I don't understand it, either. Frankly, I'm still at a loss to this very day. Maybe it's the way I wear my hat? Or maybe it could be because I'm just not a native to this area as I've moved from Metro Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie back a few summers ago, and that I have no family in this area, and as a consequence, they think I might disappear in Canada. Do I think I got treated a bit rough at times? Of course, but I also have to look at it from their point of view, too. They have a job of keeping miscreants out and letting legitimate travel through, and I believe they were trying to figure out what to make of me, or to see if they can rattle my cage somehow. I really don't have a clue, so I just don't take it personally.
The only other possible theory I have is that perhaps somebody at my wife's apartment building told the CBSA some line of bull about me once they figured out I wasn't Canadian, but American, because they're apparently some nosy do-gooders that have no lives. But I can't prove that, either. What I do know is that I am not liked in her building, just because they didn't like the fact that I would leave my wife my car for her to use from time to time, (because I didn't really need it all the time) and the management there even went so far as saying that I stole my own car! Can you believe that? So fine. I'll show these idiots the title, registration, and bill of sale on the car even though I shouldn't have to do any of that. So I went and did that, and the ----- had the nerve to tell me to my face, 'And I'm really supposed to believe this?' I told her to believe whatever she wanted because what she thought was irrelevant to me, and that I wasn't under any obligation to show her a damn thing. So then, she threatened to tow my car, and I told her to take her best shot as I'll just park it on the shoulder where she can't touch it, and then I continued by calling her a complete ridiculous a-- for the fact that my wife has multiple sclerosis and she needs help getting around, which I'm trying to help her out by lending her my car from time to time, (as she has no car) and you have to have a major conniption fit about it with its Michigan plates as though I should bow down and kiss your butt for the privilege of helping her out. Yeah, I'm much more likely to believe that the management in this apartment building are the ones giving us the most grief, and are probably the ones that causing me to have trouble with the CBSA. No, I can't prove that, either. However, the circumstantial evidence in this theory is pretty overwhelming, and they would certainly have the motive. But as for the CBSA, they're mostly just doing their jobs.
But that's okay. We're planning to move to Windsor once I land. Her mother is in Windsor already, and her father will follow suit once he retires. Meanwhile, I still have my family across the border in the Metro Detroit area, so we'll have some family support. Especially for her. She's not too sick now, but I do worry about the future.
AmericaninQuebec said:
Huh? Wow. I was living with my boyfriend (no job, no apartment, no ties to the U.S. apart from my family and student loan bills) for 5 months before we got engaged here in Canada. Granted I think at first I told them I was spending the summer with him while I learned French, but even after the marriage no one ever got on my case like that and it's been 18 mths since I've been here as a visitor. I can't believe they gave you so much trouble! It really makes no sense to me!
Once I got to talk to the investigators and showed them the paper they sent me, we had a frank talk - because they've got 'word' that I was living with my girlfriend (now wife) and not just visiting. I looked her square in the eye and said, 'Really?' and then I told her that I understand their concerns because I do visit her often enough. However, I believe I have more than enough proof of ties to the States here in this overstuffed manila envelope to help assuage everyone once and for all. (at least I hoped) They took it all and went somewhere to look at everything, and after a while later, they came back with my stuff and she told me she was more than satisfied that I do have ties back to the US, and that I am indeed a visitor, but that I'll need to be carrying my ties with me at all time in case they might need to ask again. I've been doing that ever since, but now I'm just carrying the basics instead of a good chunk of my life. About two weeks later, I was no longer flagged at the border and they started waving me in like before. Talk about unnerving, though!
hopefully LA isnt too crazy?? anyone have xperience handing in passports in LA??? Any advice??
lol I'm in Las Vegas and she's in Halifax. It's a bit far for a quick drive over the border hehehe. Consider yourself lucky my friend.
