Love in a No Man's Land

Found this on Connect@Canada today.....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009855236_separated13m.html

a couple of pertinent points:

U.S. immigration law treats everyone who attempts entry into the country as if they intend to remain here. That Ardiel had a husband in the U.S., combined with the frequency of her visits, raised a red flag with border officers.

Something I have pointed out quite often here on this board. Visiting a foreign country is a priveledge, not a right. Just because you're Canadian doesn't mean they're going to let you come and go as you wish.

And:

The Canadians don't look kindly on past misdeeds.

Almost all convictions — any type of felony but also everything from reckless or negligent driving to misdemeanor drug possession, shoplifting or theft — can make a person inadmissible to Canada, regardless of how long ago the offense occurred.

The Americans don't either. If you have a criminal record and you want to visit the US, you may have a rather difficult time with that. Especially if you have a drugs record. They don't look kindly upon drugs use. Even if you tell them you didn't inhale.

I feel sorry for the couple, I do. I know what they're going thru because my husband and I went thru much of the same. But they really should have investigated all of this *before* they got married. Maybe then they would have started off with a K1, instead of being stuck now in no man's land.

I hope Adriel obtains PR status so she can be with her husband. I really feel it for them. I mean she has no criminal record so I don't see the real issue here. Maybe if they had filed the paperwork from the very beginning, they wouldn't be in this mess right now...

But frequent visits to the U.S. unexplained will raise a red flag. It's nice there is a peace arch where they can talk until things at least get settled... The picture had me all flustered

Its a tough one i mean the guy has DWI/DUI but then again i guess in a nutshell i don't know maybe he's given up drunk driving, maybe not. The guy in my opinion should be punished i have heard of too many death involving drunk driving and that's why these law enforcement agency take it seriously.

All in all its not that bad 6 months for these two kids and problem over. I feel bad for some of the folks not Canadian living here in the US illegally with their loved ones in other countries.

That's a tough one

As we all know, even those who follow all the rules, sometimes end up separated for a short time due to paperwork.

So, sniff, sniff, boohoo, follow the damn rules.

For this to even make it to print, illustrates why journalism is at a nadir.

I was actually in Seattle this weekend and saw this article in the newspaper...Very interesting and well written.

I thought for some reason that there was a way American's could apply for a DUI pardon / exemption from the Canadian government - costs a few hundred dollars, but do-able. But I've got friends in the states who have been denied entry to canada (after already booking a week vacation in Whistler for a ski trip in the winter) because of a 20 year old DUI kinda thing.

I can understand barring people because of certain violent crimes, but a dui, especially an old conviction without any further incidence, shouldn't be too much of an issue. I can see Canada missing out on a lot of revenue from tourists - and their families - who get denied on that basis every year. They should come up with a process if there isn't one already..

Anyways, a little off topic

[/quoteI can understand barring people because of certain violent crimes, but a dui, especially an old conviction without any further incidence

I agree this is dumb to stop a person that broke a law 20 years ago, i think Canada is trying to come with tit for tat situation with the US. For every dumb law that US comes with seems like Canada has a dumber one as well and we like dogs and cat just follow them because of economic reasons because of friends, families whatever.

Hopefully one day things will change we might not be here but one day a change will come for the good. Who knows we might not even require visas, open borders one world.

One day

I'll drink and drive to that!

I'll drink and drive to that!

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.