Beware of crossing the border! Humiliating experience
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Did u have a rental car or taking a bus.. usually ur car registration is enough to suggest u are living in canada or not..
IMO i think u are taking this too seriously by hiring a lawyer
All u need to do is go on a weekend shopping, this time armed with proof of ur job and residence details..
Quote:
Originally posted by coolvip
Quote:
Originally posted by dimple2001
If you are able/willing to share more, I'd like to ask few questions:
1. What did they ask in the primary inspection (at the booth when you pull in)?
Usually, the questions at the primary is what triggers their need to send you to the secondary.
2. Did you ask why they felt you were still working in the US?
3. What is 7A1?
As much as it is distressing to go through the experience, something triggered the event. If you are able to share, maybe I can shed some light. Take care.
I don't cross daily as a commuter anymore; however, I do cross the border often and have seen varying levels of inspection. In any case, I have always found myself being able to have a conversation and ask if things don't seem clear.
You guessed it right..It is painful to give all the details because it was humiliating...anyhow if it helps future travellers:
1) When approached the booth, something was triggerred into their system. The officer first asked me if I had ever been questioned before for carrying agricultural product which I was not. Then she told me that I was selected for random check. I am suspecting the earlier travel to US on Indian passport on different visas (like H1 and then B1/B2) and then trying to enter US on entirely different passport may have triggered something in system. Just my theory.
2) Their records were just showing the addresses where I had previously stayed and not dates..So not sure on that as well. The officer said that he will call my employer next day and after verification of my employment he will call me on the very same day. I had asked what if he does not call, how can I clarify this, he Promised he will call me next day. He never called either to my employer or myself.
3) following user answered the question on 7A1. But it is so ironic that I did not want to stay in US because of these hassles even though I had opportunities to extend visas and go thru the GC process. But they charged me for the very same reason which I never had intentions of.
Basically very first travel on Canadian passport turned into nightmare.
Bottom line: Working with US attorney. Will post an update if and when I make next attempt. But do carry couple of papers when you cross the border.
Quote:
Originally posted by coolvip
During the long weekend many of desis may be planning to cross the border. Just wanted to give the heads up that it will not be a bad idea to carry your proof of residency such as pay stub, house ownership, employment letter, etc.
I was planning a short vacation to Erie PA but it turned into a humiliating experience. I recently became Canadian citizen and thought crossing border will not be an issue on Canadian passport. I had worked in US till 2006 on h1 and have been leaving and working in Canada since then. But the officers at the immigration kept insisting that I am still working and own a property there which I don't (really glad that I did not own one). Since it was a holiday they could not contact my HR. After grueling 4 hours of wait with family, the officer said that they will not allow me to enter as they were not able to verify where I am working. And sent back with a document just written 7A1.
Not sure what happened there. I had crossed the border several times on visitor visa in Indian passport several times without any issues.
But it hits you the most when you are least expecting it. It will not harm to carry a copy of above documents in dashboard everytime you cross the border no matter how smooth it was in the past. 7A1 is a very bad charge and no one should get it especially when you are very well settled in Canada.
Enjoy the long weekend!
May be it was a mix up or had something to do with your earlier status in USA as we had no problem in crossing border yesterday as I am answering this post from New Jersey, USA.
We had our own cars so I believe they do have access to our Car Ownership records. My brother was in front with his family and I was in back and we are visiting our cousin in New Jersey, USA.
The only 3 questions the agent asked after the usual greetings when we gave our passports;
1. Are you all Canadian Citizens,
2. Where are you going and
3. When would you be back
and after hearing our Answers he said, Oh, so you two families going together and then wished us great journey. He was very nice and pleasant to talk to unlike most of the Agents you encounter most of the times.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
Posts: 2873
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 23-04-11 14:27:57
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 23-04-11 14:27:57
Quote:
Originally posted by coolvip
You guessed it right..It is painful to give all the details because it was humiliating...anyhow if it helps future travellers:
1) When approached the booth, something was triggerred into their system. The officer first asked me if I had ever been questioned before for carrying agricultural product which I was not. Then she told me that I was selected for random check. I am suspecting the earlier travel to US on Indian passport on different visas (like H1 and then B1/B2) and then trying to enter US on entirely different passport may have triggered something in system. Just my theory.
2) Their records were just showing the addresses where I had previously stayed and not dates..So not sure on that as well. The officer said that he will call my employer next day and after verification of my employment he will call me on the very same day. I had asked what if he does not call, how can I clarify this, he Promised he will call me next day. He never called either to my employer or myself.
3) following user answered the question on 7A1. But it is so ironic that I did not want to stay in US because of these hassles even though I had opportunities to extend visas and go thru the GC process. But they charged me for the very same reason which I never had intentions of.
Basically very first travel on Canadian passport turned into nightmare.
Bottom line: Working with US attorney. Will post an update if and when I make next attempt. But do carry couple of papers when you cross the border.
As someone else mentioned, did you drive your car or a rental car? Number plates are recorded every time and they know when the vehicles cross. However, if it is a rental car, that vehicle might have been pulled over for agri inspection.
Another thing is the name. If the name is common enough, that might trigger when they swipe the passport. My BIL always gets flagged when entering Canada for something Canada suspects a person of the same name did 15 or so years ago.
They don't care what passports you carry. They can check against your name and see common trends based on what you say and what they see.
Regarding calling the employer, were they saying they were going to call your Cdn employer? If so, you can check with your HR. I highly doubt they would take the time to do that.
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Dimple2001
I had been traveling a lot, crossing the border, the first time was a bit pain, even when i asked them i need water to give to my son, they follow me till my car. But the rest time very easy, sometimes they used to joke with my little one, very friendly with you when you corperate with them (By answering their questions). Once u travel more than 3 to 4 times then they dont harass u much. And wish me a good trip.
I don't know but my wild guess... Does it has something to do with your name?(Last name or first name).
Nothing against anyone ...just curious to know
In past, I have heard very often that people with specific last name and people from specific religion had to face lots of trouble in crossing borders.
Somethinh is very fishy in Coolvips story.
The real picture is not being told.
7a1 is the catch-all phrase CBP uses when it determines that you are an intending immigrant. There is a presumption that all people entering the US are intending immigrants, and it is up to you to demonstrate to the CBP inspector or Consular Officer that you are intending to make a trip only and not immigrate.
lol..
As soon as Mr Pramod read this post he went to the border to check the security..
Quote:
Originally posted by Pramod Chopra
Quote:
Originally posted by coolvip
During the long weekend many of desis may be planning to cross the border. Just wanted to give the heads up that it will not be a bad idea to carry your proof of residency such as pay stub, house ownership, employment letter, etc.
I was planning a short vacation to Erie PA but it turned into a humiliating experience. I recently became Canadian citizen and thought crossing border will not be an issue on Canadian passport. I had worked in US till 2006 on h1 and have been leaving and working in Canada since then. But the officers at the immigration kept insisting that I am still working and own a property there which I don't (really glad that I did not own one). Since it was a holiday they could not contact my HR. After grueling 4 hours of wait with family, the officer said that they will not allow me to enter as they were not able to verify where I am working. And sent back with a document just written 7A1.
Not sure what happened there. I had crossed the border several times on visitor visa in Indian passport several times without any issues.
But it hits you the most when you are least expecting it. It will not harm to carry a copy of above documents in dashboard everytime you cross the border no matter how smooth it was in the past. 7A1 is a very bad charge and no one should get it especially when you are very well settled in Canada.
Enjoy the long weekend!
May be it was a mix up or had something to do with your earlier status in USA as we had no problem in crossing border yesterday as I am answering this post from New Jersey, USA.
We had our own cars so I believe they do have access to our Car Ownership records. My brother was in front with his family and I was in back and we are visiting our cousin in New Jersey, USA.
The only 3 questions the agent asked after the usual greetings when we gave our passports;
1. Are you all Canadian Citizens,
2. Where are you going and
3. When would you be back
and after hearing our Answers he said, Oh, so you two families going together and then wished us great journey. He was very nice and pleasant to talk to unlike most of the Agents you encounter most of the times.
