This is for everyone who has been denied unfairly!

Can we do something about being denied unlawfully or being treated so badly? I HOPE! Why not? I’m sure someone who cares about our plight and rights will help us. I have read too many horror sto...

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Canadians in the USA

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canadiangirlforever
Junior Member

Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 21
Location: Canada

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:19 pm

Can we do something about being denied unlawfully or being
treated so badly? I HOPE! Why not? I’m sure someone who cares about our plight and rights will help us.

I have read too many horror stories with regard to people's experience with border guards. People killing themselves because they can't ever see a loved one again, or permanent residents who can't leave the states to see their dying parents because they fear not being allowed in again (remember, you are not guaranteed entry unless you are a U.S. citizens). By making it so scary to get in, they make people feel desperate not to leave.

They can ban you for whatever they feel like banning you for. Hell, if the border guard stubs his toe before you drive up to his/her cubby, he/she can deny you because he’s pissed off already. We all know this is true.

They fear terrorism but we are the ones being terrorized! Most of us are law abiding citizens who just want to visit legally. I can't imagine more bad people cross than good.

The majority of those who misrepresent themselves, in some form or another, do it either out of fear, the laws being too strict, they are desperate to be reunited with family/friends, want a better life for their families,or are accused of willful misrepresentation, even if they are innocent of it. Being honest doesn’t guarantee you getting in; the lines are too long and the rules too strict. The punishment is the same for a potential terrorist as it is for a person who is accused of misrepresentation; a ban for life.

Like banned_from_the USA, I never committed a crime in my life, but they don't take that into account. They don't take into account that I’m a good human being who wouldn’t harm a fly

They ban you or deny you for the smallest indiscretion. And once banned, always flagged. You are treated like a terrorist or convicted criminal and banned for life regardless of whether or not you inadvertently did something or was accused of doing something. Hey if you commit a crime you can at least get a waiver, but if you are accused of misrepresentation, your chance of a wavier working is next to nil. Waivers have vanished over the years.

A person who is unlawfully present in the U.S. for more than 180 days but less than 1 year is barred for only 3 years. Even someone who lives in the states for over a year gets a chance to enter the states after 10 years. Why does illegally staying in the states give you a 3/10 year bar, but being accused of misrepresentation bars you for life? It makes no sense!

We have to write congress, our prime minister, mayors, senators, the president, whomever, it takes. I know life doesn't owe us anything, but if something isn't fair, I think we should attempt to do something about it.

I know what you’re thinking…it’s their country and they have a right to make up their own rules, but Canadian officials need to stand up for the rights of their own people too. I can't imagine being a border guard, they have to make serious decisions in a short period of time.
I imagine the job is stressful. But some of us are treated badly.

I get so upset when I see Canadians or anyone who is good being treated with such disregard!

Let’s say someone can enter for 3 months, and they obey that law. However, when they return for another trip, they get denied, traumatized and/or hassled. It makes a person fear leaving the U.S. at the end of their stay. They fear being denied access to loved ones etc, when they, in all likelihood, would have left.

I still have nightmares over being interrogated and finger printed, call me sensitive but it was traumatizing, even now, three years later.

Can we all get together with lawyers and sue, contact the media, etc? Who cares if we lose, we just keep suing and fighting? Which in turn will hopefully one day, open a door.

First it was a criminal record that made you inadmissible.
Now it's looking like you can be inadmissible for anything. Don’t they care about the families they destroy. For me, my friend can't leave the U.S. and has a terminal illness, so if I don't get in, I can't help and comfort my friend.

I am not writing this with mean-spirited intent, or as an insult to whoever is responsible for causing anxiety to so many people. I am crying while typing this, I am devastated. What I hoped would be a nice trip to America NEVER is. From the time I leave the U.S., to the time I go through security after my next entrance, I am scared. They say, "why be scared if you haven't done anything?" Well as I found out, you don't have to do anything to get treated like a criminal or just told you can't enter for a holiday with friends.

Excuse my jumbled thoughts.

When I think of officers/officials (in any sense of the word), I want to think of people I can respect, look up to, feel safe around, and feel are fair. My mother always taught me to respect those in authority, but unfortunately from what I have heard and experienced, that's not how I feel so far, and that makes me very sad.

***Actually, my second entry was nice, the guard was real nice to me and patient too (I am hearing impaired). I was pleasantly surprised. Funny how a pleasant experience can be lost on all the bad experiences. I'm glad I remembered that.

Reba
Moderator

Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1509
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:08 am

Sorry, but the rule has ALWAYS been that if the border official has even the slightest suspicion that you are not being entirely truthful, then you can be denied entry. ALWAYS. Since the beginning of guarded borders. This is nothing new.

And the Canadian side does it too, believe me.
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READ ME FIRST!! Immigration Information for Canadians who want to move to the US for any reason.

canadiangirlforever
Junior Member

Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 21
Location: Canada

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:23 am

Denied, okay, but banned for years or life just because they think you lied? That is scary! Even being honest can get you banned.

I remember reading where an cbp officer asked someone applying for entry if they had ever used drugs, even once. The person said, "yes" and the cbp officer denied him for life.

banned_from_the USA
New Member

bad girl

Joined: 05 Sep 2008
Posts: 9
Location: Dawson Creek

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:33 am

I am in the midst of trying to get this ban reversed, I have a lawyer in Massena but he says my chances are very NIL, but I also hve written to the white house, I will also write to my MPP, and to the Pariliament Hill as well, I really don't want to see someone who has no criminal record to go through what I went through, hopefully something can be revolved, what I don't understand is GEORGE W. BUSH calls us neighbors, well i have never treated any neighbor like a criminal, even when they lied to me, lie's can be forgiven, but never banned onto them, the americans also call us north americans as they are, but yet were frowned against, last night watching the news, and how the talibans want to ignite some bombs in Montreal, and Ottawa, I live between these 2 places, why would they want to destroy us for? is it cause of Bush? Thankfully these 6 guys have been arrested, but imagine if they weren't, Canada would be looking into this terriost, something we never really had t worry about, and now we do! But I will keep you all informed and what can be done for future refrences for anyone else trying to visit family, and friends!

Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1676
Location: Calgary

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:23 am

It's got nothing to do with the President, this law has been on the books since at least 1924.

If anything Bush is about the only friend in Washington that immigrants have, because he was pushing very strongly for immigration reform. However because hardline Republicans opposed it, it never went anywhere - have a watch of his State of the Union speech in January, the only time the Republicans don't applaud him is when he urges them to pass immigration reform.

He came to the conclusion the best idea was to go along with all these nutty "build a wall" proposals because it will illustrate how broken the immigration system is when people can't get in illegally as easily anymore.

About the only savvy move he's made since being President, imo.
_________________
Steve.

kene
Junior Member

earth citizen

Joined: 10 Sep 2008
Posts: 23
Location: Bangladesh

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:36 am

While this totally sucks for those of us refused entry to another country where we have friends, family, or other opportunities, it's not something that will go away anytime soon.

the key problem lies in the concept of "ours". The Canadian Anthem says "our home and native land" when in fact this is a totally stupid concept. It's not "ours", sure, we may have invested time and money building a "home" in this "land", we may even have been born there. It's a land mass that's huge, how many Canadians can honestly say they have even seen Canada? I've been to 8 of the 10 provinces, and none of the territories. And I'm a well travelled Canadian when i talk amongst many of my friends and neighbours. So what gives me or anyone else the right to say "this is MY land"? according to the Canadian constitution, you are awarded this right by virtue of being born on Candian soil, or if one or both your parents are Canadian Citizens. You can purchase this right, if you have have enough merit in the eyes of some self appointed judiciary committee. And most countries around the world are the same! Which is why the 'Passport', immigration and VISA's system is accepted almost around the world.

What a joke this is! I have done nothing more than be "born" and suddenly i have the right to demand the privileges of "being Canadian" which really means, i have the right of entry onto "Canadian soil"! You know, if you tried to explain this to an 8 year old, they would think you were totally stupid, and i must admit, i'd be in favour of the 8 year old's analysis.

1) most suggest that "home" is not where you sleep every night, but some far more abstract realm "home is where your heart is", "home is where you hang your hat", "home is amongst family". Yet Canada, the US and many other countries feel that they have the right to impose restrictions against the majority of earths inhabitants simply because these people happened to be born at a geographic location not claimed as "theirs" or born to people also not considered of their nationality.
2) Countries can ONLY claim refusal rights for earths inhabitants by using force! If i seriously didn't believe that the US border guards would use as much force as was required, even to the point of killing me, to prevent me from entering their country without their express permission, the concept of "nationalities" would soon vanish. It's only because Canada, the US, and other nations are willing to kill, wound, imprison, and deter non citizens from entering their land mass that Nationality is preserved. This is the basis of Racial prejudice and hate crimes. Consider the inequity that "treaties" between countries suggests! As a Canadian, i am more likely to be able to move freely between the US and Canada, because the NAFTA treaty is in effect. The same treaty discriminates between Canadians, Mexicans, Americans and the rest of the world, giving one nation full rights, one slightly limited rights, and one a semblance of rights, and suggesting that anyone else born elsewhere, has fewer rights or privileges still.
How, in a "civilized" country, where great lip service is paid to "freedom or rights" and "civil liberties" can they defend a restrictive process based on the geographic location of ones birth, with guns if need be? It's absolute hypocrisy on a national scale.
3) The concept of nationalism more often than not backfires! While getting a VISA extension in the Bangladesh visa office, i was told point blank "why should we extend your visa? the officials in your country would not extend my VISA." Most countries have reciprocal agreements when it comes to trade, immigration, and tourism. History teaches us that sanctions and boycotts against people only hurt those who have the least say in the political process. No corrupt politician have ever gone hungry because of food sanctions against his nation, but the people already suffer under his regime face further trials and difficulties. In Butan (Myanmar) National pride prevented foreign aid workers from bringing in food, medicine and materials to help rebuild the country. Nationalism leads to a false pride in an abstract ideal that "this is my land". Just like two 5 year olds in kindergarten playing "i'll show you mine if you show me yours" or crying "he hit me first" Counties of the world play this silly childish game careless of the consequences that such selfish politicking does not only to those outside their agreed upon jurisdiction, but to their own peoples as well.

I watched the opening games of the Olympics with a degree of sadness, and also with the question of "can't anyone else see how stupid Nationalism is?" There wasn't a "native (sorry- Indigenous) Canadian" at the games that i could tell (forgive me if i'm wrong) and even fewer native Americans. So what if you are born in Nigeria, or China, or Bangladesh? i would much rather see the good spirit of the olimpics without all the "go USA go!" garbage, when i'm watching three runners all wearing US flags on their uniforms, and speaking with accents from countries that are hardly represented at all!
Indeed, these athletes have probably benefited greatly by being allowed to reside in the USA, as USians place a great deal of important on sports medicine, training, and coaching that allows individuals of any nation to excel. What makes me the most sad is to see emerging nations pitted against the financial giants of the global sports community, when the peoples of these emerging nations simply are not welcome to visit the US, Canada as anything more than a Taxi driver, or Molly Maid, until they have proves their academic or athletic prowess, or paid sufficiently for the privilege.

I stand with fear each and every time i come before an immigration officer of any country. And i've travelled to many many counties. Not all places where i have friends and loved one, but all countries that belong to God who created all things, and has created them for His glory. The Himelaya's don't belong to God and i'm thankful and privileged to have stood before them. Niagara Falls does not belong to Canada, but to the Almighty Creator, and i'm humbled each time i see them. The grand Canyon does not belong to the USA, and i'm thankful that i've been able to gaze out over such an incredible place! Sadly, the more i travel the more i realize that none of this IS ours! We as Humans have done so much damage, signs of pollution, destruction and human devastation are abundant everywhere you go, whether the rain forests, the deserts, the mountains the plains. If this earth was "mine" i would think i would do a darn sight more to look after it. I hope one day my wife and I will be able to see the outback of Australia, and see kangaroos, and kawalas, to see the amazon jungle, to travel up to the tundra in norther Canada.

What makes me the most sad, is that my parents need to ask permission from some person they have no interest to ever meet, someone they don't know, nor who will ever know them, if they can obtain permission to come and visit their grand child. I'm sure these are nice people, just doing their jobs, but i hate them, fear them, and wish they would all go find work in some other place. My own Father and Mother will need to walk past men armed, trained and prepared to kill them, and show them the permission they have been granted in order to actually see their grandchild in the next few years. All this is because Canada has decided that Bangladesh spouses should NOT be granted tourist VISA's so even though our child will be granted her Canadian Citizenship shortly after her birth, her mother has no chance of being given a VISA to travel to Canada for a few months with her Canadian child and husband to meet our child's gramma and granpa, our child's uncle and aunt. Our child will not be able to see Niagra falls with her mother unless we pay large amounts of money and make claims that we wish to be permanent residents of Canada. This is the travesty of Nationalism. I can't take my own child to Peggy's cove, to sit in among the rocks of my favourite place, and watch the ocean, coming and going from wherever in God's green earth the tides take it. And i can only marvel that the ocean, and it's fish, the air, and it's birds that they aren't so foolish as to claim "this is MY land" and instead, travel freely where they would.

Thank you for reading! and thank you for sharing your frustration on being refused entry to the USA! i know what it's like to be refused entry to the US and also to be refused entry to my own country because i refuse to leave me wife in "her" country. I'm also very thankful to Bangladesh that they allow me to stay with my wife, so that we aren't torn apart by stupid politics, even though i despise the very department that requires i have permission to be with the woman i love, and who is having my child.
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nationalism = boys with guns.
one hope, one world, one nation.

Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1676
Location: Calgary

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:03 am

You sound like my sister. Plus you're as long-winded. Razz

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Steve.

captainjackharkness
New Member

Joined: 22 Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Location: my computer room

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:56 am

I was just denied entry to the uk.
I was told it was cause of insufficient funds and the weird thing is all my freinds I talk to that live there told me what I had was enough for a week.
I have a feeling it was really because I did not have anything written in the job part of the entry card.

I heard from this travel agent she told me she travelled to the uk when she was 18 with no money for a place to stay or any other money what so ever, but she did have a job back home.So Im wondering if I was denied cause I really didnt have a job cause right when they saw that,then I was questioned about how I got the money to travel there and all that.

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