Disembark Vancouver with police record?

[Copper10-8]

6 minutes ago, Peckishpixie said:

Actually, we went through all that, but then the guy with my husbands name was arrested again, so it had to happen again. 

 

Sounds like you're forced to deal with a real winner there, unfortunately for you and your dh

[T8NCruise]

1 hour ago, Peckishpixie said:

Actually, we went through all that, but then the guy with my husbands name was arrested again, so it had to happen again. 

 

Yes but as long as you have the Redress number and letter, that shouldn't matter. 

[Peckishpixie]

53 minutes ago, T8NCruise said:

 

Yes but as long as you have the Redress number and letter, that shouldn't matter. 

They still pull you aside and verify that you are not him and it still takes time. (sometimes a couple hours) and then they just put the Redress info on file. It really isn't that helpful. 

[kazu]

19 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

 

While I assume other countries have the same or similar restrictions that’s the first time I’ve actually seen it on an official website.   Eye opening to say the least.

 

Yes, other countries do have restrictions.  When you apply for a Visa (for those countries that require Visas) it’s there in the small print.

 

For those concerned by the interchange of information - as per their agreement made some time ago, Canada and the U.S. are about to share even more information beginning next year when you are crossing the border.

[Randyk47]

30 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Yes, other countries do have restrictions.  When you apply for a Visa (for those countries that require Visas) it’s there in the small print.

 

For those concerned by the interchange of information - as per their agreement made some time ago, Canada and the U.S. are about to share even more information beginning next year when you are crossing the border.

 

If they are digging up driving offenses from 30 years ago I would say they already share quite a bit.   That said on the US side people applying for Global Entry are sometimes surprised when they are denied acceptance for some old offense.  In a number of cases it’s not the offense so much as it is that the application asks if they’ve ever been arrested and applicant failed to report the arrest.  US CBP considers that not being truthful and therefore unfit for the program.  

[kazu]

21 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

If they are digging up driving offenses from 30 years ago I would say they already share quite a bit.  

 

Doesn’t take much to dig up a criminal offence.  I suspect they are all flagged for both countries.  JMO though 😉 

[Randyk47]

59 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Doesn’t take much to dig up a criminal offence.  I suspect they are all flagged for both countries.  JMO though 😉 

 

I’m reminded of a saying made popular back in the 60s-70s by Robert Blake in a TV show called Baretta.  “Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.”   Big Brother now seems to know everything even if we think it is or was no big deal or so long ago we have forgotten.  

[richwmn]

Remember being told in school that everything was going on your permanent record?

[awhcruiser]

37 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

 

I’m reminded of a saying made popular back in the 60s-70s by Robert Blake in a TV show called Baretta.  “Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.”   Big Brother now seems to know everything even if we think it is or was no big deal or so long ago we have forgotten.  

Exactly!

[awhcruiser]

38 minutes ago, Randyk47 said:

 

I’m reminded of a saying made popular back in the 60s-70s by Robert Blake in a TV show called Baretta.  “Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.”   Big Brother now seems to know everything even if we think it is or was no big deal or so long ago we have forgotten.  

Exactly!

[T8NCruise]

7 hours ago, Peckishpixie said:

They still pull you aside and verify that you are not him and it still takes time. (sometimes a couple hours) and then they just put the Redress info on file. It really isn't that helpful. 

 

I'm so sorry it hasn't worked out better for you.  I have found it invaluable after being denied boarding on some flights and major issues in many other areas of my life - it took care of all those issues and I have been able to travel everywhere with minimum or no inconvenience ever since.

[broberts]

3 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

If they are digging up driving offenses from 30 years ago I would say they already share quite a bit.

 

In the eyes of Canadian authorities, (and most Canadians for that matter), DUI is not a "driving offense" it is a criminal offense. Too many innocents are no longer with us as a result of this criminal behavior.

[Randyk47]

12 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

In the eyes of Canadian authorities, (and most Canadians for that matter), DUI is not a "driving offense" it is a criminal offense. Too many innocents are no longer with us as a result of this criminal behavior.

 

I agree.  Was just in Atlanta visiting friends and the wife is the lead broker of a large real estate company in the area (large like in 600 agents).   One of her agents hit and killed a young man at like 5 AM after she’d been drinking all night.   At least the initial charge was vehicular homicide not just DUI.  They are expecting she’ll be in prison for awhile.   She was already driving under a limited license because a earlier DUI charge and arrest.

[Hawaiidan]

On 7/27/2019 at 4:08 PM, TAD2005 said:

A ban is still in effect after 30 years for a US citizen ?   Doesn't Canada understand that young people do stupid things and when they mature, they are totally different persons ?   There should be some kind of statute of limitation on felonies like DUI and minor drug charges.  30 years ago, you could be sentenced in the US to many years of hard time for a single marijuana cigarette.   So you would have a felony charge on your record.  Now, it appears that pot is being made legal across Canada.   Would a felony drug charge based on marijuana still be a factor in admission these days ?

I would think yes....  because despite some states and Canada making dope legal, it is still illegal  under US law and would be reported on the CID database  CID  is Criminal investigation  Data....   it is shared via Interpol world wide.

Edited July 30, 2019 by Hawaiidan

[Hawaiidan]

On 7/28/2019 at 5:53 PM, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

All cruise line passenger lists are vetted by U.S. CBP (Customs & Border Protection) and, as stated, shared with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) if your ship has a Canadian port on her itinerary. Hence, the unwelcome surprise when you go on your merry way on a cruise with an arrest warrant behind your name, and you'll find CBP knocking on your cabin door as soon as your ship arrives at her final (U.S.) port (or CBSA doing the same in a Canadian port)

 

As I recall is there not a clause in the cruise contract  that says to the effect..." Your are responsible for obtaining all visa and  necessary requirements for entry for any and all ports visited and If not you can be denied boarding with no refund" ?   

Criminal  records do not go away  unless expunged by a judge by a formal court hearing.    Its one more  responsibility you have to consider.

[grsnovi]

I realize that "...ignorance of the law is no defense..." however it seems to me that this topic would (minimally) warrant an example in "Know Before you Go" along the lines of: "For example: you might be surprised to learn that entry into Canada will be denied for passengers with DUI's as old as 30 years." Or possibly a listing of countries with unusually restrictive entry requirements that might catch people by surprise. It's all well and good to take the smug attitude that "I've never had that problem..." but having erred 30 years ago some folks might tend to forget their transgressions.

[bEwAbG]

I feel like Canada makes this needlessly complicated to figure out.  I have a friend who needed to go to Montreal about 5 years after a DUI conviction.  It was a misdemeanor on his record and not a felony but all of the Canadian info at the time stressed any DUI would result in inadmissibility (this was 12 or so years ago, and the websites still say this, for that matter).  This was a last-minute business trip so he didn't have a clue that he'd ever be going to Canada and of course didn't research the entrance requirements until he knew he was going. 

 

He contacted every resource he could think to contact.  The consular office here in DC didn't even know what he was talking about re: the process for criminal rehabilitation.  They called the visa office while he was there, and no one there knew what to do for last-minute requests as the rehabilitation process takes up to a year.  No one could tell him of any resource he could consult to determine if he'd be turned away at the border (the website didn't have that questionnaire they now have).  He was fully prepared to be turned away, but not a word was said to him coming or going, and he's been to Canada many times since then without ever having gone through that rehabilitation process, AFAIK.

 

They need a process whereby you can know in advance if you'll be rejected or not.  The published info that is out there causes undue stress for everyone involved.

[RobTheGob]

11 minutes ago, grsnovi said:

It's all well and good to take the smug attitude that "I've never had that problem..." but having erred 30 years ago some folks might tend to forget their transgressions.

 

I'd personally remember being arrested and convicted 30 years ago...

 

8 minutes ago, bEwAbG said:

I feel like Canada makes this needlessly complicated to figure out.  I have a friend who needed to go to Montreal about 5 years after a DUI conviction.  It was a misdemeanor on his record and not a felony but all of the Canadian info at the time stressed any DUI would result in inadmissibility (this was 12 or so years ago, and the websites still say this, for that matter).  This was a last-minute business trip so he didn't have a clue that he'd ever be going to Canada and of course didn't research the entrance requirements until he knew he was going. 

 

He contacted every resource he could think to contact.  The consular office here in DC didn't even know what he was talking about re: the process for criminal rehabilitation.  They called the visa office while he was there, and no one there knew what to do for last-minute requests as the rehabilitation process takes up to a year.  No one could tell him of any resource he could consult to determine if he'd be turned away at the border (the website didn't have that questionnaire they now have).  He was fully prepared to be turned away, but not a word was said to him coming or going, and he's been to Canada many times since then without ever having gone through that rehabilitation process, AFAIK.

 

They need a process whereby you can know in advance if you'll be rejected or not.  The published info that is out there causes undue stress for everyone involved.

 

I suspect your friend made it through because they either didn't get asked about arrests/convictions and/or they lied about it. I don't think it's complicated in Canada - a DUI is usually a felony here. If they weren't asked - more power to them. But if they are asked and they lie, getting caught means a ban from entering for a period of time (in addition to sorting out the original issue)...

 

In your friend's case - the best resource of information is going to be an immigration lawyer - either at home or one located in Canada. A quick Google search would have indicated that a DUI conviction usually makes you inadmissible to Canada.

 

I was recently in several countries with VERY different laws than at home - we made sure we understood what we needed to do and how to act. Not smug - just informed.

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, Hawaiidan said:

 

As I recall is there not a clause in the cruise contract  that says to the effect..." Your are responsible for obtaining all visa and  necessary requirements for entry for any and all ports visited and If not you can be denied boarding with no refund" ?   

...............................

 

 

It is the Guest's sole responsibility to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel documents. All Guests are advised to check with their travel agent or the appropriate government authority to determine the necessary documents. You will be refused boarding or disembarked without liability for refund, payment, compensation, or credit of any kind if You do not have proper documentation, and You will be subject to any fine or other costs incurred by Carrier which result from improper documentation or noncompliance with applicable regulations, which amount may be charged to Your stateroom account and/or credit card.

[1of4]

15 hours ago, Peckishpixie said:

Actually, we went through all that, but then the guy with my husbands name was arrested again, so it had to happen again. 

 

My DH has the same situation.  When useing the checking kiosks he always got an X through the square where his photo should be for US Immigration. One kind officer, on our way to a cruise with 2 smallish kids in tow told him that there may be a very bad man with the same name who may be a member of of motorcycle gang.  I guess the pictures look nothing alike as we were never delayed for too long but had to be manually processed.  It doesn’t happen anymore so we figure he is either incarcerated or dead.

[RocketMan275]

13 hours ago, Peckishpixie said:

They still pull you aside and verify that you are not him and it still takes time. (sometimes a couple hours) and then they just put the Redress info on file. It really isn't that helpful. 

Once when sitting at a bar, I was asked by a detective (he showed his badge) and asked if I would step outside to answer a few questions.  I found myself standing in the middle of four officers with hands on pistols ready to draw.  Turned out I fit the description of a BOLO on an escaped murder in an adjoining state. I was very careful to move slowly while announcing every move.  "My billfold is in my right rear pocket., etc.)  My military ID proved I wasn't the one in question.  The officer even escorted me back inside.  Someone had taken my seat but he vacated that when the detective told him he was sitting in 'my friends seat'.  They took my tag number.  They told me that even though the desk sergeant had my tag number, I should proceed with caution should I be stopped on the way home.  After all, I still could be mistaken for an escaped murderer.  

 

 

[bEwAbG]

1 hour ago, RobTheGob said:

In your friend's case - the best resource of information is going to be an immigration lawyer - either at home or one located in Canada. A quick Google search would have indicated that a DUI conviction usually makes you inadmissible to Canada.

 

This is where I fundamentally disagree.  First, "a quick Google search" makes clear that border agents have discretion as to whether or not to allow entry based on a DUI conviction, which means it's completely arbitrary.  However, by the time you get to the border, it is too late.  Instead, they should give people an easy way to figure out what is going to happen rather than saying a determination is going to be made when you apply for a visa (which US citizens don't need) or at the port of entry.  They should also allow a way to get this assurance for last-minute trips (the rehabilitation or temporary permit processes take months) without having to hold your breath that you will be turned away when you arrive.  That would avoid a lot of needless angst.

[broberts]

19 minutes ago, bEwAbG said:

 

This is where I fundamentally disagree.  First, "a quick Google search" makes clear that border agents have discretion as to whether or not to allow entry based on a DUI conviction, which means it's completely arbitrary.  However, by the time you get to the border, it is too late.  Instead, they should give people an easy way to figure out what is going to happen rather than saying a determination is going to be made when you apply for a visa (which US citizens don't need) or at the port of entry.  They should also allow a way to get this assurance for last-minute trips (the rehabilitation or temporary permit processes take months) without having to hold your breath that you will be turned away when you arrive.  That would avoid a lot of needless angst.

 

Border agents have discretion to deny entry to any non-citizen that presents at the border. Anybody, regardless of history. This is true of border agents everywhere. It is not "arbitrary" but allows agents to adjust to facts as they are presented at the border. 

[bEwAbG]

23 minutes ago, broberts said:

Border agents have discretion to deny entry to any non-citizen that presents at the border. Anybody, regardless of history. This is true of border agents everywhere. It is not "arbitrary" but allows agents to adjust to facts as they are presented at the border. 

 

As it applies to DUIs, it is arbitrary, particularly if it's a misdemeanor in someone's home country.  I just think they would be smart to either clarify their assessments (US CBP says "one DUI will not prevent entry but multiple DUIs might," for example) or provide a mechanism to get advanced clearance that isn't a months-long process.  The angst comes from people finding out last minute about this rule, which is atypical in the world.  

[TAD2005]

With all of the "executive, 2 martini lunches" that happened many years ago, there were certain counties that used DUI stops as a fund raiser for that county.   Many times, if you even blew less than .08 in the breathalyzer, you were still pulled in and fined.   You were still considered legal, but those certain counties (Florida, Georgia) still nailed you with an impaired driving arrest and a record.   If these very minor DUI's would impact international travel, there would be a lot of executives from the 80's and 90's in deep trouble.   Yes, there are very serious felony DUI's, because of bodily harm and property damage.  But on the opposite side of the coin, a lot of people were charged in the past for having the misfortune of driving through some counties where traffic stops were their main source of revenue.