A recurring nightmare for Point Roberts Residents.
FixNexus.org is dedicated to all those people who live in border towns on the US – Canadian border and who cross the border many times a week and sometimes many times a day. To them Nexus is a necessity. The loss of a Nexus card can mean losing a job or not being able to pick up children and family members. To the residents of Point Roberts Washington the situation is even more critical. In Point Roberts getting heath care means crossing two international borders. A Nexus pass can literally mean the difference between life and death.
To help in this effort, click on the link below. We desperately need our message to be heard. If you have a Nexus story, or know someone who does please click on the link above and email us.
New Citizen Blues J... lived on the Point as a Canadian citizen with Green Card married to a US citizen. After many years residency, he became an American citizen. Five weeks after the swearing in ceremony, Johnathan had his Nexus renewal denied, with no explanation. He and his wife are devastated. They cross both our border and the one at Blaine on a near-daily basis. They have put their house up for sale and are preparing to leave The Point.
Bad News from the Turnip Patch S... was asked by the guard in the Nexus lane if she was bringing in anything from Canada. She reported a bag of groceries but nothing that was not permitted. The guard searched the bag and found a turnip. Not knowing what it was he asked. She said, "It's a turnip. It's for my family's dinner tonight." "What's a turnip?" he asked. She explained it was a common root vegetable. He then decided that it was not allowed, claiming that a regulation prohibits "unusual" vegetables from crossing the border. S... lost her Nexus card on the spot.
Don't get upset...or you will lose your Nexus card M... a Canadian, and his fiance were crossing into the US at Blaine. Apparently she had had a DUI conviction, which popped up on the computer. They called them both into the office and revoked her Nexus card. M..., who was understandably upset got into an argument with the officers handling the situation. One of the officers asked to see his Nexus card. That was the last he saw of it. They took it away on the spot, with no justification.
Your child backpack can change your life D... dropped her ten year old daughter off in Tsawwassen to play soccer. When crossing back into The Point the guard in the Nexus lane asked her what that "thing" was in the back seat. "Excuse me," she said. "There isn't anything in the back seat." But there was. It was her daughter's knapsack. When she realize what it was she told the guard, "Oh, it's my daughter's. She's playing soccer today. I'm taking it home for her." "But it isn't yours, is it? replied the guard. "No, I told you. It's my ten year old daughter's. I'll be picking her up later." The guard then took her Nexus pass. The reason: You, trusted traveler, are not permitted to bring over anything in the car with you that isn't yours. Appeal was denied.
These cherries left a bitter taste D... had the bad luck to run encounter an agent at Canada Customs Blaine June 2004 who has clearly having a bad day. I declared that I had some cherries. I tried to explain that RC4161 para "In-transit travel though Canada" allowed me to go through to Point Roberts. He said to me "I don't care what it say's I still taking your card". When I said he was making it very difficult for some living in Pt. Roberts his replay was "Move then" "Point Roberts should belong to Canada anyway". I was naive in thinking that I would receive justice when I appealed my case. No luck. They just came back with a simple the "Seizure was justified." I asked for an explanation they came back "The seizure was justified". I also filed a complaint regarding the attitude of the agent. No replay. Just one more case of complete frustration when dealing with Nexus. I have only been dealing with Canada Customs as they would have to overturn the seizure and seems as with are not interested in justice.
Just a little sympathy please L... and his wife have a cottage on the Point, spending weekends here for the last 35 years!!! Finally, after waiting 8 months, they received their Nexus passes last spring. It did not last long, at the last crossing they brought over in their VW van. some furniture, household stuff to store, until they could move into their new home in Richmond. They never had a chance to itemize the transferring goods at the checking booth, "just pull over, we will check". Among their used furniture, right next to the door were some boxes of ceramic tiles which were not made in the USA, so were were billed appr. $20.-duties for the appr. $200.-value of goods, AND their Nexus passes were taken away. It was not a restricted item, and they had not even been given a chance to tell the custom officer what goods they are transporting, not to mention, that 2 weeks later the tiles were to be taken back to Richmond, to install them in their new home. L... detailed all this our a letter to the Nexus office, just about begging forgiveness, do not treat us like criminals, but even they are given a second chance!!! No sympathy, no answer!!!