US citizen hassled at Emerson border crossing and ended up with tourist visa

[Patricksgirls]

The border guard accused me of lying threatened to bar me for a year. Called my bf and family and stamped my passport with a massive form stating that I could visit for two weeks.
Now I would like to visit with my children for a few months while we plan our wedding and possibly get married and stay while I apply outland. Will there be a problem when I cross the border again since that stamp is now on my passport? Also if I am given the visa again should I ask for a thirty day period so that I can file an extension right away?

 

[Baloo]

That is not likely to be a visa, more likely just a leave by date.
Yes I know it is unusual for an American to get a stamp in their passport.
Did they issue you with a Visitor record document?

If you want to explain what the IO got so heated about maybe we can offer some insight.

 

[Patricksgirls]

Yes I did get that visitor record. What happened was I was in Canada for three months, came back to the US for two weeks and then re-entered Canada to get my van that I had left in Edmonton. I told them all this but failed to mention my boyfriend since I would barely be seeing him. When the IO asked who I knew in Canada I listed several people him being one of them. That is when the IO started to say I was trying to stay illegally. I showed ties of me going back home like my children who were with my parents while I got the van. Anyway boyfriend and the IO got heated on the phone and finally the guard made the decision to let me in with a two week record. Four hours later that is.

 

[Baloo]

Yes I did get that visitor record. What happened was I was in Canada for three months, came back to the US for two weeks and then re-entered Canada to get my van that I had left in Edmonton. I told them all this but failed to mention my boyfriend since I would barely be seeing him. When the IO asked who I knew in Canada I listed several people him being one of them. That is when the IO started to say I was trying to stay illegally.

OK, well I can see why the IO said that. I don't agree with it, but sadly they do get a bit uptight when you "forget" to mention something that they believe to be important.

I showed ties of me going back home like my children who were with my parents while I got the van. Anyway boyfriend and the IO got heated on the phone and finally the guard made the decision to let me in with a two week record. Four hours later that is.

The trouble is that the IO was not happy, so being sensible did not come into play. You and I both realize that kids are a valid reason to go home, obviously the IO was too miffed to listen to reason. If your BF was also heated with the IO, I would suggest that you are lucky that you got two weeks.

I know it sounds crazy but in these circumstances you just have to suck it up !

About a year ago I was "interviewed" for a long time at Pearson Airport, the IO phoned my Fiancee (now wife) three times, with lots of questions.
I had loads of reasons to return to the UK after my visit, I run a business there, I had proof of appointments that I had to attend.
I had valid reasons to visit Canada, I had written invitations to perform speaking engagements in Canada, and proof of finances.
A letter from my fiancee that I would be staying with her. I also had proof of medical cover for my visit.
But the IO still said that they considered refusing me entry. It took ages but in the end the IO issued a visitor record allowing a six month stay.

The thing is, on my last visit to the IO secondary desk at Ottawa airport, I had no problems at all.
Yes, I was carrying my Marriage certificate, partially completed PR paperwork and a mass of other proof (because of my past experience at Toronto).
I even told the IO that I was going to file for PR (but had not done so yet).
I was at the desk for 5 minutes, I answered a few questions, he did not look at any of my paperwork, no visitor record was issued, just a normal stamp with six months validity.

It is always a lottery at immigration - the best advice I can offer is have all the paperwork, expect the worst and hope for the best.

 

[Patricksgirls]

Thanks for giving your experience. We have decided to get married, apply and then I will cross with proof that we are trying to do this correctly but want to wait it out together. I will have proof of joint bank accounts etc with the application so here is hoping to win the "lottery".
I honestly forgot to mention Patrick because I was so flustered although the IO did call him at least three times also. So I guess I will just have to take my chances. I do know that a friend of mine was refused entry one day for lack of sufficient evidence of finances, next day went back to the same border crossing with all the proof that they wanted and did not even get flagpoled but breezed right through so who knows.

 

[sithvixen]

Wow what a dick. There is one in every pile. I always seem to get the dick when I go to through the border to the US...and I'm a dual citizen with the states. Go figure.

My husband said when he crossed into Canada, he looked at all the officers and avoided the IO's that liked to ask lots of questions. He picked the guy that was just stamping people through. Amazingly he breezed right through. (He did mention me and that he was visiting while my grandma was sick, which she was; but no problems!)

 

[Patricksgirls]

Oh ya this was one of the RCMP flunkies clearly! He started asking intimate questions which I felt crossed the line when I would not say exactly what Patrick was to me but in my defense we were still in the early stages of the relationship.
I have encountered two more just like him who denied me entry but now have a new plan of attack once
I apply for residency. Hopefully that helps.