U.S. border guards bar skilled Canadian from his job (increased protectionism at U.S. border is unfa

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/03/31/bc-borderblocked.html?ref=rss&loomia_si=t0:a3:g4:r5:c0

Technician says increased protectionism at U.S. border is unfair

A highly skilled Canadian telecommunications specialist who worked in Utah for more than a decade has suddenly been denied entry into the U.S. in a case he and others say highlights the increasing difficulties Canadians are facing at the American border.


In a B.C. motel where he is now staying, Kevin Gibbons, right, shows Go Public reporter Kathy Tomlinson his numerous job qualifications and visas, which he says are not good enough for U.S. border guards.
(CBC)


"Is there a war going on the border that we don't know about?" Kevin Gibbons asks. "Why are Canadians getting hassled so much right now?"

Gibbons is devastated because, he said, for the first time in his life, he's looking for a job and a new home — thanks to the discretion of U.S. border guards.

"I still can't believe that this can happen. They can take your life and trash it," said Gibbons.
Need to 'protect American job market'

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border protection said there is an increased demand on border guards to be very thorough with NAFTA applicants.

"We do have a commitment at the border to protect the American job market," said Jan Pete of Customs and Border Protection in Blaine, Wash.

FULL story and more photos at link.

[HockeyMom]

1. Sending them to India and China

doesn't count?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. it comes as a suprise to alot of people

that no matter what your immigration status in the United States, you can be denied entry for little or no reason at the border.

We had a British national who has worked here for 15 years get turned away after getting told-off by a customs agent over having been a permanent resident for more than a decade and not having applied for citizenship. "Well if you don't really want to be here, go home!"

[Nay]

3. The poor guy! But I notice the border guards aren't throwing out

the cheap employees -- legal or illegal. I bet this Canadian guy makes "too much money"

[H8fascistcons]

12. Absolutely!!!

If he was willing to work for $25,000 a year they probably would have offered him an armed escort to his employers front door....

[whistle]

4. In other words he does not have a permanent U.S. resident visa green card

...That's just too bad!

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. you can be denied entry even if you have a green card

and as the individual in question has a TN visa he is not eligible for a green card.

[whistle]

7. What is a TN visa? You mean the state of Tennessee issues work visas?

...I have never heard that such thing as a state issued permanent work visa.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

9. There is a special class of visa for Canadians and Mexicans

Under NAFTA citizens of the United States, Canada and Mexico have special work privillages in each others countries, these are non-resident visas and not intended to be a path to residency or citizenship. There are millions of North Americans working under so-called NAFTA Professional Visas.

There are similar arrangements with Chile and Singapore, who have a certain number of H1B's set aside for their residents each year.

[whistle]

10. So where does the term TN Visa come in, shopuld it not be NAFTA Visa?

...Well that explains where some good paying jobs may be going although it would work to American company advantage when such a job skill can't be filled by qualified American workers.

http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/visa_tn.html

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

11. It stands for "Trade NAFTA"

The thing to remember about the visas associated with trade agreements is that Americans are receiving them too, it isn't a one-way street. I am an American working in Canada.

[muntrv]

5. Janny, you're doin' a heckuva job!

:sarcasm:

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. "They can take your life and trash it" - That's the new and improved USSA for ya

.
.
.

Alienating even their closest allies.

Well done, PNACers.