Why is US Customs in Canadian Airports?

[baltimoron]

Went through this at YYZ and YUL. Anyone know why Canada allows this? Some kind of treaty, perhaps? NAFTA? Is it like this in Vancouver? Does the US have such a low opinion of Canadian security that they have to put their own guys in Canadian airports to process passengers at the starting point in Canada?

I can't imagine foreign customs officers ever being allowed to work in US airports, and when returning from Europe and other countries, you go through US customs at the first US airport you land in.

It's no big deal for me as an American returning home. Get it over with in Canada, then when you arrive at your home airport, you just get your bags and drive home, like a domestic flight.

Just curious to know why this is so for flights from Canada.

 

[plunker]

Because some US destinations don't have Customs and Immigrations, so it allows travel from Canada to a lot more destinations within the US. Also, it allows Canadian origin flights to land at the domestic terminals.

 

[baltimoron]

Because some US destinations don't have Customs and Immigrations, so it allows travel from Canada to a lot more destinations within the US. Also, it allows Canadian origin flights to land at the domestic terminals.

Ahhh, I see...That's right. Usually, I fly from BWI, which has its own Customs & Immigration. So was wondering why I wouldn't clear customs when I get home to BWI.

Then again, sometimes, I fly from DCA, which has no customs at all.

It'd be interesting to see if this would ever work in reverse.

For example, if you were to fly to Toronto City Centre airport from the US.

 

[Mack Bolan]

US Customs and Immigration officers are stationed at all airports outside of CONUS. It's far easier to keep people out of the US when the plane has yet to leave for the US.

Canada should do the same thing. How many time have you read or heard about some one being deported multiple time for crimes. If we copied the US example, they would be stopped in their home counties.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

... Canada should do the same thing. How many time have you read or heard about some one being deported multiple time for crimes. If we copied the US example, they would be stopped in their home counties.

I agree 100%.

But don't hold your breath... never gonna happen.

 

[kz65]

Went through this at YYZ and YUL. Anyone know why Canada allows this? Some kind of treaty, perhaps? NAFTA? Is it like this in Vancouver? Does the US have such a low opinion of Canadian security that they have to put their own guys in Canadian airports to process passengers at the starting point in Canada?

I don't think it has anything to do with low opinion of Canada customs, its only fair for a US officer to be protecting his/her own country.
Vancouver airport along with all other CND airports I've flown out of have the same system. Makes it easier for passengers & some control over who is allowed to board flights into US

 

[tboy]

It didn't always used to be this way. In many US cities you'd go through US customs at your destination and presented all kinds of problems if you weren't allowed in for any reason. What do you do? Stay in the arrivals area until you can get a flight out? Or be like Canada customs and Immigration and allow you to leave the airport with a promise that you will return for your hearing/briefing/interview? LOL (what a JOKE).

Anyhow, look at the other side of the coin: The US immigration/customs officers are living in a better country, earning in US Dollars (presently 1.25x), and probably getting a bonus for an out of country posting.....(I used to travel a LOT and talked to a few, they loved it....).

 

[TheNiteHwk]

One thing that maybe a lot of people don't know is...

When you enter the customs area at an airport you are now considered to be on US soil. So if you are not allowed let's say to enter the US because of a criminal record... they can arrest you on the spot if they choose. They do not have to let you go.

 

[kz65]

One thing that maybe a lot of people don't know is...

When you enter the customs area at an airport you are now considered to be on US soil. So if you are not allowed let's say to enter the US because of a criminal record... they can arrest you on the spot if they choose. They do not have to let you go.

very interesting, come to think of it I was at an airport & there was a sign posted something alongs the line "you have now entered US controlled zones..."

 

[Quest4Less]

Incorrect....

One thing that maybe a lot of people don't know is...

When you enter the customs area at an airport you are now considered to be on US soil. So if you are not allowed let's say to enter the US because of a criminal record... they can arrest you on the spot if they choose. They do not have to let you go.

Sorry NiteHwk but you are badly misinformed.... The US Customs and Immigration officers have ZERO legal authority here. All they can do is deny you entry to the USA. If they think you are concealing something illegal they call the CANADIAN authorities to deal with it - often it's Canadian Customs.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

very interesting, come to think of it I was at an airport & there was a sign posted something alongs the line "you have now entered US controlled zones..."

"you have now entered US controlled zones..."

Yes... I have seen those signs many times. read on...

Sorry NiteHwk but you are badly misinformed.... The US Customs and Immigration officers have ZERO legal authority here. All they can do is deny you entry to the USA. If they think you are concealing something illegal they call the CANADIAN authorities to deal with it - often it's Canadian Customs.

I'm not so sure about that. A few reasons.

One because of the signs above.

Two... lets say you are being searched at US customs at a Canadian airport in a US controlled zone and they find a pound of cocaine in your bag... do you really think for one second they are going to call the Canadian cops? I doubt it very much. They will arrest you on the spot. Because you just tried to sneak drugs into the USA... you broke USA laws.

Also last but not least since I am bared from the US myself I know this from first hand experience. I was told at the boarder by US customs guys the next time I try to get into the states they will arrest me and take me to the nearest US jail where I will be detained until my charge of attempted illegal entry is dealt with. Including he said to me... if I try to get in by flying. So if I tried to fly south via any airline and was in US customs at Pearson... I may find myself very quickly in a jail in Buffalo is what I am sure he meant. That was just a warning... he could have arrested me right there at that time if he wanted to. I was lucky... and needless to say I have never tried to enter the states again ever and never will.

 

[Eli]

If there was a contest to see what profession has the largest group of a-holes U.S. Customs Office has got to be right up near the top.

Somethin you'll never hear from a U.S. customs agent:
"We hope you enjoy your stay."

 

[CH812]

Actually I heard those exact words twice in the last two years.....once flying out of Pearson going to FLA and the other time crossing the border at Buffalo in advance of a flight out of Buffalo Airport..........Generally they are officious at best but in these two cases they both said enjoy your trip.......

Guaranteed they wouldn't of said that to you if your name was Mohammed.

 

[High_Roller]

Open Border Needed

At this risk of sounding offensive, I don't know why the US is so hard on Canadian and European visitors, while who-knows-how-many undocumented Mexicans and Central Americans walk across the southern border everyday.

One of the great things about Canada is you guys still got hot white chicks working service jobs! How shocked I was my first time in Canada, and I opened my hotel room door to find that the housekeeping maid was a college-age co-ed cutie! Not to mention the stunning blondes I've seen at Tim Horton's and Dairy Queen! Heck, even the maid at the Days Inn at the Falls was hot.

In the States, you can't order fast food anymore without being able to se habla or getting pushed around by Queen Shanika and her dreadlocks and multi-colored nails (not that some of them aren't nice...).

 

[Paul Waters]

Sorry NiteHwk but you are badly misinformed.... The US Customs and Immigration officers have ZERO legal authority here. All they can do is deny you entry to the USA. If they think you are concealing something illegal they call the CANADIAN authorities to deal with it - often it's Canadian Customs.

They intimidate, and have been known to fine Canadian citizens on the spot, escort them airside to an ATM and make them withdraw the fine.

The citizens should have just called Canadian security. But they could never get into the US again.

 

[xix]

To many things flying here.

Okay does anyone know a web site address where this issue is addressed?

Also, to all, how can US customs check to see if you have a criminal record?

Let's say you buy your airline ticket an hour before departing or less. How do they know when you get to their kiosk that you ARE a criminal? because you got charged for stealing the library book when you were 10.

Someone mention abiout fining you. What will they fine you for? and make you pay right away? Jay walking on a hallway?

I do know that Canada had 2 different computers wiht criminals records. If you found innocent in one of the computer systems your name get s removed. But the other not and that is the one that US Customs use to check your beautiful eyes.

 

[Quest4Less]

Misconception

"you have now entered US controlled zones..."

Yes... I have seen those signs many times. read on...




I'm not so sure about that. A few reasons.

One because of the signs above.

Two... lets say you are being searched at US customs at a Canadian airport in a US controlled zone and they find a pound of cocaine in your bag... do you really think for one second they are going to call the Canadian cops? I doubt it very much. They will arrest you on the spot. Because you just tried to sneak drugs into the USA... you broke USA laws.

Also last but not least since I am bared from the US myself I know this from first hand experience. I was told at the boarder by US customs guys the next time I try to get into the states they will arrest me and take me to the nearest US jail where I will be detained until my charge of attempted illegal entry is dealt with. Including he said to me... if I try to get in by flying. So if I tried to fly south via any airline and was in US customs at Pearson... I may find myself very quickly in a jail in Buffalo is what I am sure he meant. That was just a warning... he could have arrested me right there at that time if he wanted to. I was lucky... and needless to say I have never tried to enter the states again ever and never will.

1) The signs don't mean crap when it comes to the LAW.

2) Breaking a US law while in Canada doesn't mean JACK. If they suspect they have a smuggler they WILL call the Canadian authorities. I state again (for a fact) - the USA officers here have NO LEGAL STANDING. All they can do is deny entry. Have you ever noticed the PEEL POLICE officer(s) that are present in the USA area? They are there in case someone needs to be arrested - because the USA guys CAN'T do it themselves.

3) If the US officers wanted to arrest you for something in the USA they could only do it by either asking the Canadian authorities to detain you and extradite you.... OR they could let you board a plane and when it lands in the USA then have you busted there. Buddy was obviously just trying to intimidate you.

 

[someone]

Okay does anyone know a web site address where this issue is addressed?

There have been a few such agreements over the last 50 years. This site contains some recent changes. If you do a search you will find a lot more info. It is not a new thing by any means.

http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.asp?publication_id=380038&Language=E

 

[colt]

Misconceptions

Quest is right.

There is a huge difference between "US controlled territory" and "US territory". US Customs operates in Canadian airports pursuant to the provisions of the Pre-Clearance act which sets out the limits of their authorities. It is a recirprocal agreement which means if Canada felt it would be more efficent, make economic sense etc. (by reducing clearance times in Canadian airports) Canadian Customs could establish pre-clearance zones in selected US airports.

US Authorities can absolutely not arrest someone and whisk them into the US - they would need to comply with the Extradition Act. If you are barred from entry they can deny you, possibly they can detain you...if you actually set foot on US soil (ie land border, airport somehow having gotten through pre-clearance) you are likely in a whale of trouble - they will have a record if you have been informed of your status (ineligible for entry) so pleading ignorance will not fly.

US customs can request assistance from Canadian police, and realistically will likely get it - so if you are found carrying drugs, guns etc. they will detain you and wait for Canadian police to come investigate and likely arrest and charge you.

US customs has online access to CPIC (Canadian Police Information Computer) - it does not matter if you bought your ticket 5 minutes ago - when you pass through the pre-clearance zone they will get your name and date of birth and have access to your criminal record - same system a cop has access to via the terminals in their cruisers.

Interesting question is whether a pardon will keep US Customs from finding out about your record. For every person that says a pardon makes a criminal record inaccessible to US Customs (and other LE) you will hear a story from someone who swears up and down they got a pardon and US Customs still got a hit on them - theoretically it shouldn't happen - pardon should block access to fact that a charge was ever laid but there are enough stories that I wonder if a pardon is really that effective.

 

[goodtime]

...
Also, to all, how can US customs check to see if you have a criminal record?
...
I do know that Canada had 2 different computers wiht criminals records. If you found innocent in one of the computer systems your name get s removed. But the other not and that is the one that US Customs use to check your beautiful eyes.

Passport is barcoded. One swipe and your life is on the screen.
For driving, they accept citizenship cards or birth cert & Drivers licence (swipe), in 1st 2 cases, they manually key in for outstanding warrants.

In terms of U.S. controlled zone, they've agreement with CDN authorities and U.S. agents at airport to detain and expediate if you are "Person of Interest" but that's extreme case for national interest, otherwise have to face CDN judge first.

There are Canadian customs at T.O. Island airport. BWI is an small 'international' airport being hub for few smaller airlines, while DCA is regional at best.