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Posts: 53
| We will be heading up to Canada later this week and I have heard that crossing the border has been tougher then in the past. We have a guy that had a DUI about 5 years ago and another who has a battery charge on his record from high school (about 11 years ago). This will be there 4th trip up and had no problems in the past. Do we have anything to worry about?
Edited by J-Bird 7/25/2006 5:36 PM
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| That is a great question J-Bird. I have a very similar situation in 3 weeks. If anyone knows about this please give us a hand. |
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Posts: 32954
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | This subject was just covered in detail a couple weeks back, do a search of all threads in the last year and you'll find it. |
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Posts: 37
Location: se wi | It's a roll of the dice without the proper paperwork. That being said I just got back from a trip and we had no problem crossing. They did take our ID's on the way in and look at them. One of us had a DUI from 6 years ago. They didn't ask and we didn't tell. It was actually a very pleasant crossing. The lady working the booth was pleasant. We crossed at International Falls. |
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Posts: 53
| Thanks Blaster! I made a correction it is a battery charge not an assault charge! Woops! |
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Posts: 260
Location: Kentucky | We crossed at Warroad on the 15th and they checked almost all of us (28 people).Be prepared to pay or refused entry, and hope for the best. |
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Posts: 194
| The guy with the DUI is a guaranteed no cross if it was 5 yrs or less. Unless you get lucky with the guy at the booth while your still in the car and it doesn't come up somehow. DUI is a felony in Canada and they equate any US offense to Canadian Law. Even if your DUI wasn't a felony, the border patrol considers it a felony in Canada and won't let you cross. If it has been over 5 years and less then 10, you might be eligable for "Rehabilitation." The other guy (Battery Charge was it) might want to pay for "Rehabilitation" in advance. It might save his trip. That costs around $200 Canadian. It was my impression that "Rehabilitation" papers will almost guarantee no problems crossing. Go for the lifetime "Rehabilitation" papers instead of the single crossing papers. They cost the same. At the very least, if you want to chance it, I would make sure neither one of these guys is the driver at the border. I wouldn't drive either of those guys' vehicles unless absolutely necessary. Take off your sunglasses and keep eye contact at all times. Answer every question quickly and accurately without volenteering anything. The driver should do the talking. Don't ask questions. Know when and where anyone has been in Canada before as well as exactly where you are heading (Lodge name) and why. Don't have a messy vehicle. Leave your beer, cigarettes and food stuff at home and pay the extra $$ for it in Canada. Did I mention eye contact? Herbie's site for Andy Meyer's Lodge is supposed to be a good source for this kind of info as well. The other thread mentioned above was very thorough and even included contacts to aid in the "Rehabilitation." Good Luck |
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Posts: 5874
| It's a crap shoot somedays. Depends on how the Immigration Official is feeling that day. You may not even be checked, just the quick why/where are you going, for how long, where are you from, do you have any cigarrettes or alochol, how much, any bait, in beeding or dirt, etc. Answer everything honestly. Do not volunteer anything. If you are checked, and they ask about an offense, do not lie. It is up to the Official if he lets you in with a fine. Coming in to Canada with a Felony(DUI) on your record is an Immigration Violation. You may be asked to pay a $200 immigration fine for one time entry. Accept it, and you're good to go. Even if that offense was within the past 5 years.
In fact, I don't think you are even eligible for the rehab or Govenor's Pardon if the offense is within 5 years. After 5 years, there are several things you can do. As mentioned, you can go the rehab route, which costs $200. There is also the Pardon route, which costs another $200. Not sure if you can skip the rehab, and go right to the Pardon. I believe I posted on this back in 2002, so you may want to do a search. |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | Here is a link to some real border crossing facts.
http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/
and a link to the thread that Sworral was referring to....it has a couple more links to real info(check out Lambeau's post)
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=27...
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Posts: 53
| Thanks for all of your help guys! I will give an update when I return. Wish us luck!! |
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Posts: 3
| Here is all the info you need to know:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/detroit/right_nav/areyoucrimina... |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | cdavis,
The link you provided is the first place where I've seen it stated unambiguously that you can be rehabilitated at the border without an application or fee if your offence is older than ten years (and I have looked). That is the way I understood it, but never saw it specifically in print, and could not get someone on the phone to say it specifically. Now I feel that my stupidity of 18 years ago will not be a problem. I printed it and will have it with me as I cross the border. Thank you.
"You may be deemed rehabilitated if at least 10 years have passed since the completion of the sentence imposed for your crime. For example if you were convicted of driving under the influence it must be at least 10 years since your full driving privileges were restored.
To be eligible you must usually only have one conviction and the conviction must be of a less serious nature, that in Canada would have been punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of fewer than 10 years.
You may be deemed rehabilitated at a port of entry without submitting an application or paying any fee."
Kevin, The Rehabilitated.
Eagle draws nigh, without complications.
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Posts: 5874
| Key words, MAY BE. You MAY BE deedmed rehabilitated. Or you MAY not, and pay the $200 Immigration Violation fine. Even if you violation is less than 5 years old, you may still get in with the fine. Be courtious, and answer honestly is the best advice I can give.
My DUI was 20+ years old when I was checked last. I told them about it, but it wasn't on my record that they could tell. They tried to find it through several attempts. Finally, the guy said next time, just say no when I'm asked.
Edited by Shep 7/27/2006 3:09 PM
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Posts: 136
| Getting back is usually more stressful. Just keep your mouth shut and don't wear sunglasses. Try not to smuggle any contraband either. They don't like guns and drugs and stuff. But I had no problem smuggling a stray puppy that we picked up. Never even knew it was there. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | When Mauser and I crossed back into the USA at Baudette, the lady at US Customs asked to see our drivers licenses.
"You're from Ohio, Mike, and you, CJ are from West Virginia, how do you two know each other?"
CJ answered, "We met on the Internet!"
That drew puzzled looks until I clarified that we were 'members' of an internet muskie club that had an outing at Lake of the Woods. That got us back thru.
We wondered later, if we'd said, "We met at the Mosque!", if we'd still be there?
We're both friends of Al! Al who? Al Cady!
good luck in your travels, m |
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| To add what CommonSense Guy said, also be clean shaven and a short well groomed haircut. They like to check out those who look like they haven't shaved in a couple of days and long hair (look too much like hippies). |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Hey! I resemble that remark! m |
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Posts: 8848
| So do I!
And that's discriminimation's what it is! I demand my rights!
Just because I have long hair and a beard and I wear tye dyes and listen to the Grateful Dead and all that that doesn't mean I'm a hippie.
Well...
Ok, maybe it DOES, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get into any kind of trouble or do anything illegal!
Well...
nevermind then!
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Location: Chippewa Falls, WI | Just got back from LOTW- Morson area, We been going up there for 8 years now 3-5 times a year, we had no problem getting in but on the way back at the MN border this time they pulled us over and had us come in and fill out a Decloration form. they wanted to know you complete background info, then did a strip search, of our truck and boat and body. VERY weird!. we never had a problem before and answered there normal questions. OUr other friends that were behind us also got pulled over along with the boat behind us. The only thing we can think is they were making us perfered border crossing persons, so they dont have to check us every time we go to LOTW?
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| I just went to the NW Angle and crossed at Warroad a week ago. We were NOT asked if we had DUIs. It is my 5th year in a row crossing at Warroad and have never been asked. However, I was asked while crossing at the I Falls border about 10 years ago. Maybe they have gotten less strict lately about asking the question.
Here is exactly what I was asked at the border at Warroad a week ago ...
1) Where are you from?
2) Where are you headed?
3) May I see your driver's license or passport?
4) When is the last time you were in Canada and how long were you here?
5) Do you have any liquor, tabacco, firearms, or live bait?
6) How do you two know each other? (We told him we were friends from high school.)
Then he opened one cooler in the back of truck and peaked in. All he could see was ice, but he gave us our license's back and sent us on our way. A very painless entry.
Midge
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| You should be most worried about the drunk getting beaten up by the other guy for drinking his beer. |
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Border Crossing Question