So my fiance and I drove down to the US from Canada yesterday for a visit. For the first time ever in all the times I crossed back and forth over the past 2+years, we were pulled into secondary.

Now crossing makes me nervous as it is, far less to be asked to pull aside! Crossing makes my tummy lurch and being inside secondary made me feel faint (even though the airconditioning system is tip top) Honestly though, once it was all said and done, just driving up to the booth was worse than being inside. The hardest part was leaving the dog in the car ... yesterday was soooo hot, but they let you go out to check on your animals often.

Once inside, they questioned me separately about my intentions to return to Canada and not simply live illegally in the US and then the officer (really nice guy - in fact, I think that he was the nicest one there) went out to search the car with my fiance (looking for household goods that would indicate that I was moving down) and asked him similar questions to see if our answers matched. It took about an hour and a half all told.

Most of the people in secondary were actually there to get official paperwork stamped and I think I actually saw someone who was going through the K-1 process and was there for her official entry.

Well, needless to say, I am here in the US now and we plan to file the petition this week. You better belive though that I will not overstay on my visit - I will not prove them right! Wish us luck!

Mo

welcome to the US!!! i am sorry that it took so long. but at leas tyou are here

It's not uncommon for Yank-Canuck couples to be asked inside for further questioning. They'll deny entry if they're not satisfied the Canadian intends to return. It's vital to have a pile of documents if you cross again, to make your case. Once the visa petition is in play, it becomes even more critical to have hard-copy evidence of your intention to return. Just curious: were you photographed and fingerprinted?

No, I wasn't photographed or fingerprinted, however, there are signs saying that conversations will be recorded (and I think they meant videotaped). Really, an hour and a half is not a long time in the grand scheme of things, I'm just glad to be here now - looking at the PILES of paper that we have accumulated. This last checking of VJ is my boost to put the petition together today.

cheers!
Mo

I was photographed and fingerprinted 2 years ago, when me and my wife (then my girlfriend) got pulled inside and questioned. One of the worst experiences of my life.

My boyfriend (now husband) was also pulled in, photographed, and fingerprinted. They were not convinced he'd return to Canada. They gave him a checklist of things they like to see. We drove back to Toronto, collected the documents, came back to the Rainbow Bridge, and were allowed to cross that same day.

My question is: has he ever been denied entry to the U.S.? This is a question coming up on a form.

I said yes that I have been denied on my forms, but i think I indicated that I have succesfuly crossed 5 times afterwards, since those refusals. I wouldn't wan't to take a chance and write no. Because even though he has crossed succesfuly afterwards, he was denied , and had his picture and fingerprints taken. They will most likely see this somewhere.

I think you're right. Better to say yes, he was denied, and if possible, add that he went back for more documentation and was admitted a few hours later.

I agree with you Jersey Girl. Nothing wrong with being denied (a pain in the butt but nothing wrong with it) - the bigger thing is that he was allowed entry once documentation was provided. I think that a ban would be an issue, but no so much a denial, which happens soooo often! Good luck to you!