Canadian detained at U.S. border for hours over voter registration
A Canadian permanent resident faced nearly six hours of questioning after being accused of falsely claiming citizenship to vote.
What to know
- Canadian permanent residents are facing unexpected detention and interrogation at U.S. border crossings over voter registration status, with immigration lawyers reporting an unprecedented surge in cases within the past week.
- The detentions center on allegations of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register to vote, though some detainees deny voting in federal elections and attribute registrations to automatic enrollment systems.
- Lawyers warn that expanding U.S. government databases and stricter border enforcement create vulnerabilities for Canadians who have lived in the U.S. for years without incident, with potential exposure for hundreds more.
Paige Adamson Canadian citizen and U.S. permanent residentLen Saunders Immigration lawyer in Blaine, Wash.
Chris Anders B.C. immigration lawyerU.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal enforcement agency
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
-
2
Lawyers warn of expanding database vulnerabilities for Canadians
Immigration lawyers point to U.S. voter registration system errors and expanding government databases as sources of risk. Chris Anders noted border enforcement is 'way, way stricter and tougher' than in the past two decades, and databases constantly expand, meaning issues that did not previously cause problems can suddenly trigger detentions.
-
A
Citizen of # Canada but resident in US was questioned for hours over voting at # BC border crossing. “The very first thing she asked was, 'Have you ever voted in a federal U.S. election?'" said Adamson.” Adamson, 61, said she told the US border agent she had never voted in a federal election. DHS alleges she falsely claimed she was a US citizen…
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
-
T
Is it time to let the residents of Point Roberts vote on which country they want to belong to ? https://www. cbc.ca/news/canada/british-col umbia/canadian-detained-at-bc-border-for-hours-9.7359371
-
-
1
Immigration lawyers report surge in similar detentions
Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer in Blaine, Wash., said he received calls from three people in the past week and a half about being detained and questioned about voting, including one nurse who crosses the border daily to work in B.C. He called three near-identical cases in such a short period unprecedented in his 25-year career.
“three near-identical situations like this in such a short period is unprecedented in his career that stretches back more than 25 years…”
— Len Saunders -
first by CBC, 8h ago
-
U
https://www. europesays.com/us/1085092/ Canadian citizen detained at U.S. border crossing, questioned about voting for hours # canada # News
-
-
background
Paige Adamson detained at Point Roberts border crossing — Adamson, a Canadian citizen with 14 years as a U.S. permanent resident, was stopped during a routine crossing after a birthday dinner in B.C. She was taken into secondary inspection just after 9 p.m. and questioned until after 2 a.m. about her voter registration.
-
background
DHS alleges Adamson falsely claimed citizenship to register to vote — Documents reviewed by CBC News show the Department of Homeland Security alleged Adamson falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to register to vote in Whatcom County, Washington, and voted in the state's 2018 general election. Adamson maintained she never voted in a federal election and doesn't remember voting in a state election.