my experience: 3-year TN at Toronto terminal 1 airport

[aowdesign]

This is my 10th year on the TN on my 3rd employer, I've never had a problem with applying for the TN until earlier this year when the customs official interpreted my employer's letter as being a permanent position, when nowhere in the letter states it or alludes to it. Luckily they let me enter the country, but I had only 2 days left on the previous visa.
I never felt so belittled and felt that the officer was putting words in my mouth. I was in shock and didn't know how to react and didn't want to dig myself deeper in the hole by trying to defend myself, so I played stupid and took in all their verbal abuse.
My company's immigration lawyer managed to get a one year extension to my visa within those two days.

Fast forward to last week where I was back in Toronto to visit my family for the holidays and also to get a 3-year TN while I'm there to save me the trip going back to Canada which normally expires in April/May.
I did a ton of homework regarding applying for the TN as I didn't wan't to go through the same torment as I did earlier, and I also had fears that getting a TN may be more strict due to the poor economy. I had my employer write an extremely detailed 4-page letter where it describes my position and work duties, mentioned repeatedly that the work is temporary and for the 3-years, and in-depth information about the company. To improve my chances I also included a copy of my company's current annual report to prove their stability and financial strength, included a copy of my resume which also stated my extensive software and professional skills/experience, and my extensive volunteer and chairty work to show my contribution to the community. In my personal cover letter itemizing the contents of my very thick folder, I also stated the address of a house I own in Toronto to show that I still have ties in Canada.

So I made it through check-in with about 3 hours to spare to get my visa before my flight. Getting through the first customs official was actually very pleasant and calmed me down a bit. Customs ran out of I94 forms in English, and the only ones left were in Korean or French. I took the French one since I know some French and was able to fill out almost all of the sections. The first customs official was very polite and courteous, help me complete some of the blank fields on the form, and even cracked a joke! In hindsight I should have took his name down so I could send a letter of appreciation to his supervisor, as he was a dime in a dozen. He put all my documentation in the yellow folder and instructed me to go the secondary customs inspection office.

I went directly to the desk of the secondary customs inspection where I was greeted by a rather rude and cold officer. He asked me if I was moving and I didn't know what he meant by that or if it was a trick question, so I said "excuse me?" very politely, and he loudly responded with a "What don't you understand?!"
He pointed to my dog in the kennel which I had with me and said "you're bringing your dog so you are moving..." I just responded by saying that I love my dog and he goes everywhere with me.
I handed him the yellow folder and sat myself in the waiting area.

The immigrations office is completely open so everyone gets to see and hear everyone else's immigration questioning, which made the wait extremely stressful and uneasy. There were three people before me who were rejected for their TN by that offier. There was one person whose English was poor and the Officer just gave him a hard time about it, and he also made a young lady cry uncontrollably. She looked like she was about to collapse. I felt really bad for her and wanted to console her but I didn't want to compromise my own application by my display of sympathy.
Granted I don't know their situation or applications, still no one deserves to be demoralized nor belittled in such a manner.

I was called up by an officer at another desk, which I was a bit relieved that I didn't get the mean bald guy but still was feeling very nervous and a bit sick in my stomach as I didn't know what to expect. I was friendly and polite and tried not to let my fear and nervousness show, but he too had a very cold and insensitive demeanor and I felt a sense of resistance. He eventually granted me the 3-year TN which I thanked him and wished him a happy new year, but got nothing back. Soon after I celebrated with a well deserved tall cold Canadian brew at the airport bar!

I don't know why most U.S. custom officials have to be so cold, rude and uncourteous. There is no reason for this when their job is to allow or deny entry, not to harrass them. I don't care if they are having a bad day, hate their job, or making up for their shortcomings, it's just not professional and not respectful.
In sharp contrast the Canadian immigration officers are generally friendly, courteous and have a sense of humor -- they have a respectful demeanour and there to do their job and looked like they enjoy doing it.

Anyways, I got my 3-year TN so I'm happy.

Happy New Years to all and good luck to all those who are applying for a visa!

[MC]

I think you have done quite well getting 10 TN's in a row. Some others have not been as lucky and had their status taken away and their lives uprooted literally.

[aowdesign]

Thanks for the warning.
sorry, I didn't know this forum could be monitored by the USCIS.
Eventhough we live in a free country, you can never be too careful. I made some careful editing in light of it.

I'm just reporting what I witnessed. I'm just disappointed that some people could act so unprofessional and even more irritated that it is tolerated and very hard to dispute -- I hope what I saw is not typical.
I just get really upset when these things happen and I'm typically a calm and rational person.
I just hope everyone here is treated fairly and with respect, and I'm happy to have this forum here to share our thoughts and insight.
Cheers!

[Reba]

Swearing at the CBP in a public forum accessible by the CBP or DHS could potentially get you into a lot of trouble.

I remember a thread posted on this forum about a TN applicant swearing at the CBP at Pearson PFI and he was physically removed.

We are all very happy for you but just be careful about how you address the DHS in a public forum. They might not like it and if the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) can track down and deport illegals, they just might be motivated enough to come after you too.

Good luck with U.S. immigration.

Who when and where? I've been around this forum for quite some time now, and I recall no such thing.

Nor do I think USCIS or ICE are going to waste much of their time monitoring this site, nor deport someone just for speaking their mind.

[aowdesign]

I wouldn't think so too, this is not communist China, however you can never be too certain of anything these days.

I just still surprised that there is no place or vehicle to report any unprofessional conduct of these officers (or at least one that could be easily found). There is no reason to be mean and belittling to people who are trying to enter the country legally.

[Reba]

You can report unprofessional behavior to their superiors, and there should be posters all over the walls in secondary with information on how to do that. At least there was whenever I got dragged in there. I think you report it to the Department of State, maybe check their website.