Saturday, August 6, 2011
What are my rights as an American at the Canadian (Land) Border?
Just this week I tried to cross the Canadian border to visit some friends for at least a couple weeks. I was given a really bad experience by multiple border officers and was denied access on two attempts. Regardless of what their reasons were, I would like to know if anyone can reference me to a some document released by the Canadian government explaining what rights I have at the border because I am sure by the treatment I was given that I have ground to file a complaint with their government. Here are some examples. On both the first and second day my vehicle was searched and was I told to sit in the corner and did not have the ability to see what the officers were doing but the second day was the one that bugged me the most because they completely emptied my car and removed my carpets, looked in every compartments they could open and even tested all my vitamins and pills for drugs. I'm not completely upset with the vehicle inspection it was mainly the fact they sat me in the corner with no way to keep those officers accountable. Because what if they decided to try to plant drugs in my car and then haul me off to jail calling me a lier when I answer they are not mine or what if they decide to snag a piece of very expensive jewelry or other valuable item. Now I am not saying this would happen but it is important to try to at least prevent it. Secondly, when I was quizzed about my intentions the border officer twisted my words or misrepresented my answers. For example when she asked me how long I am staying for I answered at least 2 weeks but she wrote just 2 weeks then later she asked me again and then said I was being evasive and lying about my trip because she said she wrote down 2 weeks when I answered "at least" 2 weeks. Everyone tells me I have no rights as a foreigner in Canada but I got to believe that I should have at least have some or others as a human.
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