I've crossed into the US on numerous occasions after receiving my I-194 waiver and have always found the U.S. Customs officials to be professional, balanced and fair in their questioning and/or decisions.For example: when traveling with my wife and young children, we have surprisingly never been sent to secondary screening. Instead, the officers that we have dealt with have always processed my waiver on the spot -alleviating the extra time and possible humiliation to my family of waiting in secondary.
If you've had similar experiences (or even if you haven't), this book is for you: 'In Safe Hands,' is a collection of short anecdotal stories from the life and times of a now retired U.S. Customs officer (Michael Cunningham). I picked this book up recently when I was on a business trip state-side. Last week when I was traveling to the US I brought it along and was reading it while waiting in secondary. I'm pretty certain at least one officer noticed and found my reading choice somewhat amusing!
Epoch Times has a good write up and interview: Retired Customs Official Tells Tales From the Border
I'm interested in your comments about positive/negative experiences with the CBP. Did you fill out and return the comment card?
great site and thanks for all the info! i'm on my first I-194 waiver.
ReplyDeletebook looks like a fun read but i couldn't find it in chapters. maybe at amazon. i will look.
You are very fortunate to have only experienced US Customs officials who are professional, balanced and fair.
ReplyDeleteI entered the US approximately 75 times in 2009, at both airport and land ports of entry. My treatment at the airports has been, as you suggest, very fair. I attribute that to the fact that these US CBP employees reside in Canada and have become infected with the Canadian malaise of 'niceness'.
My entries at the land crossings have been another story. US CBP staff attitude deteriorates proportionately with the increasing size/volume handled at the port of entry.
Although it may be human nature, when you put a uniform on certain people and give them a bit of authority it brings out the worst in them.
I could relate numerous horror stories but suffice it to say that when the CBP guy(and it usually is men) has a crew cut, is wearing camo pants, jack boots and a bullet proof vest, be very careful what you say.
You are also very fortunate to have never been sent for secondary when your wife & children were with you. Don't try to cross at an upstate New York land crossing as it is mandatory in that district that EVERYONE with a waiver be referred to secondary. No discretion on the CBP officer.
I have filed 2 comment cards with my name, phone number and address placed on each one. I have never received any further inquiries or replies.
Interestingly, I filed the last comment card at the request of a CBP staffer at Ogdensburg, NY who felt the mandatory secondary screening in their district was dumb. That was 6 months ago and the dumb practice continues.
It's true, I've been very fortunate in my cross border experiences.
ReplyDeleteHere's a blog post which describes a completely different experience (one similar to what you and a few others describe):
http://blogs.ilw.com/deportationandremoval/2010/01/psychological-abuse-at-the-northern-border.html
Useful Information!
ReplyDeleteIn safe hands helps people in all way to get work permits or immigration and to provide you all the necessary services to make your dream comes true.
ReplyDelete