Questions asked by CBSA at US/Canada border

[joei3316]

I am a Canadian citizen born and raised. Currently living in the US with a green card.

When I cross the land border back into Canada. CBSA usually do 2 things.

1. They ask how long am I going to stay in Canada?

2.They ask to see my US Green card.

I feel some what offended, especially the first one. I am a Canadian citizen, so technically I can stay as long as I want in Canada. As for the second one, I am a Canadian Citizen presenting my Canadian Passport at the border. Isn't that enough? I enter by right even without a passport. I just have to proof that I am a citizen. Years ago, I entered with an expired Canadian passport at an airport.

 

[bellaluna]

Okay, that's weird. Even I had my own weird experience.

I'm a PR and I visited the US over the Christmas and New Year holidays, just two weeks. When I re-entered Canada (at YVR), the CBSA officer asked me what I did in the US. Since it was the holidays and I didn't stay long, it should have been common sense, really.

 

[Alurra71]

Okay, that's weird. Even I had my own weird experience.

I'm a PR and I visited the US over the Christmas and New Year holidays, just two weeks. When I re-entered Canada (at YVR), the CBSA officer asked me what I did in the US. Since it was the holidays and I didn't stay long, it should have been common sense, really.

Those are standard questions they use to get a range of reaction from you. They likely know very well what you were doing, and by answering them truthfully you showed them what the truth looks like. Now if they ask you a question that is off the wall, they have something to guage your answers against. Is she lying, is she hesitant, did she look away from me ... etc etc etc

 

[bellaluna]

Those are standard questions they use to get a range of reaction from you. They likely know very well what you were doing, and by answering them truthfully you showed them what the truth looks like. Now if they ask you a question that is off the wall, they have something to guage your answers against. Is she lying, is she hesitant, did she look away from me ... etc etc etc

I'm aware of that, but my point was, I'd expect that from an officer of a foreign country I was visiting (like the United States), not when I'm returning to a country where I have permanent residence. I mean, yeah, they could think I was using my Canadian PR status to work or live in the United States, but given that it was only a two-week visit over the holidays, that seemed really unlikely.

That's why I was also surprised it happened to OP, who is a citizen. She has every right to return to the country where she is a citizen, right?

 

[Rob_TO]

I'm aware of that, but my point was, I'd expect that from an officer of a foreign country I was visiting (like the United States), not when I'm returning to a country where I have permanent residence.

Same as the OP, who is a citizen. She has every right to return to the country where she is a citizen, right?

It was a perfectly valid question. CBSA has an interest in what exactly you were doing on your trip, for example if you said it was for shopping they may check your declaration card more closely and choose to inspect your luggage.

 

[bellaluna]

It was a perfectly valid question. CBSA has an interest in what exactly you were doing on your trip, for example if you said it was for shopping they may check your declaration card more closely and choose to inspect your luggage.

That makes sense. I'm just not used to it, I guess.

 

[joei3316]

Standard protocol or not.

Asking my how long am I going to stay is not acceptable, because I am a citizen and I have the right to enter, leave and stay permanently in Canada. I am not asking for permission to enter Canada; I am entering by right.
Asking to show my green card is also ridiculous. As a Canadian citizen, I presented my Canadian passport which proves my status in Canada. Doesnt matter if I have any status in other countires. Its like asking to see my Hong Kong ID(Which I do have) if I am living in Hong Kong and returning to Canada.

 

[Buletruck]

Of course it matters if you are a non resident Canadian. They are establishing if you are a returning resident coming to live or plan to continue to be a non resident. Whether Canadian or not, particularly as a non resident, they have the right to know. Returning to establish residence would result in a trip to secondary for further examination.

 

[Rob_TO]

Standard protocol or not.

Asking my how long am I going to stay is not acceptable, because I am a citizen and I have the right to enter, leave and stay permanently in Canada. I am not asking for permission to enter Canada; I am entering by right.
Asking to show my green card is also ridiculous. As a Canadian citizen, I presented my Canadian passport which proves my status in Canada. Doesnt matter if I have any staey tus in other countires. Its like asking to see my Hong Kong ID(Which I do have) if I am living in Hong Kong and returning to Canada.

Yes they are all acceptable questions. You have a right to enter Canada, but not a right to skip processing and due process before being allowed in. They may be asking these questions to determine exactly where you are coming from, what kind of goods you could possibly be bringing in and for what purpose, or if your luggage should be searched. Whether you're a returning resident intending to stay for good, or are just doing a quick visit and leaving again, could all impact this. They also can ask questions simply to check your honesty so if you said you're a green card holder, they can ask to see it. Lots of questions may not make sense to you but your responses to everything are assessed and if they suspect you are trying to hide something, you'll be sent for further inspection.