THUNDER BAY – It was a slightly busier month in January at the Pigeon River port of entry.
In December 2014, Canadian Border Services Agency officers at the Pigeon River port of entry (POE) processed 35,158 travellers in 19,009 vehicles, which represent no change in travellers and a three-percent increase in vehicles from December 2013. More than 1,312 international travellers entered by bus.
Immigration highlights
In December, officers at the Pigeon River POE conducted more than 173 immigration interviews resulting in two Visitor Records, four Work Permits and in eight cases, individuals decided to voluntarily withdraw their applications to enter Canada.
On December 1, a foreign national arrived at the Pigeon River POE seeking entry into Canada. The traveller was referred for an immigration interview. During the interview, the traveller stated that he wanted to come to Canada to get a job and earn enough money to buy a plane ticket to go home and that he had paid someone a small fee to drive him from the United States to the Canadian border. The traveller did not carry a valid passport or any other identification. He was given a departure order and was driven back to the United States.
On December 25, three travellers in a U.S. plated vehicle arrived at the Pigeon River POE. The driver of the vehicle was a resident of the U.S., and the other two passengers were foreign nationals; one had a U.S. visa and the second was in possession of a restricted travel visa. The travellers stated that the purpose of their trip was to go sightseeing in Thunder Bay for one week. They were referred for a secondary immigration examination. During the exam of the vehicle, officers also noticed there were no luggage and no clothing that would suit the length of their stay. The travellers were found inadmissible to Canada and were issued documents to leave for lack of proper documentation. All three travellers returned to the United States.
Certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility may be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only fee-exempt temporary resident permit. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob389.asp.
Customs highlights
In December, CBSA officers conducted approximately 3,724 secondary examinations for customs purposes or on behalf of other government departments, initiated one seizure action and issued additional written warnings for undeclared or undervalued goods.
Travel Tips
The CBSA reminds travellers to truthfully declare all purchases and goods received outside of Canada upon their return. Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law.
