Need advise with border crossing.
Now say I got this "friend" who has a criminal record. Now say this "friend" has an extreme car and is planning to attend world finals next year.
What options does this "friend" have?
Is there a pre approval of some sort maybe?
Can this "friend" contact anyone?
It would suck for this "friend" or anyone to drive to a border crossing and not be allowed in the us.
I can think of only 2 options.
1. Get a pardon.
2. Wing it?
BTW this "friend" says thanks.
X
What options does this "friend" have?
Is there a pre approval of some sort maybe?
Can this "friend" contact anyone?
It would suck for this "friend" or anyone to drive to a border crossing and not be allowed in the us.
I can think of only 2 options.
1. Get a pardon.
2. Wing it?
BTW this "friend" says thanks.
X
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,026
Wing it - not cool. If your friend gets caught, he could be screwed (and you too if you're with him). You don't want to mess with officers of US Homeland Security.
Have you called the Border and asked about the criminal record? They might have rules as to what crimes are "high risk" and which are not? Or is this guy on parole and part of the obligations to stay in the country.
"Do you have a Criminal record?" is a resonably common question they ask. I've been asked it about 10% of the times I've crossed. Your friend might be able to answer "yes" and it might be no big deal. A few phone calls to US Homeland security might answer a lot of questions.
I've done a search on google before and found the phone number for US immigration for the Blue Water bridge (ontario). They answered all of my questions about my VISA so I wouldn't have trouble at the border. You could probably do the same for your border crossing.
Have you called the Border and asked about the criminal record? They might have rules as to what crimes are "high risk" and which are not? Or is this guy on parole and part of the obligations to stay in the country.
"Do you have a Criminal record?" is a resonably common question they ask. I've been asked it about 10% of the times I've crossed. Your friend might be able to answer "yes" and it might be no big deal. A few phone calls to US Homeland security might answer a lot of questions.
I've done a search on google before and found the phone number for US immigration for the Blue Water bridge (ontario). They answered all of my questions about my VISA so I wouldn't have trouble at the border. You could probably do the same for your border crossing.
Originally posted by maltesechicken:
Wing it - not cool. If your friend gets caught, he could be screwed (and you too if you're with him). You don't want to mess with officers of US Homeland Security.
Have you called the Border and asked about the criminal record? They might have rules as to what crimes are "high risk" and which are not? Or is this guy on parole and part of the obligations to stay in the country.
"Do you have a Criminal record?" is a resonably common question they ask. I've been asked it about 10% of the times I've crossed. Your friend might be able to answer "yes" and it might be no big deal. A few phone calls to US Homeland security might answer a lot of questions.
I've done a search on google before and found the phone number for US immigration for the Blue Water bridge (ontario). They answered all of my questions about my VISA so I wouldn't have trouble at the border. You could probably do the same for your border crossing.
Wing it - not cool. If your friend gets caught, he could be screwed (and you too if you're with him). You don't want to mess with officers of US Homeland Security.
Have you called the Border and asked about the criminal record? They might have rules as to what crimes are "high risk" and which are not? Or is this guy on parole and part of the obligations to stay in the country.
"Do you have a Criminal record?" is a resonably common question they ask. I've been asked it about 10% of the times I've crossed. Your friend might be able to answer "yes" and it might be no big deal. A few phone calls to US Homeland security might answer a lot of questions.
I've done a search on google before and found the phone number for US immigration for the Blue Water bridge (ontario). They answered all of my questions about my VISA so I wouldn't have trouble at the border. You could probably do the same for your border crossing.
My "friend" is not on parole or anything.
It's a "few" crimes that he was convicted of 7 years ago of the "theft/fraud" nature.
I don't imagine that kind of crime would be considered high risk.
Thanks.... from my "friend: of course!
X
500 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 952
If your friend is even considering winging it, I'd say his experience with the law hasn't taught him much.
The truth will set you free, and the truth hurts only when you're not used to it, tell your friend to start getting used to the truth, and if he wants to go to the finals, i'd suggest starting the paperwork yesterday.
Talk to BOTH Canada Immigration and US Customs and Immigration, document everything.
The truth will set you free, and the truth hurts only when you're not used to it, tell your friend to start getting used to the truth, and if he wants to go to the finals, i'd suggest starting the paperwork yesterday.
Talk to BOTH Canada Immigration and US Customs and Immigration, document everything.
Guest
Posts: n/a
From what I remember from Law class "they" need to get a pardon. Any criminal record for anything and the border is closed. I don't remember if the time is 7 or 10 years though befroe a pardon can be applied for...
I cannot say for Ontario but locally they ask for ID at least half the time and I live about 5k from the line [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
I cannot say for Ontario but locally they ask for ID at least half the time and I live about 5k from the line [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
Originally posted by Dukk:
From what I remember from Law class "they" need to get a pardon. Any criminal record for anything and the border is closed. I don't remember if the time is 7 or 10 years though befroe a pardon can be applied for...
I cannot say for Ontario but locally they ask for ID at least half the time and I live about 5k from the line [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
From what I remember from Law class "they" need to get a pardon. Any criminal record for anything and the border is closed. I don't remember if the time is 7 or 10 years though befroe a pardon can be applied for...
I cannot say for Ontario but locally they ask for ID at least half the time and I live about 5k from the line [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
I pretty sure it's not 10. My uncle got one, we discussed it once. For my "friedn" of course LMAO!
I'm also pretty sure that my other uncle that lives in Texas has/had a criminal record involving Pot or something and he had a hell of a time getting a Visa or such.
I'll have to give him a call.
All my "friend" wants to do is go to World finals....
X
With some serching on the net there are indeed 3 options.
1 Get a pardon
2 Get a us entyr waiver
3 Wing it and hope they don't see your record
1 A pradon will cost between 400-600 and will take 1-2 years.
2 A us entry waiver is 550-750 and can take between 10-18 months
3 Winging it could work....
If they catch you bad things happen....
I think my "friend's" best option in regards to time will be a US enrty Waiver.
Being optomistic, my "friend" might be able to get one in less then 10 months as all the site I've visited say that the times and conservative..... sigh...
X
1 Get a pardon
2 Get a us entyr waiver
3 Wing it and hope they don't see your record
1 A pradon will cost between 400-600 and will take 1-2 years.
2 A us entry waiver is 550-750 and can take between 10-18 months
3 Winging it could work....
If they catch you bad things happen....
I think my "friend's" best option in regards to time will be a US enrty Waiver.
Being optomistic, my "friend" might be able to get one in less then 10 months as all the site I've visited say that the times and conservative..... sigh...
X
