We crossed into Canada on Sunday morning to attend church.
Then we had a little birthday party for our 6 year old granddaughter.
About 3:00pm we set off for the U.S. border and round 4 of our border crossing challenge. In 3 out of the last 3 crossings we have been escorted from our vehicle for a secondary inspection, no explanation why. That and a DHS TRIP behind us, we approached the border not expecting that there would be any resolution yet.
There was very little traffic; a customs officer was waving us into the last lane and we drove right up to the inspection booth.
"Good Afternoon. Welcome to my lane." (ha! an officer with a sense of humor!)
"Where did you go?"
"We went to church and then to our granddaughter's birthday party," I replied, handing over our passports.
The officer disappeared inside his booth to run our passports through his computer. We held our breath.
He emerged from his booth, "Have a nice day," he said, returning our passports.
YES! Happy dancing in the car! WOOHOO! No More red flags! No more black list! No more whatever-it-was-that-they-couldn't-tell-us that was sending us into repeated secondary inspections!
This was the border crossing routine we knew and loved.
We're back :)
Showing posts with label crossing the border. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crossing the border. Show all posts
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
What is DHS TRIP?
My Honey was feeling under the weather this weekend so we didn't make our trek over the border to go to church.
No chest pains, always good.
No fever, always good.
No stomach upset, so it's not the flu.
But he is very tired. Even walking around the block was difficult for him. He has a regular doctor's checkup tomorrow and that's another good thing.
But back to the DHS TRIP.
Last week, when we finally got to speak with a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) supervisor, he recommended that I submit a DHS TRIP Inquiry and he provided a handout about the size of a dry cleaning claim ticket with the information I would need. So I went to the website: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Travel Redress Inquiry Program or DHS TRIP.
Seemed simple enough: I was prompted to describe my particular concerns and experience, provide contact information and assigned a case number. I also had to scan my passport, print the final page of the form, sign it, scan it and email both back to the DHS TRIP. Which I did. I also included a scan of my husband's passport since this was our shared experience at each encounter with the CBP.
I received a confirmation of the inquiry and then was asked, "What was your intent in sending a passport for ALW?"
Apparently that was a no-no. Apparently "we" did not have the experience. "We" could not file. I had the experience, duly filed. And my husband had "his" experience which had to be filed separately under his name.
I emailed back to explain that my husband is a stroke survivor and would not be able to complete the requisite form. A veritable can of worms that turned out to be. Powers of attorney, append this, attach that. My computer skills were stretched to the max copying and scanning and attaching everything to an email. Could they not consider my inquiry as our inquiry? No, that would be illegal. Couldn't I just please do the computer work and my husband sign his name acknowledging that these were the circumstances he experienced? I waited for 48 hours and in the absence of a reply, did just that.
So now we each have our own Redress Control Numbers, which we will carry with us over the border. We are advised that it will take a minimum of 30 days to address our inquiries so that means a few more secondary inspections can be expected. Looks like a long wait at the border this Spring.
to be continued......
No chest pains, always good.
No fever, always good.
No stomach upset, so it's not the flu.
But he is very tired. Even walking around the block was difficult for him. He has a regular doctor's checkup tomorrow and that's another good thing.
But back to the DHS TRIP.
Last week, when we finally got to speak with a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) supervisor, he recommended that I submit a DHS TRIP Inquiry and he provided a handout about the size of a dry cleaning claim ticket with the information I would need. So I went to the website: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Travel Redress Inquiry Program or DHS TRIP.
Seemed simple enough: I was prompted to describe my particular concerns and experience, provide contact information and assigned a case number. I also had to scan my passport, print the final page of the form, sign it, scan it and email both back to the DHS TRIP. Which I did. I also included a scan of my husband's passport since this was our shared experience at each encounter with the CBP.
I received a confirmation of the inquiry and then was asked, "What was your intent in sending a passport for ALW?"
Apparently that was a no-no. Apparently "we" did not have the experience. "We" could not file. I had the experience, duly filed. And my husband had "his" experience which had to be filed separately under his name.
I emailed back to explain that my husband is a stroke survivor and would not be able to complete the requisite form. A veritable can of worms that turned out to be. Powers of attorney, append this, attach that. My computer skills were stretched to the max copying and scanning and attaching everything to an email. Could they not consider my inquiry as our inquiry? No, that would be illegal. Couldn't I just please do the computer work and my husband sign his name acknowledging that these were the circumstances he experienced? I waited for 48 hours and in the absence of a reply, did just that.
So now we each have our own Redress Control Numbers, which we will carry with us over the border. We are advised that it will take a minimum of 30 days to address our inquiries so that means a few more secondary inspections can be expected. Looks like a long wait at the border this Spring.
to be continued......
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
We're 3 for 3....
Well, you just know we crossed the border into Canada on Sunday to attend church and see our granddaughters.
We were hopeful but not surprised when the officer at the inspection booth on our return into the US tore off the orange page from his pad and wrapped it around our passports. He didn't even need to tell me to turn off the ignition and hand him the car keys.
I even offered to walk into the offices without an escort since we knew the drill, but he insisted on accompanying us. He even asked if my husband needed assistance. He was politeness personified.
In fact, every officer on this, our third go-round of secondary inspection in two weeks, was helpful, respectful, professional and even sympathetic to our predicament.
Our passports were taken directly to a supervisor. And while we waited, a second officer approached the counter to let us know that the supervisor was already reviewing our case without us even having to ask and he would come to speak with us just as soon as he could.
Which he did. The officers today restored my faith in the CBP. They felt our distress and our frustration and wanted to help.
Of course, there will never be an explanation for why we have been selected for secondary inspection 3 times in 2 weeks. But at least the supervisor has submitted a report at his end and provided me with an avenue to have the repeated inspections addressed and resolved.
Which I did this morning. Whatever did we do without the internet? I logged onto the DHS TRIP web site (Department of Homeland Security Travel Redress Inquiry Program) filled out the form, told my story, scanned copies of our passports and emailed it all to them.
And just so you know, there are multiple supervisors at a border crossing...just in case you are ever denied access to one....
So we don't know how long this will take to be resolved, but we are feeling hopeful.
And a big "thank you" to the CBP officer who commented last week. Your support meant a lot at a time when we felt totally powerless and frustrated. As we discovered this week, and just as you said, the officer last week was the exception.
We were hopeful but not surprised when the officer at the inspection booth on our return into the US tore off the orange page from his pad and wrapped it around our passports. He didn't even need to tell me to turn off the ignition and hand him the car keys.
I even offered to walk into the offices without an escort since we knew the drill, but he insisted on accompanying us. He even asked if my husband needed assistance. He was politeness personified.
In fact, every officer on this, our third go-round of secondary inspection in two weeks, was helpful, respectful, professional and even sympathetic to our predicament.
Our passports were taken directly to a supervisor. And while we waited, a second officer approached the counter to let us know that the supervisor was already reviewing our case without us even having to ask and he would come to speak with us just as soon as he could.
Which he did. The officers today restored my faith in the CBP. They felt our distress and our frustration and wanted to help.
Of course, there will never be an explanation for why we have been selected for secondary inspection 3 times in 2 weeks. But at least the supervisor has submitted a report at his end and provided me with an avenue to have the repeated inspections addressed and resolved.
Which I did this morning. Whatever did we do without the internet? I logged onto the DHS TRIP web site (Department of Homeland Security Travel Redress Inquiry Program) filled out the form, told my story, scanned copies of our passports and emailed it all to them.
And just so you know, there are multiple supervisors at a border crossing...just in case you are ever denied access to one....
So we don't know how long this will take to be resolved, but we are feeling hopeful.
And a big "thank you" to the CBP officer who commented last week. Your support meant a lot at a time when we felt totally powerless and frustrated. As we discovered this week, and just as you said, the officer last week was the exception.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Oops, they did it again
I posted last week on my encounter with the officers of the Department of Homeland Security at a U.S. Canadian border crossing
Well, it happened again. As we returned from Good Friday services we were once again asked to surrender our car keys.
What is going on? We just went through this last Sunday!
Our vehicle was quickly surrounded by Customs agents.
MAM, JUST EXIT THE VEHICLE.
The agent who was IN MY FACE AND YELLING at me was Officer Walter, according to his uniform badge.
Officer Walter, can you tell me what is happening?
GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE... NOW!
We were escorted into the Customs building.
This time I was a little more upset. Once was possibly a random search. Why was this happening again? Why were we suspected of something so horrendous that we were removed from our vehicle twice in one week?
Our wait was shorter this time and our passports were quickly returned to us by Officer Walter. He also provided a brochure which would explain the "U.S. Custons and Border Protection Process." We were seated against a wall and Officer Walter was standing over us.
Can you tell us what is going on?
NO. YOU ARE FREE TO GO.
I would like to speak to someone. Is there someone I can speak to?
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, THERE IS CONTACT INFORMATION IN THIS BROCHURE.
But I would like to speak to someone now. Is there a supervisor here I can speak to?
NO. USE THE INFORMATION IN THE BROCHURE.
My husband is getting agitated. Because of his aphasia he tends to gesture a lot with his "good" hand in his effort to speak.
Officer Walter leans over my husband. SIR! DO NOT POINT AT ME! PUT YOUR HAND DOWN SIR!
Officer, my husband is a stroke survivor. He's just trying to speak to you!
Now I am getting agitated. Kinda like a Mama Bear. Do you have a number, Officer Walter?
A NUMBER?
You know, like an employee number?
NO
Well, do you have a first name? I mean, there might be other officers with your surname...
Officer Walter turns on his heel and walks away from me to exit the lobby.
I stand up to exit the other direction and comment, And you're rude.
Officer Walter returns and yells to me across the room: USE THE INFORMATION IN THE BROCHURE. YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY.
And you have a good day too.
I read the brochure. This is what it says:
So I still don't have any answers. But, thanks to Officer Walter, I can show the brochure the next time I ask to speak to a supervisor. And chances are, there will be a next time....
Well, it happened again. As we returned from Good Friday services we were once again asked to surrender our car keys.
What is going on? We just went through this last Sunday!
Our vehicle was quickly surrounded by Customs agents.
MAM, JUST EXIT THE VEHICLE.
The agent who was IN MY FACE AND YELLING at me was Officer Walter, according to his uniform badge.
Officer Walter, can you tell me what is happening?
GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE... NOW!
We were escorted into the Customs building.
This time I was a little more upset. Once was possibly a random search. Why was this happening again? Why were we suspected of something so horrendous that we were removed from our vehicle twice in one week?
Our wait was shorter this time and our passports were quickly returned to us by Officer Walter. He also provided a brochure which would explain the "U.S. Custons and Border Protection Process." We were seated against a wall and Officer Walter was standing over us.
Can you tell us what is going on?
NO. YOU ARE FREE TO GO.
I would like to speak to someone. Is there someone I can speak to?
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, THERE IS CONTACT INFORMATION IN THIS BROCHURE.
But I would like to speak to someone now. Is there a supervisor here I can speak to?
NO. USE THE INFORMATION IN THE BROCHURE.
My husband is getting agitated. Because of his aphasia he tends to gesture a lot with his "good" hand in his effort to speak.
Officer Walter leans over my husband. SIR! DO NOT POINT AT ME! PUT YOUR HAND DOWN SIR!
Officer, my husband is a stroke survivor. He's just trying to speak to you!
Now I am getting agitated. Kinda like a Mama Bear. Do you have a number, Officer Walter?
A NUMBER?
You know, like an employee number?
NO
Well, do you have a first name? I mean, there might be other officers with your surname...
Officer Walter turns on his heel and walks away from me to exit the lobby.
I stand up to exit the other direction and comment, And you're rude.
Officer Walter returns and yells to me across the room: USE THE INFORMATION IN THE BROCHURE. YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY.
And you have a good day too.
I read the brochure. This is what it says:
You should be treated in a courteous, professional and dignified manner.
You will receive an explanation of the examination process as it occurs.
If you feel that the examination was not conducted in a professional manner, ask to speak with a CBP suipervisor immediately. A CBP supervisor is always available at the facility or by telephone.
So I still don't have any answers. But, thanks to Officer Walter, I can show the brochure the next time I ask to speak to a supervisor. And chances are, there will be a next time....
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Sunday Afternoon with the Office of Homeland Security
I wasn't sure about posting this. I suppose "they" could tap my phone lines or put a GPS chip on my car...maybe they did. My husband was furious but given his speech disabilities as a result of his stroke and the fact that anger exacerbates the problem, I should be glad that all he did was gnash his teeth, shake his one good fist and slam some doors.
This is our story.
We live only minutes from the Canadian border and cross evey Sunday to attend church in Canada. Yes, it is unusual but we have grandchildren living there and this gives us the opportunity to pick them up and spend some time with them. We weren't able to see them last Sunday so our trip was even shorter than usual.
Border crossings are usually uneventful. Sometimes there is a delay; sometimes vehicles are pulled over for further inspection. We have always been very respectful of the border agents because they do bear an awesome responsibility. We have never had a problem in the many years we have been crossing. Until this past Sunday. I do the driving and speaking because my husband's aphasia can make the question/answer process difficult.
GOOD AFTERNOON, IDENTIFICATION PLEASE
Good Afternoon. (we hand over our passports)
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Grand Island
CITIZENSHIP?
U.S.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRIP TO CANADA?
We went to church
DID YOU PURCHASE OR ACQUIRE ANYTHING?
No
(We wait while he disappears into his booth and processes our documentation)
(We wait for an unusually long time)
WHOSE CAR IS THIS?
It's my husband's car
HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR WALLET?
I guess I have about $20. My husband has about $100 I think.
ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU DIDN'T ACQUIRE ANYTHING WHILE YOU WERE OUT OF THE COUNTRY?
No we didn't. Absolutely nothing.
ARE YOU SURE YOU AREN'T CARRYING $50,000 WITH YOU?
(I almost laugh...I wish!) No, absolutely not!
WOULD YOU PLEASE TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND HAND ME YOUR CAR KEYS.
Silently, I do what he asks. He disappears again into the booth. He returns momentarily to slide a red and white striped bar under the car. Maybe with spikes in case I try to make an escape???
PLEASE EXIT THE CAR AND MOVE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR.
We do what he asks. My husband is getting annoyed. We are totally perplexed and the agent does not provide any information as to what is happening. We have never even witnessed anyone being asked to leave their car!
ANOTHER AGENT WILL COME TO ESCORT YOU INSIDE.
May I get my purse out of the car?
NO, AN AGENT WILL HAVE TO GET IT.
The agent arrives to escort us to the Border Station, across 7 lanes of border traffic. Only slightly humiliating. Another agent is summoned to drive our car wherever it is to be taken. I hold my husband's arm to help him navigate the curbs. The agent observes that he has difficulty walking and at least alters our route to avoid so many curbs.
We enter the station and are seated on a wooden bench.
No one speaks to us. There is no explanation offered. After about 20 minutes my husband approaches the counter and says, "Well? What's happening?" He is told that someone will be with us soon.
45 Minutes after we first handed over our passports, an agent appears and returns them to us.
YOU'RE FREE TO GO. YOUR CAR IS IN THE GARAGE OVER THERE. I'LL OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR FOR YOU SO YOU CAN DRIVE OUT.
This is where my husband gets huffy. We weren't mistreated. The officers were never disrespectful. But we were subjected to questioning and our car to inspection without cause. If they had cause, should we not have been entitled to hear what prompted the suspicion and search? If not before, at the very least after all was said and done...and perhaps even an apology for the inconvenience.
So rest assured that the Office of Homeland Security is doing a thorough job protecting our northern border. Especially from 60-something folks returning from church.
This is our story.
We live only minutes from the Canadian border and cross evey Sunday to attend church in Canada. Yes, it is unusual but we have grandchildren living there and this gives us the opportunity to pick them up and spend some time with them. We weren't able to see them last Sunday so our trip was even shorter than usual.
Border crossings are usually uneventful. Sometimes there is a delay; sometimes vehicles are pulled over for further inspection. We have always been very respectful of the border agents because they do bear an awesome responsibility. We have never had a problem in the many years we have been crossing. Until this past Sunday. I do the driving and speaking because my husband's aphasia can make the question/answer process difficult.
GOOD AFTERNOON, IDENTIFICATION PLEASE
Good Afternoon. (we hand over our passports)
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Grand Island
CITIZENSHIP?
U.S.
WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRIP TO CANADA?
We went to church
DID YOU PURCHASE OR ACQUIRE ANYTHING?
No
(We wait while he disappears into his booth and processes our documentation)
(We wait for an unusually long time)
WHOSE CAR IS THIS?
It's my husband's car
HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR WALLET?
I guess I have about $20. My husband has about $100 I think.
ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU DIDN'T ACQUIRE ANYTHING WHILE YOU WERE OUT OF THE COUNTRY?
No we didn't. Absolutely nothing.
ARE YOU SURE YOU AREN'T CARRYING $50,000 WITH YOU?
(I almost laugh...I wish!) No, absolutely not!
WOULD YOU PLEASE TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND HAND ME YOUR CAR KEYS.
Silently, I do what he asks. He disappears again into the booth. He returns momentarily to slide a red and white striped bar under the car. Maybe with spikes in case I try to make an escape???
PLEASE EXIT THE CAR AND MOVE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR.
We do what he asks. My husband is getting annoyed. We are totally perplexed and the agent does not provide any information as to what is happening. We have never even witnessed anyone being asked to leave their car!
ANOTHER AGENT WILL COME TO ESCORT YOU INSIDE.
May I get my purse out of the car?
NO, AN AGENT WILL HAVE TO GET IT.
The agent arrives to escort us to the Border Station, across 7 lanes of border traffic. Only slightly humiliating. Another agent is summoned to drive our car wherever it is to be taken. I hold my husband's arm to help him navigate the curbs. The agent observes that he has difficulty walking and at least alters our route to avoid so many curbs.
We enter the station and are seated on a wooden bench.
No one speaks to us. There is no explanation offered. After about 20 minutes my husband approaches the counter and says, "Well? What's happening?" He is told that someone will be with us soon.
45 Minutes after we first handed over our passports, an agent appears and returns them to us.
YOU'RE FREE TO GO. YOUR CAR IS IN THE GARAGE OVER THERE. I'LL OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR FOR YOU SO YOU CAN DRIVE OUT.
This is where my husband gets huffy. We weren't mistreated. The officers were never disrespectful. But we were subjected to questioning and our car to inspection without cause. If they had cause, should we not have been entitled to hear what prompted the suspicion and search? If not before, at the very least after all was said and done...and perhaps even an apology for the inconvenience.
So rest assured that the Office of Homeland Security is doing a thorough job protecting our northern border. Especially from 60-something folks returning from church.
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