Love in a No Man's Land

[agnelson]

I'll drink and drive to that!

[lawsrlaws]

I wouldn't say its tit for tat. We only refuse for crimes involving moral turpitude, and drug crimes. We also allow 1 crime as long as it is not indictable. If we refused DUI's half of Canada would not be let in. (exaggerating, yes, but not by much)

And no, I don't feel good about myself for refusing a 60 year old with a drug conviction from when he was 19. But, there is no fair way to have a cut-off, there is always going to be someone getting the shaft.

I don't feel bad for this couple though. I know more than the article is saying. This is why not telling the truth at the Border is a bad idea. If you deny things and then we find contradicting evidence in your bag......you did yourself in. I deal with several married couples that travel back and forth weekly, the difference is that I trust them and know they are going about the paperwork the right way. Just my 2cents.

[Dremani]

And I will add a penny to lawsrlaws two cents.

This is why the world is corrupt. There is hardly a shred of humanity left in some people. Why are they being given such a hard time from both countries? A DUI? Really? I've heard of worse convictions and people were still able to cross the border on both ends.

And its so easy for people not in their shoes to throw jabs... WOW is all I have to say about that one!

Yes there are couples who will lie to immigration officials however, there are also honest people out there who simply want to be together. No we don't know everything surrounding this particular couples situation, but I feel they're sincerity and HOPE things work out in they're favour. I mean they filed the paperwork and are supposedly doing everything LEGALLY so... Who knows.

[Reba]

There is a process in place that he would eventually be able to visit, and immigrate to Canada. It is called Rehabilitation. The paperwork is fairly easy, if rather involved, but it currently takes CIC 18 to 24 months to process it.

Unless of course you're a celebrity. Then it only takes a couple of hours or so

[Dremani]

by Reba » Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:23 am
Unless of course you're a celebrity. Then it only takes a couple of hours or so

LOL... Very true. My friend worked for a PR firm and from what she told me someone who was well known but not entirely famous was being sponsored from his modelling agency. He received his GC within 2-3 months approx. He is a UK citizen. I guess if a celebrity brings money into the economy, they are top priority to get their GC...

[Reba]

I was actually talking about the Canadian Rehabilitation paperwork. For the average Joe it takes up to 2 years to process. For a celebrity or someone with money or high standing, it takes a day or so.

US Visas for those in the entertainment industry are variable. I've read stories of some musicians or actors being denied work visas because of drugs charges.

[Dremani]

For a celebrity or someone with money or high standing, it takes a day or so.

In Canada? Really. Hmm interesting! And for marriage sponsorship it takes longer. I find that to be backwards but in any case what makes sense to us makes no sense to the government. Canadian or American. I guess money is everything after all...

[Reba]

pretty much, yeah.

The Rehabilitation paperwork I will point out however is NOT a visa, it is just the Ministry sayin' "yeah, we think you have rehabilitated yourself and you are not likely to re-offend while you are here in our fair land visiting". If the person is from a country that requires a visitor's visa, they still have to apply separately for that.