Flagged at the border, effect on plane travel?

[LadyAmrie]

In 2018 my boyfriend drove to the Canadian border to visit me for 6 months and get married. He was denied entry and "strongly advised not to try again within the next two months". They didn't like how much stuff he brought and that he had no job (got laid off after we planned for his visit through no fault of his own) among several other things we hadn't thought of being perceived as red flags. The border agent wrote in the report that the purpose of his visit was to move here (not true as he was going to return to the US after 6 months).

We both agree that trying this again would be a terrible idea, but I'm wondering if/how this affects his eligibility to travel by plane? If so, is there a way of finding out if/how he has/can be cleared? (He has a job and money saved up now.)

 

[scylla]

In 2018 my boyfriend drove to the Canadian border to visit me for 6 months and get married. He was denied entry and "strongly advised not to try again within the next two months". They didn't like how much stuff he brought and that he had no job (got laid off after we planned for his visit through no fault of his own) among several other things we hadn't thought of being perceived as red flags. The border agent wrote in the report that the purpose of his visit was to move here (not true as he was going to return to the US after 6 months).

We both agree that trying this again would be a terrible idea, but I'm wondering if/how this affects his eligibility to travel by plane? If so, is there a way of finding out if/how he has/can be cleared? (He has a job and money saved up now.)

The fact he was denied entry into Canada is on his record permanently. This will show up regardless of how he enters Canada.

There's no way to find out in advance if he will be allowed into Canada.

When he travels to Canada, he should keep his trip to a reasonable length and bring evidence with him that shows proof of ties (e.g. employment, property ownership / rental) in case he's asked. He should make sure he has a return ticket.

 

[LadyAmrie]

I guess we won't risk it then. Thanks.

 

[scylla]

I guess we won't risk it then. Thanks.

Why not? It's been four years. As long as he keeps the trip to a reasonable length (e.g. 1-2 weeks), has a return ticket, has evidnece he can pay for his expenses while in Canada and can provide proof of ties to the US - then I don't see why he wouldn't try. Of course he may not even be asked to show all of this evidence. IMO it's certainly worth a try. He just needs to be aware that his previous failed entry is accessible to all CBSA agents through their database and it's possible they may ask him about that or question him more at the border because of this.

 

[LadyAmrie]

Why not? It's been four years. As long as he keeps the trip to a reasonable length (e.g. 1-2 weeks), has a return ticket, has evidnece he can pay for his expenses while in Canada and can provide proof of ties to the US - then I don't see why he wouldn't try. Of course he may not even be asked to show all of this evidence. IMO it's certainly worth a try. He just needs to be aware that his previous failed entry is accessible to all CBSA agents through their database and it's possible they may ask him about that or question him more at the border because of this.

That makes sense. The border officer told my boyfriend he came close to being arrested so I can't really blame him for not wanting to try going back after that experience. I'll show him this thread and see what we can do that we're both comfortable with. Thanks again.

 

[canuck78]

That makes sense. The border officer told my boyfriend he came close to being arrested so I can't really blame him for not wanting to try going back after that experience. I'll show him this thread and see what we can do that we're both comfortable with. Thanks again.

Arrested for what? Maybe they meant detained and deported? If he is a US citizen then that was just to scare him. Being refused entry to Canada happens multiple times a day. CBSA usually gives people the option to withdraw their request to enter Canada and return to the US on their own. Agree that if your bf arrives with a normal amount of stuff as a visitor, has proof he has a job and has a place to live (brings a copy of his lease, copy of deed or other proof) and only plans on staying for a reasonable amount of time that corresponds to normal vacation time from an employer he should be fine. He should also have enough funds to pay for his travel and expenses in Canada. He may be asked how much money he has access to via bank account and even credit cards. He can even say that he’ll be staying with you so that will reduce his travel expenses if that is the case. He can be asked or he can offer to log into his online banking if CBSA has concerns and wants more concrete proof.

 

[scylla]

That makes sense. The border officer told my boyfriend he came close to being arrested so I can't really blame him for not wanting to try going back after that experience. I'll show him this thread and see what we can do that we're both comfortable with. Thanks again.

He wouldn't have been arrested. If he had not voluntarily returned and withdrawn his request to enter Canada, then CBSA would have removed him. This would have been a deportation. Not an arrest.

 

[LadyAmrie]

Arrested for what? Maybe they meant detained and deported? If he is a US citizen then that was just to scare him. Being refused entry to Canada happens multiple times a day. CBSA usually gives people the option to withdraw their request to enter Canada and return to the US on their own. Agree that if your bf arrives with a normal amount of stuff as a visitor, has proof he has a job and has a place to live (brings a copy of his lease, copy of deed or other proof) and only plans on staying for a reasonable amount of time that corresponds to normal vacation time from an employer he should be fine. He should also have enough funds to pay for his travel and expenses in Canada. He may be asked how much money he has access to via bank account and even credit cards. He can even say that he’ll be staying with you so that will reduce his travel expenses if that is the case. He can be asked or he can offer to log into his online banking if CBSA has concerns and wants more concrete proof.

He is a US citizen. He was able to withdraw his request and go back.

The officer said it was a good thing he answered all the questions honestly and calmly or he would have put him in jail. I get that he was suspicious but it did sound rather extreme.