Canadian at U.S. Border

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

Yeah, this is where it all went down hill. It does seem like a stupid question to ask.

Often border guards will ask stupid questions just to see how you react. They're less interested in what you answer and more in how you answer. A normal person would say something like "I'm not sure, I'm looking to buy some clothes and a few other things," and as long as they didn't look shifty or nervous, that'd be fine. Instead, the guy exhibited some classic signs of lying such as repeating the question that was asked, getting defensive, and challenging the guard at every turn. It's not really surprising that he was sent to secondary inspection.

Border guards can be pricks, but if you follow a few rules (be respectful; say as little as possible without being evasive; and always follow the border guard's lead, if he's nice and kind of joking around, do the same, if he's all business, act the same way) any kind of trouble is extremely rare, except for random searches and whatnot. Crossing the border is really just a game designed to weed out liars and criminals. As long as you're honest and follow the rules, it's virtually always a smooth process.

[mykalberta]

From the very first question you could tell the guy answering was not going to have a fun time at that border crossing.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by opendoor

Often border guards will ask stupid questions just to see how you react. They're less interested in what you answer and more in how you answer. A normal person would say something like "I'm not sure, I'm looking to buy some clothes and a few other things," and as long as they didn't look shifty or nervous, that'd be fine. Instead, the guy exhibited some classic signs of lying such as repeating the question that was asked, getting defensive, and challenging the guard at every turn. It's not really surprising that he was sent to secondary inspection.

Border guards can be pricks, but if you follow a few rules (be respectful; say as little as possible without being evasive; and always follow the border guard's lead, if he's nice and kind of joking around, do the same, if he's all business, act the same way) any kind of trouble is extremely rare, except for random searches and whatnot. Crossing the border is really just a game designed to weed out liars and criminals. As long as you're honest and follow the rules, it's virtually always a smooth process.

Exactly.

This clown came off as "Who are you to question me" and was too stupid and arrogant to realize what was going on. I hope they they threw the book at him, although I'm sure they eventually just slapped his wrists and told him to watch his mouth next time.

[Boo Radley]

From the start this guy showed absolutely no respect to the customs guard or the process. Not sure if it was a setup on his part though.

As a Canadian living in the US on a work visa I fully understand and respect the job these Customs Guards have. I get a lot of interesting questions considering my line of work but I have never had any problem. As someone mentioned above these guards have every right to give you a hard time and refuse entry if they do not like the situation. If they want to know what stores you are going to shop at it's best not to make a big deal about it.

The first time I came back into Canada was strange. As I do not have an address in Canada they really made a point to ask me where I was staying and for how long. As a Canadian I was actually quite surprised with the line of questioning though my answers were much better controlled than his.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Diamondhead

Border guards do not need any reason to search you or your car. Most of them make make less than people that work fast food in Canada so it's not uncommon to encounter one that likes to make an example of someone. If you are a jerk like this guy expect to get hassled. You may even get hassled when you are polite. They ask questions, you answer them. They are under no obligation to let anyone enter their country.

Actually Border Officers do need grounds to search your vehicle. Having said that, the grounds required to do such a search are much less than if you were within the country. (ie: being searched by the police) If someone is sent in for a search there is always a report written as to why the person was referred into the examination area outlining the reasons why. (Correction: This is only done if something is found) It can be as simple as being evasive with questions, holding the steering wheel tight, looking the other way when answering questions, but there is always a reason why someone is sent in.

In the above case, most likely because he was refusing to answer the questions and started to act up. It is much safer to deal with someone who is getting agitated in a controlled environmnet rather than inside of a vehicle. That is probably why they asked them to step out and have a seat so thet could finish the interview. I would agree that the question of "what store are you shopping at" is a little strange to ask; but there are possible reasons to ask it. For example, maybe the the vehicle had a bumper sticker that said "I hate feds and I love guns" and the officer wanted to know if was going to a gun shop. There are a million other reasons why he may have asked that. A reasonable person would probablyt be a little annoyed at the question (me being one of them) but a reasonable person wouldn't do what the guy above did at the US border. In the law enforcement field we go on the idea that a lie is only three questions deep. Meaning that the first three questions asked one can usually come up with a response pretty fast, but after that the lie starts to fall apart.

Everything I stated above is based on Canadian laws and policy.

As for the pay of Border Officers I am not sure where you are getting your info. They make a decent wage. In Canada starting at around $60,000 per year. In the US it is more. It probably should be more but it is most certainly much more than someone working at McDonalds.

IMO this guys deserves what he gets. The border is no place to act like a dick even if the officer is acting a little bit of a dick himself. Answer the questions and if he thought the officer was unprofessional he could have filed a complaint.

This guy has to remember he is a guest to the United States and he has no right of entry. Would he go to his neighbors house and act the same way?

[mikey_the_redneck]

I thought the border worker was disrespectful at times.....

[kyuusei]

As long as you have nothing to hide, you should have no issue answering even stupid questions like what stores in the mall will you shop at. I've crossed the border a lot, (usually through airport customs), and I've learned not to talk too much OR too little. I know that the border guards usually aren't too nice, but they're not there to kiss your ass and unroll a red carpet for you. Don't give them a reason to be more cranky.

But a friend of mine married an American, moved to Oregon 7 years ago and last year at the border they wouldn't let her back into the States after a visit up here (even though she visited lots before). She had to wait a year to get back in, but I don't know what the whole deal was.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

I thought the border worker was disrespectful at times.....

Well, that may be so but you don't go to the border to have a good time and shoot the sh*t.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by kyuusei

As long as you have nothing to hide, you should have no issue answering even stupid questions like what stores in the mall will you shop at. I've crossed the border a lot, (usually through airport customs), and I've learned not to talk too much OR too little.

But a friend of mine married an American, moved to Oregon 7 years ago and last year at the border they wouldn't let her back into the States after a visit up here (even though she visited lots before). She had to wait a year to get back in, but I don't know what the whole deal was.

She was probably living in the US illegally for the last 7 years.

[puckluck]

Both parties acted like regards.

[kyuusei]

She was supposedly trying to get her papers (for green card? I don't know if she just didn't apply for a marriage visa at all or what) for the longest time but I think they took too long/started them too late. (Again I don't know everything about it) IIRC you have to get on that BEFORE you get married, to make the process easier. But she has a kid in the states too. I'm surprised they kept her out for as long as they did.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

She was probably living in the US illegally for the last 7 years.

If she was married to an American, she would have had a green card. I suspect we're not getting the whole story.

[Jordan!]

You have to answer their questions, it IS their business.

You don't have any right to enter their country unless you have proof of citizenship. Why doesn't this toolbox get that?

Who does this guy think he is? I feel sorry for his wife.

[mikey_the_redneck]

After hearing the last minute and a half there, wow........those border guys went over the line by suggesting that he "assaulted" them and that he was "threatening" them.....what a joke.

Totally unnecessary is right.....

The one border agent said he personally stopped 3 terrorists a day!!! Man we harbor alot of terrorists in Canada.....

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by Diamondhead

Border guards do not need any reason to search you or your car. Most of them make make less than people that work fast food in Canada so it's not uncommon to encounter one that likes to make an example of someone. If you are a jerk like this guy expect to get hassled. You may even get hassled when you are polite. They ask questions, you answer them. They are under no obligation to let anyone enter their country.

This not true at all, I don't know what fast food restaurants pay more than 50k/year

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

If she was married to an American, she would have had a green card. I suspect we're not getting the whole story.

I suspect we don't have the entire story aswell, however, just because she was married to an American doesn't mean they did anything to get her legal residence status in the US.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

I suspect we don't have the entire story aswell, however, just because she was married to an American doesn't mean they did anything to get her legal residence status in the US.

Fair point. My two cents, having lived on a temporary visa in the U.S. for a long time. If your papers are in order, you won't have any trouble. It can be a pain, but most border guards are just doing their jobs. Keep your ducks in a row and be respectful and you'll be in and out in minutes every time.

[kyuusei]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

If she was married to an American, she would have had a green card. I suspect we're not getting the whole story.

Yeah, that was the application process that was taking them forever. I'm not sure why, or if she even did a fiance/marriage visa in the beginning. I have the feeling she didn't.... even though I told her to.

[Reaper]

What an obnoxious jerk the guy who was pulled over. He obviously doesn't understand what it means to not poke the bear with a stick. What an idiot. If you are asking someone for something then don't be a jerk about it. Personally, I think the guy deserved a body cavity search with a grapefruit spoon.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

After hearing the last minute and a half there, wow........those border guys went over the line by suggesting that he "assaulted" them and that he was "threatening" them.....what a joke.

First, we can't tell what physically happened by just listening to audio. Second, pulling away from an officer when he is trying to control you is considered active resistant behavior, not assualtive in it self but we can't see what happened. Maybe it was a stretch but he could be charged with obstruction. If the wife did put her hands on another officer to prevent the husbands arrest than that IS assualt.

The one border agent said he personally stopped 3 terrorists a day!!! Man we harbor alot of terrorists in Canada.....

He didn't say he personally stopped 3 a day he said "They" stopped 3 a day. And there are Terriorists in Canada and God only knows how many.