Immigration Background Checks:

[SaugaBoss]

Anyone living in a Visa Exempt country going thru a detailed background check? I feel like I am the only one born in the US and lived in only the US my whole life and getting checked up on (everyone else who is being checked lived in different countries like pakistan etc.)

We have requested background information from other government
> offices(s). Unfortunately, we cannot provide a date when the
> processing of your application will be complete.
>

Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is very explicit in
requiring that all applicants' backgrounds be reviewed and they they be
cleared of any involvement in espionage, terrorism, crimes against
humanity, war crimes, serious criminality and organized criminality
before immigration visas can be issued. These checks are carried out by
Citizenship and Immigration Canada in collaboration with such partner
agencies as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security
and Intelligence Service and the Canada Border Services Agency and, as
necessary, in cooperation with agencies of governments in other
countries.

Because of the many agencies involved and the importance Canada places
on these checks, their processing is often lengthy. While we do follow
up regularly with our partner agencies, we remain dependant upon them to
conduct the necessary research and investigations and provide us their
findings.

 

[matthewc]

I had a fairly long background check. Most likely because of extensive lobbying / advocacy work at the UN, and the wide range of different organisations I worked with. It was still quite frustrating to be kept waiting for an extra 6 months without knowing anything.

 

[SaugaBoss]

I had a fairly long background check. Most likely because of extensive lobbying / advocacy work at the UN, and the wide range of different organisations I worked with. It was still quite frustrating to be kept waiting for an extra 6 months without knowing anything.

but i never worked anywhere but the US and didnt live anywhere but the US. i called CSIS they said to fax request for update on my check... like im so angry! the CSIS said they randomly select ppl and i was chosen? like r u kidding me! frustratingggggggggg it makes no sense i can go to canada right this min w/out any issues and stay there illegally???

 

[giggles1985]

SaugaBoss, they always run background checks on everyone. That answer you quoted is a very standard stock answer that I have seen quoted on here several times.

It can take longer depending on how many states you've lived in, I think, but you have been in process for less than 2 months. You aren't anywhere near being able to call yourself "delayed" yet. You are still well within normal processing times. I know it is very difficult when you see other people getting done faster but I think they are the exception, not the rule. I know it is very difficult but you have to try to be patient. *hugs*

 

[SaugaBoss]

SaugaBoss, they always run background checks on everyone. That answer you quoted is a very standard stock answer that I have seen quoted on here several times.

It can take longer depending on how many states you've lived in, I think, but you have been in process for 2 less than months. You aren't anywhere near being able to call yourself "delayed" yet. You are still well within normal processing times. I know it is very difficult when you see other people getting done faster but I think they are the exception, not the rule. I know it is very difficult but you have to try to be patient. *hugs*

thanks giggles im just confused bc i googled my email and everyone who got that emailed waited so many months im the only one from the US born and raised here nowhere else... maybe they sent it saying everything is complete just checking the background i think ill have to wait n wait

just annoyed bc i thought by next month everything will go thru u know. im going to canada on friday quitting my job everything to wait it out up there now i see this email and think did i get chosen for the 'extensive' background check. thats what im hearing that some ppl get selected for the long one some dont...

thank for the encouragement i am no longer going to contct anyone bout this just vent off on this forum lol uggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[giggles1985]

Yeah I understand how you feel I'm not sure about any "random selection" of extra screening, I just think it takes longer sometimes for various factors and the people you are reading about from other countries don't apply to you! You can't compare yourself by their timelines because as you said it's very different for other countries.

Their answer "we're running background checks and have no idea how long it will take" is a standard answer. It doesn't mean that you'll have extra delays. If you've never lived anywhere other than the USA the background checks probably won't take very long. Hang in there

And of course always feel free to vent on this forum we're all going through the same thing! That's what we're here for

 

[minku9]

Just wanted to add my similar story here as well...I am also undergoing extensive bc checks, ironically enough I spent 8 years in Canada (study/Work/visitor)...I could not provide my previous passport, Im guessing thats the delay cause...

 

[SimpleMan]

Anyone living in a Visa Exempt country going thru a detailed background check? I feel like I am the only one born in the US and lived in only the US my whole life and getting checked up on (everyone else who is being checked lived in different countries like pakistan etc.)

We have requested background information from other government
> offices(s). Unfortunately, we cannot provide a date when the
> processing of your application will be complete.
>

Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is very explicit in
requiring that all applicants' backgrounds be reviewed and they they be
cleared of any involvement in espionage, terrorism, crimes against
humanity, war crimes, serious criminality and organized criminality
before immigration visas can be issued. These checks are carried out by
Citizenship and Immigration Canada in collaboration with such partner
agencies as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security
and Intelligence Service and the Canada Border Services Agency and, as
necessary, in cooperation with agencies of governments in other
countries.

Because of the many agencies involved and the importance Canada places
on these checks, their processing is often lengthy. While we do follow
up regularly with our partner agencies, we remain dependant upon them to
conduct the necessary research and investigations and provide us their
findings.

I am sorry for the delay in your case. But I think you know the real reason for the background check. The reason is that your parents are from pakistan , this is not fair, but I do not think that you were randomly selected!!!

 

[giggles1985]

That shouldn't matter if the person in question is a US Citizen. The parents are not the ones being sponsored, their actions are irrelevant. If the applicant supplied her birth certificate showing that they are a US Citizen, born and raised in the USA, this is not be an issue. Not to say that racism doesn't happen... but I really don't think your parents being immigrants should have any effect on your application whatsoever. It could, I suppose, but I don't think so.

 

[ohwiffy]

Hi Saugaboss,

In my honest opinion, I think they are conducting an extensive background checks on your parents, not you. If you remember the story of Omar Khadr......The family moved from Pakistan to Toronto. Khadr was born in TO, and his parents raised him to be anti-western, and right now, he's the only western citizen being held in Guantanamo Bay. So I think they are checking on your parents to see if they had any terroristic tendencies in Pakistan and may have possibly raised you to be anti-western. This could take months if not years to conclude. Most people in Canada are not happy with the Khadr family, moving from Pakistan to Canada with terrorism ideaology in mind. I think your best bet is to register for a part-time study in Canada, something like Culinary art or anything you enjoy doing, get a study visa and then wait inland for your investigation to be complete en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Khadr

 

[jillandmat]

wow thats kind of brutal.. (above)

don't give up yet.. only 2 months in.. if there is nothing to find.. then it should be fast...
good luck!

 

[giggles1985]

Yes, I agree with jillandmat. 2 months is not very long in the scheme of immigration processing. Give it more time, I bet it will come through soon.


Now, @ ohwiffy:
Why would a terrorist determined to attack the US immigrate FROM the US to Canada? He is a US citizen; he has no need to immigrate to Canada for terrorism purposes. (Maybe for the purpose of attacking Canada? He doesn't need to be a PR to visit there, so I don't see that as valid either) Again, I doubt this has anything to do with SaugaBoss' application. You are equating two things that do not match up.

It might be true that they may want to conduct thorough checks on someone of Middle Eastern descent but people actually born and raised in the Middle East immigrate successfully. Yes it may take a long time, but they do make it. So I do not see any reason for the CIC to be extra suspicious of a person of Middle Eastern descent who is a US citizen.

Please, use some logic and let's not scare everyone with unfounded assumptions.

 

[SimpleMan]

I agree with the other person who said that said they are conducting an extensive background checks on Saugaboss's parents.
I know about a couple of people from Pakistan who were born and raised in the USA, and their application is stuck in "random" background check for 14 months now. So it does matter where your parents are from when it comes to immigration. I know this is not fair, but I see it happening to many US citizens.

 

[SaugaBoss]

interesting guys thank u for the feedback...only thing now.... i dont think i ever gave my parents names date of births or maybe i had to i dont remember also. my dad works for the US govt he has security clearance and works with an affiliate of NASA hes basically an engineer so im sure my dad wont be an issue honestly... he has special clearance thats y and works on making equipment for satellites for govt agencies u know what i mean so they dont give anyone that job without detailed background checks...

and both my parents r US citizens.


so im just going to take it easy (or try) and assume that giggles is right ;D they DIDNT single me out they do these checks for everyone the same way possible btw im a GIRL and never have trouble crossing the border or at the airport...but then again i could be wrong and they can think thye need more research then they can waste their time and go right ahead bc i have nothing to hide im well educated finished university working everything idk...

i just wish i knew if everyone goes thru this or random ppl r selected like this one CSIS agent told me hmmm...

 

[amine01]

may be lot of poeple wont be agree with me

but saugaboss i m agreee with you and i m sure 100% that CSIS choose application randomly and it couls happen for anyone ! 1 year 2 1 month or coupele , you never know when it will be finished ...... i could be still waitin for my process finishin and you get your PPR

dont worry my friend