Temporary Visitor to US

[kelera 0]

I am a Canadian and have been visiting my US citizen husband traveling back and forth every month. I was under the understanding that my stay there should not exceed 180 days (6 months) to maintain my temporary visitor status. Recently I was stopped at the border and denied access to the US and told I could not reenter because I was an illegal immigrant living in the US. Am I really an illegal immigrant if I am not overstaying more than a month at a time?

Thanks for your help.

[frostiana 12]

What did they say other than that they wouldn't let you in?

[Lise+Michael 13]

I am a Canadian and have been visiting my US citizen husband traveling back and forth every month. I was under the understanding that my stay there should not exceed 180 days (6 months) to maintain my temporary visitor status. Recently I was stopped at the border and denied access to the US and told I could not reenter because I was an illegal immigrant living in the US. Am I really an illegal immigrant if I am not overstaying more than a month at a time?

Thanks for your help.

Hi,

Do you think that accumulatively you have stayed 180 days in the year? When I was going back/forth before getting married I kept track of the days to make sure I did not reach 180 within the year. My husband (US citizen) was warned at the Canadian border that he was soon approaching his alloted time for the year to enter Canada as a temporary visitor.

Immigration can be confusing!

[kelera 0]

They told me to leave and I wasnt allowed to try to come back into the US; they photocopied my passport and told me I was flagged and can't enter by plane or vehicle and not to come back until I have an i130 visa; the lady said even though I come back to Canada every month I'm an illegal immigrant; that's not right is it?i wish they would have at least given me a warning

Edited October 20, 2011 by kelera

[Krikit 1,166]

Are you spending more time in the US than you are in Canada? (See the last paragraph in this link: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/619/kw/canadian/sno/1 )

If you're staying the month, returning to Canada for a weekend (for example), then re-entering the US for another month, you are, in fact, a de-facto resident and the officer is correct.