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| Subject: PRC Card Problem |
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Hi,
I am sharing this recent problem:
While arriving at the airport, this canadian resident (PRC card holder since 2006) was transferred to second check - immigration (for no obvious reason, since most passengers just made it through). While at that counter, he was asked to wait because there is a ´problem with his old format PRC card´. He was told that his card is not being recognized, and that this has happened before with others with the ´older PRC card model´. The agent made several calls back and forth (assuming they were relevant), and the gentleman waited for literally one hour, with his pregnant wife (PRC card holder herself), who did not have this problem, but the immigration officer refused to let her through, because both are listed on the same customs card (?). After one hour of delay, and sitting next to deportees, he was told that this was taking too long to verify - from their end, and that they will let him through, and call him if there is a problem (!). He was never called.
The whole experience was weird and insulting since this person has used this card on at least 4 trips before, with no problems, and has been living in Canada for several years with no legal problems, either. Because of that, he suspects ethnic profiling, or something similar.
1) Is he entitled for an apology or an explanation? He wrote to CBSA with no response.
2) I am wondering if anyone has heard of such ´PRC card´problems before.´ What will happen if he tries to travel again? Should be renew his PRC, even though its expiration date is one year away?
Thanks for your feedback.
[12-01-2011,19:52]
[**.225.65.171]
canuck11 |
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(in reply to: PRC Card Problem)
Keep your PR card in the protective envelope.
[13-01-2011,00:52]
[**.233.201.58]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: PRC Card Problem)
Some of the band readers have problems reading some of the older cards and some passports.
The problem is that if CBSA has to verify with CIC, that might take awhile and it depends the day and time of the day.
His best bet is to apply for a new PR card even if expires a year from today, it may take over 3 months just to get the new card in the mail.
[13-01-2011,11:56]
[***.115.153.178]
DocD |
(in reply to: PRC Card Problem)
@Canuck11:
what should CBSA apologize for? That they did their job in a professional manner protecting the country? My understanding is that he had to wait an hour while CBSA was trying to get some clarification on his ID as his PR card seemed not to work properly. So? There have been humiliating procedures at customs around the globe including people had to get naked, people´s privacy was invaded by searching their cameras, PCs and phones etc.; held in custody without obvious reason nor explanation; refusal to board without acceptable reason or grounds; etc.
[15-01-2011,12:27]
[**.226.4.95]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: PRC Card Problem)
he made 4 trips with no problem - doesn´t sound like profiling to me. I´m a chinese and I´ve made 8 trips to Australia and every time I´ll be asked to step aside for inspection - funny ALL caucasians do not have to step aside....THAT´S profiling...
[15-01-2011,19:32]
[**.247.182.4]
Anonymous |
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