entering Canada

[Porkchop]

I have a friend who wants to go to Canada, but he has warrants for misdameanors, he wants to go by car. He has done this before when he traveled to europe but of course he went by plane.. But he got to europe no problem and stayed for a while and worked! And he even traveled to and from other countries in Europe quite frequently. A couple of times he went back to America it was no problem for him.. But he has heard that security in Canada is very tight after 9/11, he asked me to post this for him and ask other peoples opinions about what to do about this. The charges against him are not big at all, mostly petty bullshit, he just wants to know if he will have a hard time entering Canada in car! How is the border patrol? do they search everyone? do they run everyones name for charges??

[SomeDude]

It depends. Every time I entered canada they asked for ID but sometimes they just barely glanced at it and asked the mandatory questions and we got through. Sometimes we had to wait a bit, i don't know what they were doing, don't know if they ran our info or what, but getting canada is usually really easy.

If you are underage to drink in the US, and you got to canada to drink, don't come across the border drunk, or smelling of alcohol, even if you're not driving, and act respectfully toward the customs agents and act like you are taking them seriously. i.e., don't put your feet on the dash, say yes ma'am, yes sir, etc. Sometimes you'll get an asshole.

One exchange at customs where my friend had his feet on the dash and we were still a little drunk, even thought the driver wasn't involved him telling us he would search our car to "teach us some respect" and even though we were'nt driving drunk "I think I need to get the state involved in this." even though his supervisor chewed him out in front of us for it.

Anyway, take them seriously to avoid trouble, and you shouldn't have a problem

[RidingHigh]

Yea when we came back from mexico the last time i was still pretty wasted( we took a cab rofl) hard as shit to tell them what u was doin i almost said 2 drink and get some Cheap hoes!

[Porkchop]

[QUOTE=SomeDude]It depends. Every time I entered canada they asked for ID but sometimes they just barely glanced at it and asked the mandatory questions and we got through. Sometimes we had to wait a bit, i don't know what they were doing, don't know if they ran our info or what, but getting canada is usually really easy.

When u had to wait a bit, would the customs officer go inside with ur identification, or would they mostly just look over it? Have u been since 9/11?where did u enter? What questions?

[Hektik]

I've never had problems getting into canada. They ask for ID sometimes, glance at it and you then hand it back. Ask how long you will be here for and shit.

[Porkchop]

Has any of u been there since 9/11, and where did u enter at all times? did u enter at different borders. Thanks for the help, im sure my friend appreciates it.

[RidingHigh]

not sure bout canada but mexico isent tight at all sept for the 2nd Check point we went thru had like 50 Drug Dogs rofl.looked like they'd ll been sniffen coke.

[Porkchop]

not sure bout canada but mexico isent tight at all sept for the 2nd Check point we went thru had like 50 Drug Dogs rofl.looked like they'd ll been sniffen coke.
I don't give a shit about mexico, my friend asked me to ask about Canada, not mexico, so why would u post that? And I don't think he plans on bringing drugs, so fuck the dogs...

[Smokey McPot]

I suggest you dont enter canada with any drugs or nothin that can get you busted. Just go wherever it is legal and buy all the shit you need there.

[BlueCat]

I lived in Point ROberts and had to cross the blaine washington crossing everyday so I can tell you first hand it is a NIGHTMARE. They have taken my car apart removing seats etc. then left it all on the ground I had to call my son to help me get it back together.

I have been detained for more than an hour while they checked my background...and that was because when they ask where I was going I said the dentist and they ask the dentist name...and I could not remember it. It was my first visit! They made me late.

My husband bought a new car and it was raining they let drug dogs with muddy feet walk all over his seats...then when he bitched one of the guards took out a knife and said well we could look at the seats this way....some of the guards are complete assholes on either side or the border. It will just depend on which guard you get. My uncle drove all the way from Michigan to visit me but he had a felony conviction from the 60s and they refused to let him into Canada.
If your friend has a felony it would be better to fly or take the ferry from Seattle. They will still check your ID but they don't take your finger prints and run a background check like the border often does. Make sure you have a passport or TWO kinds of ID a picture ID AND a birth certificate. If you don't have an up to date passport they absolutely will not let you in unless you have both a picture ID and BC....

If you decide to chance it which you are taking a risk..at least drive east to the Surrey crossing...they are not as bad as the Peace Arch.

Good luck...let me know how it goes ok? :)
Oh and drug dogs are an everyday thing...cross clean.

Cat

[BUZz UK]

I don't give a shit about mexico, my friend asked me to ask about Canada, not mexico, so why would u post that? And I don't think he plans on bringing drugs, so fuck the dogs...
don't behave like a cock, he can say what he wants, he was just giving an answer, and it wasn't really off topic. if you behave like that, nobody will want to answer your questions.

[Porkchop]

I lived in Point ROberts and had to cross the blaine washington crossing everyday so I can tell you first hand it is a NIGHTMARE. They have taken my car apart removing seats etc. then left it all on the ground I had to call my son to help me get it back together.

I have been detained for more than an hour while they checked my background...and that was because when they ask where I was going I said the dentist and they ask the dentist name...and I could not remember it. It was my first visit! They made me late.

My husband bought a new car and it was raining they let drug dogs with muddy feet walk all over his seats...then when he bitched one of the guards took out a knife and said well we could look at the seats this way....some of the guards are complete assholes on either side or the border. It will just depend on which guard you get. My uncle drove all the way from Michigan to visit me but he had a felony conviction from the 60s and they refused to let him into Canada.
If your friend has a felony it would be better to fly or take the ferry from Seattle. They will still check your ID but they don't take your finger prints and run a background check like the border often does. Make sure you have a passport or TWO kinds of ID a picture ID AND a birth certificate. If you don't have an up to date passport they absolutely will not let you in unless you have both a picture ID and BC....

the Surrey crossing...they are not as bad as the Peace Arch.



Cat
I don't think my friend has a felony, it's just misdameanors, 3 of them,I heard if u take the ferry, they check u alot harder, he is going with his girlfriend and he has a valid passport. Where is the surrey crossing? Tell me more pls..

[BlueCat]

Hmm I have taken the ferry a lot from Seattle and did not get checked as much as at the peace arch but maybe I just got lucky.

my family lived in BC but worked in the US so we had to cross the border everyday and deal with those guys 2 and 3 times a day. So I can tell you they can be assholes.

My son got a misdameanor in the US and the canadians would not let him cross the border to get home. We had to pay someone to take him on a boat. I guess it will just depend on the person you get.

The main crossing Peace Arch is the worse...As you drive east you'll hit the truck crossing....keep going east and you will hit the surrey crossing. It is small kinda out in the country. With passports they should be ok. The hassles are usually over a birth Certificate not being clear enough...they have to be able to read every word...they will run your car plate in their computers and check for warrants from whatever state it is from. Your friends could try crossing at the main crossing and if it does not work wait an hour and go down to the surrey one.
Good luck...
Cat

[del...]

it's been a couple years since i've dealt with canadian/usa customs but my many experiences with them at vancouver have always been: piece of cake going into canada. their customs people are more like greeters or hosts-hostesses...never had more than, "business or pleasure...?" asked of me. but they would be a bit bossy...telling me to 'have a good day, eh!" and all that...

but coming home was ALWAYS a hassle...especially when i don't have my birth certificate! a driver's license, ccw permit, ss card...all that was never enough w/o catching grief...

good luck

[Porkchop]

Hmm I have taken the ferry a lot from Seattle and did not get checked as much as at the peace arch but maybe I just got lucky.

my family lived in BC but worked in the US so we had to cross the border everyday and deal with those guys 2 and 3 times a day. So I can tell you they can be assholes.

My son got a misdameanor in the US and the canadians would not let him cross the border to get home. We had to pay someone to take him on a boat. I guess it will just depend on the person you get.

The main crossing Peace Arch is the worse...As you drive east you'll hit the truck crossing....keep going east and you will hit the surrey crossing. It is small kinda out in the country. With passports they should be ok. The hassles are usually over a birth Certificate not being clear enough...they have to be able to read every word...they will run your car plate in their computers and check for warrants from whatever state it is from. Your friends could try crossing at the main crossing and if it does not work wait an hour and go down to the surrey one.
Good luck...
Cat
Hey cat, im sorry to keep bothering u with these questions, but my friend is with me now and he wants me to ask some more things! Ur son got a misdameanor in the states and they wouldn't let him go back to the states? that sounds kind of fishy. And the car that will be used will be a rent-a-car! Do u have any more advice about how to go about it? Like how he should dress, where to keep the luggage? Anything like that?? I will be waiting to hear from u, thanx again!!

[Porkchop]

it's been a couple years since i've dealt with canadian/usa customs but my many experiences with them at vancouver have always been: piece of cake going into canada. their customs people are more like greeters or hosts-hostesses...never had more than, "business or pleasure...?" asked of me. but they would be a bit bossy...telling me to 'have a good day, eh!" and all that...

but coming home was ALWAYS a hassle...especially when i don't have my birth certificate! a driver's license, ccw permit, ss card...all that was never enough w/o catching grief...

good luck
Thanx for the info del, but I don't think he plans on coming home for a few yrs, seeing as how he knows people there he will be living with, and he is talking about getting a visa to go to school, like he has done before when he went to europe, he got a visa to go to school in the UK when he had warrants! where did u enter?

[del...]

cool...hope he realizes those charges won't go away and becoming a fugitive may bring on felony charges too, definitely add to what's already there. sorry to be a buzzkill...just something to think about. maybe he knows a lawyer he can ask such things?

us customs has become pretty much the same all over now but i've mostly used the vancouver port of entry. niagra falls, but that was a couple decades ago and i'm sure it's of no never-mind now...

[BlueCat]

My son got caught with 1 joint in Blaine Washington...
We lived in Canada and the Canadians would not let him cross to come home until all his court stuff was over so we had to pay a guy to sneak him in on a boat. We lived on the water. After court when he was found guilty they said it was to their discretion as to if he could cross. Sometimes they let him other times they didn't. We complained to the main office but it did no good.
My son has a smart mouth though...so just be very polite and no matter how mad you might feel don't let them know it. There are some nice guards too.
Make sure you keep your rental car receipt...

Whatever you do don't have any weed or pipes or anything on you. No alcohol and absolutely NO WEAPON of any kind.
They will ask you if you are bringing anything into Canada...if you have luggage then say you do...they will probably want to go through it.
It will be the same thing going back into the US on the other side.

Canadian cops are no where near as anal as the border guards...You will have fun once you are across
but the Blaine police on the US side are terrible. They will give you a ticket for anything including driving too SLOW...
let me know how it goes...so where are you going in BC?

[Porkchop]

If anyone else has any info. about this, it would be very much appreciated, and everything that is said is taken in and analyzed. I mostly want to know how the border partols are after 9/11, seeing as how I have been searching other websites for this guy, and alot of them say since 9/11 it has gotten really difficult to enter Canada, so I would like to know from ur past experiences in entering how it is. My friend has a birth certificate, passport, state id, and social security card...

[Porkchop]

where are you going in BC?
im not going anywhere in BC it is my friend, and I don't think he would like me to say where he plans on going. Honestly, if he looks nice, and has nothing to hide(except for his warrants) do u think it will be ok?

[SomeDude]

Yeah, the canadian cops rock. Me and my friend were smoking in a park in a city about 75 miles south of quebec, and a cop came up to us and I started to hide the weed, but the cops was just like "no use to hide it, fuck, I just wanna see how good it is." He looked at it, smelled it, and was like, "not bad, you american boys better be careful and not smoke too much canadian weed" In that palce no one ever locked their doors or anything.

Anyway, getting into canada is usually the easiest, when we had to wait they never left their little booth thing and it never caused a problem. I never had to use a passport or anything, I don't even have one. We crossed over in places always into ontario, from the northeast states.

[SomeDude]

oh yeah, and every time i went was after 9/11, it was still easy

[Porkchop]

Yeah, the canadian cops rock. Me and my friend were smoking in a park in a city about 75 miles south of quebec, and a cop came up to us and I started to hide the weed, but the cops was just like "no use to hide it, fuck, I just wanna see how good it is." He looked at it, smelled it, and was like, "not bad, you american boys better be careful and not smoke too much canadian weed" In that palce no one ever locked their doors or anything.

Anyway, getting into canada is usually the easiest, when we had to wait they never left their little booth thing and it never caused a problem. I never had to use a passport or anything, I don't even have one. We crossed over in places always into ontario, from the northeast states.
Sounds pretty easy from what alot of people are saying, well im sure that will make his day, have u been since 9/11, and how old are u?

[RidingHigh]

snails and puppy dog tails.

[BlueCat]

I guess since we crossed everyday we had a better chance of catching an asshole guard...I dealt with it so long that I really don't have much nice to say about either side.

If you are polite and have proper ID you should not have a problem...

[HigHAnneXities]

Once living in BirchBay, just below Blaine, my son and I had gone to the International Market for some munchies. We were watching Saturday cartoons, and toking. Like an idiot, we decided to take a different route back to the house, and inadvertantly found ourselves on the Canadian side. Realizing our mistake we tried to make a U-turn back into the states. That's where we ran into problems. The problem came because my son didn't have any ID on him, I was driving, and it was just to be a short trip to the store anyways. They brought us inside and searched the car thoroughly, finding nothing, of course they didn't, it was in my pocket!!, but they did detain us for a long long time. My son has a history, and they were just getting all the info from the states we'd lived in. It was a bit unnerving to sit there and watch them eyeing the computer, and occasionally looking up and at us with a look of OOOOHHHH UH HUHHHHHH. This was before 9/11 and I thought the US side was pretty scary then. Seemed like we were drawn into some sort of international intrigue and we were just on a mission for munchies. Be sure to have all proper paperwork, pleasant demeanor, and don't be nervous.
You might try the crossing to the east of Peace Arch, it might be the truck crossing, and I think it's just above a place called Lynden, but it's been years since we lived there. Can't remember

[BlueCat]

Once living in BirchBay, just below Blaine, my son and I had gone to the International Market for some munchies. We were watching Saturday cartoons, and toking. Like an idiot, we decided to take a different route back to the house, and inadvertantly found ourselves on the Canadian side. Realizing our mistake we tried to make a U-turn back into the states. That's where we ran into problems. The problem came because my son didn't have any ID on him, I was driving, and it was just to be a short trip to the store anyways. They brought us inside and searched the car thoroughly, finding nothing, of course they didn't, it was in my pocket!!, but they did detain us for a long long time. My son has a history, and they were just getting all the info from the states we'd lived in. It was a bit unnerving to sit there and watch them eyeing the computer, and occasionally looking up and at us with a look of OOOOHHHH UH HUHHHHHH. This was before 9/11 and I thought the US side was pretty scary then. Seemed like we were drawn into some sort of international intrigue and we were just on a mission for munchies. Be sure to have all proper paperwork, pleasant demeanor, and don't be nervous.
You might try the crossing to the east of Peace Arch, it might be the truck crossing, and I think it's just above a place called Lynden, but it's been years since we lived there. Can't remember


LMAO HighAnne... Been there...they can sure make you feel like a criminal...scary,eh?
the Lynden crossing is the Surrey crossing...Lynden on the US side and Surrey/Abbotsford on the BC side. It is after the truck crossing.

[Porkchop]

So, what is the difference in the truck crossing than the regular crossing? Is there a truck crossing at every border? What is a truck crossing?

[BlueCat]

thats where the big semi trucks go through and it is usually backed up with trucks...but you can cross there in a car...if you come to the Peace Arch and it is really backed up you can turn before you get trapped in line and go see how far the truck crossing is backed up..

[Porkchop]

Well, I think it is better if he goes the regular route, as that seems a bit confusing. And if it's for semi's then why would people in car go through that way?

[makor01]

when i drove upi to canada all they asked me was if i had any weapons onboard or mace and shit like that.

coming back in to NY tho they asked me to claim my citizenship and asked for my licence and where i was born. oh and they asked me if i had more than x amount of beer/booze in my car.

[BlueCat]

Well, I think it is better if he goes the regular route, as that seems a bit confusing. And if it's for semi's then why would people in car go through that way?


they do....the traffic gets so backed up they have to divide it up....the truck crossing catches the extra...it really isn't confusing once you are there....it just sounds it. THere is only one hwy going east that parallels the border...

there is only one road past this arch that goes east....

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighwaycam/WebCam.aspx?img=14

[Porkchop]

When my friend goes, what if they ask him how long he is going, just in case what would u all suggest?

[Porkchop]

Nobody has any more comments to make about this? It will be much appreciated.

[del...]

just tell them it's a vacation...a short time is all. whatever time limit your baggage fits to make it look normal...

[Porkchop]

If they do run his name, and see htat he has warrants, do u know what they will do? will they deport him, or hold him?

[BlueCat]

who knows? it will depend on who he gets...there is no way to answer that. If they pull up warrants they could very well hold him and turn him over to the US border guards...or they might not even check...Thats the idea, you don't know and they do random checks....

[larry]

Show them ID and they will not check the computer maybbe 50%

[Porkchop]

I think my friend is fucking nuts, but he seems to have his mind set on it, and he really despises America and wants to get out of here, I think he knows that it is a 50/50 chance, but he is willing to risk everything so good luck to him. What would be a good time of day when there is alot of traffic, and they are in a rush so they are hurrying traffic through? Do u think it will make a difference that the car will have canadian plates on it? Are there always border patrol there 24/7?

[BlueCat]

Yes they are always there...the busiest time is a Friday night...or around 4 or 5 on a weekday...

[Porkchop]

Would say it is better to go when they are pretty busy? And what do u think about the car he will be in will have Canadian plates? Sorry to ask u so much bluecat, but this is my best friend, and i dont want anything to happen to him. Thanx for all ur time in answering my questions with the best of ur ability and experience!!!

[BlueCat]

Canadian plates are good....it would be better than state ones...
they just open up more lanes when they are busy...but they do seem to try and hurry when they are real busy.... so it might be better to go then...there really is no way of knowing if they will run a check on his ID though.
If he is really that worried about it email me and I will tell him how to get there avoiding the [email protected]

[Porkchop]

did u get my emails cat? Are u ever going to write back?

[BlueCat]

I got it...check your email... :)

[Porkchop]

thanx cat, I wrote u an email back, u can answer it in the email, or on this thread, it doesn't matter to me!

[FunkyMonkey]

HEY, I just ran up from the Tv to post about a show that is starting right now on ACCESS called UNDEFENDED BORDER. It is a special that documents the Canadian customs and border crossing after 911.
Seems like this is the place to find the answers you are looking for. I dont know what channell it is in USA or time but try to find out from your local listings.
peace.

[Porkchop]

I appreciate it monkey, I will be watching im sure!

[FunkyMonkey]

I dont know if you caught it this time around but I managed to. Im not sure but it almost looked like a series like the show about airport security that is on.
Anyway, the first guy they had detained was an American with a criminal record who wanted to visit. His record included some violent offenses but had all be dealt with by US courts. But, they didnt want to let him in so they shackled him up and took him off to detention for 48 hours then put him before an immigration judge who deported him and banned him from Canada for life. So apparently they are kinda taking a harder stance nowadays. They talked about increased training to spot fake ID and suspicious behavior.
They didnt get much into things that could answer your question, although, they did say that they are tighter and taking their jobs more seriously than ever .
Nothing about the frequency or thoroughness of ID checks/ background checks.
One thing that did shock me though was that there were some ppl who were comming to Canada via US who were from overseas ( so they claimed) and wanted refugee status.
They had fake passports and no other ID . When they admitted their ID was fake they were given a standard interview and fingerprints and sent on their way ( into Canada) with a hearing date and a promise to appear. Most times these ppl never show up for their hearings and our government doesnt persue them. We have thousands of people who are deported officially but whereabouts unknown. Its too easy.
Tell your friend I said 'welcome to Canada eh!'

( and tell him to be carefull our beer has this substance in it called alcohol) lol

[Porkchop]

Hey man, my friend does have a valid passport that's not a fake, but when u watched the show, did the american guy who got caught come in in a car? or a plane? What do u think the easiest way to enter would be? I've heard of another way where u don't have to go through the border, and its seems pretty safe but my friend is pretty un easy about it still, so what do u think?

[FunkyMonkey]

[email protected]

[Porkchop]

alright funky, answer my email soon if u don't care...

[Porkchop]

Hey monkey, I emailed u and I got a letter back saying the delivery failed, I will try again.

[FunkyMonkey]

I just set that one up tonight so maybe it needs approval or something still (?)
use this one since its established for a while:
[email protected]

[FunkyMonkey]

I just sent two test emails to it and it worked