Ex-refugee, getting stopped for questioning at airport

[mtlandrf]

Whenever I fly back to Canada, with a Canadian passport, I get called to secondary because those e-kiosks at airport are giving me the "X" declaration printout.

I have been a citizen for almost a year.

It's not a big deal, but spending extra 20 minutes after flying for hours is not fun.

First time, I let it go. 2nd, an officer asked my UCI and wanted to update the system. 3rd, they said it takes time. Now I don't know what to do.

I also didn't receive any congratulations letters, and my name was not on the list of electors.

 

[sahibo]

I don't want to be rude, but were you involved in terrorism or serious crime in the past? That could be the reason...

Or maybe your name is similar to someone who's up to no good.

 

[mtlandrf]

I don't want to be rude, but were you involved in terrorism or serious crime in the past? That could be the reason...

Or maybe your name is similar to someone who's up to no good.

No, I was told that my citizenship status probably did not get updated in the system. I assume she was referring to GCMS? They let me go right away after checking my passport.

 

[figaro2]

If you are a citizen u should have recieved your citizinship papers right? You should get in touch with them to put all this to clear

 

[mtlandrf]

If you are a citizen u should have recieved your citizinship papers right? You should get in touch with them to put all this to clear

I am using a Canadian passport to enter Canada. Border officers believed that I am a citizen right away... Just it's annoying that I have to go to secondary

 

[pedromw]

Either you ignore this until they also give up to disturb you and I don't know after how many time they gonna stop doing their things or Get a Lawyer to know what's exactly going on.
I recommend you give them one more chance maybe they were right and your citizenship was not updated in their system

 

[Grateful2Canada]

This happens because a check is put on your name when you become a refugee, to make sure that the officers at the airport verify that you haven’t returned to your home country prior to becoming a citizen. You have to call IRCC and demand that your name be taken off secondary check as you’re no longer a protected person & now a Canadian citizen. This is what the Pearson airport CBSA who conducted my secondary check (& found nothing wrong) told me.
All the best.

 

[armoured]

This happens because a check is put on your name when you become a refugee, to make sure that the officers at the airport verify that you haven’t returned to your home country prior to becoming a citizen. You have to call IRCC and demand that your name be taken off secondary check as you’re no longer a protected person & now a Canadian citizen. This is what the Pearson airport CBSA who conducted my secondary check (& found nothing wrong) told me.
All the best.

I'd add, you can request assistance from your MP;s office. I can't say this will work or be more effective than calling yourself, but can't hurt to try.

I've an inquiry regarding a different 'flag' on a family member's file - different type of flag but equally - in my view - just a remnant from something now irrelevant. MP's office is at least trying.

It's quite clear to me that the CBSA officers at the airport, even if they're nice about it, simply have no incentive to take the time to deal with a flag that's mistakenly put on the file (if they even can, since the file is 'ownd' by IRCC).

 

[akbardxb]

I know someone, a born-Canadian who was put on a no fly list when they were 6 years old, due to a name. They finally started a group on Twitter and lobbied hard with the government and other groups to get this rectified. As it turns out, there were a number of people with names who were red flagged for some reason or the other. The group managed to get some work done. You may want to google / search twitter to follow them. Perhaps connect with them as well to see if they can give your pointers on who to take this up with.

 

[CoorsHeavy]

Whenever I fly back to Canada, with a Canadian passport, I get called to secondary because those e-kiosks at airport are giving me the "X" declaration printout.

I have been a citizen for almost a year.

It's not a big deal, but spending extra 20 minutes after flying for hours is not fun.

First time, I let it go. 2nd, an officer asked my UCI and wanted to update the system. 3rd, they said it takes time. Now I don't know what to do.

I also didn't receive any congratulations letters, and my name was not on the list of electors.

Probably your name matches with someone who is either on a flight risk list / no fly list/ wanted for whatever reason. It sucks but it is what it is. I have a friend go goes through the same

 

[CoorsHeavy]

I'd add, you can request assistance from your MP;s office. I can't say this will work or be more effective than calling yourself, but can't hurt to try.

I've an inquiry regarding a different 'flag' on a family member's file - different type of flag but equally - in my view - just a remnant from something now irrelevant. MP's office is at least trying.

It's quite clear to me that the CBSA officers at the airport, even if they're nice about it, simply have no incentive to take the time to deal with a flag that's mistakenly put on the file (if they even can, since the file is 'ownd' by IRCC).

Maybe they don’t even have access to that system , it might need clearance and they don’t bother asking a senior to intervene

 

[armoured]

Maybe they don’t even have access to that system , it might need clearance and they don’t bother asking a senior to intervene

Well it's certainly clear that it's not something as simple as a mouse-click and you're done - so whatever the internal workings it probably involves a LOT more work than the average officer wants to deal with. And possibly it's not even in their purview at all, so maybe they know that they could send an email or three and still nothing would happen.

 

[canvis2006]

Maybe apply for a Canadian Travel Number (CTN)…..it may resolve some of your issues.
Google it for link to apply
(No fees, its govt application, takes few weeks to get).

 

[CoorsHeavy]

Maybe apply for a Canadian Travel Number (CTN)…..it may resolve some of your issues.
Google it for link to apply
(No fees, its govt application, takes few weeks to get).

Nice to know that ! Never heard of it before , well this the best option - get CTN buddy. I am just glad my name is very unique lol.

 

[armoured]

Maybe apply for a Canadian Travel Number (CTN)…..it may resolve some of your issues.
Google it for link to apply
(No fees, its govt application, takes few weeks to get).

The website itself says: "It is important to note that a CTN will not help with any other type of travel delay, including but not limited to: issues related to specific immigration or admissibility-related matters; ..."

I don't think this will help someone who has an issue being called into secondary immigration on arrival.