Canadian Accused of Stealing US Jobs

[Reba]

A B.C. sales representative who markets equestrian products in Canada was barred from crossing the U.S. border to attend a trade show last month by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who accused him of trying to steal American jobs.

"He looked at me, and in a yelling voice he said, 'You're friggin' stealing jobs away from American citizens,' and I tried telling him that I wasn't," Joel Borsteinas told CBC News.

Borsteinas, a Canadian citizen, said he's been in business for 15 years, acting as a middleman between U.S. and Canadian suppliers of western wear and equestrian products and Canadian retailers who want to stock the products.

He said he goes to the U.S. half a dozen times a year to attend trade shows and meet with suppliers who want him to market their products to retailers north of the border. They pay him a commission for every Canadian order he sends to them.

Sumas border crossing where Joel Borsteinas was interrogated, fingerprinted and turned back. (CBC)
On Feb. 26, Borsteinas said, he was on his way to a trade show in Oregon when he was pulled over at the border and questioned for an hour before being refused entry. He said he's never been stopped at the border before, and he said he always tells the truth about where he is going and why.

"Anybody that buys off an American distribution company or an American manufacturer company has some sort of a liaison in Canada," said Borsteinas.

'I'm creating American jobs'
"I'm creating American jobs. The (U.S.) companies that I actually work for — I have been in touch with them all — and they still think that this is absolutely crazy."

Borsteinas said the border officer who refused to allow him entry to the U.S. was the supervisor on duty at the time at the Sumas crossing in southwestern B.C.

"I said, 'Well, I don't actually bring the products in. I just write the orders. It's all in Canada,'" said Borsteinas.

'You are stealing jobs away from us.'
— Joel Borsteinas, quoting U.S. border protection officer"He says, 'Oh, you are a consultant, then.' I says, 'No — I'm just a salesman. I sell to Canadian stores.' And he says 'Nope, you are a consultant,'" said Borsteinas. "Once again, he says 'You are stealing jobs away from us.'"

Borsteinas said he was then fingerprinted and sent back into Canada. The border officer warned him if he tried to enter the U.S. on business again, he should expect to be prosecuted.

"He said if I ever come down to the U.S. again with the intentions of working, I will be arrested," said Borsteinas.

The Rest of the Sordid Story Here

sheesh!

[CanuckAbroad]

That's insane. Those border guards have way too much power. I'd like to see him back up those accusations with any kind of fact (or logic and reason for that matter).

[irakon]

In the time of crisis, not very bright people feel better when they can blame an outsider for the problems. Incidents like this one don't help US-Canada relationship. I hope that officer gets a lecture from his superior

[Steven]

If it's true, these things can get blown out of proportion sometimes. Anyway, the CBP agent acted illegally if that's true and will have his own job problems shortly.