Upon obtaining citizenship, immigrants to Canada also become eligible for certain U.S. immigration benefits. Canadian citizens enjoy visa-free travel to the U.S. in most categories, additional opportunities for U.S. employment, and streamlined procedures for seeking U.S. immigration benefits. Visa free visitor travel to the U.S. (B-1/B-2) Canadian citizens do not need a visa, or a… Read More
Featured
Nexus and FAST interviews in Osoyoos on September 12th and 13th 2023
Walk-in Nexus interviews available in 2 weeks! Read More
Vital Support for Critical Infrastructure Sectors – New Guidance for National Interest Exceptions
In the first week of March 2021 the Department of State updated its requirements for granting a National Interest Exception to people who had been in the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, or Ireland within 14 days prior to entering the U.S. (see also Presidential Proclamation 10143). Previous guidance stated that technical experts and specialists, senior-level… Read More
Don’t drop the Canadian trailer off in the U.S. and then have the Canadian driver pick it up for delivery in the U.S.
Canadian truck drivers can take a load from Canada and drop it off in the U.S. Canadian truck drivers can also pick up a load in the U.S. and bring it back to Canada. Currently, they are exempt from many of the restrictions on crossing the border in both countries. Canadian drivers cannot, however, is… Read More
What Canadians Can Do in the U.S. Right Now
All of the benefits available to Canadians under U.S. immigration law remain in place, however, the procedures for requesting these benefits have changed. While the new procedures may be more burdensome, some Canadians may find that the benefits of coming to the U.S. continue to offset any additional burden. With careful planning Canadians can continue… Read More
Firm Update – COVID-19
Pacific Northwest Cross Border Law remains fully operational. I have access to files, and the continued capacity to correspond by e-mail, telephone, fax, and traditional mail. Most of my firm’s operations have shifted to a temporary home office, a five-minute commute from the firm’s commercial space. Many US immigration agencies have closed their offices, however,… Read More
Unsealing pardoned records for US travel purposes
Canadians who have been convicted of a crime may need to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility before they can once again seek admission to the U.S. Although not specifically required, court and prison records may be requested by the Admissibility Review Office after an applicant has submitted a waiver application. If an applicant has… Read More
Uptick in expedited removal at local ports of entry
Last week CTV News did a story about a Canadian who applied for admission to the US at Point Roberts. This traveler was not only denied admission to the US, but barred from applying for admission for five years. At approximately the same time, I learned of a similar case at the Pacific Highway port… Read More
New procedures for Canadians filing applications for non-immigrant waivers of inadmissibility
Many Canadians who have been found inadmissible, and wish to continue traveling to the United States must apply for a non-immigrant waiver of inadmissibility. Common reasons for inadmissibility include past conviction for a “crime involving moral turpitude,” drug-related convictions, and misrepresentation when applying for admission to the US. Anyone who has made a material misrepresentation… Read More
Failure to declare imported items may lead to USD $5,000 fine
Before October 2018 I had not yet seen a customs penalty case. Since then, inquiries about customs penalty cases have increased to approximately one every two months. At ports of entry, Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) is asking visitors and U.S. citizens about goods that they are importing or have imported to the United States.… Read More