I'm a law abiding, tax paying, legal alien, Canadian living in the US since '97. I'm married to an American and make a reasonably valuable contribution to the economy and society in general. However, the US immigration process has been torturous at best. For example, everytime I move I am required, within 10 days, to submit a change of address form to immigration. Unfortunately, they still can't keep track of me. I got married a couple of years ago and went to Aruba on a honeymoon.
Great trip, good fun had by all, but coming back I had to go through US customs and immigration in Aruba. I had a valid TN Visa and I'd just married a US citizen, all my paperwork was in order. Despite this, I was told that my Visa was invalid and that I'd have to return to Canada immediately as I sure wasn't going back to the US. I was told that they had, with the exception of my initial entry in '97, no record of my visa stauts, address, job, etc.... Needless to say, this was very distressing to say the least and, fortunately, I was ultimately able to convince them to wave me through. I suppose my sobbing wife and my plea of poverty stranding me in Aruba had something to do with it. Upon returning to the US I consulted my lawyers and the local immigration office. They confirmed that my immigration status was in good standing and that I should have had no problem at the border.
This is just one of a host of problems I can relate to you about the trials and tribulations of US immigration. I've been denied entry twice with valid visas, I've been interviewed about very personal details of my relationship with my wife, I've been made to wait for in excess of 10 hours just to be turned around at the border and yet our Mexican friends can enter illegaly, get medical care, education, errode social services and get a free pass when they get caught. Yay! Justice in action.
I have found though that the only course of action is to be calm, patient and reasonable. Any anomosity or righteous indignation will surely get you some quality time with the armed guards.
Originally posted by Hand of HecateAfter reading that I am now sure that I am going to throw up at the airport due to bad nerves.
I'm a law abiding, tax paying, legal alien, Canadian living in the US since '97. I'm married to an American and make a reasonably valuable contribution to the economy and society in general. However, the US immigration process has been torturous at best. For example, everytime I move I am required, within 10 days, to submit a change of address form ...[text shortened]... or righteous indignation will surely get you some quality time with the armed guards.
All I want to do is take my kids on vacation! Please oh please don't let them turn me around at the airports! I'm a good girl I am! I promise I won't even so much as kiss Mickey mouse.
Anyone ever been to the Bahamas? Wondering what their enty and departure regulations are like. Going by cruise ship so I'm hoping not to face anymore unexpected problems.
You all have me freaked out now. 😞
Originally posted by NordlysDoubt anybody would get a ticket! I got a ticket! And now as a result if it's not on my side of the street I simply don't go there. I've been traumatized.
Lol, yes, I am aware of that. 😀 I doubt anybody would get a ticket for walking when the light is red here (driving is a different matter, of cousre), and everybody does it, but it's still against the rules. But on most corners there are no traffic lights. Some have a zebra crossing, but most don't even have white lines. If there are traffic lights or a zebr ...[text shortened]... n cross wherever (yes, I misspelt that the last time, but you made it even worse 😠) you want.
*sheesh.....try and do a good deed and you get kiscked in the arse*
Originally posted by mokkoone of my sisters friends ended up in the cells overnight for jay walking. Well admitedly he probably ended up in the cells for telling the officer "you've got to be ******* joking, don't be so ******* stupid", but that could be seen as a fair (if stupid) response to getting a ticket for crossing the road.
Doubt anybody would get a ticket! I got a ticket! And now as a result if it's not on my side of the street I simply don't go there. I've been traumatized.
*sheesh.....try and do a good deed and you get kiscked in the arse*
Originally posted by mokkoSorry, but, I'd say you've got a 25% chance of having a cluster on your hands. At least that's been my hit rate with the immigration fascists. Much of the problems occur from lack of training/knowledge at a customs/immigration officer level (very inconsitent).
After reading that I am now sure that I am going to throw up at the airport due to bad nerves.
All I want to do is take my kids on vacation! Please oh please don't let them turn me around at the airports! I'm a good girl I am! I promise I won't even so much as kiss Mickey mouse.
Anyone ever been to the Bahamas? Wondering what their enty and departure reg ...[text shortened]... I'm hoping not to face anymore unexpected problems.
You all have me freaked out now. 😞
I went back to Vancouver for my Dad's retirement. My visa was up for renewal in 3 months. So to avoid any problems I mailed in renewal documentation and brought a copy with me to renew at the border if my mail in renewal hadn't been processed. Upon my attempted return to the US my visa renewal was denied with no reasonable explanation other than 'there are Engineers in the US that can do your job'. Reluctantly, the immigration officer informed me that I could enter the US with the 3 months left on my visa, but would have to leave at the end of that time. Needless to say this pissed me off.
Upon my return to my home in the US I called my lawyers and had them investigate. Apparently my mail in visa had already been approved a week prior and I had not yet received the formal notification. Needless to say this pissed me off as well. The immigration officer that had violated me could not even tell, using his own system, that I was already approved and/or he busted my balls for his own entertainment. Arrrrgh!!
Good luck with that, criminal.
Edit: By the way, make sure you have birth certificates from the kids an a notorized letter from your ex authorizing you to take them out of the country. Better safe than sorry and this can be an issue, kidnapping and all that. Just be prepared and you should be fine.
Originally posted by gambit3DUMBASS OF THE YEAR AWARD MATERIAL RIGHT THERE.
Here in America you will find that there is a law for them and a law for us and it is not the same law. Them would be those that run the government and the wealthy. Us would be the citizens that follow the law.
IM RICH SO YOU THINK THAT IF I INGNORE AN ORDER TO SHOW UP TO COURT TO PAY A FINE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN.
MAUAHAHAHAHHAHHA!
DAMN I NEVER SHOULD HAVE PAID THAT 100.00$ VIOLATION FOR WEED SMOKING UP IN LINCOLN NEB. DOH!
Originally posted by belgianfreakLOL...That's exactly what I said...but must have used a more pleasant tone..helps tp laugh a little as you say it. 😉
one of my sisters friends ended up in the cells overnight for jay walking. Well admitedly he probably ended up in the cells for telling the officer "you've got to be ******* joking, don't be so ******* stupid", but that could be seen as a fair (if stupid) response to getting a ticket for crossing the road.
Originally posted by Hand of HecateSo did your experience leave you with any advise for us on how best to get through a cavity search?
I'm a law abiding, tax paying, legal alien, Canadian living in the US since '97. I'm married to an American and make a reasonably valuable contribution to the economy and society in general. However, the US immigration process has been torturous at best. For example, everytime I move I am required, within 10 days, to submit a change of address form ...[text shortened]... or righteous indignation will surely get you some quality time with the armed guards.
Originally posted by stockenNot really. I'm only 25 and already a homeowner and making very good salary. I work hard and proud of what I have accomplished. Put myself thru college while working part-time so I never had to rely on government hand-outs. You see there are no rewards here for free-loaders. Work ethic (which I doubt you have) of the people here is what makes this country better than your country , so you might just as well stay in Sweden because you will never make it here.
You do realize that the "american dream" is just that these days? A dream. Whereas I'm leading a good and healthy life over here in good ol' Sweden, you're working for a dream. Yes, I can see how I would want to move over there. Ha ha... 😵
{Sidenote: I speak of the US of course, not Canada. Canada is a much better society in just about every respect (or so I've been told).}
Originally posted by Hand of HecateWell one warrant gone one to go! LOL I'm only half as bad as I use to be. I applied and recieved the long form birth certificates of the children already. Have one notorized latter of consent from the good dad who loves his childre. The baby will be decided in court as my ex feels I'm taking an innaproriate trip which is putting the safety and welfare of our child in danger. Would hate to hear what he'd say if he knew about the warrants 😲
Sorry, but, I'd say you've got a 25% chance of having a cluster on your hands. At least that's been my hit rate with the immigration fascists. Much of the problems occur from lack of training/knowledge at a customs/immigration officer level (very inconsitent).
I went back to Vancouver for my Dad's retirement. My visa was up for renewal in 3 mont ...[text shortened]... this can be an issue, kidnapping and all that. Just be prepared and you should be fine.
But I'm fairly confident the judge will over rule his permission and grant the travel. Judge trumps dad 😀
I must have asked about 10 times after I paid my ticket if and how long before the warrant will no longer show up on the computers. I was assured immidiately. Now to go turn myself into RCMP sometime this weekend and plead guilty to the failure to appear. 😞
So now is this all on my record or what? Am I a marked woman now?
Originally posted by mokkoI wish I could be picked up for jaywalking in this country, I know it's illegal but everytime I do it, WHERE'S THE FUZZ? Eh? What do my parents and eventually me pay this people for, their donuts and delicious assortment of coffee flavorings while hundreds of thousands of people are breakling the law RIGHT OUTSIDE THEIR BUILDING!
I simply CAN'T believe it..........All because of a $40 jay walking ticket that was issued over 3 years ago I know have to go turn myself into to the police, pay the ticket and plead guilty to a failure to appear. 😞
Well I guess it's a good thing I found out now instead of at the airport where they would of handcuffed me and dragged me away for my stupid o ...[text shortened]... across a stupid street! ðŸ˜
And in my defense I really thought that the ticket was paid. 😳
I wouldn't be surprised that one day while I'm jaywalking a cop pulls over and tells me to be safe instead of throwing to me to the ground and slapping the cuffs on me while pepper spraying me.
- Joined
- 09 Aug 01
- Moves
- 54191
this whole episode reminds me of the lyrics to the song, Alice's Restaurant, a fine old tune that tells a tale of a poor guy that was ticketed for littering, arrested, fined, and eventually jailed. keeping in mind that this song was written during the vietnam era, the kicker to this saga is that when the draft board asked this guy whether he was ever arrested, he had to say yes and therefore was rejected from military service.