Best way to avoid getting harassed by immigration?

[Robert 21]

I should just put the first few pictures of me in a lime green thong, while he bleaches his eyes I can scoot across the border

I have crossed the border dozens of times over the last few years (before covid) and not once has a border agent on either side asked to see my cell phone. Not once. Never. Where does this nonsense even come from?

STN have those Pics been posted on the Selfie Forum.... Oh My

Yes, never asked for My phone (yes I know I have Jinxed Myself)

When we say Cleanse our Phones, are we wiping the Phones, then doing a iCloud Restore?
If My iPhone has been Deleted, then I get asked for said iPhone, wouldn’t this bring about more Questions?




***BORDER OPENING SPRING 2022***

 

[Robert 21]

^^^^^ I do not even get questioned other than where are you going.

Come on, you must also get the “do you have any Alcohol, Tobacco, Weapons” questions.....





***SIR, PLEASE PULLOVER FOR INSPECTION***

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Going into the US no, coming back I am asked if I purchased anything.

 

[IamNY]

It’s been over a year since I’ve been to Canada to bang some hot Québécois girls because of the pandemic. Knowing how much it kills me to not see them, I want to make damn sure going forward that border agents have absolutely no reason to prevent me from crossing. No cell phone, no evidence.

 

[EagerBeaver]

No cell phone, no evidence.

It's a tough call, but unless you are feeling lucky, yeah. And really that is what it comes down to: do you want to roll the dice, or not? The poster of #244, on the other hand, he feels lucky, and his response to this question from Clint Eastwood would have been, "fuck you, pig, you fired 6 shots and emptied the gun, catch me if you can!" Of course such response was not given in the movie, and it would not have been a fun movie if it were the response, but if you feel lucky, like lovemilf, you ride it all the way to the Montreal Casino:

I would also suggest that if lovemilf decided to leave his phone at home and told the border agents he was going to the Casino, and they asked to see his phone and were told he does not have one with him, my response, as border agent, would be: "what's the matter, lovemilf? not feeling lucky today? Maybe you should rethink the Casino as your destination!" I would then see what lovemilf's reaction is. If it was a nervous look, I would haul his ass in to Customs office for the more intense secondary interrogation which includes the computer search for arrests and judgments etc. I had those secondary interrogations done 3-4 times, always on the Canadian side of border.

 

[RobertNYC]

It’s been over a year since I’ve been to Canada to bang some hot Québécois girls because of the pandemic. Knowing how much it kills me to not see them, I want to make damn sure going forward that border agents have absolutely no reason to prevent me from crossing. No cell phone, no evidence.

As Patron mentioned, is always smart to prepare for the worst, but you have a very small chance - minuscule really - of being interrogated when flying instead of driving. But your past posts lead me to believe you prefer the drive.

If it is any comfort, back in 2016/17, I flew up six months in a row. Literally. Not a single issue. Not one eyebrow raised in both directions. I used the “I’m going to the casino and trying to get a hockey ticket on stubhub”. I got nothing more than a “are you carrying any cash?” I usually delete my inappropriate texts, but it’s not illegal to call an escort service. Could customs make an issue after seeing escort texts? Sure. Will they? More than likely not. They’re looking for drugs, guns, trafficking and illegal business. Nobody is filling out paperwork because you want to see Candace at Euphoria unless there is something in your history to give them pause. Just don’t get caught in a lie. If they get access to deleted escort texts, tell them you had thought about taking a girl to a club or casino but all that fell through. Your buddy lied to you about how cheap it was for an evening. Too expensive, total ripoff.

My first drive into Canada solo was the only time I got 4 or 5 questions. I was naive about tight border security in friendly Canada so wasn’t anticipating any questions so I likely seemed annoyed. Coming back that trip I was asked to pop my trunk, and that took 10 seconds for a quick inspection. I’m sure I seemed annoyed again and likely did an eye roll. I know others have not been so lucky.

Just me....if you’re driving get a burner phone up there and ditch it on the way back. Not sure if that’s possible or practical for you, but you’ll have peace of mind. You would be okay I think doing nothing other than deleting texts.

Maybe I’ve watched too many crime series, maybe it’s white male privilege (kidding), maybe it’s overconfidence....but I never got nervous in those situations or give a second thought ...I just tell myself “these guys don’t give a flying fuck about someone like me”. Been right after dozens and dozens of trips.

 

[lovemilf]

As Patron mentioned, is always smart to prepare for the worst, but you have a very small chance - minuscule really - of being interrogated when flying instead of driving. But your past posts lead me to believe you prefer the drive.

If it is any comfort, back in 2016/17, I flew up six months in a row. Literally. Not a single issue. Not one eyebrow raised in both directions. I used the “I’m going to the casino and trying to get a hockey ticket on stubhub”. I got nothing more than a “are you carrying any cash?” I usually delete my inappropriate texts, but it’s not illegal to call an escort service. Could customs make an issue after seeing escort texts? Sure. Will they? More than likely not. They’re looking for drugs, guns, trafficking and illegal business. Nobody is filling out paperwork because you want to see Candace at Euphoria unless there is something in your history to give them pause. Just don’t get caught in a lie. If they get access to deleted escort texts, tell them you had thought about taking a girl to a club or casino but all that fell through. Your buddy lied to you about how cheap it was for an evening. Too expensive, total ripoff.

My first drive into Canada solo was the only time I got 4 or 5 questions. I was naive about tight border security in friendly Canada so wasn’t anticipating any questions so I likely seemed annoyed. Coming back that trip I was asked to pop my trunk, and that took 10 seconds for a quick inspection. I’m sure I seemed annoyed again and likely did an eye roll. I know others have not been so lucky.

Just me....if you’re driving get a burner phone up there and ditch it on the way back. Not sure if that’s possible or practical for you, but you’ll have peace of mind. You would be okay I think doing nothing other than deleting texts.

Maybe I’ve watched too many crime series, maybe it’s white male privilege (kidding), maybe it’s overconfidence....but I never got nervous in those situations or give a second thought ...I just tell myself “these guys don’t give a flying fuck about someone like me”. Been right after dozens and dozens of trips.

Due to buisness to take care of was going back and fourth to europe for two years. Deleted any dirty pictures on phone wiped browser history and uninstalled textme (the app i use to call and text). And logged out of Msn hotmail and uninstalled the app. Customs can look at my phone and emails all they want. Just use the Big Head you have not the Little one.

 

[inoc]

Hearing Americans complain about Canadian customs is priceless. Having crossed into the US many many times by car and having traveled throughout the world I can say US customs are unique. Remember that it's not your answer to their prying questions but your reaction under the stress that they look for. Answer with short calm obvious answers. They don't give crap to hear where you're going. They just wanna see if you'll get nervous.

US customs are great at this. Many years ago one land US customs officer once yelled at me to turn my engine off and put my keys on the dash as soon as I stopped my car. He went ballistic when I reached for my pocket and unholstered his gun and had his colleague and his dog come to my window. I proceeded to explain calmly to them that some cars now have intelligent keys that don't need to be in the ignition. To which they answered in their friendly post questioning tone. Enjoy your stay sir. To this day I still can't remember if they actually asked for my passport at all.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I am wondering if Canadian Customs will relax a little bit when the border opens back up so as to encourage rather than discourage tourism? What do you guys think? Will there be a Post-Covid "Honeymoon" during which these guys will chill out a little on the rigor of their questioning?

 

[IamNY]

No doubt that US customs are much bigger ball busters than Canadian Customs. For the most part, they need to be. But there are exceptions. I remember coming home through Vermont and having my car searched and going through my backpack asking me about and opening all of my prescription bottles. Quite excessive considering I'm a US citizen and didn't raise any red flags upon arriving.

 

[IamNY]

EB. I expect that when the borders open it’s going to be a friggen disaster. Temperature checks, vaccine passports, masks or no masks, etc. it will be a shit show. Then there’s going to be issues with the way people treat each other. This applies on both sides of the border. We’ve been shut off from the rest of the world for so long it’s gonna be some time before we are comfortable letting travelers back into our lives.

 

[EagerBeaver]

No doubt that US customs are much bigger ball busters than Canadian Customs. For the most part, they need to be.

I don't think there is any dispute about this and what inoc said about their training is true. Answers matter less than the body language with which they are given, and the guys who visibly get rattled easily are easy prey for the American Customs Officers.

There are also obscure rules. In 2010 I had $300 worth of exotic teas I had purchased in Montreal Chinatown seized because it was packaged in Ziplock bags that were not labeled. They gave me a seizure notice but didn't fine me (because I declared it) which they could have done. I was extremely upset about it, apart from being out the $300, some of which was money advanced to me by others who had asked me to get them tea after tasting what I brought back on prior trips. I was upset mainly because I had bought the tea many times previously and had declared it each time, but on the occasion they seized it they actually searched it (which they didn't do previously) and saw the tea was in unmarked ziplock bags. The Customs guy was very nasty and I was very upset. My defense was i declared it many times previously and also that it was tea the guy packed from large plastic containers in the store. The Customs guy said to me, "how do I know what is in there with no labeling? Do you really know what's in there?"
It was a losing argument on my side because the law is on the side of US Customs.

So don't make this same mistake as me, anything in the nature of a prepared food product has to be packaged and labeled. There is a federal regulation on this.

 

[EagerBeaver]

EB. I expect that when the borders open it’s going to be a friggen disaster. Temperature checks, vaccine passports, masks or no masks, etc. it will be a shit show. .

The point of reopening the borders, I would hope or think, is that we are past the shit show stage. There will be interminable delays at the border if they do this stuff and nobody will want to go to Canada if each trip is 3 hours of waiting in line and wasting time.

 

[IamNY]

The point of reopening the borders, I would hope or think, is that we are past the shit show stage. There will be interminable delays at the border if they do this stuff and nobody will want to go to Canada if each trip is 3 hours of waiting in line and wasting time.

When has there ever been a government institution that stepped up and helped getting things moving along? Although, the last thing people are probably considering this summer is international travel. So there may be considerably less people to process at the border.

 

[transatlantic]

It’s been over a year since I’ve been to Canada to bang some hot Québécois girls because of the pandemic. Knowing how much it kills me to not see them, I want to make damn sure going forward that border agents have absolutely no reason to prevent me from crossing. No cell phone, no evidence.

It this still discussing US citizen concern with CBP searching phones? If so, CBP is unlikely to search your phone unless you set off red flags. The bar triggering CBP searching a foreigner’s electronic devices is much much lower than that of a US citizen.

Once US citizenship has been satisfactory established, the inspection is over unless there are red flags from the customs side (undeclared currency/goods/narcotics etc) and that rarely justifies searching devices.

 

[transatlantic]

I don't think there is any dispute about this and what inoc said about their training is true. Answers matter less than the body language with which they are given, and the guys who visibly get rattled easily are easy prey for the American Customs Officers.

There are also obscure rules. In 2010 I had $300 worth of exotic teas I had purchased in Montreal Chinatown seized because it was packaged in Ziplock bags that were not labeled. They gave me a seizure notice but didn't fine me (because I declared it) which they could have done. I was extremely upset about it, apart from being out the $300, some of which was money advanced to me by others who had asked me to get them tea after tasting what I brought back on prior trips. I was upset mainly because I had bought the tea many times previously and had declared it each time, but on the occasion they seized it they actually searched it (which they didn't do previously) and saw the tea was in unmarked ziplock bags. The Customs guy was very nasty and I was very upset. My defense was i declared it many times previously and also that it was tea the guy packed from large plastic containers in the store. The Customs guy said to me, "how do I know what is in there with no labeling? Do you really know what's in there?"
It was a losing argument on my side because the law is on the side of US Customs.

So don't make this same mistake as me, anything in the nature of a prepared food product has to be packaged and labeled. There is a federal regulation on this.

Was it agriculture specialist that seized or just someone working customs? If the later, it could have been escalated for agriculture to make a determination. Labeled products would make things easier for everybody.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Was it agriculture specialist that seized or just someone working customs?

It was a regular Customs Agent.

 

[IamNY]

It this still discussing US citizen concern with CBP searching phones? If so, CBP is unlikely to search your phone unless you set off red flags. The bar triggering CBP searching a foreigner’s electronic devices is much much lower than that of a US citizen.

Once US citizenship has been satisfactory established, the inspection is over unless there are red flags from the customs side (undeclared currency/goods/narcotics etc) and that rarely justifies searching devices.

Not at all. It was originally about if the US border patrol had the right to take a US citizens phone. The answer for that is yes. But most of what you’ve said is correct.

 

[masterP]

A long time ago, when asked at the border where I was going, I would just say I was going to Chez Diane for a few hours and then returning home (which I was). They would usually just smile or laugh a little and wave me through.

 

[gll]

I have also crossed the border dozens of times by car in the past 20 years and never been asked for my phone. In fact never had anything in my car inspected. They ask the standard questions and then let me pass. Many years ago i must have had a red flag on my record (failed to report to immigration in a timely manner after moving to toronto) and they would pull me over for further questioning when i crossed the border