Couple comes for the weekend, brings all their stuff

NEWS RELEASE

CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY

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The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) facilitates the entry of legitimate travellers and goods, while protecting the safety and security of Canadians and ensuring that Canada's border is not used for illegal activity.

This work is carried out by CBSA border services officers who ensure that the people, goods and conveyances entering Canada meet all requirements and are compliant with Canadian law.

In May 2014, CBSA officers at the Sault Ste. Marie port of entry (POE) processed 115,936 travellers in 76,624 vehicles, which represent an eight percent decrease in travellers and a four-percent increase in vehicles from May 2013.

More than 215 international travellers entered by bus.

Immigration highlights

In May, officers at the Sault Ste. Marie POE conducted more than 611 immigration interviews resulting in 17 Visitor Records, 37 Work Permits, and six Temporary Resident Permits.

In 24 cases, individuals decided to voluntarily withdraw their applications to enter Canada.

On May 26, a U.S. resident arrived at the Sault Ste. Marie POE seeking entry into Canada.

He was referred for an immigration examination where officers discovered that the traveller had been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

In addition, he was charged with the breaking and entering of a vehicle and damage to a vehicle, and had been convicted of driving under the influence.

He was deemed inadmissible and was given the option of voluntarily withdrawing his application to enter Canada.

He returned to the United States.

On May 30, a U.S. male traveller arrived at the POE with his girlfriend and stated that they were coming to Canada for the weekend.

Officers searched their vehicle and it appeared that they had many boxes with their belongings including furniture and appliances for an extended stay.

They could not prove that they had a residence in the United States; therefore, they were deemed non-genuine visitors and found to be inadmissible to Canada.

They were allowed to withdraw their application to enter Canada and returned to the United States.

Certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility may be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only fee-exempt temporary resident permit.

For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob389.asp.

Customs highlights

In May, CBSA officers conducted approximately 3,577 secondary examinations for customs purposes or on behalf of other government departments, initiated six seizure actions, one arrest and issued additional written warnings for undeclared or undervalued goods.

On May 16, two returning Canadian residents declared a total of five cases of beer and paid the applicable duty and taxes.

Officers then searched the vehicle and five additional cases of beer were found.

The additional five cases were seized with no terms of release and the individuals were free to go.

Had the extra five cases of beer been declared, the approximate duty and taxes would have been $55.

The CBSA reminds travellers to truthfully declare all purchases and goods received outside of Canada upon their return.

Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law.

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