Have You Been Turned Away From the United States Border?

There is nothing worse than being turned away from the border. Imagine it...you've got your bags packed, your hotel reservations confirmed, and your plane ticket in hand. Everything is ready to go. Except the United States border patrol has denied you entry. Not only is this embarrassing and frustrating, but it can also be awfully confusing. A million thoughts are running through your head: Why has this happened? And what about your travel plans? If you've been turned away from the United States border, it's important to understand why - and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
The first thing to do is determine why you have been denied entry. The Border Patrol may tell you on the spot why you are being turned away - or they may simply ask you to return home. It all depends on the situation. Whatever happens, try to remain calm. You don't want to make the situation worse in any way. Remember, causing a scene certainly won't help you get into the country. So, take a deep breath and start to think about why you may have been denied entry.
There are actually a number of reasons that you may be ineligible to cross the United States-Canadian border. The most common reason is having a criminal record. Have you been found guilty of a moral turpitude offence? (This is considered anything that goes against justice or strong morals.) If you have, then this may be why you cannot cross the border. Whether you have a criminal record in Canada or the United States, this can be enough to keep you out of the country. Since the terrorist attacks in 2001, security has become much stricter. That means that even if you were able to cross the border prior to that point, you may not be able to anymore. It is all up to the discretion of the border patrol officer.
Other reasons that you may have been turned away? If you have been found guilty of any crimes that are linked to prostitution or drugs, you will likely be considered ineligible. The United States border patrol takes drug offences very seriously, so be aware. If you have any possession or trafficking charges on your record, that is likely why you were denied entry. You may also have been turned away if you have a history of overstaying a work or travel visa. By law, Canadian citizens are able to spend up to six months each year in the United States. That is a total of 182 days within a twelve-month period. Any more than that and you have overstayed. Yes, it is actually possible for you to overstay without realizing it...so be careful!
How can you prevent being denied entry in the future? The most important thing to do is get a US Waiver. This document allows ineligible Canadian citizens to cross the United States-Canadian border legally. That means you won't be turned away again! In order to obtain this document, you will need to go through the application process. Keep in mind that there is an awful lot of working involved. You will need to fill out the application form, supply supporting documents, provide fingerprints and recent photos, and so on. To ensure that your application is filled out correctly, you may want to get a little professional help. Choose a company that specializes in US Waiver applications. They can help you present the strongest case possible, which will help you get back into the United States faster.
No one wants to be turned away from the border. If it's happened to you, make sure that it never happens again. Start your US Waiver application process as soon as possible. It can help you get your freedom back and let you travel with ease.
Julie Cammisa understands why people are turned away from the United States border. As the owner of US Waiver Pardon Canada, she has helped clients with her professional experience and extensive knowledge of US Waivers and Canadian Pardons.