years ago.

I think it's been like that for years. I know of friends who were turned back at the border for weed convictions, DUI convictions 30 years or more back.

[Jess from VA]

I crossed in Detroit/Windsor or Mt Clemens/Sarnia 50 times.  I never had a problem (or a passport).

They never asked, and I never told them about my conviction at 17 for Minor in Possession of Beer.

It was good Canadian beer, not that watery American stuff.         (ironic, no?)

Course this was some decades ago.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I crossed in Detroit/Windsor or Mt Clemens/Sarnia 50 times.  I never had a problem (or a passport).

They never asked, and I never told them about my conviction at 17 for Minor in Possession of Beer.

It was good Canadian beer, not that watery American stuff.         (ironic, no?)

Course this was some decades ago.  

Possibly because a minor ? Do those offenses show with a drivers license check ? The guys that I knew that were turned back didn't volunteer any info. But we're busted when they ran their license.

[Jess from VA]

I don't really know, but I doubt it.  Not a drivers license check, maybe NCIC.  I do know that my conviction predated any type of computer database, and was last seen as a paper file upstairs in a fire hall, which was the local courthouse.  I think it was destroyed and never added to any database (whether because I was a minor, or just for expediency).  Seventeen is a minor some places for some things, and not for others.  The fine was $58.   

I think it exists nowhere.  Except I fully revealed it to law school admissions, to take the State Bar exam, to be admitted to the State Bar, to enter the USAF, to get a USAF security clearance, and to be employed at USDVA. 

I probably could have checked no in every case, but that is far worse than the conviction itself. 

[gregk]

Hope next time I ho to Canada I don't need a Visa to get back  in .My Great Grandparents came from Austria. I d have to trade my bike for a fish pole.

[Rams]

If a Border Agent refers to it as being "trumped" there must be something new going on.

Could it be that the particular "border agent" is or was a Sanders or Clinton supporter?
That possibility does exist ya know.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

If a Border Agent refers to it as being "trumped" there must be something new going on.

Could it be that the particular "border agent" is or was a Sanders or Clinton supporter?
That possibility does exist ya know.   

Oh, I know. It's possible he didn't even say that. Just going by what was said in the story.