Thank you for sharing this. I will get I-94 and keep it handy. If this scrutiny has to happen later in the application process like you say, then I wonder why AOR is being delayed like this.Yes, the USCBP share the entry data with CBSA which updates the exit records. But the problem is that many a times the data is not fully and accurately updated and there are discrepancies. In such cases, IRCC asks the applicant to share the full passport scans of all pages and/or ask to come for an in-person interview to IRCC office to clarify the travel history gaps. They would also need boarding passes and other proofs to confirm the same.
In case of land borders with US, you can get a copy of I-94 from USCBP online for the accurate data.
Hoping that in your case they are able to verify it with CBSA database, if not brace yourself with all this data to be shared with IRCC.
when I got my citizenship, I had 1101 days and the notes said “ICES requested and reviewed, residency passed based on balancing of probabilities” I wonder what that means and what ICES is.