Any Canucks having issues at the border and/or Airports?

[bankr63]

I wasn't thinking and I went to North Dakota for Garth Brooks over mothers day.

I'm sure a lot of women would spend mothers day in North Dakota with Garth Brooks without thinking!

 

[Canadian Girl]

I just returned with my two daughters who were adopted from China. We were questioned by the Canadian customs, not the US when we were returning. We approached the desk with our passports and as a family. My daughters have travelled with me frequently and have a number of stamps. I was asked what my relationship was to these "two girls" and then asked where their father was. I told him I was a single adoptive parent. I always carry copies of the paperwork just in case, but race seemed to be much more of an issue this time. My girls are a teen and tween so I am sure it was embarrassing for them. Someone I know drove over the border with her grade six aged son. She is a landed immigrant from China and had American visas. It was also returning to Canada she was asked to get out of her car and was separated from her son. They were asked all kinds of intrusive questions separately to see if their answers agreed and her car was searched. She is a wealthy business woman and was very upset and embarrassed.
Race has never been an issue before but we definitely felt it this trip. During the rides my girls were often assumed to be with other families who were visible minorities even though we came up as a family group. Unless you are in our situation, you might not notice it but my daughters and I definitely did and it was very uncomfortable.

 

[tgropp]

I have never had a problem at the U.S. Border. I just answer the questions honestly and direct ...... although I was interrogated for 15-20 minutes one time. We were flying out of Detroit and while in line at the Sarnia border I was asked where I was going and staying. I told him that I was staying at Villas Wilderness Lodge and he perked up and told me that he was interested in DVC. I recommended buying resale which he knew nothing about. I gave him websites of resale agents and he kept asking question after question about DVC. He was so appreciative. The cars behind me must have wondered what was going on

 

[xipetotec]

We are planning for next spring but all the news how Canadians being treated at the border is making us think twice about our trip.

Any reports?

We just went on a cruise leaving from Miami.
Customs into the USA from Montreal airport were *super* nice, courteous and we had no problems.
Security at the airport, was nice, courteous and we had no problems.
Getting OFF the ship back into Miami, TSA was super nice, courteous and we had no problems.

Flight on the way home, connecting through Toronto, CANADA customs were "okay".
Security back through the terminal for our Montreal flight was a nightmare.

So I'm not sure what that says...

 

[deedubb]

We do our annual trip over March break and customs is a breeze at that time (at least for us it has been). This year was the easiest. Less than a minute crossing into the US and about 30 seconds coming home.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just returned with my two daughters who were adopted from China. We were questioned by the Canadian customs, not the US when we were returning. We approached the desk with our passports and as a family. My daughters have travelled with me frequently and have a number of stamps. I was asked what my relationship was to these "two girls" and then asked where their father was. I told him I was a single adoptive parent. I always carry copies of the paperwork just in case, but race seemed to be much more of an issue this time. My girls are a teen and tween so I am sure it was embarrassing for them. Someone I know drove over the border with her grade six aged son. She is a landed immigrant from China and had American visas. It was also returning to Canada she was asked to get out of her car and was separated from her son. They were asked all kinds of intrusive questions separately to see if their answers agreed and her car was searched. She is a wealthy business woman and was very upset and embarrassed.
Race has never been an issue before but we definitely felt it this trip. During the rides my girls were often assumed to be with other families who were visible minorities even though we came up as a family group. Unless you are in our situation, you might not notice it but my daughters and I definitely did and it was very uncomfortable.

My DH is Asian and I am not. Our kids look like their dad. Over the years I have been asked many weird questions about my girls. I have been asked if I was baby sitting or just flat out "who's kids?" Not one single time did I take offence nor have my girls. In fact we all think it's really funny. I'm not trying to slight your experience but being a mixed race family you may discover that finding the humour about the whole thing is a more positive way of dealing with it. From time to time people are going to say stupid things or look at you funny. Really they shouldn't(it's none of their business) but they do.

As far as immigration goes, my kids have been questioned many, many times. At the airport and crossing in the car. I recall one specific time when my youngest, who would have been only about 7 at the time, was asked who the people in the front seat of the car where to her. She thought that was a really stupid question. My kids have been asked all the same questions that I have been asked at different times. It is perfectly normal for the kids to be questioned.

 

[Cheerio]

We crossed at rainbow bridge last month, DH, myself and 4 kiddos at 1:15am - no questions other than where are we going and when will we be home. Super easy. I was nervous since only three of us had passports, the younger 3 just birth certificates but no issues.

 

[mab2012]

I was asked what my relationship was to these "two girls" and then asked where their father was. I told him I was a single adoptive parent. I always carry copies of the paperwork just in case, but race seemed to be much more of an issue this time.

I think those questions are pretty common at the Canadian border. I drove to the US with my (biological) kids last summer. Their father and I are both of British descent. The kids resemble me. In fact, on that very same trip we had a complete stranger in a fast food line remark that my daughter looks just like me. On our return to Canada, I'm pretty sure I was asked if they were my kids (or something similar), and I know I was asked where their father was. I answered that he was at home, and that was the end of it.

So not necessarily related either to race or adoption. I'm sorry you and your girls were made to feel uncomfortable though. Perhaps the officer's tone was an issue here.

 

[Canadian Girl]

They are not common when flying though. I think this might be the new norm. I also know that had my daughters matched me more closely, this kind of question might not have been asked. I adopted as a single parent so always carry copies of adoption papers showing there is no other parent. But my girls are older and their passports show a lot of travel. I just tell people to be prepared for anything and keep copies of documents hand if needed.

 

[SaraMc]

Went across today at Queenston Lewiston and no problems at all. I don't think the US agent even looked at me. Coming home its Canada that your dealing with and it was also smooth sailing.

 

[jadephoenixx]

We're Nexus card holders and flew out of Buffalo on Apr 4th. We crossed at the Whirlpool bridge (Nexus only) and I got thrown off by the border guard there as the only question he had was very casually: Bringin' anything over? Even with Nexus, we've always been asked where we were going, at the very least. On the way back, only thing the Cdn guard asked was how much we were bringing back - we were under our limit so were sent on our way.

 

[FigmentSpark]

We're all Canadian (white) and my kids are always asked at the border who they are travelling with. I think they just want to make sure there's no question of whether the kids are being coerced. If it saves a child from being kidnapped, my kids can be questioned at the border. We just tell the kids to be respectful, serious and tell the truth. (no joking around that you don't know us!!!!)

 

[Lizardsoccernut]

Crossed over and back at Thousand Islands bridge over the Easter weekend: 4 unrelated adults (friends) in the car, 2 of whom are visible minorities, 1 of whom would absolutely fit the "profile" if the border guards were profiling people. We had absolutely no problem in either direction. It was probably the most straightforward crossing I've ever had.

 

[alc571]

I grew up and live right by the US border. I probably cross 20 or more times a year. I've had random check occasionally over the years. I will fully admit I was nervous crossing last month for our trip to Disney (we drove). We crossed at Gananoque. I usually cross at Cornwall or Johnstown (Prescott) or take a boat across. Agent asked if we were Canadian citizens, where we were going, then asked why I wasn't wearing any ears when I told him we were going to Disney. Great experience crossing.

I felt silly for being so nervous, but I understand where OP is coming from. We do tend to get caught up in the stories we hear on the news. The headline never says "Canadian couple traveling to Disney has great experience crossing the border!".

I love crossing at Gananoque. We crossed once, in the middle of the night, and the guy seemed pretty lonely in the booth.. lol. We got confused and had to u-turn into the right place to go through (we were THE only people crossing at that time). When we got up there, he asks where we were going, for how long - asked if we had any weapons, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol. When we said no, he says "Well, what the heck do you do for fun?" lol

 

[Cdn Gal]

We live in a border town and cross probably every other week or so for groceries, shopping, travel etc. After the first travel ban, the agent made a huge deal out of the fact that one of the numbers on a trip we took in 2015 was different than the rest of the other numbers. Then she was quick to say why we knew where we were in 2015 so fast. I replied that first of all, we didn't touch the numbers, that it was US customs that stamped the passport, and we remember quite well what was stamped in 2015 because the agent wrote that we could stay up to 6 month in Hawaii! 6 months!! can you imagine?? we wished!! so of course when it was stamped we laughed about it. Anyway not only did she shut down our lane, but then she stopped the other lane and showed the guard our passports. We never went in, because the other guard looked at her like she was going a bit over the top.
Since then we have crossed numerous times without any problems. We are always honest, and declare all food that we bring in. The penalty is too great if you aren't honest, it's just not worth it.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I have been to Florida twice lately (ish) once in October and once in March. Both times no issues at all. Some of you have commented on the questions back into Canada when travelling with children. I remember when I took my nephew to Disney in 07, it was harder to bring him back home to his mother than it was to take him with me. LOL I guess in a sense it's good, because they are being careful with children.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I would have surmised that they were more concerned about you bringing in alcohol moreso than the food. But that's just a guess.

It would make sense if it was booze or fruit. But a warning based on granola and cornflakes is just kind of odd. I once said "food" and the border agent said "produce?" And then I said cookies and they didn't say anything.

I haven't been over the border since inauguration. But anytime I talk to people who get more scrutiny, it's for a reason. The only people who seem to get refused (that I've met personally) are the people I wouldn't let over the border either- their reasons sound fishy.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I just returned with my two daughters who were adopted from China. We were questioned by the Canadian customs, not the US when we were returning. We approached the desk with our passports and as a family. My daughters have travelled with me frequently and have a number of stamps. I was asked what my relationship was to these "two girls" and then asked where their father was. I told him I was a single adoptive parent. I always carry copies of the paperwork just in case, but race seemed to be much more of an issue this time. My girls are a teen and tween so I am sure it was embarrassing for them. Someone I know drove over the border with her grade six aged son. She is a landed immigrant from China and had American visas. It was also returning to Canada she was asked to get out of her car and was separated from her son. They were asked all kinds of intrusive questions separately to see if their answers agreed and her car was searched. She is a wealthy business woman and was very upset and embarrassed.
Race has never been an issue before but we definitely felt it this trip. During the rides my girls were often assumed to be with other families who were visible minorities even though we came up as a family group. Unless you are in our situation, you might not notice it but my daughters and I definitely did and it was very uncomfortable.

Your experience is really unfortunate and I'm not saying you imagined the racial component.

But. When my mother took us for vacation by herself several years ago, she got positively grilled over my youngest sister, who was 10 or 11 at the time. This was a few years before they'd even tightened restrictions. both sex trafficking and custody disputes are something border patrol are on high alert for, and it could have just been the fact in both of your cases that you were single women traveling with minor children.