Came through US customs yesterday expecting a normal entry and ended up being pulled aside, questioned for two hours, and sent back to Canada. I’m still trying to understand what even happened. Officer asked about my visit, asked what I was bringing in, and I mentioned books, a picture, a magazine, nuts, cheese… then later she saw two handmade bowls and a dehydrator in the back and decided I wasn’t being truthful about declaring them. She accused me of bringing them to furnish my rentals in the US, which isn’t true, and didn’t believe me when I tried to explain they were just gifts.
They went through my whole car, counted all my cash, pulled out random paperwork to photocopy, and ultimately sent me back on the next ferry. Officer said it was the items being denied entry, not me personally, but it still feels like there must be some note on my record now.
I’m trying to figure out what was actually written up, whether I was technically detained or arrested, if I could have waited for a lawyer, and how to get a copy of whatever they filed. If anyone knows what agency to contact or how FOIA works for border cases, I’d appreciate it.
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