Can the canadaian customs at the airports "interogate" you if you say youre just visiting a friend?

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Melkiha

They can interrogate you.
That's their prerogative.
And it's pretty much the same anywhere.
I think it's a matter of luck, so far I've never ever been treated like that not even entering the US (post 9/11). Lucky me!
Don't take it personally, just remember it can be done and will be done at any time, to just about anybody.

gracel313

They can ask you pretty much anything they want to, if they have any reason at all to think you are suspicous. They may have thought your eyes were looking around too much, or that you looked nervous; there's lots of reasons.

It's not necesarily about 9/11; they've always had the right to question you. I was questioned like this once returning to Canada. And if you were told "all you had to say" it may have sounded like you were giving them an answer you were told to give; maybe they thought you were smuggling.

Helena

Welcome to Canada, post 911. These are now common questions. You are lucky that you were just asked questions. I had to take off my coat and boots and had my luggage thoroughly searched(carry on). This was a few years ago and I am Canadian.
They are just doing their job. Guess this is part of the routine now.

thinkingtime

When you enter a different country you are subject to the rules and regulations of that country. BTW, that's quite a usual response when entering the USA.

darwical

If you fly to the US, the airline won't let you board unless you provide the complete address of where you are staying . I was told it is a requirement of US border services. So,I would imagine it could be similar for the Candian side as well. They can ask you anything they want, AND they can refuse you entry into Canada. Thats the way its been since 9/11

harry-balsacs

Seems to me those were routine questions for custom officers on the both sides of borders. whenever my father, 65 yrs old, visits Canada from the USA, he would be asked these questions by Canadian customs over and over again for an hour. on his way back home to the USA, the US custom would ask the same things as the Canadian customs did. yes, these people can interogate you any time they like. You don't have to give your friend's phone number(privacy violation) to them, just the address.

tuppenybitz

customs as every right to question anyone entering the country
sounds like they were concerned that once you entered Canada you would stay illegally past your visa time......many people do this and remain as illegal immigrants

contessajfjg

Once my husband and I drove over the border, I am Canadian and he is American, we were interrogated for a few minutes why we were going to Canada, our relationship ect. I was worried my husband wouldn't be able to get in the country, then all of a sudden the border patrol agent said we could go, he never even looked at our I.D. we had it in our hands but he still never looked at it. Weird eh?

Max

Welcome to Canada, eh.
If they thought your answers or demeanor was somewhat suspicious they can interrogate you and hold you in detention. If you were visiting a person with known criminal background, they would notify the police and then you would be in for a really good time. Your lucky they didn't strip search you and do an internal examination for contraband substances. Yup, they can do all that and send you back home without permission to enter the country.
Come back again real soon. Make sure you wear clean undies.

pinkpiglet126

I got the same treatment when I went to the USA a couple years back. A friend and I went to Nashville to visit another friend and I got the 3rd degree about why we weere there. I'm a married mother of 3. I have no clue why they figured I was a threat to them...

My friend got through customs with no problems but somehow they thought I was a problem.

Dangermanmi6

Sorry to say this but Americans feel that they can go anywhere at any time.

For starters you are entering another country and the customs have always had the authority to interrogate you and deny you entery even before 9/11. This has been a fact of life for a long time. There are a couple of things that could have triggered the 3rd degree ranging from the plane you got off up to you just happened to be similar to someone they were looking for. I have been detained and questioned by American customs several times and I fit the profile for fat, bald, old white guy.

trekkie_from_hecky

Ever since 911 airports have not needed a reason for anything.
They can take you and do as they please just as long as they say there was suspicion you can do nothing about it.

I fear airport officials and customs more than terrorists.

I wont fly because of this.

MAIN NOIRE

Do you look like a middle eastern.If the answer is yes ,..........

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