Pardons Canada – Criminal Records and Nexus Applications

I made a major mistake today regarding a Nexus renewal and US Customs agent.  The officer asked me for a deposition from charges I had 16-17 years ago so I went and obtained copies of the information and gave it to the officer.  I had been charged with 4 offences, aggravated assault with weapon, assault with weapon, assault and mischief.  The first two were aquitted.  The last two -assault and mischief I received a conditional discharge and three years after the files were sealed.  Now i opened up a can of worms by giving them the paperwork and my nexus has been revoked and I’m terrified i wont be allowed into to the US

Pardons Canada:  Don’t panic.  You may not be denied entry to the US.  It will be up to the border guard to decide when you cross the US border next time.  If you are denied entry to the US then you will require a US Entry Waiver, I-192 to return to the US which is a complicated, lengthy and expensive process.

We suggest for others not to say anything if your file has already been sealed with a file destruction or pardon or record suspension because otherwise you open up a can of worms with the US officials and it can get you into trouble.

As for your Nexus card, you will not likely be able to get a new one.  Hopefully you will still be safe to travel to the US.

If you already have a criminal record or have been fingerprinted by the police for a criminal offence which was later dismissed, withdrawn, stayed, absolute or conditional discharge you should consider the following:  Take the necessary steps to remove your criminal record by way of a file destruction or pardon.  When applying for Nexus after the pardon is granted, it is unlikely the Americans will see the offence as they cannot see pardoned offences as far as we know.

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.