As you drive towards the U.S. border, does your heart beat a little faster? Do your palms become sweaty? Are you beginning to feel anxious? If so, it's quite a normal reaction to a Canada/U.S. border crossing and is probably being experienced by many others in the cars around you.
You are experiencing your body's physiological reaction to a perceived confrontational interaction, over which you believe you have no control.
Let me run that past you again, this time in plain English . . . your brain is telling your body - probably distorting the actual circumstance somewhat as a result of all those horror stories we have heard - that there may be bad times ahead, and is getting ready to react (the old "fight or flight" reaction left over from our caveman ancestry).
But there are many things you can do to reduce this stress and regain control over the situation. Some require planning before you leave on your trip, others are things you can do just prior to, and during your border crossing.
As a veteran of many border crossings and with a high personal stake (I could not gather material to write my book, "Along Interstate-75" if denied entry to the U.S.), over the years I have learned a number of ways to protect myself throughout the crossing process. I'll explain each one and tell you how they can help you too.
Before you leave home
In the last issue of CSA News (Summer 2000, page 28), immigration lawyer Andrew Cumming gave excellent advice about the documents you should carry in your vehicle. Andrew has prepared my border-crossing kit for the last three years, and having it in the car gives great peace of mind. The documents I offer at U.S. primary inspection (the drive-through booth) are my Canadian passport and my CanPass (see page 41). I'll explain later how I use both of these to help speed me on my way.
I have never had to use the other documents in my kit (see Andrew's article). Just knowing they are there in an envelope in my car door pocket, ready to take with me if I have to go into the Customs/Immigration office (secondary inspection) is very reassuring.
Before you cross the border
If travelling with more than one person in the car, let's talk about which of you is the best person to be in the driver's seat at the border . . . because this is the person who is going to do most of the talking. No matter what the inspection officer's attitude, the driver must not react to it or mirror it (a natural tendency), but must reply to questions in a straightforward, courteous manner.
Sarcasm disguised as courtesy is dangerous (a possible reaction to an inspector with a poor attitude). Forget humour - it rarely "butters" the inspector up and can often misfire. The driver should only answer the officer's specific questions and not volunteer any information which has not been requested. It's not a social occasion, but a very serious business communication. So put the person who is best able to handle this in the driver's seat and do not volunteer subsidiary information.
While stopped to make this change (the Canada Customs or Duty Free store parking areas are good places to stop), have a look around the inside of your car and make sure it supports the statements you will be making at inspection. Get out and look through the open driver's window (the officer's view). If you are going to Florida, maps of Tampa, etc. in the passenger door pocket are quite appropriate (a copy of my book, "Along Interstate-75" lying visibly on the console doesn't hurt, either!!!). If you have a portable ice box, it's better to put it in the trunk rather than in plain view on the back seat. From personal experience, I have found that one of these in plain view can open up a whole new line of agricultural questioning - but that's another story.
Finally, give some thought to these questions. What citizenship? Where do you live? Where are you going? For how long? What's the purpose of your visit? You will probably be asked at least some of these "standards."
We are now ready to join the traffic and head across the border to the primary inspection booth.