Welfare Client Kept Out Of Canada Files Complaint

[Purveyor]

Associated Press
6:53 PM CDT, May 9, 2009

OWOSSO, Mich. - A mid-Michigan woman says she was denied entry into Canada because she is on welfare.

Rose Kelley of Owosso says she has filed a discrimination complaint with the Canada Border Services Agency over its refusal to let her and her two children cross the border via the Blue Water Bridge connecting Port Huron with Sarnia, Ontario.

The 25-year-old Kelley tells The Argus-Press of Owosso that she planned to visit friends and relatives when she arrived at the border May 1. She says she was told to furnish evidence of citizenship, financial support and other documentation, but was denied entry again on May 3.

Kelley says she was told she didn't make enough money and people on welfare shouldn't take vacations.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-blockedatborder,0,3106819.story

[sharp_stick]

1. That is weird

I cross the border many times a year and I've never once been asked to provide evidence of financial support.
They ask for my ID, sometimes, and ask a few questions like where are you going and when are you coming back but that's about it.

I wonder if she said something that suggested to the border agent that she meant to stick around longer than a tourist would?

[jsamuel]

2. do you ususally take your kids with you?

[sharp_stick]

3. Maybe about 1/2 the time

It could be that they know me by now, I've got to be in their system as a somewhat frequent border crosser. I've never once been asked about financials, I think once they asked me who I worked for and that was it.

[Hello_Kitty]

4. It's their right to deny anyone entry.

Despite the misguided view of many DUers, every country has entry requirements and doesn't let everyone in. It's not just the meany-butt Americans who practice border control.

[yodoobo]

5. There has to be more to the story

Just doesn't make sense.

I've gone to Canada many times and received more than routine questioning on a few times.

Yet I've never gotten into my financial support. Are we supposed to bring our tax returns along now?

Surely she isn't the first person to visit canada while not employed.

This lady may very well have been wronged, but there has to be more to this.

[Hello_Kitty]

6. She probably looked like someone who was bringing herself and her kids to stay indefinitely

I've been to both Canada and Mexico several times. I've never been hassled at either point because I always have a) a specific reason for entering the country (work or vacation) and b) a definite departure time. I've never been asked about my financial situation and I am by no means a wealthy person nor do I give off the appearance that I am.

[jsamuel]

7. maybe her car was loaded like they were moving there...

[Hello_Kitty]

8. That's what I'm thinking.

Wouldn't be surprised if she had a sofa strapped to the top of the car.

[yodoobo]

9. I always take my sofa on vacation

pfffhh..

Have you guys actually SAT on a hotel couch?

:)

[Nay]

10. We go back and forth at least once a year and have never had

any such questioning, so I also think there is much more to this story. If her car was crammed with stuff and she couldn't tell border control why she was going to Canada and when she'd be traveling back, she may have raised suspicions. She sounds dumb, actually -- carry some suitcases, and tell the agent you're visiting relatives for a month. They sure don't run a credit check or criminal check at the border unless you really are acting weird.

[depakid]

11. The US does the EXACT SAME thing with people from other countries

But of course, that's America- so it doesn't count.

[Hello_Kitty]

14. No, it actually works the other way.

Every other country is allowed to have barriers to entry of immigrants and products but the U.S. is supposed to generously open our country, industries, and markets to all comers, lest we be called "nativist" or "protectionist".

[L0oniX]

16. It's easier for an illegal to get back into the US than for a lady on welfare to visit Canada.

[imdjh]

12. CBSA spokesman Patrizia Giolti said visitors must show they can financially support themselves while

The single mother of two was invited to spend three days in Canada at the home of Wayne and Carolyn Leblanc, in Clinton, near Guelph. The couple have their own home and were paying for Kelley's visit.

Kelley and the Leblancs each filed complaints alleging discrimination by the CBSA for banning from Canada visitors who collect social services.

"The officer said a person on welfare shouldn't be going on vacation," Kelley said in her May 4 complaint to the CBSA. He (the officer) said: "You really should not come back to the border until your life drastically changes."

Carolyn Leblanc said her family drove for three hours last Sunday from Clinton to Owosso, picked up Kelley and her kids, ages one and five, and drove them to Canada. Stopped at the border, they were refused entry and had to take Kelley and her kids back. The families are seeking an apology from the CBSA and permission for Kelley to cross the border.

CBSA spokesman Patrizia Giolti said visitors must show they can financially support themselves while here.

Since when? I have never had to show such proof, and I don't know anyone who has. Something stinky in the Canadian border patrol.

[depakid]

13. I know people who have

and frankly, I hope Canada enforces it with every bit as much vigor as Americans do to others.

[Hello_Kitty]

15. You haven't been out of the U.S. much, have you?

Believe me, other countries enforce their borders with far more "vigor" than we do. Try getting into Israel sometime. Or New Zealand. The reason we have so many people overstay their visas here (no. 1 cause of undocumented immigrants BTW) is that we let so many people enter in the first place.

There's a delicious irony watching you globalism-humpers getting hassled trying to enter Mexico. Yeah, believe it or not, they want to know what the hell you're doing in their country.

[MellowDem]

17. I love all the excuses on here...

"She probably had a couch strapped to the top of her car"

Wow, let's say the situation was a Hispanic woman trying to get into the US and someone said that. There would have been widespread outrage at that. But since it's Canada, eh, who cares?

For those who choose to ignore or excuse the actions of other countries because the US is always for sure the bad guy, stop the excuses and begin to realize that the sacred cow of Canada is not the perfect paradise people try to pretend it is, nor are all the other "progressive" nations in Europe. Open your mind and stop thinking in dichotomies. It makes it impossible to be consistent and rational with progressive beliefs.

[Hello_Kitty]

18. I love how you are missing my point.

For those who choose to ignore or excuse the actions of other countries because the US is always for sure the bad guy, stop the excuses and begin to realize that the sacred cow of Canada is not the perfect paradise people try to pretend it is, nor are all the other "progressive" nations in Europe. Open your mind and stop thinking in dichotomies. It makes it impossible to be consistent and rational with progressive beliefs.

Hey genius, I'm not the one who thinks the U.S. is always the bad guy. I've been well aware for a long time that other countries exert rigid controls on their borders, often more rigid than ours, and that the more "progressive" countries are often the most restrictive. It's the bleeding heart globalism-loving morons on DU who need to wake up to those facts.