qhor
Manitoba, Canada
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Joined: 07/24/2003
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I sympathize with you and your problem, however when we venture south, we are entering what is called a "foreign" (although friendly) country.
The proof of residency has been in effect for a very long time, however until recently (except for times of trouble) it has been implemented rarely.
To avoid the problem, there is a form "U.S.Internal Revenue Service Form 8840-Closer Connection Exemption Statement for Aliens", which is required by the U.S. from all Canadians who spend an average of 120 days per year in the U.S. (formula explained on the form) The form is available from the U.S. Internal Revenue website or the CSA website www.snowbirds.org Click on the blue button for "lifestyle links and you can go to the IRS site from there.
Since Homeland Security has been established, proper documentation will surely be a much more important requirement for Canadian fulltimers, or even Snowbirds who spend more than an average of 120 days in the sunny south. We fulltimed for 5 years out here on the prairies, and where never asked for proof of residency, however times are a changing.
Good luck with your dillema, and I hope you get to enjoy a sunny, warm and happy winter.
Barry
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cdrcos
St. Paul, MN
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Joined: 12/13/2001
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The Urban Institute, a research group in Washington, D.C., estimates between 65,000 and 75,000 undocumented Canadians currently live in the United States.
But it appears that the only concern here is those illegals that are brown, don't speak English as a first language, and can be seen "everyday shopping at stores, working at fast foods facilities, visiting emergency rooms, working for Street, building contractors and even working for State, City and County facilities." (Try as I might, I can't pick out people without documentation just by looking at them.)
Illegal is illegal.
Joe & Barb
2002 F-350,PSD,Crew Cab
2003 HH II LS 32.5 UKTG
*finally retired! *
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obgraham
Eastern WA
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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Let's calm down a little here. I sympathize with the poster's dilemma. However, I suspect that had they answered the border agent's question a little differently, their entering would have been easier.
They are entering as tourists. Say so. "Going down to Florida for a visit". "A month". You enter then on a tourist visa.
But if they answer "we live full time in our RV", then the agent can rightly assume they are not coming as tourists, and that requires a different visa, and a different process to get it. The agent had this particular bee up his bonnet that day, and wanted proof that they were indeed tourists.
Gotta be wise at the border. No lies, but no extra information, either.
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past-MIdirector
Michigan
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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There's more than one boarder crossing and every crossing is different. Just go to one of the other crossings.
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rvcruiser
Toronto, Canada
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Joined: 03/12/2007
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obgraham wrote:Let's calm down a little here. I sympathize with the poster's dilemma. However, I suspect that had they answered the border agent's question a little differently, their entering would have been easier.
They are entering as tourists. Say so. "Going down to Florida for a visit". "A month". You enter then on a tourist visa.
But if they answer "we live full time in our RV", then the agent can rightly assume they are not coming as tourists, and that requires a different visa, and a different process to get it. The agent had this particular bee up his bonnet that day, and wanted proof that they were indeed tourists.
Gotta be wise at the border. No lies, but no extra information, either.
Problem happened when they were asked for proof that they would be returning to Canada, proof in the form of a utility\phone\mortgage document. They said they did not have any of that as they lived at ****campground and gave the address. That is how the 'full time' came out.
As I said before...a call to a supervisor at the border....and I was told that I would be inadmissible to the US unless I could prove the same in the same way.
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egrove
Dallastown, PA
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Why don't they make a reservation for next spring at the campground they live at in CA and put down a deposit and show the border police this? It would show they are planning on going back. Just a thought.
Eric Grove
Dallastown, PA
2009 Jayco Greyhawk 31GS
Our 2010 cross country trip
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swatherman
Ontario Canada
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Fizz wrote:There must be more to this story.
Being stooped and checked twice in a row means something set off something. Say what you will but they do 'profile' at the border and something tweaked.
Yes, something is wrong here. I suggest that the people in question did not have or produce a canadian address. So they may not want to come back??
MJM
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rvcruiser
Toronto, Canada
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Well...we have a result!!!!!!!
SIX HOURS interigation, fingerprinting, SEARCHED!!!....deported back to Canada as they cannot PROVE they will come back!!!!!!!!!!
No other reason at all..NOTHING!!
they want 2 years of tax returns, proof of residency for 6 months
LOVELY COUNTRY!!!!!
UNBELIEVABLE WAY TO TREAT THEIR NEIGHBOURS who are willing to visit and spend their money there!!!
Fellow Canadians...take care
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MichDoc
Michigan
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Joined: 01/02/2006
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Canada is known as a gateway to the U.S. for illegals from all over the world. If they tightened up their immigration laws, we wouldn't have to make ours so strict. Do what is required to visit this country and I'm sure you'll have no problems. If not, you apparently will.
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npenn
Oregon
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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The Canadian's are just as bad if not worse for us USA folks to spend money in their country. We were torn apart, no reason, had passports, no records, nothing and they just ripped the TT apart with no apologies whatsoever, then we were on our way like nothing happened. We chatted with several folks and the story was repeated, ripped USA folks when they crossed especially those going to Vancouver Island. Note, Canada treats a DUI as a criminal offense with no limits years since DUI, harsh and not very tourist friendly,
The point, you are entering a foreign country, expect to be checked completely, and accept it as part of the process. Our experience with the Canadian (thugs) did not ruin our trip and we will be planning another Canadian trip soon. If you really want to have some fun enter Italy, they take your passport at the hotel and do not give it back until you properly check out and their border guards carry big automatic weapons with full military clothing. Different strokes for different countries, go with what is given you and enjoy the experience each country has to offer.
Happy Trails
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