We interrupt your regularly scheduled program with an urgent broadcast!!
This post was totally unplanned but, it happened and, you need to know. If you’re a Canadian that was living in the US on a green card and you’ve moved back to Canada (or somewhere else), if you’re travelling back into the United States, this is for you.
We were blessed with our first grandchild this June and with the kids going back to work full time they’d asked if I could come spend a couple of weeks to help out. Well yeah, absolutely!! I was so excited to go spend time with my new granddaughter and couldn’t wait to see everyone. I miss them all SO much.
I’d found a direct flight to Seattle and although it cost a few bucks more, it was worth it not to have to mess around in either Vancouver or Calgary changing planes. It was an easy, one hour five minute flight – a little bumpy leaving but all good. I flew down on the Sunday afternoon before Halloween and couldn’t wait to give my little pumpkin a bunch of gramma hugs and kisses!
After our little prop plane landed I grabbed my bag from the tarmac and followed the rest of my flight inside the airport where we were directed to Passport Control (US Customs and Immigration). Different lines for different folks, I was directed to the lines for Canadian visitors, having my Canadian passport in hand. Never did I ever expect what happened next.
When it was my turn the next available agent called me up and I handed over my Canadian Passport. He asked me a few questions, like where I was coming from and going to, what I was doing in the US and how long I’d be there. Routine stuff. I answered his questions easily and next he asked if I had a green card. I told him I did and he wanted to see it. I told him it was at home. “Where at home?” he asked, and I told him in Kelowna.
“What’s your status?” he asked. That’s when things went twisty.
As I was explaining it was becoming clear the agent wasn’t happy with me because I didn’t have my green card in hand. I wasn’t sure why it mattered as I had my Canadian passport, the same thing I’ve traveled on this whole year back and forth to Seattle with Jeff. None of the other times we’d crossed the Canada/US border this year did an agent ask for our green cards, but of course it had to happen when I was travelling alone.
Before I knew it the agent kept my passport, threw it in a plastic bag and handed it over to another agent who told me to follow him. I didn’t think that was a good thing. Ever watch Border Security, or To Catch a Smuggler? That was me being escorted to Secondary, back in the little room somewhere in the depths of the Seattle airport.
Cell phones are not allowed in Secondary and even if they were, mine had no service even though I was paying for a Canada/USA calling plan. I couldn’t call or text or send a carrier pigeon message to my spouse or my kids that were waiting that I’d been taken away. Thanks Telus.
I got questioned and interrogated like I was a criminal when all I was doing was traveling on my Canadian Passport rather than my green card. Huh? This was a really bad thing?
The female agent in Secondary that was ‘processing’ me, was going to have me appear before an immigration judge that night or maybe the next morning, have me deported and slap me with a ban from entering the United States for 10 years. Plus a $600 fine for not filling out the right paperwork.
I was shocked and frankly somewhat terrified being back there alone and with all the questions (yes, I know that’s how they want you to feel). All this because I didn’t know we had to either surrender our green cards to a border agent should we choose never to live in the United States again OR, apply for a re-entry permit if we’re living outside the country and want to come back and visit. Who the f*** knew? Sure as hell not me as I would have made sure my papers were in order before I travelled.
I was called to the podium three times for questioning. The agents stand a number of feet above where us ‘criminals’ stand, obviously to impart a feeling of intimidation. They did a good job there.
She kept asking me if I wanted to surrender my green card and was lit up when I said I didn’t have it with me. Besides, I couldn’t just decide that on my own, that was a decision Jeff and I had to make together and you know they wouldn’t let me get in touch with him back there in Secondary, even if my phone did work. A bunch more questions and I was told to go sit down again.
When I was called back up, the girl agent was seated but two more agents were now standing on either side of her. Big guys, big guns, and lots more questions and accusations including ones of tax evasion. We’d filed US taxes right up until 2020, the year we left. I tried explaining that our taxes for 2020 and 2021 for both countries were with a tax accountant (and I told them where), and that I’d be happy to provide the contact information to confirm. Again with the questions, and I further explained that our taxes/paperwork had been with a prior accountant since last tax season (happy to provide that contact information as well). After nearly five months and a dreadful lack of communication, we came to find out the first accountant had done absolutely nothing, so we had to move on and find someone else.
Finally after getting just a little irritated with all this and how I was treated, I asked if I could ask a question. “Go ahead”, she barked.
“I’m wondering why didn’t we get questioned like this when we crossed the border the other times this year?”, I asked.
I didn’t get a great answer and probably should have just kept my mouth shut.
The agents told me they were going to speak with another boss, then they’d take my case to their boss’s boss, all the while whispering between themselves. I didn’t know what was going on and just didn’t know what was going to happen with me. When I asked if she was going to deport me, she answered sharply, “Yes, probably”. And ordered me to go sit back down again.
The seconds and minutes dragged on for freakin’ ever and all I could do was sit there and try to remain calm. I couldn’t check my cell phone even to see what time it was so I’d sneak a glance at my watch, knowing my family on both sides of the border would be wondering where I was. I’d remembered watching one of those Border Security shows when some guy also got hauled back to Secondary. I don’t remember for what but he made the mistake of taking out his cell phone, opening it up and doing stuff when there was a sign almost right beside him that said No Cell Phones Allowed.
Finally she called me back up again. All three agents were standing there, towering over me, and as she waved some papers around she said that today was my lucky day. Her bosses’ boss decided to let me in this time but to never, ever try this again (like seriously, I wasn’t trying to do anything!). Next time I either have to apply for a re-entry waiver or give up my green card to a border agent and abandon our status.
I gotta say, I was pretty shaken being somewhere in the airport in Secondary, by myself and with no way to tell my family. I kinda still am. And deported? And banned for 10 years? Goodness sakes I know they were just doing their jobs but geez, I’m no criminal. It was awful when I just wanted to see my wee family, then get to helping out with my granddaughter as the kids settle back to work full time.
So, What is a Re-Entry Permit?
In the simplest terms (and as per Wikipedia),
“The Re-entry Permit (Form I-327) is a travel document similar to a certificate of identity, issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to U.S. lawful permanent residents to allow them to travel abroad and return to the United States.[1] It is a passport-like booklet with a blue-green cover with the words Travel Document displayed prominently on its cover.”
Its main purpose is to allow Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR’s, aka Green Card Holders) to leave the United States for an extended period of time without putting their US status in jeopardy. Per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
A lawful permanent resident (LPR) normally may travel outside the United States and return; however, there are some limitations. A reentry permit can help prevent two types of problems:
- Your Permanent Resident Card becomes technically invalid for reentry into the United States if you are absent from the United States for 1 year or more.
- Your U.S. permanent residence may be considered as abandoned for absences shorter than 1 year if you take up residence in another country
The text above is taken from one of the documents I was given along with the paperwork that would allow me to leave Secondary and the airport: I am a permanent resident – How do I get a reentry permit? B5
What I learned in reading through it is that you’re supposed to apply for a re-entry permit before ever even leaving the United States, no less than 60 days before a trip. That’s if you plan to return one day, get back to work and take up residence there. Maybe some of you already knew this and kudos to you, as we sure didn’t. If you’ve already decided to surrender your green card when leaving the United States then, you’re all set.
So, How Do I Get a Re-Entry Permit?
To get a re-entry permit you’ll need to file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document AND, you’re supposed to file well in advance of your trip, or move out of the country. Like at least 60 days before. Had we known about this back in 2020 we’d have done something I guess. Both our kids still lived in the States, so there was a measure of, “would we ever move back?” I know that we didn’t know that we either had to apply for this travel document OR, surrender our green cards to a border agent. Now we know.
Current processing times for Form I-131, Application for Travel is approximately 3 – 5 months. The fees to process your application are around $600 so take all this into consideration if you’re leaving the United States and plan to go back and visit and, still have your green cards. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to either surrender your green card to a border agent or, apply for the travel permit while you’re still in the United States.
How Do I Know What My Responsibilities Are?
The border agents questioned me on what my responsibilities are as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). As I was pretty rattled by that point I blurted out something about living and working in the United States, paying taxes, and I really didn’t know what else they were looking for (nor do I really remember much else of what I said). Understandably there are rules and it’s a privilege to have been granted green cards. If we don’t abide by those rules we risk having our status in the country removed. I understand that as well, I just didn’t realize I was doing something so bad.
They gave me a copy of the USCIS document, “B4 – I am a permanent resident – How do I know what my responsibilities are?
Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
The border agents completed DHS Form I-193 – Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa, had me sign it and gave me a copy to get out of Secondary (my get out of jail card). This document, from the Department of Homeland Security basically allows an alien, who is also a legal resident of the United States to reenter the country without their passport and/or visa. I guess that was me, without my green card. They also waived the fees, this time only, of about $600US.
Happy Endings 😂
Let me tell you what, I was never happier to see the familiar faces of my family once they decided to let me go. I walked as quickly and calmly as I could with another agent leading me out of the depths of the Seattle airport and to the Exit. I wasn’t sure yet how I was going to find or reach my family as I still had no service but, all I knew was I was still breathing and on the public side of the airport. And as I was trying to make my phone work there they were walking towards me with the cutest little pumpkin. Yay!!
Thank you to my angels or whomever was watching over me that night. I seriously can’t imagine being deported, and banned from the United States for 10 years? The thought was horrifying as the sole purpose of my visit was to help out with the baby and stuff, and to be banned from visiting?
Anyways, enough of that and on to some fun stuff!
The rest of my trip was soooo amazing. No, we didn’t go here and there and all over the place which was totally fine by me. It was such a blessing to be able to spend SO much time with my granddaughter, all of the ‘grand’ fur kids, and of course my young son and daughter-in-law (when they weren’t earning the money to pay for the diapers lol…). All you grammas’ out there know how incredibly precious these moments are, especially when they live far away. My wee one is just turned five months and there’s just nothing like it in the world that compares to when they get a grip on your finger with their tiny ones as they fall asleep in your arms. Oh gramma lol…
We did venture out one day and spent some time mulling about Capitol Hill. Part of the sky was typical Seattle gray and overcast, and another bit of the sky shone bits of blue and sunshine through the clouds. Definitely chilly and not the lovely winters of Arizona but, I digress 
My kids follow a strict vegan diet and word of a new vegan Jewish deli opening got their attention. But first, donuts! And coffee!!
When we visited back in September (we parted with our big, comfy, leather couch and brought it down to the kids), they took us to one of the local farmer’s market. We stopped along the way at a food truck that only served up donuts, vegan donuts and OMG they were SOOO good!
Dough Joy donuts, you are super delicious! Made without eggs, dairy, tree nuts or peanuts Dough Joy donuts and treats are a great choice for anyone with food sensitivities to enjoy. Actually they’re fabulous for anyone to enjoy, that is unless they’re sold out!
We got to their main store location on a Saturday morning only to find a sign on the door telling customers they were sold out for the day. Disappointing!! But also a sign of some really good treats! Lucky for me the kids got up early the next day, went for a coffee run and picked up donuts. Mine is just the Basic B but if you can make just a plain, glazed donut taste this good and it’s vegan? I’m ALL in!! Thank you Dough Joy guys
Anyways, back to Saturday. Once we learned that Dough Joy was sold out for the day we headed over to Caffe Vita for a yummy, warm coffee. It wasn’t that many years ago that I started drinking coffee again but my amateur taste buds didn’t know one coffee from the next. Definitely not the case at Caffe Vita. Although I like my coffee dark with some good half and half cream and raw sugar, the old taste buds were delighted with the coffee the barista’s served up. Super yummy for a cold day … actually for any day!
From there we headed in the direction of Ben and Esther’s, the new vegan Jewish deli that had just opened. Oh Em Gee. I can’t even (and my mother wouldn’t have been able to understand the whole vegan thing 🙂) .. the menu and all the promises of the foods she used to make beckoned. We waited with the baby in a really long lineup that went down the street but wow, was it ever worth it.
There’s so many yummy choices it was really hard to decide, but I ended up with a breakfast sandwich of egg, cheese and bacon (all plants!), on a toasted sesame bagel. The kids had the Turkey-Bacon Club and the Philly Cheesesteak – same like mine, all plants and they looked delicious and just like the real thing! We got a tub of Matzo Ball soup to share and the kids got some Halvah for dessert. It’s not my thing (a remnant from my childhood), but they like it. Ben & Esther’s even make Hamentashen (little triangle shaped cookies usually served during Purim), although they were already sold out. I remember helping my mom make ones with the traditional poppy seed filling. Every year we’d make them one by one so it was super cool to see them offered here.
The days were spent helping out while mom and dad earned the money to buy the groceries. Evenings were spent with the best roommates ever, all cuddled up on the big comfy couch together. I love these kiddos like my own and I was super grateful for all the love they shared while I was away. Out of respect for my wee family I’ll refrain from posting baby photos BUT, these three are just as much family as the rest, and will always have a piece of my heart. And, thank goodness for the big, comfy couch ☺
As my dear friend Sabrina would say, “Heather, in the end everything’s gonna be okay”, and it was that thought I kept in my head as I sat in Secondary and awaited my fate. I learned a lot and they let me out, so I’ll chock it all up to a positive (yeah I know, I definitely wasn’t thinking that at the time!).
The time I was able to spend with our new granddaughter, son and daughter-in-law and the fur kids is time to be cherished. The littles are little only once and this time is so precious, it totally filled my heart. For a short while anyways, till the next time 
