Hassled at the border.

[Roadtripr]

Just to be clear, this was asked at the drive up window, not during an "extended" immigration check.

Not at the window. Inside.

Border guards at the window may ask you to go inside for a more extensive background check. I'm sure they would do this if you are suspicious, but they also randomly select people. I have been through this check twice in the many years of crossing the Canadian border.

They will take you passports and run some checks through their system. After we came out "clean" is when they shoot out the "trick question". It comes across as a, "Oh, by the way" type question as they are handing you back your passports so it could catch some people off guard. They make sound as if you're all clear no matter what you answer by the way they deliver the question. Both times I was brought inside the office the question was asked and asked in the same manner.

 

[IamNY]

Not at the window. Inside.

Border guards at the window may ask you to go inside for a more extensive background check. I'm sure they would do this if you are suspicious, but they also randomly select people. I have been through this check twice in the many years of crossing the Canadian border.

They will take you passports and run some checks through their system. After we came out "clean" is when they shoot out the "trick question". It comes across as a, "Oh, by the way" type question as they are handing you back your passports so it could catch some people off guard. They make sound as if you're all clear no matter what you answer by the way they deliver the question. Both times I was brought inside the office the question was asked and asked in the same manner.

Understood, and I'll leave this alone, but I just want to be clear. I know that your saying inside, I'm just clarifying that I was NOT inside, I was OUTSIDE at the window when the question was asked.

Thanks.

 

[hungry101]

Please do not mention hobbying or escorts or anything like that - legal or not. One must not raise the profile of these things. Its drawing far too much attention already, thanks to the misguided challenge to the prostitution laws in the courts leading to them being thrown out and laid at the door step of a conservative government for reformulation.

Some folks just do not get it that other than the legal issues there is also a political aspect to this.
We had a good thing going here under the radar and now all that is in shambles. The last thing we need is the State Department weighing in.

Also escorting is strictly not legal the way it is carried out.

This is a good point. I just said I went to a few strip clubs. That is believable for a short trip.

... discretion please everybody ...

BTW - I just spent about 6 hours in Tijuana and the car I was in wasn't even stopped on the way over and on the way back I wasn't asked one question. Not one! Nada!!!!. I don't get it.

Oh and yes I was there in pursuit of prostitutes

 

[Special K]

BTW - I just spent about 6 hours in Tijuana and the car I was in wasn't even stopped on the way over and on the way back I wasn't asked one question. Not one! Nada!!!!. I don't get it.

Oh and yes I was there in pursuit of prostitutes

How'd that work out for ya, any GFE's in Tijuana?

 

[hungry101]

Spec K

Here is my report.

https://merb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?93859-Xmas-In-Tijuana&p=777622&viewfull=1#post777622

I would do it again but you just can`t beat Montreal for consistent GFE behavior.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Not at all true, my best friends brother who lives in the states had a dui in California when he was 22 and has always been up front about it when crossing into Canada at customs/immigration and has not ONCE been denied entry and thats been over 100 trips and counting. What they look at is how long ago an arrest was made and his was over 20 years ago and likely why they dont deny him.

However, a friend of his was traveling with him once for a concert in i believe it was Ottawa and that friend had a domestic dispute arrest on his record from just a couple years ago at the time and the only way he could get into the country was to pay a "pardon into Canada fee" right there on the spot for something like $500, and it was valid for 3 years.

Sometimes that question is asked specifically about DUI/OUI (Driving Under the Influence). If you say YES to that question, have a lovely weekend back at HOME. Entry into Canada will be DENIED. Convicted, Charges Dropped. It does not matter.

 

[Roadtripr]

However, a friend of his was traveling with him once for a concert in i believe it was Ottawa and that friend had a domestic dispute arrest on his record from just a couple years ago at the time and the only way he could get into the country was to pay a "pardon into Canada fee" right there on the spot for something like $500, and it was valid for 3 years.

I really have know reason to doubt you but it sounds a bit fishy. Sounds more like a "bribe" than a pardon fee.

I was curious so of course, I Googled it. According to the link below an "Instant pardon", it doesn't sound possible. Nor does a valid for 3 year pardon. The description sounds like either you are pardoned or not, rather than a free pass for a few years.

But what do I know? Fortunately, I don't need to and hope to keep it that way.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5312ETOC.asp

Maybe it was a "Pardon me, while I look the other way".

 

[EagerBeaver]

How about a good ole fashioned shakedown? In Mexico the cops pull you over for no reason if you stray from the tourist areas and they see you in a tourist rental vehicle. Your ass stays pulled over until you fork over some dough. $20 usually does the trick, but some may hold out for more. Who is to say that the Canadian border guard did not make up the "instant pardon", then gave Iggy's buddy some dummied up paperwork, and pocketed the cash? Probably figured he would not be back, was going to a concert one time and after the 3 years he wwould then be ripe for another shakedown.

BTW I researched this on the State Department website and it says a DUI is cured with a "waiver of exclusion" and you have to go to the Canadian consulate to get one:

http://canada.usembassy.gov/traveling_to_canada/entering-canada.html

I heard that the cost is $300 so what the border guard may have done to Iggy's friend is given him a waiver of exclusion that normally would cost $300 for $500, and pocketed the $200 difference as an "expedited fee." Court reporters do the same thing for deposition transcripts.

 

[lgna69xxx]

He was not my buddy, but it turned out to be one hell of a expensive concert for him. As far as my friends brother, with the dui over 20 years ago, from what i understand when he has had to go inside they always ask if he has any arrests (as I am sure they do with anyone being detained) and they run his license to find out the date he got it and never once gave him a problem since it was so long ago, people make mistakes but time helps heal all wounds they say, right? Of course always be polite to the agents at all times.

 

[TheMainMan]

Hey,

I got arrested once for pot possession approximately 10 years ago, I was young and stupid I guess. In the end nothing happened because I received a letter from a prosecutor telling me that I was getting a "non judicial" treatment", so I wouldn't have to show up to court of whatever... that was the end of it. When they arrested me they did not take pictures, fingerprint etc. They just made me sit at the back of the police car for approx. 5 mins. Now every time I cross the US border I'm worried that I could be de denied access. Since the arrest I have crossed the border on at least 6-7 occasions and never had a problem. Same thing for my friend that was me when we got arrested. I'm just wondering if I could get turned back at the border because of that stupid arrest? Do the customs agents even know that I got arrested in the past when they scan my passport? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[EagerBeaver]

My private investigator has access to a database that will tell me if anyone has ever been arrested. I had a client who was a 16 year old kid that was arrested for stealing an iPod and I eventually got the charges against him dropped, but he showed up in the arrest record database. Whether customs agents have access to the same database is anyone's guess but in light of the NSA shenanigans, I would not be surprised.

If you are directly asked if you were ever arrested and are caught lying, it could be a problem. One time coming back into the USA I had about $300 worth of tea I purchased in Chinatown I seized due to it being packaged in unmarked ziploc baggies as opposed to labelled packages with ingredients. It was loose pack tea purchased from a tea merchant. I had declared it and the customs agent told me if I had not declared it would have been a $300 fine on top of losing the tea.

 

[Roadtripr]

I got arrested once for pot possession approximately 10 years ago, I was young and stupid I guess.

From link posted above.

Were you convicted as a juvenile?

In Canada, a young offender is someone who is 12 years of age or older but less than 18 years of age.

You are not inadmissible if you: (double-negative... so you are admissible)

• were convicted in Canada under the Young Offenders Act or the Youth Criminal Justice Act, unless you received an adult sentence,

• 
  were treated as a young offender in a country which has special provisions for young offenders, or were convicted in a country which does not have special provisions for young offenders but the circumstances of your conviction are such that you would not have received an adult sentence in Canada.
  

Sounds like you are OK. If this describes your circumstance. :thumb:

 

[TheMainMan]

That's the problem here, I was 21 years old not a juvenile.

 

[daydreamer41]

There may be some confusion over admissibility. They separate indictable and summarily offenses. I would guess possession of pot if is a small amount would be summarily. Therefore 5 years would need to pass. You said 10 years so I think you would be admissible. Indictable would be selling it? Any Canadian lawyers here? Y

If you go to the website http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5312ETOC.asp#5312E3 , they explain the following:

Overcoming criminal inadmissibility
Convictions / offences outside Canada

If you were convicted of or committed a criminal offence outside Canada, you may overcome this criminal inadmissibility

by applying for rehabilitation, or

you may be deemed to have been rehabilitated if at least ten years have passed since you completed the sentence imposed upon you, or since you committed the offence, if the offence is one that would, in Canada, be an indictable offence punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of less than ten years.

If the offence is one that would, in Canada, be prosecuted summarily, and if you were convicted for two (2) or more such offences, the period for rehabilitation is at least five (5) years after the sentences imposed were served or are to be served.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Like i said, "time heals all wounds" (usually) Rule of thumb, NEVER lie to a border agent under any circumstances and ALWAYS be polite.

 

[EagerBeaver]

U.S. Supreme Court Rules 9-0 That Cops Must Have Search Warrant To Search Your Cell

Border agents may not search your cellphone without a warrant:

http://us.cnn.com/2014/06/25/justice/supreme-court-cell-phones/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

 

[CWipes]

That refers to US border agents/LE but what about Canadian border agents/LE?

 

[EagerBeaver]

That refers to US border agents/LE but what about Canadian border agents/LE?

It depends on whether it is before or after you are allowed into Canada. When they ask to search the cellphone, your response should be: "excuse me but have I been allowed into Canada at this time or am I technically still in US territory, awaiting your permission to enter Canada?" If the response is that you have not been allowed into Canada, then you tell them your cellphone cannot be searched under US law without a warrant. At that point they will drop it.

If they consider you to be on Canadian soil, that decision will not help you.

As the saying goes nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[sterlingrays]

Just got Global Entry. Do you get asked less questions when driving through a Nexus lane?

 

[tiannas]

Do you get asked less questions when driving through a Nexus lane?

In my experience, usually. However you will still run into that one guy who will want to ask a bunch of questions once in a while. Or your vehicle will get flagged for a random inspection and you will be detained while they check it out. (This has happened to me twice in about 13 years of using Nexus...I've been in the program since it's inception.)