Canadian Cit, live in Dubai - visiting US to see ill parent. Visa Off has put a 3 mnth ban from entering. Can...
I am a Canadian citizen (Pakistani origin) and I currently live in Dubai.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in October and has been undergoing treatment in the USA since then.
So, I have been frequenting the USA since October. I was there in October for 10 days, November for 10 days, and December for 30 days
This time when travelling from Dubai and entering the USA via NYC, I was asked a few questions — why I was here, I gave them the reason. I did not have printed documentation on me, but I had everything on my phone, which I showed the customs officer.
My sister lives in the city as well, however my father is not living with her and with two little children it is impossible for her to care of him her own.
He proceeded to ask me which hospital my father was at and who was paying for the treatment. I gave him the name of the hospital and told him that my father is paying for it himself.
The officer, told me that he does not care if my father is ill — that I am not a doctor, and I do not need to be in the USA. That I should go back and be with my children.
My children had come with me to the US in October and in December — which I told the officer. To which he said that they were had school holidays so I could bring them with me — and he ignored the latter and said that I am taking my children out of school to bring them all the way here.
He said that my sister is enough and that he did not care either if my sister has 2 young kids and is unable to take care of him full-time.
He then proceeded to tell me, that I can only be in the US for 2 weeks this time (I told him I was booked to leave in a week and would do so), and he then proceeded to tell me that he is putting a ban on me from coming for 3 months.
He did not take me to a separate room or anything, and just told me to leave as there were a lot of other people in the line.
The issue is that: all my family members take turns coming to care for him and I am due back for 10 days in March. In addition, with this kind of illness there is so much uncertainty and I may need to head back due to any emergency.
I have extremely strong ties to my home country (middle east), in addition to my own work, my husband has a very secure job (he is quiet senior within his company), I have two children in my home country who are enrolled in school and ability to afford my trips to the US. Also I attended university in the USA for both my undergrad and grad.
I have no convictions, clean record etc.
I have also not stayed more than 6 months in a 12 month period — which is the limit applied to Canadian Citizens.
I checked my I-94 online and the exit date stated there is not 2 weeks later but 6 months later than my entry date, and there is no note stating there is a travel ban for 3 months. There is no mention on my passport stating the date of departure and the temporary 3 month travel ban. As mentioned I am not concerned about the departure date restriction for this trip but I am extremely concerned about the 3 month ban.
I am unsure as to what I should do now. Is there any way to appeal this?
Can I apply for a visa, so that everything is on file?
Please help! I am just note sure what to do :(
customs-and-immigration visa-refusals canadian-citizens visa-bans
New contributor
|
show 9 more comments
I am a Canadian citizen (Pakistani origin) and I currently live in Dubai.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in October and has been undergoing treatment in the USA since then.
So, I have been frequenting the USA since October. I was there in October for 10 days, November for 10 days, and December for 30 days
This time when travelling from Dubai and entering the USA via NYC, I was asked a few questions — why I was here, I gave them the reason. I did not have printed documentation on me, but I had everything on my phone, which I showed the customs officer.
My sister lives in the city as well, however my father is not living with her and with two little children it is impossible for her to care of him her own.
He proceeded to ask me which hospital my father was at and who was paying for the treatment. I gave him the name of the hospital and told him that my father is paying for it himself.
The officer, told me that he does not care if my father is ill — that I am not a doctor, and I do not need to be in the USA. That I should go back and be with my children.
My children had come with me to the US in October and in December — which I told the officer. To which he said that they were had school holidays so I could bring them with me — and he ignored the latter and said that I am taking my children out of school to bring them all the way here.
He said that my sister is enough and that he did not care either if my sister has 2 young kids and is unable to take care of him full-time.
He then proceeded to tell me, that I can only be in the US for 2 weeks this time (I told him I was booked to leave in a week and would do so), and he then proceeded to tell me that he is putting a ban on me from coming for 3 months.
He did not take me to a separate room or anything, and just told me to leave as there were a lot of other people in the line.
The issue is that: all my family members take turns coming to care for him and I am due back for 10 days in March. In addition, with this kind of illness there is so much uncertainty and I may need to head back due to any emergency.
I have extremely strong ties to my home country (middle east), in addition to my own work, my husband has a very secure job (he is quiet senior within his company), I have two children in my home country who are enrolled in school and ability to afford my trips to the US. Also I attended university in the USA for both my undergrad and grad.
I have no convictions, clean record etc.
I have also not stayed more than 6 months in a 12 month period — which is the limit applied to Canadian Citizens.
I checked my I-94 online and the exit date stated there is not 2 weeks later but 6 months later than my entry date, and there is no note stating there is a travel ban for 3 months. There is no mention on my passport stating the date of departure and the temporary 3 month travel ban. As mentioned I am not concerned about the departure date restriction for this trip but I am extremely concerned about the 3 month ban.
I am unsure as to what I should do now. Is there any way to appeal this?
Can I apply for a visa, so that everything is on file?
Please help! I am just note sure what to do :(
customs-and-immigration visa-refusals canadian-citizens visa-bans
New contributor
2
Canadian citizens are admitted for six months per visit, not six months per year. The cumulative limit is a function of tax law, not immigration law. Where were you entering from in New York?
– phoog
21 hours ago
18
Whoa, what a dick. If there's a CBP complaint number, I would definitely file a complaint against this officer. Many CBP officers are not nice, but this one is just outright being an asshole all around and making false threats to you.
– xuq01
14 hours ago
10
If you can afford it, you might consider getting in touch with a good US immigration lawyer. I agree with Honorary World Citizen's answer, but it sounds like you might be quite well off, in which case the cost may be worthwhile to you, especially as your father's illness means that disruptions of your travel plans could be much more troublesome than they otherwise might be.
– phoog
13 hours ago
1
@DavidRicherby I'm going to re-edit to remove the "living in" and replace it with "travelling from" as that is the detail that we have. The suggestion to travel via Abu Dhabi is not ridiculous if you're coming from Dubai, whether you are actually living in Dubai or not. OP can edit in where they're living (whether that's Dubai or Canada or elsewhere) if they wish but it's not for us to make speculation look prominent and as if it were fact! :)
– Lightness Races in Orbit
11 hours ago
2
Can you fly to Toronto and cross the land border by car, or train, or "domestic" flight? A Canadian will get looked at a lot less strangely coming across the Canadian border... also do you have a Canadian province driver license and does that province offer enhanced driver licenses?
– Harper
3 hours ago
|
show 9 more comments
I am a Canadian citizen (Pakistani origin) and I currently live in Dubai.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in October and has been undergoing treatment in the USA since then.
So, I have been frequenting the USA since October. I was there in October for 10 days, November for 10 days, and December for 30 days
This time when travelling from Dubai and entering the USA via NYC, I was asked a few questions — why I was here, I gave them the reason. I did not have printed documentation on me, but I had everything on my phone, which I showed the customs officer.
My sister lives in the city as well, however my father is not living with her and with two little children it is impossible for her to care of him her own.
He proceeded to ask me which hospital my father was at and who was paying for the treatment. I gave him the name of the hospital and told him that my father is paying for it himself.
The officer, told me that he does not care if my father is ill — that I am not a doctor, and I do not need to be in the USA. That I should go back and be with my children.
My children had come with me to the US in October and in December — which I told the officer. To which he said that they were had school holidays so I could bring them with me — and he ignored the latter and said that I am taking my children out of school to bring them all the way here.
He said that my sister is enough and that he did not care either if my sister has 2 young kids and is unable to take care of him full-time.
He then proceeded to tell me, that I can only be in the US for 2 weeks this time (I told him I was booked to leave in a week and would do so), and he then proceeded to tell me that he is putting a ban on me from coming for 3 months.
He did not take me to a separate room or anything, and just told me to leave as there were a lot of other people in the line.
The issue is that: all my family members take turns coming to care for him and I am due back for 10 days in March. In addition, with this kind of illness there is so much uncertainty and I may need to head back due to any emergency.
I have extremely strong ties to my home country (middle east), in addition to my own work, my husband has a very secure job (he is quiet senior within his company), I have two children in my home country who are enrolled in school and ability to afford my trips to the US. Also I attended university in the USA for both my undergrad and grad.
I have no convictions, clean record etc.
I have also not stayed more than 6 months in a 12 month period — which is the limit applied to Canadian Citizens.
I checked my I-94 online and the exit date stated there is not 2 weeks later but 6 months later than my entry date, and there is no note stating there is a travel ban for 3 months. There is no mention on my passport stating the date of departure and the temporary 3 month travel ban. As mentioned I am not concerned about the departure date restriction for this trip but I am extremely concerned about the 3 month ban.
I am unsure as to what I should do now. Is there any way to appeal this?
Can I apply for a visa, so that everything is on file?
Please help! I am just note sure what to do :(
customs-and-immigration visa-refusals canadian-citizens visa-bans
New contributor
I am a Canadian citizen (Pakistani origin) and I currently live in Dubai.
My father was diagnosed with cancer in October and has been undergoing treatment in the USA since then.
So, I have been frequenting the USA since October. I was there in October for 10 days, November for 10 days, and December for 30 days
This time when travelling from Dubai and entering the USA via NYC, I was asked a few questions — why I was here, I gave them the reason. I did not have printed documentation on me, but I had everything on my phone, which I showed the customs officer.
My sister lives in the city as well, however my father is not living with her and with two little children it is impossible for her to care of him her own.
He proceeded to ask me which hospital my father was at and who was paying for the treatment. I gave him the name of the hospital and told him that my father is paying for it himself.
The officer, told me that he does not care if my father is ill — that I am not a doctor, and I do not need to be in the USA. That I should go back and be with my children.
My children had come with me to the US in October and in December — which I told the officer. To which he said that they were had school holidays so I could bring them with me — and he ignored the latter and said that I am taking my children out of school to bring them all the way here.
He said that my sister is enough and that he did not care either if my sister has 2 young kids and is unable to take care of him full-time.
He then proceeded to tell me, that I can only be in the US for 2 weeks this time (I told him I was booked to leave in a week and would do so), and he then proceeded to tell me that he is putting a ban on me from coming for 3 months.
He did not take me to a separate room or anything, and just told me to leave as there were a lot of other people in the line.
The issue is that: all my family members take turns coming to care for him and I am due back for 10 days in March. In addition, with this kind of illness there is so much uncertainty and I may need to head back due to any emergency.
I have extremely strong ties to my home country (middle east), in addition to my own work, my husband has a very secure job (he is quiet senior within his company), I have two children in my home country who are enrolled in school and ability to afford my trips to the US. Also I attended university in the USA for both my undergrad and grad.
I have no convictions, clean record etc.
I have also not stayed more than 6 months in a 12 month period — which is the limit applied to Canadian Citizens.
I checked my I-94 online and the exit date stated there is not 2 weeks later but 6 months later than my entry date, and there is no note stating there is a travel ban for 3 months. There is no mention on my passport stating the date of departure and the temporary 3 month travel ban. As mentioned I am not concerned about the departure date restriction for this trip but I am extremely concerned about the 3 month ban.
I am unsure as to what I should do now. Is there any way to appeal this?
Can I apply for a visa, so that everything is on file?
Please help! I am just note sure what to do :(
customs-and-immigration visa-refusals canadian-citizens visa-bans
customs-and-immigration visa-refusals canadian-citizens visa-bans
New contributor
New contributor
edited 17 mins ago
nteami
New contributor
asked 22 hours ago
nteaminteami
16125
16125
New contributor
New contributor
2
Canadian citizens are admitted for six months per visit, not six months per year. The cumulative limit is a function of tax law, not immigration law. Where were you entering from in New York?
– phoog
21 hours ago
18
Whoa, what a dick. If there's a CBP complaint number, I would definitely file a complaint against this officer. Many CBP officers are not nice, but this one is just outright being an asshole all around and making false threats to you.
– xuq01
14 hours ago
10
If you can afford it, you might consider getting in touch with a good US immigration lawyer. I agree with Honorary World Citizen's answer, but it sounds like you might be quite well off, in which case the cost may be worthwhile to you, especially as your father's illness means that disruptions of your travel plans could be much more troublesome than they otherwise might be.
– phoog
13 hours ago
1
@DavidRicherby I'm going to re-edit to remove the "living in" and replace it with "travelling from" as that is the detail that we have. The suggestion to travel via Abu Dhabi is not ridiculous if you're coming from Dubai, whether you are actually living in Dubai or not. OP can edit in where they're living (whether that's Dubai or Canada or elsewhere) if they wish but it's not for us to make speculation look prominent and as if it were fact! :)
– Lightness Races in Orbit
11 hours ago
2
Can you fly to Toronto and cross the land border by car, or train, or "domestic" flight? A Canadian will get looked at a lot less strangely coming across the Canadian border... also do you have a Canadian province driver license and does that province offer enhanced driver licenses?
– Harper
3 hours ago
|
show 9 more comments
2
Canadian citizens are admitted for six months per visit, not six months per year. The cumulative limit is a function of tax law, not immigration law. Where were you entering from in New York?
– phoog
21 hours ago
18
Whoa, what a dick. If there's a CBP complaint number, I would definitely file a complaint against this officer. Many CBP officers are not nice, but this one is just outright being an asshole all around and making false threats to you.
– xuq01
14 hours ago
10
If you can afford it, you might consider getting in touch with a good US immigration lawyer. I agree with Honorary World Citizen's answer, but it sounds like you might be quite well off, in which case the cost may be worthwhile to you, especially as your father's illness means that disruptions of your travel plans could be much more troublesome than they otherwise might be.
– phoog
13 hours ago
1
@DavidRicherby I'm going to re-edit to remove the "living in" and replace it with "travelling from" as that is the detail that we have. The suggestion to travel via Abu Dhabi is not ridiculous if you're coming from Dubai, whether you are actually living in Dubai or not. OP can edit in where they're living (whether that's Dubai or Canada or elsewhere) if they wish but it's not for us to make speculation look prominent and as if it were fact! :)
– Lightness Races in Orbit
11 hours ago
2
Can you fly to Toronto and cross the land border by car, or train, or "domestic" flight? A Canadian will get looked at a lot less strangely coming across the Canadian border... also do you have a Canadian province driver license and does that province offer enhanced driver licenses?
– Harper
3 hours ago
2
2
Canadian citizens are admitted for six months per visit, not six months per year. The cumulative limit is a function of tax law, not immigration law. Where were you entering from in New York?
– phoog
21 hours ago
Canadian citizens are admitted for six months per visit, not six months per year. The cumulative limit is a function of tax law, not immigration law. Where were you entering from in New York?
– phoog
21 hours ago
18
18
Whoa, what a dick. If there's a CBP complaint number, I would definitely file a complaint against this officer. Many CBP officers are not nice, but this one is just outright being an asshole all around and making false threats to you.
– xuq01
14 hours ago
Whoa, what a dick. If there's a CBP complaint number, I would definitely file a complaint against this officer. Many CBP officers are not nice, but this one is just outright being an asshole all around and making false threats to you.
– xuq01
14 hours ago
10
10
If you can afford it, you might consider getting in touch with a good US immigration lawyer. I agree with Honorary World Citizen's answer, but it sounds like you might be quite well off, in which case the cost may be worthwhile to you, especially as your father's illness means that disruptions of your travel plans could be much more troublesome than they otherwise might be.
– phoog
13 hours ago
If you can afford it, you might consider getting in touch with a good US immigration lawyer. I agree with Honorary World Citizen's answer, but it sounds like you might be quite well off, in which case the cost may be worthwhile to you, especially as your father's illness means that disruptions of your travel plans could be much more troublesome than they otherwise might be.
– phoog
13 hours ago
1
1
@DavidRicherby I'm going to re-edit to remove the "living in" and replace it with "travelling from" as that is the detail that we have. The suggestion to travel via Abu Dhabi is not ridiculous if you're coming from Dubai, whether you are actually living in Dubai or not. OP can edit in where they're living (whether that's Dubai or Canada or elsewhere) if they wish but it's not for us to make speculation look prominent and as if it were fact! :)
– Lightness Races in Orbit
11 hours ago
@DavidRicherby I'm going to re-edit to remove the "living in" and replace it with "travelling from" as that is the detail that we have. The suggestion to travel via Abu Dhabi is not ridiculous if you're coming from Dubai, whether you are actually living in Dubai or not. OP can edit in where they're living (whether that's Dubai or Canada or elsewhere) if they wish but it's not for us to make speculation look prominent and as if it were fact! :)
– Lightness Races in Orbit
11 hours ago
2
2
Can you fly to Toronto and cross the land border by car, or train, or "domestic" flight? A Canadian will get looked at a lot less strangely coming across the Canadian border... also do you have a Canadian province driver license and does that province offer enhanced driver licenses?
– Harper
3 hours ago
Can you fly to Toronto and cross the land border by car, or train, or "domestic" flight? A Canadian will get looked at a lot less strangely coming across the Canadian border... also do you have a Canadian province driver license and does that province offer enhanced driver licenses?
– Harper
3 hours ago
|
show 9 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban. For all intents and purposes he was just grouchy and was just blowing hot air and lecturing you how to live your life. Ignore him.
Immigration officers are vested with the power to deny you entry and the bans which follow (typically 5 years for Expedited Removal) are by law (and in the law books), not arbitrary. There’s nowhere I have seen that an immigration officer can just ban you for a period of time determined by him. This is a country of laws (at least most of the time).
On subsequent trips have all your documentation printed out showing your strong ties (which you mentioned) to your home country.
You don’t need a visa for anything. Unlike UK visas, USA visas only give you the opportunity to present yourself at the border/airport for admission to the country. You’re able to satisfy that with your Canadian passport.
A great suggestion by Phoog is to if possible fly through Abu Dhabi and go through preclearance. That is preemptive and reduces the chances of encountering such issues after a long flight.
Reference
Expedited Removal of Certain Applicants for Admission
The expedited removal order bars reentry for 5 years following the
removal, or 20 years in the case of a second or subsequent removal,
unless the alien obtains advance permission to reenter the United
States.
5
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
5
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
1
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I askDid he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.
– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
add a comment |
While most CBP officers are professional and courteous, I've encountered a fair number who were incompetent, disrespectful and outright abusive. They wield a lot of power over you and they know it. That's one of the reasons I got a Global Entry card (when I could).
You seem to have encountered one of the bad examples. As a Canadian you may be eligible for a Nexus Card, that would allow you to bypass that whole process and there is no need to interact with any CBP officer. It will speed up your entry and provide peace of mind for travel.
Ironically my Global Entry interview was much simpler than the average CBP interaction. In contrast to a CBP officer, the interviewer has your entire information available and can make a decision much quicker.
5
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
1
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
3
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
add a comment |
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Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban. For all intents and purposes he was just grouchy and was just blowing hot air and lecturing you how to live your life. Ignore him.
Immigration officers are vested with the power to deny you entry and the bans which follow (typically 5 years for Expedited Removal) are by law (and in the law books), not arbitrary. There’s nowhere I have seen that an immigration officer can just ban you for a period of time determined by him. This is a country of laws (at least most of the time).
On subsequent trips have all your documentation printed out showing your strong ties (which you mentioned) to your home country.
You don’t need a visa for anything. Unlike UK visas, USA visas only give you the opportunity to present yourself at the border/airport for admission to the country. You’re able to satisfy that with your Canadian passport.
A great suggestion by Phoog is to if possible fly through Abu Dhabi and go through preclearance. That is preemptive and reduces the chances of encountering such issues after a long flight.
Reference
Expedited Removal of Certain Applicants for Admission
The expedited removal order bars reentry for 5 years following the
removal, or 20 years in the case of a second or subsequent removal,
unless the alien obtains advance permission to reenter the United
States.
5
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
5
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
1
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I askDid he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.
– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban. For all intents and purposes he was just grouchy and was just blowing hot air and lecturing you how to live your life. Ignore him.
Immigration officers are vested with the power to deny you entry and the bans which follow (typically 5 years for Expedited Removal) are by law (and in the law books), not arbitrary. There’s nowhere I have seen that an immigration officer can just ban you for a period of time determined by him. This is a country of laws (at least most of the time).
On subsequent trips have all your documentation printed out showing your strong ties (which you mentioned) to your home country.
You don’t need a visa for anything. Unlike UK visas, USA visas only give you the opportunity to present yourself at the border/airport for admission to the country. You’re able to satisfy that with your Canadian passport.
A great suggestion by Phoog is to if possible fly through Abu Dhabi and go through preclearance. That is preemptive and reduces the chances of encountering such issues after a long flight.
Reference
Expedited Removal of Certain Applicants for Admission
The expedited removal order bars reentry for 5 years following the
removal, or 20 years in the case of a second or subsequent removal,
unless the alien obtains advance permission to reenter the United
States.
5
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
5
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
1
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I askDid he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.
– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban. For all intents and purposes he was just grouchy and was just blowing hot air and lecturing you how to live your life. Ignore him.
Immigration officers are vested with the power to deny you entry and the bans which follow (typically 5 years for Expedited Removal) are by law (and in the law books), not arbitrary. There’s nowhere I have seen that an immigration officer can just ban you for a period of time determined by him. This is a country of laws (at least most of the time).
On subsequent trips have all your documentation printed out showing your strong ties (which you mentioned) to your home country.
You don’t need a visa for anything. Unlike UK visas, USA visas only give you the opportunity to present yourself at the border/airport for admission to the country. You’re able to satisfy that with your Canadian passport.
A great suggestion by Phoog is to if possible fly through Abu Dhabi and go through preclearance. That is preemptive and reduces the chances of encountering such issues after a long flight.
Reference
Expedited Removal of Certain Applicants for Admission
The expedited removal order bars reentry for 5 years following the
removal, or 20 years in the case of a second or subsequent removal,
unless the alien obtains advance permission to reenter the United
States.
Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban. For all intents and purposes he was just grouchy and was just blowing hot air and lecturing you how to live your life. Ignore him.
Immigration officers are vested with the power to deny you entry and the bans which follow (typically 5 years for Expedited Removal) are by law (and in the law books), not arbitrary. There’s nowhere I have seen that an immigration officer can just ban you for a period of time determined by him. This is a country of laws (at least most of the time).
On subsequent trips have all your documentation printed out showing your strong ties (which you mentioned) to your home country.
You don’t need a visa for anything. Unlike UK visas, USA visas only give you the opportunity to present yourself at the border/airport for admission to the country. You’re able to satisfy that with your Canadian passport.
A great suggestion by Phoog is to if possible fly through Abu Dhabi and go through preclearance. That is preemptive and reduces the chances of encountering such issues after a long flight.
Reference
Expedited Removal of Certain Applicants for Admission
The expedited removal order bars reentry for 5 years following the
removal, or 20 years in the case of a second or subsequent removal,
unless the alien obtains advance permission to reenter the United
States.
edited 11 hours ago
answered 15 hours ago
Honorary World CitizenHonorary World Citizen
20k355105
20k355105
5
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
5
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
1
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I askDid he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.
– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
add a comment |
5
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
5
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
1
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I askDid he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.
– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
5
5
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
It might be worthwhile to add a suggestion to fly from Abu Dhabi next time, or another preclearance airport, just in case.
– phoog
13 hours ago
5
5
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
Just for the avoidance of doubt, I mentioned Abu Dhabi because OP was traveling from Dubai. For future trips, any convenient preclearance airport would be, well, a more convenient place to be denied entry. If coming from Europe, that would be Dublin or Shannon. If coming from Canada, it would be almost any major airport in Canada.
– phoog
10 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
"If he didn’t [give any paperwork] [...] then there’s no ban" -- Is it possible they didn't give the paper work to OP (either because they forgot or were being rude) but still filed it and there is a delay for it to show up in the online site?
– Captain Man
6 hours ago
1
1
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I ask
Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
@CaptainMan The point is there is no ban like that so he could not have given her any paperwork for that. I ask
Did he give you any paperwork about a ban? Quoting which section of USA immigration law? If he didn’t (which he likely couldn’t because it doesn’t exist) then there’s no ban.
rhetorically because I know there is no ban in existence like that.– Honorary World Citizen
5 hours ago
add a comment |
While most CBP officers are professional and courteous, I've encountered a fair number who were incompetent, disrespectful and outright abusive. They wield a lot of power over you and they know it. That's one of the reasons I got a Global Entry card (when I could).
You seem to have encountered one of the bad examples. As a Canadian you may be eligible for a Nexus Card, that would allow you to bypass that whole process and there is no need to interact with any CBP officer. It will speed up your entry and provide peace of mind for travel.
Ironically my Global Entry interview was much simpler than the average CBP interaction. In contrast to a CBP officer, the interviewer has your entire information available and can make a decision much quicker.
5
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
1
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
3
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
add a comment |
While most CBP officers are professional and courteous, I've encountered a fair number who were incompetent, disrespectful and outright abusive. They wield a lot of power over you and they know it. That's one of the reasons I got a Global Entry card (when I could).
You seem to have encountered one of the bad examples. As a Canadian you may be eligible for a Nexus Card, that would allow you to bypass that whole process and there is no need to interact with any CBP officer. It will speed up your entry and provide peace of mind for travel.
Ironically my Global Entry interview was much simpler than the average CBP interaction. In contrast to a CBP officer, the interviewer has your entire information available and can make a decision much quicker.
5
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
1
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
3
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
add a comment |
While most CBP officers are professional and courteous, I've encountered a fair number who were incompetent, disrespectful and outright abusive. They wield a lot of power over you and they know it. That's one of the reasons I got a Global Entry card (when I could).
You seem to have encountered one of the bad examples. As a Canadian you may be eligible for a Nexus Card, that would allow you to bypass that whole process and there is no need to interact with any CBP officer. It will speed up your entry and provide peace of mind for travel.
Ironically my Global Entry interview was much simpler than the average CBP interaction. In contrast to a CBP officer, the interviewer has your entire information available and can make a decision much quicker.
While most CBP officers are professional and courteous, I've encountered a fair number who were incompetent, disrespectful and outright abusive. They wield a lot of power over you and they know it. That's one of the reasons I got a Global Entry card (when I could).
You seem to have encountered one of the bad examples. As a Canadian you may be eligible for a Nexus Card, that would allow you to bypass that whole process and there is no need to interact with any CBP officer. It will speed up your entry and provide peace of mind for travel.
Ironically my Global Entry interview was much simpler than the average CBP interaction. In contrast to a CBP officer, the interviewer has your entire information available and can make a decision much quicker.
answered 12 hours ago
HilmarHilmar
20.5k13268
20.5k13268
5
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
1
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
3
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
add a comment |
5
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
1
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
3
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
5
5
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
+1 With her travel patterns though, isn't it likely she will get pulled aside for questioning even if she has a trusted traveler program membership? She was probably profiled for her travel frequency, ethnicity trip origin and other citizenship. I am just conjecturing here.
– Honorary World Citizen
12 hours ago
1
1
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
Last time I entered the US on my Nexus card (US citizen), I still had to come face-to-face with an officer. Don't think he said anything, but a Nexus card doesn't guarantee you won't see a CBP officer.
– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago
3
3
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
You cannot get a Nexus card if you don't currently reside in Canada or the United States.
– JonathanReez♦
9 hours ago
add a comment |
nteami is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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2
Canadian citizens are admitted for six months per visit, not six months per year. The cumulative limit is a function of tax law, not immigration law. Where were you entering from in New York?
– phoog
21 hours ago
18
Whoa, what a dick. If there's a CBP complaint number, I would definitely file a complaint against this officer. Many CBP officers are not nice, but this one is just outright being an asshole all around and making false threats to you.
– xuq01
14 hours ago
10
If you can afford it, you might consider getting in touch with a good US immigration lawyer. I agree with Honorary World Citizen's answer, but it sounds like you might be quite well off, in which case the cost may be worthwhile to you, especially as your father's illness means that disruptions of your travel plans could be much more troublesome than they otherwise might be.
– phoog
13 hours ago
1
@DavidRicherby I'm going to re-edit to remove the "living in" and replace it with "travelling from" as that is the detail that we have. The suggestion to travel via Abu Dhabi is not ridiculous if you're coming from Dubai, whether you are actually living in Dubai or not. OP can edit in where they're living (whether that's Dubai or Canada or elsewhere) if they wish but it's not for us to make speculation look prominent and as if it were fact! :)
– Lightness Races in Orbit
11 hours ago
2
Can you fly to Toronto and cross the land border by car, or train, or "domestic" flight? A Canadian will get looked at a lot less strangely coming across the Canadian border... also do you have a Canadian province driver license and does that province offer enhanced driver licenses?
– Harper
3 hours ago