advice wanted on border crossing

[director007]

I was hoping for some advice from those of you who have experience dealing with the US border.

Two weeks ago i tried to make my way to Oregon. The plan was to spend some time there til May. A retreat of sorts. i subleased my apartment, packed my bags, booked the ticket...but was refused entry as they thought i was going there to work. (which i was not..i had one too many bags i guess)

they advised me to gather more information about my residence in Canada, and to prove i had savings to live off of while i was there...so i did so, and was allowed entry. this second time around, i thought i shouldn't push my luck with a ticket that returns in may, so i booked a ticket returning in march. needless to say, they allowed me entry, but with a I-94 that says i have to leave by march.

I'm sad about this...and looking for advice. many friends have suggested i leave the US once my time is up, and then try and reenter a few weeks later. it might be possible to pack a day bag and cross in a car with a friend that lives in Seattle. friends seem to think if i can get across looking like someone visiting for a weekend (with a concert ticket in seattle perhaps, and nothing but a day bag) this way i could appear to be going for a weekend, and perhaps they will let me across without issue and without another I-94. once in, the idea is to stay for a month or so.

I'm nervous about trying this at all.
being refused is not a big deal, but what if they refuse me with other consequences? (like not allowing me entry for a few years)

should i be concerned about saying im going for a weekend and staying for a month?
what sort of details do you think they record?

I'm curious what your experience has been in recent years with the US border. any advice would be appreciated

 

[Ray]

If you have any sort of run-in with the law enforcement after you are supposed to have left the country, even for a speeding ticket or loitering, you will be deported and banned from ever returning.

My experiences have always been pleasant. I tell them how long I'm going for, and no worries at all. But I'm older with a family. Don't know about you or your situation, but it's really the discretion of the officer you talk to at any given time you cross.

 

[ninjarider]

try the ferry

A lot of times the ferry is the easier route, may just be my impression or experience but the guys that work immigration at the ferry terminals seem a bit more relaxed. You may also be experiencing a bit of Olympic tension, seems the US is very concerned about terrorist activity, with the Olympics so close. Not sure if any of this helps, but there it is.

Peace
Ninjarider

 

[just-a-averagejoe]

Director007

I travel extensively to the us and around the world. I stay sometimes for 6 months in the USA throughout the year. I have always stated that I am on business except when I am vacationing in Palm Springs which I do often. I am in my 40's and have always been honest with them. Now I do travel more by plane than drive across but any way you cross they have it in there system clear across the border from east to west. You MUST always have a clear answer to their questions without hesitation. Once you have been singled out for any problem you will continue to have problems as it will be on file whether you cross by plane, boat or car. Don't know if this helps you but you might want to stay away from the USA till well after the Olympics are over.

 

[island-guy]

I hope you know that if you are out of BC for 90 days in a row, you lose your medicare coverage until the end of the 3rd month after you come back (not exactly 90 days but sorta)

You can get travel insurance policies that will cover you until your medicare kicks back in when you get back

There was a story about a guy who spent winters in Florida, he'd been down there for just over 100 days and had a heart attack. Medicare didn't pay for his treatment in Florida AND they billed him for all his treatment in Canada for about 2 1/2 months once he got back.

It is worth your while to step foot back in BC at least once every 89 days, even if only for an hour, so long as you can prove you weren't gone for over 90 days.

 

[Rizzle]

I have a friend that's a border guard and average joe is right, "You MUST always have a clear answer to their questions without hesitation". They are like any other entity, you have some good ones and bad ones but in the end always be pleasent and respectful. If you don't then chances are you're going to have an unfortunate story to tell.

 

[director007]

for the poster that was curious. lets just say i have a special friend who takes good care of me while i am there.

all and any advice is appreciated. id still love to hear from people who have left on their expired i-94 only to re-enter again too.

 

[island-guy]

I had a friend who over-stayed her I-94 once.

After that, for many years (I think about 10?) every single time she entered the US there was some sort of flag that came up on the computer at the land border and at airports and she got pulled aside into an interview. They never barred her from entry but she almost missed her flight a few times because of the delay and she always had to show up at the airport about 3 hours before her flights or she would have missed them.

It finally got straightened out or expired about 10 years later, but it was a huge hassle for her for a very long time.

 

[just-a-averagejoe]

lol like I said director DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK or your special friend will be real lonely down there lol

 

[ReluctantPooner]

Come back when the I-94 expires, stay here overnight, then buy another return ticket to go back. And have all the other eveidence i.e. proof of savings etc.

 

[just-a-averagejoe]

Trust me you will be sorry DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK OR YOU WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE USA FOR YEARS AND YOUR FRIEND WILL BE ALL ALONE LMAO