Decreasing My Chances of Getting Harassed at the Border

I'm a Canadian citizen (albeit a member of a minority group), and six months ago, I made a quick, impulse trip to Cleveland to see my boyfriend (it's complicated). I didn't plan it out at all as I've never had any troubles with crossing the border. I got harassed and questioned for ages, and I became visibly upset (I've been to over 21 countries before - I've never been treated like that ever by any border guards). They eventually let me through. Looking back to it now, I can see why they gave me trouble - I had no return ticket, no hotel reservations, and at the time, I was living with my parents waiting for my admission to grad school.

I'm going to visit my boyfriend again this weekend, and I'd really, really like it if I don't get the same treatment I got before. I intend on having a folder with all of my return bus tickets, my hotel reservations, and my football tickets. I was also thinking of bringing a copy of my lease and utilities (well, phone/cable/internet as I live in a flat) as well as my proof of enrollment from my uni. Would having those with me help with the whole not-getting-harassed thing? Would it look suspect that I'm bringing all those stuff with me? Or would they just chock it up to me being prepared?

I only plan on staying until Tuesday. My other concern is the fact that I haven't seen the BF in person since my last trip...they gave me a hard time about that before, and I know they're possibly going to give me a hard time again because it's not "natural" to not see your significant other for six months at a time.

Should I just not even mention him and just say I'm crossing as a tourist? Though, the last time, when I said I was crossing to see a "friend", the BP essentially made me admit he was a significant other, had me give him my BF's full name, DOB, phone number (BP even called him).

Also, would the fact that they took SO long interviewing me (I crossed via Greyhound) and asked me all sorts of questions and even searched my backpack be on their records?

Basically, I just want to make this as absolutely painless as possible :/.

The problem is your US boyfriend. dozens of women and girls are turned a way at the border every day because they are drifting down to US to "stay" with their Bfs. This is not visiting, this is living in US, which you cannot do unless you marry and formally immigrate.

You have been lumped in with these women, too many of whom have ended up breaking US immigration rules.

It was made worse by the lack of concrete plans when in US, and lack of plans to come back.

I'm going to visit my boyfriend again this weekend, and I'd really, really like it if I don't get the same treatment I got before. I intend on having a folder with all of my return bus tickets, my hotel reservations, and my football tickets. I was also thinking of bringing a copy of my lease and utilities (well, phone/cable/internet as I live in a flat) as well as my proof of enrollment from my uni. Would having those with me help with the whole not-getting-harassed thing? Would it look suspect that I'm bringing all those stuff with me? Or would they just chock it up to me being prepared?

That is exactly what you are supposed to have on you when you cross: proof of what your plan to do in US and when you get back to Canada. Had you taken these with you the first time (as has been suggested here countless times) you would not have had any issues.

btw, even with these ties, spending "too much" time in US on succesive visits will also raise suspicions, so bear that in mind. That doesn't seem to be your issue.

Your file has probably been noted, so there is no point denying of covering what you are doing. Your going tio see Mr. X and will return next week. Go Rams!

Yeah, I definitely understand where things went haywire there now that I've had time to think about it. I take full responsibility for not doing any research beforehand. Prior to that, I've only exclusively traveled to the states by plane or with my parents, so my exposure to BPs have always just involved my passport and a smile.

That is exactly what you are supposed to have on you when you cross: proof of what your plan to do in US and when you get back to Canada. Had you taken these with you the first time (as has been suggested here countless times) you would not have had any issues.

If only I'd know about this site then...or thought about the possibility of documentation other than my passport being needed. But at least I'm a lot more prepared now. I have two sets of documentations - my travel plans (tickets, maps, reservations, etc) and my ties-to-Canada docs (lease, proof of enrollment, utilities). Should I keep those separate and only show the ties-to-Canada ones if asked? Also, I'm currently not working since I'm taking a 150% courseload right now...would that hurt me, even if I have school documentation?

Bring all the proof u can to show u wil be returning to Canada--its all how u handle urself and of course the POE officer.

My wife (was GF at 1 time) did the long distance thing between the USA/Canada for well over 3 yrs--each month 1 of us was flying to see each other. Airlines loved us,lol Never LIE!!! my advice:
Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:
1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer
2) Be confident in ur replies
3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!
4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!
5) Pack light! No job resumes with you
6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)
7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!
Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Further down the road, if the relationship gets serious and have to decide who is moving where. An excellent free relationship visa site for moving to the USA is visajourney.com 1 for moving to Canada is http://roadtocanada.com/ Best of luck