English Lady
Erotic English Rose
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*hugs* Logo and for tolyk too. What a complete ordeal. I hope the best for you both in future 
Are we always such assholes?
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logophile
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English Lady said:*hugs* Logo and for tolyk too. What a complete ordeal. I hope the best for you both in future
Thanks.
I just called the bus station again. It seems there was a bus 1:40 am that he was probably on headed toward Toronto. I'll let you know if I hear from him...
Colleen Thomas
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I know several people from Europe have said they won't plan trips to the U.S. because of the possibility of such hassels spoiling their vacations. the only time I have left the U.S. was on a cruise ship and the security there was lax in the extreme.
I'm really sorry this happened to you both, espeially because I like Tol and know he's a sweety and no danger to anyone.
I have a good deal of talent with poison pen letters and usually get some satisfaction (I got two free airline tickets after a snow delay on one occasion). I would suggest you write your congress man. Don't complain that he was refused entry, they will blow that off as a security concern, instead, complain that the border guards were rude, not only to him, but to you when you called to make an inquiry.
In general, higher ups don't like dealing with things that far below them. If you complaint centers on the fact they were rude, you might actually get some action, because that is an indication more complaints might be forthcoming. A quick web search for the head of the border patrol and the Addy for him would also be a good place to send a complaint. I can't stress enough to complain only of how rude they were.
If you have a good rep or senator, they will make some inquiry on your behalf. If that inquiry is coupled with a letter already written to the head of the department, he/she will feel the heat. The most likely response will be an apology leter. In and of itself, this won't mean much to you I know, but in general, if you get such an apology it may also be coupled with a promise to investigate, yadda yadda yadda. In that case, you may be able to get an assurance it won't happen again and if so, you may be able to have the process expedited if he tries again or if you go up there.
That's a lot of ifs, but it is generally worth the time to complain. If nothing comesof it you are out a few pages of paper, a little time and some stamps. If you get the action you want, it will be the best few minutes of time you have invested in anything in a long time.
Best ofluck
*HUGS*
I'm really sorry this happened to you both, espeially because I like Tol and know he's a sweety and no danger to anyone.
I have a good deal of talent with poison pen letters and usually get some satisfaction (I got two free airline tickets after a snow delay on one occasion). I would suggest you write your congress man. Don't complain that he was refused entry, they will blow that off as a security concern, instead, complain that the border guards were rude, not only to him, but to you when you called to make an inquiry.
In general, higher ups don't like dealing with things that far below them. If you complaint centers on the fact they were rude, you might actually get some action, because that is an indication more complaints might be forthcoming. A quick web search for the head of the border patrol and the Addy for him would also be a good place to send a complaint. I can't stress enough to complain only of how rude they were.
If you have a good rep or senator, they will make some inquiry on your behalf. If that inquiry is coupled with a letter already written to the head of the department, he/she will feel the heat. The most likely response will be an apology leter. In and of itself, this won't mean much to you I know, but in general, if you get such an apology it may also be coupled with a promise to investigate, yadda yadda yadda. In that case, you may be able to get an assurance it won't happen again and if so, you may be able to have the process expedited if he tries again or if you go up there.
That's a lot of ifs, but it is generally worth the time to complain. If nothing comesof it you are out a few pages of paper, a little time and some stamps. If you get the action you want, it will be the best few minutes of time you have invested in anything in a long time.
Best ofluck
*HUGS*
OhMissScarlett
Mrs. Aggravation
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Sorry to hear this, Logo, it totally sucks. I think Cloudy may be right about flying making things easier. I know lots of Canadians who have flown into the US and never had any trouble at all. On the other hand, I know a US citizen who was detained for almost a whole day at the Canadian border trying to get into Canada simply because he had a brand new car and too much cash. Too bad it's not like going to The Bahamas, where they give you a pina colada while you fill out your customs forms and pretty stickers to put on your luggage. 
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OhMissScarlett said:Sorry to hear this, Logo, it totally sucks. I think Cloudy may be right about flying making things easier. I know lots of Canadians who have flown into the US and never had any trouble at all. On the other hand, I know a US citizen who was detained for almost a whole day at the Canadian border trying to get into Canada simply because he had a brand new car and too much cash. Too bad it's not like going to The Bahamas, where they give you a pina colada while you fill out your customs forms and pretty stickers to put on your luggage.
:
DrFreud
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Very sorry to hear that Logo.
Because I am from a certain country, I have to go through special procedures every time I enter and leave the US. Takes about 2-3 hours each time. I leave my pride and dignity outside each time I step into that room. The border control officers are usually very rude and if you become impatient they start giving you more shit.
I hope that incident won't affect Tolyk's chance of being granted entry again if he ever decides to. Otherwise I hope you're able to visit him.
Good luck
Because I am from a certain country, I have to go through special procedures every time I enter and leave the US. Takes about 2-3 hours each time. I leave my pride and dignity outside each time I step into that room. The border control officers are usually very rude and if you become impatient they start giving you more shit.
I hope that incident won't affect Tolyk's chance of being granted entry again if he ever decides to. Otherwise I hope you're able to visit him.
Good luck
sophia jane
Decked Out
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Hugs to both you and tol. I know how excited he was about meeting you. I wish I had advice. The only thing I can say, though, is how sorry I am for both of you, and I hope neither of you give up on meeting because of this mess.
SJ
SJ
LadyJeanne
deluded
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I'm sorry, sweets! 
I know dashed hopes and disappointment just really suck, especially under these circumstances. I wish you both the best of luck.
Flying is generally more civilized at the point of entry, although not always. An American passport is the best documentation you can get if you want to move about freely. I know there are limits about how much cash you can carry and need to declare, but I didn't realize there were minimums. That seems wrong.
I know dashed hopes and disappointment just really suck, especially under these circumstances. I wish you both the best of luck.
Flying is generally more civilized at the point of entry, although not always. An American passport is the best documentation you can get if you want to move about freely. I know there are limits about how much cash you can carry and need to declare, but I didn't realize there were minimums. That seems wrong.
logophile
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LadyJeanne said:I'm sorry, sweets!
I know dashed hopes and disappointment just really suck, especially under these circumstances. I wish you both the best of luck.
Flying is generally more civilized at the point of entry, although not always. An American passport is the best documentation you can get if you want to move about freely. I know there are limits about how much cash you can carry and need to declare, but I didn't realize there were minimums. That seems wrong.
Yeah, the minimum thing is a pisser. I just can't believe it. Too little money? Don't come here if you're not going to spend! Pffft!
Colleen Thomas
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logophile said:
It's just an excuse, the same way vagrancy laws were used to keep undesireabls out of small towns at one time.
BlackShanglan
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Logo and Tolyk, so sorry to hear about this nasty ordeal. My sympathies are with you both. (And it's so charming that you're coming together - I hope that our government gives it a chance, damnit.)
Shanglan
Shanglan
carsonshepherd
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logophile said:
Awwww I feel all warm and fuzzy again!
logophile
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carsonshepherd said:Awwww I feel all warm and fuzzy again!
Thanks Carson. While I'm completely taken with him, this whole international relationship thing has me feeling less than hopeful. The logisitics have been spinning in my head since his phone call and I'm just not sure there will be a way to make it work. Blech. Too much thinking. Going back to bed. Call me when the bacon's ready.
scheherazade_79
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I'm sorry, guys. That really, really sucks. I personally haven't had any problems with US officials ever since I started my current job. It used to be that whenever I told them I was a student, they'd immediately start being rude. Now when they ask what I do for a living and I reply, I get total respect.
I remember one flight I took to NY with Air India. There was an elderly Indian lady in front of me in the immigration queue, and she spoke very little English. When she got to the counter, the female immigration official shouted at her for filling in her form wrong, and sent her right to the back of the queue like some naughty kid. It annoyed me so much that I gave the immigration official a piece of my mind before rejoining the back of the queue to help the Indian woman out.
Ignorance, officiousness, meanness... not really the best advertisement for the US.
I remember one flight I took to NY with Air India. There was an elderly Indian lady in front of me in the immigration queue, and she spoke very little English. When she got to the counter, the female immigration official shouted at her for filling in her form wrong, and sent her right to the back of the queue like some naughty kid. It annoyed me so much that I gave the immigration official a piece of my mind before rejoining the back of the queue to help the Indian woman out.
Ignorance, officiousness, meanness... not really the best advertisement for the US.
stingray61
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sorry to hear about you and your friend logophile. There are many more deserving canucks than your friend that this should happen to.
cloudy
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scheherazade_79 said:
I agree.
Have you ever noticed, though, that the people who have those types of jobs - customs officers, police, etc. - are the very people who absolutely shouldn't have those jobs? They're the ones that everyone picked on in grammar school, and now they have power (or they think they do), and they enjoy throwing their perceived authority around.
Celtic Princess
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((hugs)) logo and Tolyk. Stupid boarder guards!
When I travel internationally, I carry my passport, my birth certificate, my social security card, my driver's license, and my military ID card. Each time I've ever had to cross a boarder, I've been held for about two hours while they investigate my birth certificate. I was born overseas and have a military issued birth certificate. I usually end up filling out multiple forms varifying I am who I say I am. The only complaint I have is that I was always asked for my birth certificate and they always questioned it's authenticity.
Thankfully, I've not had to travel internationally for some time. I'm far more impatient and irritable now than I was when I last had to cross a boarder. I've never tried to get in or out of Canada though.
Best of luck to you both. Don't let the icky red tape people spoil your relationship.
When I travel internationally, I carry my passport, my birth certificate, my social security card, my driver's license, and my military ID card. Each time I've ever had to cross a boarder, I've been held for about two hours while they investigate my birth certificate. I was born overseas and have a military issued birth certificate. I usually end up filling out multiple forms varifying I am who I say I am. The only complaint I have is that I was always asked for my birth certificate and they always questioned it's authenticity.
Thankfully, I've not had to travel internationally for some time. I'm far more impatient and irritable now than I was when I last had to cross a boarder. I've never tried to get in or out of Canada though.
Best of luck to you both. Don't let the icky red tape people spoil your relationship.
Pure
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Hi Logo,
Sorry to hear of your friend's experience. I live in Canada. A Canadian (East Indian) friend has lately told me of her difficulties entering to take a course at Harvard! I've crossed the border many times, many methods.
You don't really supply enough information, for instance, what was his documentation? A Canadian passport?
Are you aware that bus is the peasant's mode of entry and is strictly watched? Airlines are much different.
What money and tickets(round trip) did he have?
Did he have any way of proving his story, i.e., a letter from you offering accomodation?
Lastly, there are lists at the border. If his name is on one, that's bad. Often however, a similar name or same name is on the list, i.e., it's not him. That takes some doing to straighten out.
Unfortunately the US does not actually have to furnish info or 'make a case' to an 'alien' trying to come in. No one has a right to enter; the burden of proof is on him. Usually, however, one can find out the essentials. As a US citizen you might be able to find out, i.e, you have rights, the US officials have to deal with you.
My advice is to get his papers in order, including passport. Driver's license. Birth certificate. Dress prosperously and have a roundtrip airline ticket. Have proof of his plans, destination, etc. It's possible he should visit the American consulate in Canada and learn more about entry.
This would likely work, if he's not dark brown skinned, and/or named "Usama" and/or on his way to a 'flight school' and/or not otherwise on some shitlist.
Best,
J.
PS. It would not hurt for him to have some working US phone numbers (of officials, lawyers, etc.), and yours, and to cross in business hours. I was once able to travel with the name and phone number of the US consul in our city (i.e., he knew of the situation).
Sorry to hear of your friend's experience. I live in Canada. A Canadian (East Indian) friend has lately told me of her difficulties entering to take a course at Harvard! I've crossed the border many times, many methods.
You don't really supply enough information, for instance, what was his documentation? A Canadian passport?
Are you aware that bus is the peasant's mode of entry and is strictly watched? Airlines are much different.
What money and tickets(round trip) did he have?
Did he have any way of proving his story, i.e., a letter from you offering accomodation?
Lastly, there are lists at the border. If his name is on one, that's bad. Often however, a similar name or same name is on the list, i.e., it's not him. That takes some doing to straighten out.
Unfortunately the US does not actually have to furnish info or 'make a case' to an 'alien' trying to come in. No one has a right to enter; the burden of proof is on him. Usually, however, one can find out the essentials. As a US citizen you might be able to find out, i.e, you have rights, the US officials have to deal with you.
My advice is to get his papers in order, including passport. Driver's license. Birth certificate. Dress prosperously and have a roundtrip airline ticket. Have proof of his plans, destination, etc. It's possible he should visit the American consulate in Canada and learn more about entry.
This would likely work, if he's not dark brown skinned, and/or named "Usama" and/or on his way to a 'flight school' and/or not otherwise on some shitlist.
Best,
J.
PS. It would not hurt for him to have some working US phone numbers (of officials, lawyers, etc.), and yours, and to cross in business hours. I was once able to travel with the name and phone number of the US consul in our city (i.e., he knew of the situation).
Last edited:
logophile
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Thanks everyone. Your kind words mean a lot.
Thanks for the ideas Pure. I didn't supply a lot of that info because I honestly don't know the answers. We talked about a few of the things and it seemed like we had it all ironed out. But if he decides he's willing to try again we will definitely take your recommendations to heart.
Thanks for the ideas Pure. I didn't supply a lot of that info because I honestly don't know the answers. We talked about a few of the things and it seemed like we had it all ironed out. But if he decides he's willing to try again we will definitely take your recommendations to heart.
Pure
Fiel a Verdad
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If he's not too traumatized, and can get himself together, I think his chances (barring his name on a list) are excellent. The secret of winning a battle--esp. with bureaucrats--is in the preparation. Unfortunately he did not even think of a possible battle.
msboy8
Some where else
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Sorry to hear that Logo. I went from Washington state to Canada for a day with no problems, of course that was before 9/11. In any case there is no reason for rudeness. Next time ask to speak to a supervisor and complain about the way you were treated.
Be well
Be well
