Canadian Border Patrol Problems

[NMLady]

I'm going to make sure he has 2 crisp 100.00 Bills in his wallet...LOL I was a TA specialising in Cruises for 15 years....this is the first time I have ever heard of this law at the border for DUI's...

 

If he's stopped and his DUI comes up, he'll be very fortunate if he can pay the $200 then for the 'rehabilitation' waiver since that paperwork usually takes months to process. The OP's family member was lucky to have been able to have that done instantly so he could board the cruise. That is very rare. Usually the person is denied entry.

[Copper10-8]

Both our countries have different laws and attitudes towards certain crimes or infractions.

We in Canada treat DUI as a serious Criminal Code offense but possession of marijuana is not as serious. We might prevent people with DUI offenses from entering the country but disregard marijuana possession offenses (possession, not selling) when considering admissibility.

The US does not view DUI as serious as Canada YET and will not prevent someone with a DUI offense from entering the country but will prevent someone with a past marijuana possession infraction.

 

p.s. Your friend could apply for and be granted a I-192 waiver which would allow him entry into the US.

 

Nailed that one!:)

Think about potential arrest warrants from your past, folks! A traffic ticket you didn't take care/"forgot about"/"never got something in the mail" of (didn't go to court on/didn't complete court-ordered penalties). Any misdemeanor offense, which a DUI is in the U.S. of A. unless you hurt someone in a crash, you didn't take care of. They all go to warrant and stay in the system until you either a. get arrested or b. return to court to handle/dispo.

[LeftcoastBC]

I cross the WA/BC border frequently and have generally been dealt with professionally going both ways. But both sides are not paid to be "NICE" and have troublesome issues to deal with.

 

Yes you could be asked all sorts of questions and the main thing to know is that since 9-11 The USA felt they needed our records on people going into the US so we got yours in return.

 

SO.. When asked a question about your involvement with criminal matters the guy asking the question usually knows the answer. Anything but the correct answer will bring upon you the consequences of being a liar..... if you tell the truth you may be allowed the option of continuing your holiday for a $200 buck fee going North it seems. Sometimes just allowed to proceed is the course taken in my personal experience.

Then your option in the future would be getting the Exemption as mention above though regular channels. Fib and get caught you will be hooped.

 

Going South ..I've never heard of such an option and further questions and action end in your deportation (likely just turned back) takes place AND forever you are hooped too.

 

Got a record own it ...Deal with it.... you have several good options.

[bishop84]

If he got the DUI in Washington it stays on your record for seven years and California is 10 years. There is a web site that will tell you how long each state keeps it on their DMV records. If it was more than 10 years and as you said 15 years unless it was part of vehicle manslaughter, Canada wouldn't even know about it. Quite frankly it's none of their business.:mad:

 

Working on that logic then the USA should not ask those trying to enter the US about DUI offences that occurred in a different country? I recently renewed my US Visa and one of the questions concerned criminal convictions including DUI and those for which you are considered rehabilitated (or "spent conviction" as they are known in the UK). A criminal offence makes you unable to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver scheme and can make obtaining a visa very difficult.

[sapper1]

If he got the DUI in Washington it stays on your record for seven years and California is 10 years. There is a web site that will tell you how long each state keeps it on their DMV records. If it was more than 10 years and as you said 15 years unless it was part of vehicle manslaughter, Canada wouldn't even know about it. Quite frankly it's none of their business.:mad:

 

It is none of their business until you choose to enter Canada.

[Vict0riann]

That's computerization for you. Everyone knows everything now! You might have gotten away with it in the past, but not anymore. At least if it's something way in the past, it can be taken care of. Good luck:)

[bar_20]

You're absolutely right. It's none of Canada's business what the rules are in any US state. But it is Canada's business who is let into Canada, and we have the right to refuse entry to our country anyone with a DUI.

 

So if you give them $200 they will let you in, that sounds fair What the hell is paying a fee have to do with it? . They don't mind taking my $$$ as a tourist. The OP stated it occurred 15 years ago. It would not be on any states records. There is no way they could get this record as it has been purged from the state where he got it. He doesn't plan to drive while in Canada. My guess is that they had it on some form he had to fill out and he put it down. I have never gotten a DUI, I don't condone getting one, but 15 years is long enough to have paid for your sin. :mad:

[iancal]

I have always been really surprised that some people seem to think that they have a 'right' to enter a foreign country . Or, that for some very odd reason, they think that the laws in their own country are somehow transferable/applicable to them when they visit other countries.

 

If you have a 'past' and you want to travel then it is up to you to do the research. I know of a number of people who have been denied entry to the US for similar reasons. I don't have much sympathy for them. Only

 

Just don't blame others for your own problems.

[arewethereyet]

I travel between Canada and the US all the time. I sneak through the woods as I have an extensive criminal record. It avoids all the red tape and embarrassing questions. So far, so good!

[bcd2010]

Please clarify - how do they know? Is it because you have to fill out a form or answer questions? Or are records computerized for decades back?

 

A few years ago I was talking to someone about joining our group on a cruise. He told me that 40+ years ago, right after he got out of high school, he got caught bringing drugs back across the border from Mexico and spent time in jail. He believed he couldn't even get a passport because of this conviction (he's behaved since then, no more criminal activity). I wondered if records from that far back were in a database.

 

It had never occurred to me that being convicted of a crime could limit your travel (I've never had any interest in breaking the law and admit to being naive about long-term consequences like this). Is this a problem with going to other countries as well?

[startwin]

So if you give them $200 they will let you in, that sounds fair What the hell is paying a fee have to do with it? . They don't mind taking my $$$ as a tourist. The OP stated it occurred 15 years ago. It would not be on any states records. There is no way they could get this record as it has been purged from the state where he got it. He doesn't plan to drive while in Canada. My guess is that they had it on some form he had to fill out and he put it down. I have never gotten a DUI, I don't condone getting one, but 15 years is long enough to have paid for your sin. :mad:

 

 

I never said anything about the $200 -and it is a fact that Canada does not have to admit someone with DUI - whether you like it or not, it is our country and our laws. Just because you think 15 years is long enough doesn't mean that our country has to agree with you. Believe me, there are horror stories of people being bounced back or incarcerated going the other way for equally minor (to some) infractions. Some have been recorded and it's a real eye opener. The answer is - educate yourself on the entry requirements, and be honest.

[startwin]

I travel between Canada and the US all the time. I sneak through the woods as I have an extensive criminal record. It avoids all the red tape and embarrassing questions. So far, so good!

 

I knew I'd seen you somewhere before, sneaking through the woods down the road.:D The cap is a giveaway!

[arewethereyet]

I knew I'd seen you somewhere before, sneaking through the woods down the road.:D The cap is a giveaway!

 

I wear a Molson hat when crossing into Canada. Sometimes I dress like a deer. Although, I don't do that during hunting season.

[LeftcoastBC]

So if you give them $200 they will let you in, that sounds fair What the hell is paying a fee have to do with it? . They don't mind taking my $$$ as a tourist. The OP stated it occurred 15 years ago. It would not be on any states records. There is no way they could get this record as it has been purged from the state where he got it. He doesn't plan to drive while in Canada. My guess is that they had it on some form he had to fill out and he put it down. I have never gotten a DUI, I don't condone getting one, but 15 years is long enough to have paid for your sin. :mad:

 

As I stated above, the USA (YOU) wanted our (Canadian) records and got them when the USA (you) gave us YOURS. Where else do you think we got them? The evil empire somewhere.

over and out. :)

[Copper10-8]

I travel between Canada and the US all the time. I sneak through the woods as I have an extensive criminal record. It avoids all the red tape and embarrassing questions. So far, so good!

 

Heard that!:cool: Also heard someone's looking for ya!;)

 

[rqagent]

It had never occurred to me that being convicted of a crime could limit your travel (I've never had any interest in breaking the law and admit to being naive about long-term consequences like this). Is this a problem with going to other countries as well?

 

 

It depends on the country. I am a TA in Canada and we direct all our clients to www.travel.gc.ca, its the government of Canada's travel website. It contains information regarding Entry/Exit requirements for every country. If you look under the US it has a detailed section on trying to enter with a criminal record as does the section for Mexico

[nana51]

My brother was a raging alcoholic for many years with jail time and many fines. He cleaned up and was sober from the last 20 years of his life. He had no trouble going over the border into Winnipeg. He was a natural born Canadian who became an American citizen after Vietnam. Why he never had a problem I don't know. Maybe because no one wants to go to Winnipeg

[nana51]

i travel between canada and the us all the time. I sneak through the woods as i have an extensive criminal record. It avoids all the red tape and embarrassing questions. So far, so good!

When you are sneaking into US what do you disguise yourself as.......a hotdog?:D

[superoma]

Heard that!:cool: Also heard someone's looking for ya!;)

 

 

 

I think this department wants him too!!

 

[iancal]

No need to worry about the RCMP. Things are not good with that organization lately. They could not even catch a cold.

 

This should increase your odds of evading the authorities.

[sail7seas]

I think this department wants him too!!

 

 

 

 

This insignia is so beautiful. Thank you for posting it.

I'm surprised it has no red though. :)

 

[carri cruiser]

If he got the DUI in Washington it stays on your record for seven years and California is 10 years. There is a web site that will tell you how long each state keeps it on their DMV records. If it was more than 10 years and as you said 15 years unless it was part of vehicle manslaughter, Canada wouldn't even know about it. Quite frankly it's none of their business.:mad:

Guess it shows up somewhere!! back then I don't think they gave jailtime!! he now is a councellor for an AA group, I'm sure after this experience his group also will be the wiser for the information we have learned here on CC....

[carri cruiser]

I travel between Canada and the US all the time. I sneak through the woods as I have an extensive criminal record. It avoids all the red tape and embarrassing questions. So far, so good!

 

So far, your advice makes the most sense to me!!!! I must say I am really surprised at the Bru HA HA this has caused.... some of the posts on this board seems to have a real vendetta to appease!! sheesh, I was just wondering if others have had the problem??:eek:

[carri cruiser]

It depends on the country. I am a TA in Canada and we direct all our clients to www.travel.gc.ca, its the government of Canada's travel website. It contains information regarding Entry/Exit requirements for every country. If you look under the US it has a detailed section on trying to enter with a criminal record as does the section for Mexico

 

Your response to this OP is most appreciated!! all TAs should do that service for their travelling customers... I admit, I have travelled to Canada

many times, and had never read the website, thank you for being so helpful!

[Copper10-8]

This insignia is so beautiful. Thank you for posting it.

I'm surprised it has no red though. :)

 

Maintiens le droit! Defending the law!

Gotta love those classic red tunics/dress uniforms, drk blue riding breeches and campaign hats