Another Border Question

Sadly, one of the six in our group has a recent DUI. We usually cross the border at Pigeon River around midnight Saturday night on our way to Savant Lake for a 7:00am Sunday flight. There is no Immigration person there at that time, so we are going to try International Falls at about 3:00pm on Saturday. In the event he is not admitted, we will take him to the airport and dump him off. My question is for those of you that have crossed at International Falls this year. If you did not offer indentification at the border, were you asked to produce it for yourself and all passengers? I know some are not asked for ID, and I'm trying to get a feel for the percentages. The young offender is aware of the "error of his ways" and is prepared to fly home.

[verlund]

I can only go by my recent trip, which was last week. We crossed at Intl Falls and the security person did not even look much at our ID's. I gave them to him right away (without him asking). He was more interested in bait, guns, onions, etc. He did put my license plates in to see if it returned anything back that was bad but that's about it. Again, thats only my experience so far this year.

Steve

My best advice. Glasses off, hat off, dont have him drive or use his vehicle. If they ask for ID, and you have to provide your license, and they type it into their system, then ask to see the immigration officer on duty. Explain the situation honestly, tell them your destination, purpose and the reservations you already have, and be polite. If there is only 1 DUI, no matter when, they will let you through with a 200 canadian fee. We spent extensive time researching this with our group over the years, as we are over 50% with dui, and have met and talked with Immigration officials. If people tell you that they are getting turned around with only 1 dui, I would bet that they have more on their record than they say or they are a jack #### to the autorities.

[Pooch]

Haag,
Which camp on Lake Savant are you headed up to? We are leaving in the morning. Email me if you want.

Pooch

One of our guys had a DUI in early 2002. We crossed after that in June at Intl Fls. For whatever reason they asked for our driver's license, mostly routine, I suspect. His DUI popped up and they asked him about it. He was very honest and polite. They actually let him through with a $135A/$200C fine and some paperwork. They also gave him some more paperwork to fill out and send to the Canadian Consulate in the U.S. for any future visits. My understanding is if you are not allowed entry into Canada, you are considered 'exempt from entry'. The request is for a 'waiver of exemption'. Anyway, he didn't do that, so this year (2 years later) when we crossed again in June at Intl Fls, our vehicle license must have flagged from the last time because they asked again for our licenses, then they asked us to come inside, so we did. Inside they all but ignored us: there were about 5 agents behind the counter but they seemed to avoid the counter. They wouldn't make eye contact. They only talked among themselves. We went to the immigration counter, but the immigration lady told us to go to the counter. The counter person said to go to immigration. Then the immigration lady told us to "go sit down until you are called." They just seemed to be very rude and acted like they had a 'chip-on-their-shoulder'. When we were finally called, our guy was again very polite and honest. He thought he would be able to pay the $135A/$200C fine and do some more paperwork, but the woman inside at Immigration got very snotty. She said things like, "What are you trying to pull?" "What have you been doing for the last 2 years?" "Didn't you read any of the paperwork you were given?" Anyway, we got turned around with a warning that if he did try to enter, a warrant for his arrest would be issued. She broke the line to allow us back into the States, and watched us like a hawk until we were clearly back across the bridge and not able to sneak back or drop him off. We didn't have reservations anywhere, so we decided to just spend our couple thousand dollars plus back in Minnesota. We are now not too anxious to travel back to Canada. Not because of the fishing, not because of the people, not because we don't like and respect their fine country, we just don't want to have to put up with the BS at the border anymore.

One of our guys had a DUI in early 2002. We crossed after that in June at Intl Fls. For whatever reason they asked for our driver's license, mostly routine, I suspect. His DUI popped up and they asked him about it. He was very honest and polite. They actually let him through with a $135A/$200C fine and some paperwork. They also gave him some more paperwork to fill out and send to the Canadian Consulate in the U.S. for any future visits. My understanding is if you are not allowed entry into Canada, you are considered 'exempt from entry'. The request is for a 'waiver of exemption'. Anyway, he didn't do that, so this year (2 years later) when we crossed again in June at Intl Fls, our vehicle license must have flagged from the last time because they asked again for our licenses, then they asked us to come inside, so we did. Inside they all but ignored us: there were about 5 agents behind the counter but they seemed to avoid the counter. They wouldn't make eye contact. They only talked among themselves. We went to the immigration counter, but the immigration lady told us to go to the counter. The counter person said to go to immigration. Then the immigration lady told us to "go sit down until you are called." They just seemed to be very rude and acted like they had a 'chip-on-their-shoulder'. When we were finally called, our guy was again very polite and honest. He thought he would be able to pay the $135A/$200C fine and do some more paperwork, but the woman inside at Immigration got very snotty. She said things like, "What are you trying to pull?" "What have you been doing for the last 2 years?" "Didn't you read any of the paperwork you were given?" Anyway, we got turned around with a warning that if he did try to enter, a warrant for his arrest would be issued. She broke the line to allow us back into the States, and watched us like a hawk until we were clearly back across the bridge and not able to sneak back or drop him off. We didn't have reservations anywhere, so we decided to just spend our couple thousand dollars plus back in Minnesota. We are now not too anxious to travel back to Canada. Not because of the fishing, not because of the people, not because we don't like and respect their fine country, we just don't want to have to put up with the BS at the border anymore.

[haybaylarry]

Immigration people on the whole are no different than most. Some have bad days like you and I. However it seems like your buddy neglected to fill out the required paper work in advance and caused grief for your whole group. If he had done the paperwork you would have been able to come to Canada and enjoy yourself. I would have a talk with him....larry

We fly out with West Caribou to Heathcote Lake.

I have crossed at Intl. Falls a few times and have never been asked for ID. I know it is luck of the draw. Just make sure you are in compliance with all other regulations and he has a good shot at getting in. Wow would it suck to be him if he has to fly back. Leave it to Canada law to cause hassles like this. Good luck!

[haybaylarry]

Just another thought. I cross into the states to access my p.o. box. Whenever I cross the borderIt's never a hastle. I arrive with pasport in hand and after a few questions I'm on my way. I'm sure they punch in my license plate number. It couldn't be any easier this way. I don't have experience comming through the border to canada as a visitor but have had to go into the customs office and been checked. No big deal, they usually are friendly unless there is a problem....larry