Help! Got detained at US border!

[Diamondintheruff]

Yesterday I set out to go shopping in the states with a girlfriend and got pulled over at US customs. I thought it was something to do with my girlfriend (ex-hubby is a son of a @#?!) but it turns out it was me that was flagged at the border.

Background information-I'm from Ontario but visiting friend in B.C. and in 2004-05 I went to Teacher's College in the states. I have gone accross the Ontario-New York border 4 times (most recently at March Break) and never been questioned since I graduated but apparently I am on some "federal student list" and can be denied entry to the states without my student papers. I need to get my old school to take me off the list but the Border Guards said it may take a while.

Here's where the panic sets in.....

I am flying out of Buffalo to WDW in August. I plan to photocopy any and all documents showing I graduated in 05 but as the Border Guards said "How do I know you aren't taking some other course or at some other school?" I guess the "list" does not include which school you are at.

Any ideas from all you helpful disers out there?

 

[Aimerskoeh]

hmmm...thats odd...
I am from Windsor Ont
I was a student at Wayne State in Detriot for a semester last yr, and I ended transfer to the University of Windsor.
I have crossed the border numerous times since than, and I have never come across the problem.
So I am not sure what to do, maybe you if you can call the customs agency and ask them how to go about it.
Make sure you have all your graduate documentation copies with you.
I wish you all the best with the sisuation, and hope this doesnt ruin your vacation.

 

[sean-1966]

You might want to cross the night before you fly out just in case. Spend the night in a hotel near the airport. Better safe than sorry.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

Dh has the same problem because he works a lot in the states. He was told that he will never be able to get the "black mark" off his record. What he does is always has his paperwork on him ie. work visas. He always gets pulled into the office but we make sure we have our disney resort arrangements with us so we can prove we have a destination and he's not crossing the border for work purposes. The Buffalo border is the worst!!!! We cross in Windsor and hardly have any issues anymore. Make sure you give yourself 2-3 hours because sometimes it can take that long. GOod luck!

 

[CanadianPaco]

You might want to cross the night before you fly out just in case. Spend the night in a hotel near the airport. Better safe than sorry.

Great advice!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I had been thinking of getting a hotel room the night before. I will snoop around the boards to read up on airport hotels.

Thanks!

 

[wickness2]

We just stayed at the Holiday INN beside the airport. It was ok. The pillows and beds were awesome! Dont eat at the onsite restaurant. Terrible service and food and expensive. Dennys is next door. Transit rd is just around the corner for lots of places to eat and shop.
I went threw Priceline and got it for 78$ Canadian.

Hope this helps.