HELP! Refused entry to the USA
 

Hi all,

As some of you know, we were meant to cross the Canada-USA border yesterday. After a 12-hour exhausting day driving and sitting in border agencies, we were thrown away from the USA, twice!

The main issue seems to be that we don't have a return ticket and we don't have jobs. Now of course, we had to leave our jobs in the first place to have enough time ahead of us to cross the Americas. The return ticket (back to the UK) is also impossible as we don't have a specific location (Chile, Argentina, or before if we get sick?) or date of leaving.

They do not understand what a temporary import of a vehicle is (which we had to do in Canada when we shipped our car from London as a proof that the vehicle would leave the country with us), they do not want to believe we are doing a private expedition for tourism purposes, and are obviously concerned of us staying in the US. They are worried of us being illegal immigrants because we don't have return tickets, nor jobs, and the car is loaded with stuff. They asked us about our bank account details, our money. We told them we had enough savings, but they obviously thought it mean't we would have enough to start a new life in the US.

When we were received entry in the first border, we were so shocked, we didn't see it coming at all. The officer dealing with our case even kindly suggested that we tried a different border (or even come back within a few hours) where somebody perhaps would understand better. To our horror, at the second border, we were horribly treated and threatened. We were shouted at, saying that this was our second warning (was there ever a first one?) and that if we tried this again without proof of empolyment and return tickets (+ financial proofs), they would confiscate the car and deport us back to the UK, and bar us from the US!!! They registered us in the US Justice Dptmt system, asked for our addresses, DOB, parents' addresses and DOB, old jobs' details, fingerprints, photos, ect. I was so shocked I could only cry on my chair, realising that this was over before it had even started; meanwhile, they were entering our details in their database and checking I would not move.

So after all this, we are back at my parents house in Montreal, and our question is: how is it possible that so many other overlanders have done the Americas and not reported this problem, did we miss something in our extensive research?

We have a family wedding in Texas (and John was supposed to meet his sister from the UK there in a few days, and she was bringin extra filters for the car). We have spent nearly a year planning, preparing, saving for this trip. We have quit our jobs and spent money on our car and expedition equipment. We have put so much efforts into realising our dream. I am Canadian and French, my husband is British and Filipino. We have lived and worked together in London UK for our respective governments for the past 5 years, and have spent the last three months in Montreal with my family to kit up the car and prepare for the adventure down south. Obviously, they don't care about this and don't want to know. We had so many documents that they did not even want to see (travel inventory, 1yr tax return form UK, marriage certificate, worlwide travel insurance, inoculations, bank statements, proof of house in the UK. ect). Now, John and the UK registered car only have 6 months in Canada, only 3 left.

Any advice asap would be appreciated because we are now in limbo.
We cannot believe the dream ends here. It would be ridiculous to ship the car to Chile to be told the same thing again on our way up. I will try to contact officials today to get a clear picture.
I hope some of you can help out. This forum has been amazing for us throughout our preps and I'm sure someone out there must know something. Thanks in advance.

John and Isabelle

Buy a full price ticket to anywhere out of the US and present it at the border then cancel the ticket once you are in or possibly once you get into Mexico (that's why it needs to be a full price one rather than a no money back cheapy) Hope this works. Ride safe and cheer up.

Hi Cruz,

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. You posted a question to Axel on a similar thread. After they were turned back they made an appointment to go through the visa process and had to wait a week or so. The appointment was last week, and I haven't heard any updates so I assume that they got their visa. You may want make an appointment as soon as you can. If Montreal has a long wait, then perhaps Toronto or Ottawa would be shorter wait. You may want to have your story and supporting details alll worked out before hand. Good luck.

Thanks guys.

Unfort., a return ticket is not enough. They need proof of employment (which is not possible obviously as we quit our jobs to make the travelling possible). I have spoken to many people this morning, may have indeed to go down the visa route, but even this is unsure as we have all our details in their system... We can't believe this and are still shocked. Will try to get in touch with Axel.

Thanks so much Caminando. It's very kind of you and it helps us not to feel so isolated and keep hoping.

I was on the phone with the US consulate.They understand the situation perfectly but cannot decide for the Homeland Security Dptmt (borders). We have been advised to write to the consulate's non-immigration visa dptmt explaining the whole issue to see what can be done. See if at least a visa would be receivable.

We are also trying to see if someone can sponsor/commission our expedition to prove that we are not staying in the UK. We are willing and happy to write articles in Fr or Eng, or for the matter anything to allow us to pursue, or at least start living the dream. Thanks

Just for the record, our local MP will try and see what can be done with the embassy. We are preparing files with our story - if we are more ready and calm to speak to the media. We are waiting to hear from the US consulate and other friends trying to help in and out of the US.

Please let us know if any advice or help. Thanks

Looks like your file has been flagged by the USA border guards. Many of the guards are new and have been add by the Homeland Security and may be over there heads when it comes to overland trips. There looking for any thing and any one out of place. And you with UK plate car full of crap is WAYYYYYY out of place.

Some things you may try are

Get 3rd party to help, someone to translate even if gust act like a buffer from you and them.
Rest and smile at the guards you being tired and mad will not help your case.
Get a visa to Mexico this is prof of travil from the USA. Your car dose not do that people from Mexico do it all the time then move here.
You need to show you have money to enter, most places have that Canada and Mexico do.
You may want to get a visa for the USA Visitor Visas .
The USA is still at war something to think about, tread light at the border.
Do not give any info that you do not need to or asked (little late for you) demanding some like a "temporary import of a vehicle" when the USA may not have that is gust going to make you have problems. Vehicle Import: Temporary vehicle import guidelines into the United States

Just because the EU or Canada or the UK has some paper work not all places will. You are not going to the UK or Canada. Laws change funny I know. Just like a US person can not enter Canada or the UK (or most any place) with a hand gun.

Go here and they will help fix it The Embassy of the United States of America - Canada

You think the USA is a pain try some other borders. Some you can not enter with a car at all.

Crazed foreign policies? McCarthyism? From Obama? Seen the same from the UK, Mexico, Canada most every border. Rub someone the wrong way, brake some little law, not having need paperwork, or "pissing about" at the border will get tossed back most places.

Million's of people come to the USA every year and never have a problem you did something that red flag you I think it was not having a visa and driving a UK plate car. Most people that do that get a visa or get a waver you did not your planning is a bit short on this. That will make the border guards job harder and your travil harder as well. But do not give up little leg work will sort this right out.

Thanks. Actually John did have a visa waiver with him. We had all the paperwork required.

We have been on the phone for the past two days since being rejected. Very upset to be on the DHS files. Trying to get them cleared as it is a mistake on their part. Working with consulates and embassies now. It happens that agents are stressed and doing simply their jobs; we seemed to fit the bill for them and they are not used to innocent overlanders. So we need to redress our files and get contacts to help us out of this mess and through the US.

It proves to be very difficult but we are still hoping and working hard. Will keep you posted.

If we get our story cleared, we can probably re-apply for a visa and I will certainly look into the link you sent on temporary import to the US. This is what we did for Canada when we shipped the car from the UK.

Hello John and Isabella,
we hope your things are going well.
Maybe another plan for you: if you can't get a visa, somebody else drives your car down to Mexico and you fly.
Let us know how it went on with you. Did you get an appointment for the visa interview?
See you, Axel

what I wrote in my thread:

Hey folks,
I crossed the border:clap:to the States! I took the border in Lynden, a small one with very friendly officers. For the first time. And it took only half an hour. I got my visa in Vancouver, and after that no problem. But for the visa I needed a lot of documents to show at the Consulate (1. bank account, 2. letter from my ex-employer - they just wrote, that I'm still employed, thanks to them, 3. a letter from my little workshop, I still pay rent for, 4. letters from insurances, I still pay in Germany, 5. a letter of my ownership of my HD, I still have at home)
For long travellers I recommend to apply for a visa. But it needs very long (at an US Consulate in Canada) for an interview appointment. I had to wait for 6 weeks. The visa costs 131 USDollars, but it is for 10 years + 6 US Dollar entry at the border.
But my girlfriend got through, without visa, only with this visa waiver programm, just paid the 6 Dollar at the border and passed with such a green card, which you get at the border, got entry for 3 months, without showing any proof of leaving America.
Now we are going south, it's getting cold now. :scooter:
Thanks for your support and the offers!
Axel

Dreams never die....
 

Cruz, count us among those who send encouragement to you and regret that the border officials of the United States of America have erected a substantial roadblock. All your preparations including your first border attempts, have been motivated by your dream to be with family in Texas and by your planned overland adventure to Mexico, Central and South America. Your dream is on its' way to becoming reality.

Time is only a consideration, of course the remaining 3 month temporary import permit on your vehicle is an important consideration held by Canadian authorities too.

Here is my unsolicited advice. Calm yourself, squint your eyes a little, select a viable route through the maze of officialdom and do what needs to be done to legally enter the States. There are many great ideas toward this end on this thread.

And, please remember time is only a consideration, know that your journey has begun, you are en route to your dream. All that you do to gain legal entry to the States is part of the dream.... enjoy the ride..... it is all about the ride, not the destination.... You can and will make your dream real.

Reminds me of the time Elisa and I and our motorcycles had to wait 3 days in our very wet bush camp, for a mountain road to be cleared after an earthquake in Peru. We had very little food, but plenty of rainwater to drink and to make tea. Eventually, the rocks and boulders were removed, the road more or less repaired, and we moved on. The next night we laughed and then cried when we remembered the beautiful little girl who appeared from no where and gave us some wonderful homemade vegetable soup, that her Mother had made for travelers stranded up on the road. I still cry.

Hug each other and be good to each other along the way. Rain and roadblocks are good sometimes.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

Very sorry to read about this.

The idea that follows may or may not be helpful for Cruz but I will throw it out there.

If you are still stuck after a week, try the news media.

Look up U.S. newspapers in the vicinity. Call up the news desk. Explain your situation.

Especially if you have been traveling on a bike through say two dozen countries, and you’re stuck in Canada or Mexico with U.S. entry denied, this is news. It’s colorful and controversial. A motorbike especially in its novelty. Not quite so compelling with four wheels but worth a try. I’m a former newspaper journalist. I’d jump on that story.

If anyone ever does this, prepare in advance for your interview with a news reporter. Jot down your talking points. Anticipate the likely questions. Think in advance what you want to say. Don't be antagonistic or wildly critical. Your objective is to gain sympathy, not bash the U.S. government.

The result is likely to be a story with photo at least on the front page of the local section.

Even with the Web and abundance of digital data, nothing packs quite the punch of a news story in hard-copy print. And let’s face it, denying entry to a proven adventure traveler is just embarrassing.

From there an additional tactic could be to engage a HUBB member in the local community to bring the article to the attention of U.S. congressional reps in the area.

Just some thoughts. FWIW. Good luck. :thumbup1:

Thanks for that dmitrij paint over 307 million people with that brush.
Best Post Ever!
Real help that.

How bout telling them to try to get new passport or open a dialog with the USA State Department or anything. But no you start name calling and putting down an entire people. Many came from all over the world. Where are the mods on that one?

If you have problems getting in to the USA there is help online and from USA State Department. There are 56million people that come to the USA every year to visit and get in. But yes some times thing can happen. You can get on ESTA https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.h...8-A7C88FB292C1

IMHO, this thread has the potential to escalate into a flame war or US bashing session. Neither is helpful.

Please give sensible suggestions if you have any. I believe Cruz and others would appreciate it if everyone stayed on topic. Feel free to go offline to continue your personal dialogue.

cheers
Chris
PS. If you have a problem with a post, press the "report post button"

there you go
 

the USA is nice ,all the people are nice ,good luck with entry ,but i think once they ping you they ping you and big time ,let us know how you get on

Hi Guys, along the line that Ride Far suggested, Jay Leno is quite famous and a bike rider to boot. As someone who has been a regular visitor to the US for many years both before and after 9/11, in my opinion the attitude of the land border security staff towards visitors has changed for the worse. Calling me "sir" counts as being polite only if it is meant that way and as a military veteran with 35yrs service, I know when it is just said and when it is polite. As first impessions do count for a lot perhaps a revision of their basic people skills course is required and also getting rid of the night club bouncer look would also help, shaven head and dark sun specs communicate the opposite impression of a friendly welcome to visitors. I know that almost all US citizens are nice friendly people, so maybe Leno could help propagate that fact by speaking to some politicos that he gets on his show about tuning some of the new intake and helping moto travellers fulfil their dreams. I am old enough to remember the East Europe border guards and I do not need reminding what border crossings were like then. Ride safe.

Hi to all who have been following this thread or who wish to cross the Can-US border for future caution,

Apologies for the delay in getting back online. As you can imagine, we have been very busy with this situation. I have put more info on an american forum, ExPo. Let me cut, paste & edit some of what I wrote so you can read the progress and conclusion of the event (below - apologies for the length, have tried to cut through a bit, and possibly the language, French is my mothertongue).

Unfortunately, we cannot draw any lessons from the experience. It seems we were victims of the current security situation in the US. This maybe can help future overlanders to be extra cautious and remember that the US is tightening its borders, at the very least.

---------------
Hi all,

Thank you once more for your messages and advice. I want to assure you that we had all paperwork in hand, including visa, temp imports and carnet file ready to be validated.

Now this is the update.
We did make the ball roll on the political and influence/contact side of things.

1) The US consulate cannot get involved as they have no power over the prerogative of border agents. Non-immigrant visas would not bring us any closer.

2) No news the US embassy in London (got in touch with our local member of parliament who contacted them, but no replies).

3) Some kindly managed to get in touch with influential people in the US. The US embassy in Ottawa worked with congressman and senators to look at our files - sadly, from the records in the border patrol's database. Nothing can be done. I don't know if we can go any higher up.
Let me paraphrase: "Unfortunately, there is consensus across the board that our current situation has a lot of “red flags” that even in their eyes, looks suspicious … most of which we already knew:

- Because we no longer have a permanent place of residence, we no longer have a secured tie to a home country
- The deed to our London flat doesn’t help in any capacity mainly because neither of us have jobs or any other viable reason to return to London
- We tried to enter the country in a car outfitted with sleeping capacity plus all our personal belongings
- We had a visa waiver which yes, “legally” allows a 90-day visit but when paired with other “red flags”, it actually serves as another “red flag” to immigration services and border patrols because it's a "fast pass" access
- And unfortunately, the biggest problem is that we attempted to enter the country from different borders within a 48 hour period (on advice of the first border agent to try again in two hours or at another border)".

= It is thus advised that we do not attempt ground entry to the US… especially in our vehicle with all of our belongings.

It seems to me that we have tried all we could and pulled most strings. It also seems that the main issue isn't being dealt with, ie why were we asked these documents in the first place (when we had all other relevant documents, that they did not even want to see)? We are starting to believe that there is more to this, mainly John is thinking of profiling. This is a scary thought.

4) Another attempt:
We received kind offers from fellow travellers, Canadian and American, to drive our car across the border. The car is registered in John's name in the UK. No one can drive the car through unless it is registered in their names, in fact people who hired cars had issues when we were there. The vehicle registration document is the only paper the border officer asked for, along with the passport, so they have all this in their database. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the plate number in their camera and database.
The vehicle was temporarily imported into Canada for six months, with the obligation to bring it out of the country once this time has expired. We have until 21 Dec (so does John).

5) & 6) Our last hopes were tied to the complaint letters to the border superintendent and the complaint directly with the DHS Homeland Security. It seemed essential for us to have our records set straight. (we have to find direct flights and cargoes to South America for the moment). After not hearing back from neither, we called the border once more. Surprisingly, we could no longer reach their direct line. Only way we got through was using skype/public line. We were then told the letter had been received, but they would not write anything in our file, nor would they admit a mistake by one of their border agent (who told us to try again, and this despite the fact that the manager agreed this was a mistake and the officer would get told off). The online DHS TRIP form to redress files did not go very far either. We have sent our complaint both by email and post. They said they have never received our email (although we re-sent several times) and we just got the envelop back from the post saying the DHS address was wrong...


Suffice to say, we were both deeply saddened by the results. We have tried all avenues and can only be patient and wait for the decision that will be right for us to happen at the right time. The only avenue we did not visit is the media as we are not convinced it would have changed the decision of the border officials to clear our files and let us through.

We have been evaluating all options, as you can see, but your constant flow of ideas and suggestions keep us up and going, so we could re-evaluate them or be inspired by new options.

We worked hard but it seems there are no ways we can cross the US at the moment and that we will have to ship the car to South America if we want to start our travels. On the bright side, South America is a big enough continent and there is surely enough to see there and we will have more time to see it.

We hope to be able to focus on the good stuff that has come out of this situation. We hope that by staying positive (although I have to say there have been time of elation, anger and desperation), what is right for us will happen. I will try to use my anger in another more positive direction and realise that all this is part of the adventure, it has become an experience full of lessons. Thanks to all, and keep the messages coming!

We need to keep focusing our energy on the whole adventure - as they say "determination brings the strength to continue, the steadiness to succeed, and the wisdom to slip past difficulties undisturbed".

I suppose that is the reality we have the face at the moment. Paranoia, fear and ignorance have prevailed over truth, trust and understanding, this time. Sorry to rant, we are just really frustrated and upset by these turns of events. Rest assured that this is not a bashing of the US and is only a particular and unfortunate situation.

We hope that this posting will help some of you who are thinking of doing the same to be extra cautious. It is true that the US is at war and is trying to protect herself.

I want to thank all those of you who contacted me personnally, and those who contributed to this thread with many good advice and cheering ups.
I hope and pray that our story will get cleared some day.

Will keep you posted. Thank you for all the support.

I was ready to write articles (I write better in French) on our way, I may soon be ready for a book!... at least I'm starting to laugh!

We hope to meet some of you on our travels.

Isabelle and John
---- Last update is we are now shipping into Buenos Aires, Argentina, and will be arriving there in mid-November. :)

So sorry, Isabelle and John. Thanks for posting all this stuff which must have been painful.

That border guard - "C'est un cretinous" -and all the rest of them.

Please let us know when you pass by these idiots, and really start your journey.

Best wishes

read some post on shipping into buenos aires
 

one word EXPENSIVE

So sorry to hear that all the trouble you have had and now can't get into the US.
Just a thought , but why ship directly to South America ? Surely it would be lesss expensive to have your truck transported by a comercial hauler as freight across the USA to a Mexican port of entry like Nuevo Laredo and you yourselves buy an airline ticket NON STOP to Mexico, avoiding all US customs , and then retrieve your freight belongings to carry on thru the Americas sans USA.
Best wishes

Hi Sjoerd,

Thank you for the thought. Unfortunately, we cannot enter the US, nor can the vehicle (plates registered in their database) and we would need a manifest for the hauler so would be checked.

Shipping to Central or South America is thus the only way forward, we have to by-pass the US entirely. As this is extra cost for us, and that there would be the Dorien Gap to cross/ship further along the road, we have decided to ship directly to South America. It does mean that for the moment we evacuate North and Central America, but at least we can be sure of seeing South America. We may still see Central America depending on how things go.

Yes, this adventure is definitely more costly and we spent efforts and tears over this, but cannot really stop here, so this is the solution we found. We are getting mixed advice for shipping to Buenos Aires but this is often the case it seems and we have to go with our guts at this point and go for it. Bringing the vehicle tomorrow to be loaded.

Really sorry to hear of your trouble.
When we left Canada in 2007 for our South America trip we were asked the same questions at the U.S.A border.
We quite naturally answered truthfully.
No we were no longer employed. One red flag
Yes we have a residence in Canada but it is rented out for at least a year. Two red flags
We were unsure of how long we would be staying in the U.S.A. Three red flags.
Then the border guard got very testy.
We calmly tried to explain about our journey, but the narrow minded border guard could not believe that anyone would volentarily leave their home to travel to those (quote)(third world countries).
Fortunatly for us the shift was changing and the new guard came along and was a little more knowledgable about the real world.
We did alot more explaining to both guards and it finally came down to the question of, Why should we let you into our country?
We told them that we had travelled many times previously to their country and had enjoyed it alot but had always returned to our home in Canada, which we would be doing again in about a years time.
The new guard let us in, but it was close call.
We could not believe what had happened and thought it was a rare occurance, but have heard of quite a few other travellers having the same experience.
We rode very quickly down to Mexico.
So the unfortunate lesson for other travellers crossing into the U.S.A is to be very careful when answering what appear to be routine questions.
I think it is luck of the draw for what your border guard is going to do when you answer truthfully.
Future travellers may have to tell them what they want to hear.
Good luck on your South America Adventure.

the same
 

I live next to the usa border. For years have gone across but I to ran into the same thing last year. Mother died, move down to take care of the stuff , no job and there you go flagged. Strange thing is why would I want to work in the USA? the job I do pays far less across the line. I could get a green card from my sister in law but I like Canada better. At least I ve got health care here. Border guards are ether ones that care or don't. Not to say you should ever do this but there are lots of places in Canada where the border goes right through a small town. USA one side and Canada the other. Quebec comes to mind.

Adventure travel is a gamble sometimes....
 

Cruz, if and when you arrive Buenos Aires, Elisa and I of the Buenos Aires HUBB community, would like to invite you both for dinner and conversation and maybe play the slot machines at the Casino de Palermo.

Our Contact info is on web site.

We have traveled South America, on our motorcycles, and will be more than happy to share our adventure travel experiences and hear more of your adventure travel experiences.

Seems like you have found a way.... and the road is finally opening for you. Many of the HUBB, have sent their best advice and support. Hope it has helped. Bon Voyage.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

Thank you Ed, and thanks to all for your advice.

We will make sure to be in touch and meet in BA, Argentina.
We are very excited to arrive in two weeks. We also plan to be at the Viedma December meeting.

Just trying to organise our stay in Buenos Aires for the moment - thinking of renting a flat for a month as Cruz should arrive end of November at the port, plus time for paperwork and getting her out of the port and on the road.

Sera un placer concocerles!
Isabelle & John

Note that when i was touring North America on my bike in 94, I almost got refused my entrance to Canada, coming from the US.

The clerk told me i might want to enter Canada to benefit from their social system. Being French, i found that remark comical (social expenses in France are recurrently higher in France than in Canada).

I had to go to Vancouver and get my bank account faxed at the french Embassy.

I just dont understand that distrust between Canada and the US. How can an economic zone (AELE) develop without free movement of goods and people. Same language, same anglo saxon background. Crossing borders in South America is so easy that i really sometimes wonder where is the first world and where is the third one, in terms of humanity and administrative intelligence.:eek3:

It seems you really need to have a specific plan that you can say to the border guards. A couple years ago, I got sent to secondary inspection entering Canada from the USA (I am a US citizen). Back when I was a kid, the US-Canada border was mainly a formality and they let you through no questions asked if you were from the USA....

Guard: "Where are you headed?"
Me: "Oh, just up to Alaska."
Guard: "How long will you be in Canada?"
Me: "I don't know. A couple weeks." (Mistake No. 1):oops2:
Guard: "Do you know how long it takes to get to Alaska?"
Me: "Not really." (Mistake No. 2):oops2:
Guard: "So you don't know how long you will be in Canada, eh?"
Me: "Not exactly."
Guard: "Well, it takes about 5 days." (As if I plan to ride all day non-stop!):thumbdown:
Me: "Well, I'm in no hurry."
Guard: "I think we have a problem. Pull over and go into the office over there.":stormy:

I go to the office and explain the situation. They let me go right away with advice to have a more specific plan next time.
I guess nowadays for North America you have to tell a specific plan for a short stay, even if you don't intend to follow the plan...

WTF - Oh Canada!
 

Best plan is to have a plan, real or "fake"! Mark up a map with an planned stops, with hotels or camp grounds. Know how far you plan to go every day. Don't be to detailed, just a basic, I'm going from point a to b & plan to return via.....

Geeze, we were so close in claiming Canada from the Brits, to bad, but the Canadians are happy we didn't win!

44'40 or Bust!!! :thumbup1:

HOG members, be Careful
 

If you a HOG member who wears a leather vest adorned with pins and patchs, take it off going through US Immigration at Canadian -US border posts.
Took our group over 2 hours to get through. Hard to convince them we were 60 year olds from New Zealand and not some head bangers out to do a bit of G.B.H on some innocent bystanders.

The current border is at 49 deg. N. The saying is "54.40 or bust!"

Charlie

OK.. im a little scared by this thread. I plan to cross the southern border from Mexico into New Mexico in about three months.

Filled out visa waiver program online ... check
registered bike (aus) and ownership papers ... check
passport valid for a while yet ... check
reason to leave the states ... none

No Job
No Flight
No arranged shipping for bike (i plan to say goodbye to her in Alaska)
Limited finances
Australian National ... ;)

Anything pre-emptive i should do while i wait the winter over in Central??
I love Americans and will hopefully visit America for the first time in May but no offence id rather go hope when this venture is complete. Immigration, will you believe this??

At the risk of incurring the wrath of those who seem to think you should always tell the literal truth to agents of government.....you need to invent all of the above Invent a job you're going back for, and make sure someone at home will answer the phone convincingly just in case. Invent plans to ship the bike, including contact information, prices, locations and other such for a genuine shipper. Invent reasons to go home. Invent a life, a girlfriend, illegitimate children (just kidding), whatever it takes. Keep it very, very simple and matter of fact, so that you don't trip up on the stories you're telling. Don't ever let on that you're contemplating leaving the bike or doing anything else which might be construed negatively.

You should be doing this for all borders, everywhere. The Canadians will shut you out almost as quickly as the Americans if they start to suspect you might be looking for a job at a ski area or doing construction in a major city. Mostly, they don't ask or care--when they do, you need to be ready.

Hope that helps.

Mark

flyde

It may also help to send some e-mails to shipping companies to get quotes even if you do plan on abandoning the bike. It will make you more convincing, and you will have info on the off chance you decide to take the bike home.
I don't know what abandoning a foreign vehicle in the USA will get you in terms of blacklisting etc. You might want to check on how to dispose of the bike AFTER you get into the USA. A record of your asking a government agency might flag a border guard to give you trouble.

Sorry to hear about the issues that you are having. All of the border stations are not connected, so refusal in 1 doesnt register in the next. However, once entered into the database, it is now in the central system.

I live on the border of Canada and Detroit Mich usa. Its not uncommon to hear of people who live here getting refused from time to time. Border guards sometimes cant think outside the box, and your trip is definitely outside the box for thier logic. However, you might try getting someone to drive you over in a US plated car, and have your car driven over by a US driver, with note allowing use. This could still be risky if they decided to plug your details into the computer.

A safer option would be to put you car on a ship train, or have someone drive it or trailer it to Mexico, and you could just fly to Mexico. Honestly, USA is nice and has alot of cool places to go to, but its only 1 piece of the pie, and you can get around it and carryon and hope to come back one day and tour it seperately. I know its not how you imagined it, but it may be required. Id also look into the UK embassy here in Canada and maybe the US consolate and see if you can get some room to move with either.

There is always the option of taking your car over with nothing in it, for a "day tip" to see the USA. While someone frmo Canada can bring your gear over and meet you there. Then, you are free to roam. This is fairly common on the border. Guys that were flagged will cross in a pretty empty car, citing Shopping and site seeing as the reason to go over. No red flags, waves you on. Later your buddy crosses with crap in the car, he has no worries about crossing so just says its crap he had forgot to clear out of his car before he crossed. All are ideas, most are not 100% legit and truthful, but you might need to bend the rules on the borders a little.

A thought might be to have someone you know in UK with a business say you guys work for them, were hired before you left and start on return from your trip. There is proff of employment.

Wish I could be more helep, but... the US border is the TWILIGHT ZONE really.


Best wishes and best of luck on this. let us know how you do.