Can a Person with a Recent Criminal Offence Travel to the U.S.?
We receive hundreds of calls every month from Canadians who have been turned away at the US border because of an old criminal record.
We have heard many nightmare stories about people’s experience with US Customs agents when they have been denied entry to the US. Sometimes, people are held for many hours in a holding cell only to get the horrible news that they cannot return to the US until they file for a US Entry Waiver or I-194.
This can be a very embarassing situation, especially if you are traveling with someone who does not know about your criminal past. We have heard stories from grandparents who are traveling with grandchildren, spouses with their partners and business associates with their colleagues who are shocked by the harsh treatment at the US border.
Once denied entry, you need a US Entry Waiver or I-194 to re-enter the US. This is a complicated application that needs to be submitted to the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) for final approval.
Here is a letter from a client we recently helped to get a US Entry Waiver so that she can return to the US to visit her mother in New York:
“I have a son who is now 8 yrs. old and I hope he will never, ever take the road I had taken in life.”
“When we were stopped at the US border, my son was confused about why we had to turn around and I had to make up a silly excuse.”
“I had to make a lot of changes in my life and paid my price.”
“Now I can continue my life as a free person and take that hole off, and start making my way up hill.”
“Thank you Pardons Canada for helping me get my US Entry Waiver so that I can visit my family again in New York.”
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at [email protected] or call 1-877-929-6011.
Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.
