OT - Quebec Student Shaken by U.S. Border Ordeal

[tinkerbell_xo]

Seems a little extreme. Just wondering if anyone else heard about this and what their thoughts are.

http://news.aol.ca/ca/article/quebe...-student-shaken-by-u-s-border-ordeal/19474964

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I suspect this wasn't a random thing (the labour issue is a red flag) ... and that there is another side to this story. ... My experience with the border is "mind your manners" and "answer their questions" .... never a problem here and I've been traveling over that border for 30 years.

 

[glendalais]

In all honesty, she probably helped cause the situation, if only partially, by mentioning that she was going to work (even if unpaid) on a farm. Given the current attitudes in the U.S. towards anything regarding immigration, it probably wasn't the best idea.

Though on the other hand, border guards on either side of the border generally don't win awards in customer service, regardless of whether they're dealing with foreigners or citizens/residents. I often have to play 20 Questions with both USCBP and CBSA/ASFC agents when I cross the border, and I'm a citizen of both countries!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I've been questioned about working in the US just about ever time I cross the border. I'm a self-employed consultant. I got raised eyebrows when I tell US customs that I have to bring my laptop to handle work issues while I was on vacation in WDW. They weren't happy about that and questioned me about my clients. Only when they were satisfied that all my clients were Canadian would they let me through.

The article is a bit odd -- I've never heard of any reputable organization encouraging their associates to withhold information from customs officials.

 

[Tower]

I'm a self-employed consultant. I got raised eyebrows when I tell US customs that I have to bring my laptop to handle work issues while I was on vacation in WDW. They weren't happy about that and questioned me about my clients. Only when they were satisfied that all my clients were Canadian would they let me through.

I too am a consultant and I always bring my laptop with me. I normally tell them, if they ask, that I brought my laptop along for the DVD player capabilities to keep the kids occupied. (DVD's are in the case too) My ressies and other information is also on that laptop in case I need them. Only had one problem 5 years ago and that was because I was doing work in the US at the time as well, but held back when I crossed with family. Managed to get across just the same, but from now on, I never reveal any work that I may be doing in the USA.

 

[dopeyluvsgrumpy]

They are very strict about Canadians crossing the border to work in any capacity. DH was threatened that he would be thrown in jail when he and a co-worker where being contracted out by a Canadian company to do work in their American plant and they had work visas in place. This was 5-6 years ago and still to this day he gets pulled into the office everytime he crosses the border. He even got detained at port while boarding our cruise ship one year.

 

[DaniB]

I never knew this was an issue when crossing the board.

My husband has been sent across to the States by his company, for work purposes, and no one has ever said anything to him. Maybe because he flies out of Toronto?