Q: Hello, I had immigration problems with the USA back in 1980. Can I do 1 stop in the US if I need to travel to Canada?
I am a Canadian citizen and stuck where I'm at during covid. In order to go back home to Canada, I must do 1 or 2 stops in the US. I am nervous I might have some problems traveling back to Canada but need to come back home in Canada to visit my doctor and refill my medicine. Back in the 1980s I had some problems in the US and not sure if I can travel there. The issue is there is no direct flight where I'm at to Canada not until October and I need to get back but 1 or 2 stop I'm the US is a must in order to go to Canada at the moment.
A: You may be allowed to travel but you may be denied entry to the terminal beyond the boarding area. It is also possible there will be no questions.
A: Travelers transiting in the U.S. to other countries are considered to be present in the U.S. no matter how short their stay is. If you are departing from an airport where you clear U.S. customs BEFORE you ever get on the plane then your American customs will determine your admissibility status prior to you arriving at your gate. Therefore if you are inadmissible to the country for any reason you will not be permitted anywhere near the airplane unless you have the proper documentation. Best to travel direct or obtain a waiver of inadmissibility (if you qualify). Best wishes!
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
