Misinformation of US Entry Waiver Requirements

I deal with many clients every day and have unfortunately seen this situation one too many times:

A client’s wife originally called me angry because when they tried to submit her husband’s waiver application the Calgary border guards at the airport told her a waiver is not needed for one conviction (theft).

I had to explain to her that this was incorrect and that if the border guard is so sure of this he should produce something in writing with his badge # for them to bring to the border.  I explained to her that all guards have discretionary power and what one guard says at the airport has nothing to do with what another says at the border crossing.  She understood and said they would try again.

The client then sent me an email angry that they again told him his waiver was not needed and he provided a badge number and the officer’s name that told him this.

I again had to reiterate that this was not the case.  The client has been previously DENIED at the border and that this alone could have him detained or denied when re-attempting to cross.  I strongly suggested to him to submit his waiver application that he has paid for and that we prepared for him so that he can receive official documentation from the ARO to allow him legal entry to the US.