Quick advice for visiting Canada - Input?

[macerico]

I'm going to visit Canada in just over two weeks.

The law currently says that in 2008, they MIGHT require a passport to cross over by land where they already require it for crossing by sea or air. Therefore, I wish to see some of Canada now since I refuse to take a National ID, and I don't have a passport.

All I'm required to have is my Birth Certificate (or certified copy issued by the state agency) and a picture ID.

My question is how is the easiest way to handle coming back into the united States? I'm praying the guys/gals on our northern border are nice and just wave me through (I'll be on a motorcycle). I've been south of the border, and I know back then it was just a simple question or two and they waved me by.

What got me was when another biker said he was asked if he was a "U.S. citizen." That made me think because I refuse to say that now that I know the legal implications associated with it. I figure I could prouldly say that I perfer to be called an "American" and perhaps that would solve the problem (if done in the right attitude...jocular and not confrontational).

Any thoughts on this? Any experience? FWIW, the crossing point will be in Maine.

[Freedom Fighter 007]

Originally Posted by macerico

I'm going to visit Canada in just over two weeks.

The law currently says that in 2008, they MIGHT require a passport to cross over by land where they already require it for crossing by sea or air. Therefore, I wish to see some of Canada now since I refuse to take a National ID, and I don't have a passport.

All I'm required to have is my Birth Certificate (or certified copy issued by the state agency) and a picture ID.

My question is how is the easiest way to handle coming back into the united States? I'm praying the guys/gals on our northern border are nice and just wave me through (I'll be on a motorcycle). I've been south of the border, and I know back then it was just a simple question or two and they waved me by.

What got me was when another biker said he was asked if he was a "U.S. citizen." That made me think because I refuse to say that now that I know the legal implications associated with it. I figure I could prouldly say that I perfer to be called an "American" and perhaps that would solve the problem (if done in the right attitude...jocular and not confrontational).

Any thoughts on this? Any experience? FWIW, the crossing point will be in Maine.

I cross the border all the time from NY to Canada, the Canadians are cool, very rarely do they bother anyone. On the way back, just act normal and nicely say you're a New Yorker etc. (or where ever you live) without saying you are a US Citizen. If they ask you for ID just show them and say nothing, 99% of the time when someone is nice and friendly, they just let you go on your way...

[fulltitle]

Without Prejudice.
The border folks might be more clued up than might be apparent.

[macerico]

Originally Posted by fulltitle

Without Prejudice.
The border folks might be more clued up than might be apparent.

Explain? Is this a good or a bad thing?

I expect no problems for the most part. Indeed, if they want to keep traffic moving, they don't try to trip people up, but in my trips south of the border, the biggest thing they were worried about was drugs being smuggled over.

Perhaps with pot being legal in Canada, that'll be their biggest issue when screening people coming across.

[fulltitle]

Originally Posted by macerico

Explain? Is this a good or a bad thing?

I expect no problems for the most part. Indeed, if they want to keep traffic moving, they don't try to trip people up, but in my trips south of the border, the biggest thing they were worried about was drugs being smuggled over.

Perhaps with pot being legal in Canada, that'll be their biggest issue when screening people coming across.

Without Prejudice.
I dont reference it as a bad thing.

[farmer_giles_of_ham]

Tell them that you are American. And, "I was born in ...",
(unless you are foreign born, then you have to claim either an American parent or a date of naturalization)

You will NEVER 'need' anything to enter the USA if you are American (citizen, whatever). They CAN'T keep you out! Someone would have to actually controvert your 'Americanishness'.

A British friend went to the UK on her USA passport. She was told, 'you can't do this', but they let her through- everyone agreed she was British.

Someone else I know, American-born, went to America on an EU passport-same deal.

Since you are going over land, the documents issue is not relevant.

I once straddled the border of Quebec and Vermont, one leg on each side. I was in the middle of the woods. Its a big big border, mostly open.

[fulltitle]

Without Prejudice.

Originally Posted by farmer_giles_of_ham

Since you are going over land, the documents issue is not relevant.

With airlines, a key issue is more than likely ICAO-related.

I once straddled the border of Quebec and Vermont, one leg on each side. I was in the middle of the woods. Its a big big border, mostly open.

=O "You can't do that!".