What type of records should I request? (CBP, FOIA)

[isilrion]

In the form to request the records online, I'm asked to specify the "type of records requested".
I want to make sure I get the correct ones. To my knowledge, my only interaction with US officials was when I landed at Niagara, so I am expecting to either get a blank/"no records" response, or something related to that day.

I've narrowed it down to:
* Border Aprehensions / Encounters
* Entry / Exits
* I-94
* Travel & Apprehension records

So, if I am asked for the records at the interview, which one should I present/request? (I think it is unlikely that I'll be asked for the records, but I want to be prepared). What should I put in the description? What supporting files should I provide? (scan of the biopage of my passport? Anything else?).

Side question, has anyone who has landed at the CAN/US border had any trouble entering the US later on? (visa waiver/applying for visa/etc?). I've read that you are not eligible for visa waiver if you are denied entry to the US, and I don't know if that counts. (I asked the US officer and he had no idea).

Thanks.

 

[alphazip]

In the form to request the records online, I'm asked to specify the "type of records requested".
I want to make sure I get the correct ones. To my knowledge, my only interaction with US officials was when I landed at Niagara, so I am expecting to either get a blank/"no records" response, or something related to that day.

I've narrowed it down to:
* Border Aprehensions / Encounters
* Entry / Exits
* I-94
* Travel & Apprehension records

So, if I am asked for the records at the interview, which one should I present/request? (I think it is unlikely that I'll be asked for the records, but I want to be prepared). What should I put in the description? What supporting files should I provide? (scan of the biopage of my passport? Anything else?).

Side question, has anyone who has landed at the CAN/US border had any trouble entering the US later on? (visa waiver/applying for visa/etc?). I've read that you are not eligible for visa waiver if you are denied entry to the US, and I don't know if that counts. (I asked the US officer and he had no idea).

Thanks.

Just to be clear, are you a non-U.S. citizen who applied for PR from inside Canada, and simply did an "around the flag pole" entry into the U.S. for landing purposes? If so, I would suggest that you first check here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html If there is nothing there, you can proceed with the FOIA request of your record of entries/exits. You probably don't need to scan your biopage, just supply your name, DOB, and passport number, but a scan wouldn't hurt.

You would only have a problem re-entering the U.S. if you were refused entry. Unless the border agent indicated that he was refusing you entry into the U.S. for some reason (e.g. criminality), you were not refused entry.

 

[isilrion]

Yes, that's precisely my case. I'll proceed with requesting the records of entries/exits (I had already visited the link you gave me and it produced no results, good to know I wasn't completely lost ). Thanks

And thank you also for putting my mind at ease regarding the second question.

 

[Curioussam]

Hi Mr Alphazip,

I was denied entry to USA at one of the airports in May 2017. I am non-US citizen and I filed an FOIA request on 11.30.2017 but the status hasn't moved from assignment to processing as of today. I don't remember under what category I filed the request but can you tell me which category I should file it under, so I can reapply?

Thanks
Sam