Reasons You Can Be Denied From the US-Canadian Border

Have you ever been denied entry at the US-Canadian border without knowing the reason why? It happens every day. Many Canadians find themselves turned away from the border for "no reason." When this happens, it tends to be a very stressful, scary, and emotional experience. The most important thing to do if this has happened to you or a loved one, is to understand the reasons why - and learn what you can do about it. This is the only way to move forward and gain admittance into the United States.
If you've been turned away from the US-Canadian border, there is always a reason. While you may not know exactly what that reason is, there is in fact an explanation for the decision. The United States border patrol can deny you entry into the country for a number of reasons. In fact, there are dozens of factors that may make you ineligible. So, instead of wondering why - find out! Here are some of the reasons you can be denied from the US-Canadian Border.
The United States immigration laws are quite strict. So, even if something small is in your past, it can impact your ability to enter the country. The most common reason for being denied entry from the US-Canadian border, is if you have a criminal record. If you have been found guilty of certain offences within Canada or the United States, you will likely be unable to enter. You will be unable to cross the border if you have been found guilty of a moral turpitude offence (a crime that is against justice or strong morals), offences related to drugs or prostitution, as well as terrorism or any threat to national security. Further, you may also be turned away at the US-Canadian border if you have been found guilty of more than one crime and your total sentencing was five years or more in prison.
A criminal record isn't the only reason that you may have been denied from the border. There are many other reasons as well. One of the most common, is overstaying or being deported from the United States. If you have ever stayed past your work or travel visa, or have spent too many days per year in the United States, this is considered overstaying. Even if it is just by a day or two, this can make you ineligible to enter the country again in the future. Canadian citizens can spend up to six months (182 days in total) in the United States within a period of 12 months. Any longer than that you will have illegally overstayed. If you have been deported from the United States for whatever reason, that is another possible explanation for being denied at the border. Other reasons for being denied entry at the US-Canadian border? Possession or trafficking of a controlled substance or if you have a communicable disease.
Before you protest that you have a Canadian Pardon, stop! While you may have a Canadian Pardon, which removes any criminal history from your record, that simply does not apply in the United States. Any guilty offences will remain on your record and will still make you ineligible to enter the country.
It is also important to keep in mind that your eligibility depends largely on the discretion of the border patrol agents. It is completely up to them to use their judgement based on the information they have. The border patrol has access to CPIC, a database that is used by the Canadian police. It can provide them with information about your background - even withdrawn charges or complaints made to the police about you. So, if you have been arrested, convicted, or have anything negative on your record, it is entirely possible that you could be turned away at the border. It all depends on the severity of the circumstances and the decision made by the border patrol officer.
Now that you know some of the most common reasons for being turned away from the border, think about your own situation. Were any of the issues above relevant to your case? Do you really believe that you were turned away for no reason? Are you still feeling unsure about why you could not enter the United States? Whether you have figured out why you were denied, or if you are just as confused as ever, it is time to take the next step.
To gain entry into the United States after you have been denied access, you will need a US Waiver or an I-192. These documents allow you to gain access into the country, despite any past record. In order to do so, your application will need to be filled out properly with all of the necessary supporting documents. After that, it usually takes between 4-6 months for the application to be processed completely. It may in fact, take much longer depending on the individual reasons for denied entry. If an application has been taking too long - years, even - then the next step will most likely be contacting a professional for an inquiry into your application status.
Luckily, there are people who can help you if you have been denied entry to the US-Canadian border. There are companies that specialize in helping people with US Waivers. It is important that you speak to one of these knowledgeable professionals in order to get your application process started. They have years of experience dealing with US Waivers and I-192 forms. This means that they know the protocol. They will be able to guide you through the waiver process and help you build the most compelling case possible. A professional may also be able to help you determine the reason why you were denied entry in the first place.
If you've been denied from the US-Canadian border for "no reason," it's time to take charge. Try to determine why you may have been deemed ineligible to enter the country - and then do something about it. A US Waiver or I-192 will allow you to gain entry to the United States. To ensure that your waiver application is filled out and filed correctly, speak to a qualified professional. They can assist you with the application process and help you to cross the border legally.
Julie Cammisa knows the reasons you can be denied entry from the US-Canadian border. As the owner of US Waiver Pardon Canada, she has helped clients with her professional experience and extensive knowledge about US Waivers, I-192 forms, and Canadian Pardons.