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Dont be too hard on these border agents as they have a big responsibility for protecting a country.
Take all the time you need and inconvenience me if you feel the need is my attitude
Dont be too hard on these border agents as they have a big responsibility for protecting a country.
Take all the time you need and inconvenience me if you feel the need is my attitude
I agree - I feel the same way about people whining about the "violation of privacy" with the new body scanners in airports. I could care less if they see all my assets - to me it is a fair trade-off if it helps them catch the lunatic trying to board a flight with a bomb strapped to his underwear!!! Scan away baby!!
No problem with being subjected to strict checks aimed at weeding out the bad guys. I just wish they spent more attention on that and less on determining whether the shiny sneakers my daughter is wearing on her feet are not worn enough and suggest that we actually bought them in Syracuse instead of her wearing them when we first crossed into the States...
just the other day - in fact it was my birthday - my husband and I were crossing the Vermont border to go to Montreal. We live 7 miles from the border and in the 12 years we have lived here we have been to Canada dozens and dozens of times. Our dentist is in Canada as well. Nothing eventful.
Until...................
I have a 30 year old arrest. One time only. 30 years for shoplifting.
Well lo and behold they found it just the other day (1981) and put me through the wringer. Ruined my birthday of course. I had no idea that after all this tiime this would happens. It did.
They let us go but beware what I have since learned.
Once they discover anything and I mean ANYTHING, no matter how distant the offense was, you have no rights at all. They can and will refuse entry. I am told even people with expensive and time consuming pardons are still denied.
It is a one crime fits all. Very disturbing situation.
Please understand though that this has all come about because of 9/11 and the push by Homeland Security to have Canadian authorities 'prove' we take border security seriously.
Your country has always had a 'prior criminal record refusal' facility in place with many folks up here denied entry for being arrested while taking part of a protest or juvenile crime activity. A friend in his sixties still presents his "pink" card that ascertains his application and acceptance for the "deemed rehabilitated" designation from a juvenile offence when he was 16 years old. He still undergoes the "inside the building and over the counter scrutiny" each and every time he crosses into the U.S.
The situation becomes even worse if you have had a conviction for DUI, which is considered a "felony" conviction in Canada while a misdemeanor down south. If you have this but answer "no" to the "any arrests or convictions" question YOU'VE LIED, unwittingly perhaps, but in the eyes of the agent you're one strike down and that's all some of them will tolerate.
It's not just a Canadian thing but works the same both sides.
No problem with being subjected to strict checks aimed at weeding out the bad guys. I just wish they spent more attention on that and less on determining whether the shiny sneakers my daughter is wearing on her feet are not worn enough and suggest that we actually bought them in Syracuse instead of her wearing them when we first crossed into the States...
This was (perhaps still is) the singular and most repugnant "mission statement" behind Canadian Border Services for untold years; that of making sure all the applicable tax revenue was paid by us sneaky Canadian citizens returning form a shopping jaunt across the border.
Many of us still bristle at memories of those times we were treated as "guilty" of smuggling with the onus of proof of innocence on our part.
Border patrol guards have access to NCIC (National crime......) and once they discover anything misdemeanor or felony, it is downloaded onto your file.
So if they check - you are now in deep crap.
I too believe multiple offenses, violent crimes, convictions and imprisonment should be taken much more seriously. But a one time misdemeanor should not be treated the same as above. But as I said one crime fits all.
best,
s
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you are so right
