Travel between Canada and the USA - proof of trip?

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know if the US Immigration and Canadian Immigration computer systems are connected? Say I fly from New York to Toronto Pearson and the Canadian officer scans my passport. When I return to the USA (clearing US Immigration at Pearson) a couple days later, will US Immigration be able to tell when I last entered Canada? I'm talking scanning passports only - no stamps or I-94s are involved.

I guess another way of asking this question is this: how can US Immigration prove when someone last left the United States? Is this even possible?

Thanks!

You are being tracked, trust me.

You are being tracked, trust me.

Can you please elaborate? The reason I ask is because last year I almost had an issue flying from Toronto to California. Long story short, once I explained my trip in better detail to the USCIS secondary officer they let me into the USA without any problems. I've since gone back & forth between Canada and the USA a couple of times at both airports and land border crossings but they don't always scan my passport. Now I need to apply for a TN but I'm afraid that my previous issue as well as the inconsistencies in scanning my passport could set off a flag or pose a problem. I don't want them to think I've been up to no good, when I've been a model (and legal) traveler!

There is information sharing that goes on between Canadian and U.S. Immigration authorities as well as Canadian/U.S. law enforcement. They have their ways of tracking your movements.

I would not worry too much about your TN application. It was Canadian and/or U.S. immigration that failed to scan your passport. They should be the ones accountable for doing their job, not yourself. It wasn't your fault they were inconsistent.

If this comes up when applying for status, just tell them truthfully.

Thanks MC. I just get worried because telling someone in power, especially someone who holds your fate in their hands, that they made a mistake (or their department) makes me nervous! I've had TNs in the past without any problems but apparently they are a little tougher now with the poor economy and fear of "stealing" jobs from Americans. We all know how the US Immigration folks are - it largely just depends on the officer's mood that day!