Experience of travel to the United States for a former holder of refugee status, who is now a Canadian citizen: Questions asked at the borders ?

[xichanmontreal]

Hello everyone,

As the title indicates, I am a former refugee here in Canada. Canada has become my country for a while.

I have already had the opportunity to experience my Canadian passport to travel to Europe and Singapore: The experience is just FANTASTIC, our national passport is highly valued and respected in the world, I have nothing to say... I am grateful, happy, and proud to be Canadian.

Having holidays in July, I would like to take the opportunity to visit New York for 2-3 days, a childhood dream: I tell myself that it is a pity to live so close, and not to take advantage of it, especially since the Canadian passport allows you to go there without a visa (Without even a stamp if I understood correctly! How is this possible, and how do they know the date of entry??)

That said, seeing several topics here and there, even from citizens who have never been refugees before, I am a little worried and stressed about a possible visit to the United States.

I specify that I have never set my feet before in my life in the United States, it will be the first time. I had come to Canada the first time with a legitimate visa and passport.

From what I understand, people who have already been to the USA before coming here illegally have difficulty returning after, even when they become citizens of Canada... I also vaguely understood that the USA , by I don't know what power, have direct access to the criminal records of all Canadians and residents of Canada (which in itself raises a question about the sovereignty of Canada, do we really have it on this specific point?? ... But that's another debate ).

In summary, I have a few questions, thank you in advance to those who will share their answers or experiences:

Is there a possibility of interference, delays or refusal because of the former refugee status for a Canadian citizen present when crossing the US border?

Will US immigration officials have access to and know our former status here in Canada? (Especially for a person who has never set foot in the USA?), If so, should they be told the truth if this question is ever asked? Could that mean a refusal a priori?

What type of questions are generally asked when crossing the border by land? Are they the same as the questions asked at the airport for example?

Examples of questions asked? Generally ?

Thanks in advance everyone, again!

 

[Copingwithlife]

“Will US immigration officials have access to and know our former status here in Canada? (Especially for a person who has never set foot in the USA?), If so, should they be told the truth if this question is ever asked? Could that mean a refusal a priori?”

Lying to a CBP officer when requesting entry into the USA , can result in a lifetime ban from ever entering the USA .
One must never misrepresents their situation, ever.

The CBP has access to the IRCC immigration system . Information is shared
Everyone entering the United States is assumed by US law to have immigration intent .


“also vaguely understood that the USA , by I don't know what power, have direct access to the criminal records of all Canadians and residents of Canada (which in itself raises a question about the sovereignty of Canada, do we really have it on this specific point??”

I’m not even going to answer that when it’s related to a foreign national “ requesting “ entry to another country.

 

[xichanmontreal]

“Will US immigration officials have access to and know our former status here in Canada? (Especially for a person who has never set foot in the USA?), If so, should they be told the truth if this question is ever asked? Could that mean a refusal a priori?”

Lying to a CBP officer when requesting entry into the USA , can result in a lifetime ban from ever entering the USA .
One must never misrepresents their situation, ever.

The CBP has access to the IRCC immigration system . Information is shared
Everyone entering the United States is assumed by US law to have immigration intent .


“also vaguely understood that the USA , by I don't know what power, have direct access to the criminal records of all Canadians and residents of Canada (which in itself raises a question about the sovereignty of Canada, do we really have it on this specific point??”

I’m not even going to answer that when it’s related to a foreign national “ requesting “ entry to another country.

Thank you for your reply.

Not all countries in the world share their nationals' information with other countries... I can understand that in the case of a specific agreement between two countries... But it's not something usual between countries. When I go to Europe for example, the agents do not have access to this kind of information... Perhaps the dates of all my previous entries into the Schengen zone, and the history of visas when I was subject to the visa procedure, but nothing else.

I am not concerned in any way by this issue. It was just a side note, out of curiosity.

What worries me the most is that I am refused entry because of my former refugee status here ... especially after the ernomous expenses that I would have already incurred before even arriving (plane transport, hotel. .. ).

Have there been known cases of refusal of entry to Canadian citizens on the basis of the simple fact of having been a refugee before?

 

[scylla]

Thank you for your reply.

Not all countries in the world share their nationals' information with other countries... I can understand that in the case of a specific agreement between two countries... But it's not something usual between countries. When I go to Europe for example, the agents do not have access to this kind of information... Perhaps the dates of all my previous entries into the Schengen zone, and the history of visas when I was subject to the visa procedure, but nothing else.

I am not concerned in any way by this issue. It was just a side note, out of curiosity.

What worries me the most is that I am refused entry because of my former refugee status here ... especially after the ernomous expenses that I would have already incurred before even arriving (plane transport, hotel. .. ).

Have there been known cases of refusal of entry to Canadian citizens on the basis of the simple fact of having been a refugee before?

The fact you claimed refugee status in Canada shouldn't present any issue.

Just make sure you have a return ticket, accommodations, and can show you have funds to pay for your time in the US (if asked, you probably won't be).

You should be fine. Just answer all questions you are asked truthfully and keep your responses short.

 

[xichanmontreal]

Thanks to @scylla for her short, efficient, and precise answer.

Is it possible to share examples of questions that are asked, in general? ... This stresses me a lot, but given that I would already have a return ticket, cash, a credit card, and a hotel reservation, and even insurance on me, I should not (in principle and rationally ) have nothing to fear.

Otherwise, as additional information for @Copingwithlife , I would like to add that I did a little research on this situation which I found insane and unusual in international law. My intuition was correct: Indeed, this access that American border agents have to Canadian files is a result of a bilateral agreement between the two countries in 2012:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/agreement-government-canada-government-united-states-america-sharing-visa- immigration-information.html

The agreement in question goes both ways with regard to the sharing of information: Canadian border services officers must in principle have the same access in the other direction.

Bilateral treaties between the countries of the world are negotiated as equals ... And I think there is nothing wrong with having a sense of chauvinism, even arrogance and pride (even exaggerated ) for his country. The sovereignty of our country is important.

In this sense, I don't know if you follow the news, but there was the case of a professor of sociology at the University of Ottawa, he is Lebanese-Canadian, and he has already been the victim of a long preventive prison sentence in France following a previous judgment in France (the Canadian government at the time had extradited him to France at the request of this country). = The court had released him, so he had been imprisoned unjustly, in the strictly legal sense.

Several years later, France decided to relaunch its judgment, and found him guilty this time here. This story is recent, the French government has once again demanded his extradition again, just today!

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1986270/hassan-diab-universite-ottawa-rue-copernic

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/06/08/supporters-of-hassan-diab-urge-canada-to-reject-frances-latest-extradition-request.html

The Trudeau government is under pressure, and many parliamentarians, jurists, lawyers, and law professors, and personalities have urged the current Liberal government not to extradite the Canadian citizen a second time.

An extradition procedure to another country is a serious procedure with serious consequences, and it is normal, I think, that a government which respects and protects its nationals (or which, quite simply, values its sovereignty), should not don't take it lightly.

There is a lot of media noise on this case, and the supporters of the Canadian citizen are ready to go to federal courts to contest if the government ever gives in to the request for extradition.

I watch this story with great interest, because it could constitute a precedent in a sovereign policy of our country.

(Several states in the world are known for never extraditing their nationals, others judge them themselves on their soil... Each country has its own attitude: But it is certain that accepting the extradition request does not any country without analysis, nor reciprocity *, demonstrates a weakness and a lack of sovereignty).

** There are cases of French pedophile priests who have committed criminal acts in Canada, and whom France has never agreed to extradite.

 

[scylla]

Thanks to @scylla for her short, efficient, and precise answer.

Is it possible to share examples of questions that are asked, in general? ... This stresses me a lot, but given that I would already have a return ticket, cash, a credit card, and a hotel reservation, and even insurance on me, I should not (in principle and rationally ) have nothing to fear.

Otherwise, as additional information for @Copingwithlife , I would like to add that I did a little research on this situation which I found insane and unusual in international law. My intuition was correct: Indeed, this access that American border agents have to Canadian files is a result of a bilateral agreement between the two countries in 2012:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/agreement-government-canada-government-united-states-america-sharing-visa- immigration-information.html

The agreement in question goes both ways with regard to the sharing of information: Canadian border services officers must in principle have the same access in the other direction.

Bilateral treaties between the countries of the world are negotiated as equals ... And I think there is nothing wrong with having a sense of chauvinism, even arrogance and pride (even exaggerated ) for his country. The sovereignty of our country is important.

In this sense, I don't know if you follow the news, but there was the case of a professor of sociology at the University of Ottawa, he is Lebanese-Canadian, and he has already been the victim of a long preventive prison sentence in France following a previous judgment in France (the Canadian government at the time had extradited him to France at the request of this country). = The court had released him, so he had been imprisoned unjustly, in the strictly legal sense.

Several years later, France decided to relaunch its judgment, and found him guilty this time here. This story is recent, the French government has once again demanded his extradition again, just today!

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1986270/hassan-diab-universite-ottawa-rue-copernic

https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2023/06/08/supporters-of-hassan-diab-urge-canada-to-reject-frances-latest-extradition-request.html

The Trudeau government is under pressure, and many parliamentarians, jurists, lawyers, and law professors, and personalities have urged the current Liberal government not to extradite the Canadian citizen a second time.

An extradition procedure to another country is a serious procedure with serious consequences, and it is normal, I think, that a government which respects and protects its nationals (or which, quite simply, values its sovereignty), should not don't take it lightly.

There is a lot of media noise on this case, and the supporters of the Canadian citizen are ready to go to federal courts to contest if the government ever gives in to the request for extradition.

I watch this story with great interest, because it could constitute a precedent in a sovereign policy of our country.

(Several states in the world are known for never extraditing their nationals, others judge them themselves on their soil... Each country has its own attitude: But it is certain that accepting the extradition request does not any country without analysis, nor reciprocity *, demonstrates a weakness and a lack of sovereignty).

** There are cases of French pedophile priests who have committed criminal acts in Canada, and whom France has never agreed to extradite.

Generally they ask things like:
- where are you going in the US
- business or pleasure
- how long are you staying / when are you returning

You should not have anything to worry about.

The only other thing I will add is that there is a option not to show your place of birth on your Canadian passport and sometimes people who immigrated to Canada through a refugee program think it's better to show no place of birth than their country. This is a mistake which creates more problems than it solves. Always opt for showing your place of birth on your passport, no matter which country. Hopefully that's what you have done.

 

[xichanmontreal]

My passport mentions the city, and the country of birth.

I was indeed aware of the possibility of hiding this information when applying for a passport (by adding a specific form), but I suspected that this would create more problems than solve them. (More questions when crossing airports or borders).

... Anyway, I am aware that my full name + my face clearly indicates - or makes it easy to guess - my country of origin. (lol), that wouldn't have helped anyway.

So far, as I said, I haven't had the slightest problem with this passport in several European countries, nor in Singapore.