Trip to the United States, didn't return I-94

[annabusdra]

Hi everyone,
I live and work in Canada (Italian citizen), and stupidly messed up with the I-94 while on two tourist trips in the United States.

I went for a three day trip in Portland last November and was given a I-94.

I foolishly didn't read the back of the paper and left the US after three days without surrendering it (there's a CBSA stamp as a proof on my passport). More foolishly, I went back to the US last week, with an I-94 expired by a little less than a month. Having Just renovated the Esta, I thought they would just issue me a new I-94.

Naturally, the border officer wasn't really pleased about that, and said that they might think I overstayed in the US, and that will be entered in the system and "eventually catch up with my record". I knew it was my mistake, but I politely asked her whether the stamp on my passport could just prove I left the US, and never came back. She said that I will have to prove it next time I'll come back. She admitted me in the States anyways.

I have two questions:
- I have plenty of proofs that I left the United States and never came back, how can I submit it to the States border patrol office to "clear my record"?
- I plan to apply for permanent residency in Canada very soon. Is this scenario going to affect my application? Should I mention it in some kind Letter of explanation to the Canadian government somewhere in my application?

Thanks!

 

[bellaluna]

Hi everyone,
I live and work in Canada (Italian citizen), and stupidly messed up with the I-94 while on two tourist trips in the United States.

I went for a three day trip in Portland last November and was given a I-94.

I foolishly didn't read the back of the paper and left the US after three days without surrendering it (there's a CBSA stamp as a proof on my passport). More foolishly, I went back to the US last week, with an I-94 expired by a little less than a month. Having Just renovated the Esta, I thought they would just issue me a new I-94.

Naturally, the border officer wasn't really pleased about that, and said that they might think I overstayed in the US, and that will be entered in the system and "eventually catch up with my record". I knew it was my mistake, but I politely asked her whether the stamp on my passport could just prove I left the US, and never came back. She said that I will have to prove it next time I'll come back. She admitted me in the States anyways.

I have two questions:
- I have plenty of proofs that I left the United States and never came back, how can I submit it to the States border patrol office to "clear my record"?
- I plan to apply for permanent residency in Canada very soon. Is this scenario going to affect my application? Should I mention it in some kind Letter of explanation to the Canadian government somewhere in my application?

Thanks!

According to the FAQ, there's really nothing much you can do other than what the officer already told you, just travel with the proof of your previous departure:
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/faq

It shouldn't affect your PR application. Canada has the date of your entry right?

 

[zardoz]

Hi everyone,
I live and work in Canada (Italian citizen), and stupidly messed up with the I-94 while on two tourist trips in the United States.

I went for a three day trip in Portland last November and was given a I-94.

I foolishly didn't read the back of the paper and left the US after three days without surrendering it (there's a CBSA stamp as a proof on my passport). More foolishly, I went back to the US last week, with an I-94 expired by a little less than a month. Having Just renovated the Esta, I thought they would just issue me a new I-94.

Naturally, the border officer wasn't really pleased about that, and said that they might think I overstayed in the US, and that will be entered in the system and "eventually catch up with my record". I knew it was my mistake, but I politely asked her whether the stamp on my passport could just prove I left the US, and never came back. She said that I will have to prove it next time I'll come back. She admitted me in the States anyways.

I have two questions:
- I have plenty of proofs that I left the United States and never came back, how can I submit it to the States border patrol office to "clear my record"?
- I plan to apply for permanent residency in Canada very soon. Is this scenario going to affect my application? Should I mention it in some kind Letter of explanation to the Canadian government somewhere in my application?

Thanks!

For future reference : https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/752/~/i-still-have-my-i-94