Comment: Rob Ford vs Jess Goldstein

A B.C. woman named Jess Goldstein was denied entry into the US and barred for life, for admitting to US customs officials she had smoked marijuana in the past. Her car was searched, she was questioned for six hours and told she could never enter the US again. She owns a cabin in Washington state and her father is American so she used to cross quite often. Now she can cross the border only because she was granted an official waiver, which cost her $600 + in fees, and has to be renewed again each year.

Meanwhile, Rob Ford, the fool mayor of Toronto, an admitted smoker of crack cocaine, has crossed the border into the US to appear on American TV. How come the US customs officials let him cross the border? Where is the punishment for Rob Ford? How come he does not have to pay $600 + a year to visit?

The hypocrisy of US CBP.

Comments

Do you have an I-194 waiver?

Thanks to those who participated in my recent poll "Do you have an I-194 waiver?". It turns out that of those who participated over half have applied or intend to for the I-194 waiver (Advance Permission to Enter as a Non-Immigrant). It is also interesting to note that the amount that have 1 year or 5 year waivers are very close (3 to 4). I had read somewhere that the waivers were granted as 1 year or 5 based on the degree or seriousness of the past offenses. If this is true, then wouldn't a person expect that if he/she were granted a 5 year waiver, he/she should always expect the 5 year waiver? I'd be happy to hear your comments and personal experiences on this. Update: See I-192 Waiver Application Process

I-194 waiver renewal - another 5 years!

Great news! Today in the mailbox, just 3 months and 2 weeks after submitting my I-192 application with a Saturday interview at the Ottawa pre-clearance facility, I received my renewal (my second 5 year I-194 waiver) . This second 5 year waiver once again allows me to travel to the US for business and pleasure (B1/B2) for a maximum period of stay as determined by the admitting officer (the CBP officer on entry) . Have waiver, will travel! See updated information about renewals: I-194 waiver renewal recap

I-192 waiver application cost going up?

As mentioned by a contributor on the I-194 waiver forum , a recent article on CBC ( Have you ever smoked weed? ) has made claim that the cost of an I-192 waiver application is increasing from $585 to a whopping $930 US ($1,200 CDN) later this year. There seems to be some truth as found on a US Federal Register under a section labelled "TABLE 9—PROPOSED FEES BY IMMIGRATION BENEFIT" (see here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-05-04/pdf/2016-10297.pdf ) If these changes move ahead Canadian's who have been previously denied entry to the US will see a 59% increase on their US waivers. There is some potential good news in that all waivers after the fee increase may be issued for a set 5 year (instead of the current 1, 3, 5 year) with limited exceptions for sexual assault convictions but that has yet to be confirmed. Waiver renewal application processing seemed to have gotten quicker over the summer with some applicants commenting on 3 month returns. So perhaps we can f...

US Waiver for Canadians

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