Understanding US Entry Waivers I-192: A Comprehensive Overview
Visitor: I’ve had my fingerprints taken three times.
The first time was in 1979 when I got my first DUI at 16. The second time would have been in 1981 when I got my second DUI or Impaired Driving. Both times were in Burns Lake, BC. To the best of my recollection for the first offence I had a 3 month licence suspension, 25 hours community work and 6 months probation. There may also have been a fine but I’m not sure. My second offense was a week in jail served on weekends and a 6 month licence suspension. Again, this was 40+ years ago so I may have some of it wrong. Both times I was charged with DUI or what they call Driving While Ability Impaired.
The third time I was fingerprinted was around 2010ish when I was hoping to get a NEXUS. That was in Surrey, BC. I was denied the NEXUS by both Canada and the US.
In the late 80s, I had to apply to have something done to my files in order to get my Realtor licence as I couldn’t get it with a criminal record. I think it was to have the files purged (again, so many years ago). I was told at the time that it was the equivalent of putting the charges in a sealed box in a back room.
This has never been an issue for me, with the exception of being questioned about it at the US border shortly after being denied the NEXUS. Prior to COVID, I went to the US about once a month so my end goal is to get my NEXUS.
Pardons Canada: The Americans are usually concerned with more serious offences than a DUI but since you have 2 DUIs they may be concerned and that is why the Nexus was rejected. They will not likely deny you entry to the US but it will be difficult to get a Nexus card with these two offences still on record. Once your pardon is granted it will remove both DUIs but the Americans may still have your information on record since you applied for Nexus prior to the pardon. Regardless, once your pardon is granted, you may try again to apply for Nexus and see what the result is.
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.
