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First travel to US on Canadian passport - sent to secondary inspection

anandg12

Hero Member
Jun 26, 2015
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I got my Canadian passport last year in November and traveled to US for the first time on it this month. I was sent to secondary inspection where they opened my bags, patted me down and DHS officer asked me the usual questions - where am I going, how long for and my profession. Before this, I also traveled to US regularly as a Canadian PR but was never sent to secondary inspection. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it likely to become a regular occurrence? Should I apply for Nexus to make my travels easier? Any advice is appreciated.
 

cococly

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Aug 3, 2015
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If you are eligible, always apply for Nexus if you are frequent traveler to the US.
 

CasioLottoMax

Star Member
Feb 2, 2017
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Was this the case for travel by land or by air? In addition to Nexus would also suggest to apply for
https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-trip which is great help to remove (in most cases) the hassle of secondary inspection at least when it comes to travel by air.
Nevertheless keep in mind both DHS Redress and Nexus are no guarantee that secondary inspection will become obsolete.
 

harirajmohan

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I got my Canadian passport last year in November and traveled to US for the first time on it this month. I was sent to secondary inspection where they opened my bags, patted me down and DHS officer asked me the usual questions - where am I going, how long for and my profession. Before this, I also traveled to US regularly as a Canadian PR but was never sent to secondary inspection. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it likely to become a regular occurrence? Should I apply for Nexus to make my travels easier? Any advice is appreciated.
Its possibly due to new country passport. Once they see same document next time, it should be alright in few days.
 
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delray55

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Apr 4, 2022
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I got my Canadian passport last year in November and traveled to US for the first time on it this month. I was sent to secondary inspection where they opened my bags, patted me down and DHS officer asked me the usual questions - where am I going, how long for and my profession. Before this, I also traveled to US regularly as a Canadian PR but was never sent to secondary inspection. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it likely to become a regular occurrence? Should I apply for Nexus to make my travels easier? Any advice is appreciated.
Was it at an airport or land border?
 
8

8494193

Guest
Secondary is many times random. Nothing to worry about per se. I've been sent for a few reasons, and its usually just for more clarifying questions. It does bump anxiety levels, no doubt, but is harmless unless there actually is an issue.

Nexus is definitely a good choice, anyway. Many CCs (TD APVI, CIBC APVI, etc.) reimburse the fees for that as well.
 

GuyanaGirl

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Jul 4, 2016
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Sometimes u get sent to secondary , sometimes u don’t . No big deal
 

wksj

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Oct 7, 2021
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I was in secondary inspection to enter Canada. Two agents, one was a woman and respectful, the other male agent comes and the first thing he says is "Why are you lying? Tell me what you are hiding. I know you are lying." while making body gestures like a spoiled child who didn't get the ice cream they wanted. The woman asked questions properly and when she realized there is nothing wrong, they didn't even open my last bag to check it, and she talked to the other agent to get me out of there.
 
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PMM

VIP Member
Jun 30, 2005
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Hi

I got my Canadian passport last year in November and traveled to US for the first time on it this month. I was sent to secondary inspection where they opened my bags, patted me down and DHS officer asked me the usual questions - where am I going, how long for and my profession. Before this, I also traveled to US regularly as a Canadian PR but was never sent to secondary inspection. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it likely to become a regular occurrence? Should I apply for Nexus to make my travels easier? Any advice is appreciated.
1. Fairly normal, I've been a CC for a great number of years, and still occasionally get sent to secondary.
 

CaBeaver

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Dec 15, 2018
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