Administrative Refusals

[spookyb]

So I've been looking into options for landing. I've never been rejected or refused entry to any country, so I've been a little wary of the "administrative refusal". I decided to call up a couple of the US borders to see what their take on it was, and (surprise surprise), got conflicting views about the impact of the refusal on future visa applications to the US.

The immigration guy at Rainbow Bridge said we'll send you right back and if you're asked whether you've been refused in the future, just say no.

The very nice lady at Prescott gave me a very detailed version of the process. She said they will take our passports and "process" us, give us the refusal and then send us back. She said that these refusals are "iffy" and a "grey area", and that if asked about being refused in the future, I would have to say yes and explain that it was for flagpoling.

I've read mixed responses to landing experiences - some people have just been given the refusal, others have had their passports scanned, and some have been fingerprinted. Two weeks ago, a friend and his family spent 6 hours with the US Border officials undergoing security checks. So I know that the refusals get put into the system.

Now, I understand it's not a huge hassle explaining it in the future, but I'm wondering why I should go through it at all if I have the option to land inside Canada. Otherwise, I'll spend the next several years ticking Yes to the question and explaining why I was refused.

Any thoughts?

 

[Matt the Aussie]

I, like you, am very wary of the US having any sort of record on me. I already spend, on average, 1-2 hours at each (road) border crossing explaining my temporary work permit status and that I'm NOT trying to illegally move to the US. Whenever I have flown instead they have not had any issues...not sure why that is?

If you already have your CoPR, I would suggest calling CIC. They should be able to give you a timeline for when the landing appointment can be booked in your area. In my case (Kitchener office), it was only 3-4 weeks. My appointment is on the 11th.

 

[spookyb]

I have my COPR, and I called CIC today. They say it's 4-6 weeks.

 

[Matt the Aussie]

OK, so now the question becomes "do you want to be patient and wait, or do you want this over with sooner"?

I had a rather tough time with the appointment process (a story for another thread, perhaps) but now that it is made and almost here I appreciate not being stressed about what happens at the US border in the future.

 

[spookyb]

I've waited almost 14 months already, so 4 weeks isn't that bad. Work will keep me from landing for the next 2 weeks anyway. I'm curious about your appointment experience. Care to elaborate?

 

[Matt the Aussie]

I've waited almost 14 months already, so 4 weeks isn't that bad. Work will keep me from landing for the next 2 weeks anyway. I'm curious about your appointment experience. Care to elaborate?

Sure, why not...I'll start a new thread.

 

[thisisauser]

Administrative Refusal DOES NOT have any impact on future admission to the US. The whole purpose of its existence is to distinguish between cases like flag-polling and actual rejection.

If you are in doubt contact CBP and ask.

 

[spookyb]

Administrative Refusal DOES NOT have any impact on future admission to the US. The whole purpose of its existence is to distinguish between cases like flag-polling and actual rejection.

If you are in doubt contact CBP and ask.

I think you may have misunderstood. I was merely pointing out that the US border staff at Prescott told me that I would have to declare the refusal if asked in the future. This does not mean i would be rejected, but would just be another hurdle to deal with.

 

[iamroth]

Yah I think the confusion comes, when you try to get in to USA.

But you are not trying to get in to USA. You Cross the bridge, enter building, where they give you slip and show the door. IF you try to Enter USA that moment, I believe you will be asked to fill forms, show visa (where they will take you passport, documents, put you in the system).

 

[spookyb]

Yah I think the confusion comes, when you try to get in to USA.

But you are not trying to get in to USA. You Cross the bridge, enter building, where they give you slip and show the door. IF you try to Enter USA that moment, I believe you will be asked to fill forms, show visa (where they will take you passport, documents, put you in the system).

My understanding is that they take your passports and enter the administrative refusal in the system. Its not as simple as just getting a piece of paper anonymously.

 

[cgel]

My understanding is that they take your passports and enter the administrative refusal in the system. Its not as simple as just getting a piece of paper anonymously.

During my Landing i specifically asked the US Border officer about the impact of this refusal on my future travels to US. He assured me that we are not refusing you. Its just a denial. I do not know the difference between these two. He said the reason why they give us denial white paper because Canadians want them to do so and with out this paper they wont know that you have left Canada. And he also pointed out when applying for US visa i do not have to tell on my application form about it because its not refusal. He assured me that it will not show up anywhere on their system. So i am a little confused because i am going to apply for US visa soon and don't know what to say for that question.