U.S. – Canada Border Crossing

McAllister Law Firm, PLLC is conveniently located thirty minutes from the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and Ambassador Bridge. We are therefore available to meet with clients on an emergency basis. Our law practice represents Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, and other foreign nations who seek entry into the United States. Although Canadians are accustomed to traveling to the United States without visas, entry is not guaranteed. For example, border agents can easily identify individuals who travel to the United States frequently. Multiple entries on a regular basis may raise suspicions that these individuals are intending immigrants who require U.S. immigrant visas. Agents at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge have access to the same computer systems as those based in airports and will also screen for the inadmissibility. In other words, it is not easier to enter the United States from Canada because the same standards and laws apply. It should be noted that border agents can legally check social media and information stored on computers to determine a person’s inadmissibility.

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries must register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to applying for admission at the border. It should be noted that individuals who have registered with ESTA may be denied entry into Canada unless they are in possession of a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). We strongly recommend non-U.S. citizens to consult with a Canadian Immigration attorney regarding eTA and visas because entry into Canada is not guaranteed. McAllister Law Firm, PLLC does not practice Canadian immigration law.

There are cases where Canadian border agents deny entry to non-U.S. citizens who use the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and Ambassador Bridge. We recommend all non-U.S. citizens who intend to use the Detroit-Windsor tunnel and Ambassador Bridge to consult with a Canadian immigration attorney regardless of their immigration status in the United States. This especially applies to individuals with valid tourist or other nonimmigrant visas. There has been an increase of individuals who travel to the United States with the intent of applying for refugee status in Canada. If Canadian agents deny entry, U.S. border agents may arrest and detain hopeful refugee applicants so that they can be placed in removal proceedings. Some removal charges may allege that the non-U.S. citizen procured a U.S. visa fraudulently and that the true intended purpose was to apply for refugee status in Canada and not to travel to the United States for pleasure or other nonimmigrant purposes. Our law firm assists individuals with applying for asylum in the United States.

https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/detroit-michigan-3801

* Please note that the telephone numbers are subject to change.