Hi Guys,

My mother is travelling from Toronto to Detroit the coming Saturday (15th Nov). She doesn’t speak English; I am accompanying her to the Windsor-Detroit border. All I want to know is would the US immigration allow me to answer the immigration question on behalf of my mother, would they even allow me to enter the US immigration area…as I am not travelling across the border. Please I need an urgent response. Thank you very much.

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"

Although not an informed response my guess is ... since the US Imigratioin is on the Canadian side , you should be allowed to accompany your mother ... better call the Canadian / US Authorities and find out .

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Fido.

Fido,
The US immigration is on the US side (after the bridge). There is no official leaving Canada.
My view :
Since I have seen no walking routes to the detroit border (like at Niagra falls), I am wondering as to how your mother will enter the US immigration as I have seen only "Cars only" roads leading to the US immigration. I have not been through the Ambassidor bridge

I can give you 3 options :
a. In case that your mother is allowed to go walking to the immigration in US, just hand her the documents in her hand and the US immigration offical will pick up the documents that he needs. You can also write a note to the Immigration official such as " Mother is going to the detroit airport and here are her tickets" or " Mother is going to stay with my other brother in Chicago.Attached are the bus tickets from Detroit bus terminus to Chicago. Also is the money for her to take the cab to the bus terminus. She will be in Chicago for 2 months". If she is travelling in a Bus, then you can ask the Driver or a fellow passenger to help her,

b. if you are a Cdn citizen, you can go along with your mother, help her with the immigration and then send her into USA while you return back , face the cdn authorities and return to Canada.You will need (for you) a cdn passport or citizenship card and your valid cdn. driver's license.

c. In case you are a PR holder with Indian passport, you MIGHT be able do the same (as "a" and tell the US officer that you just came to help your mother. They will send you back with a note that you were not admitted into the USA owing to lack of documents to enter the USA. You will be admitted back into Canada with just the PR card and Indian passport. However, if you get a cdn. passport and then try ti enter USA, they MAY reject entry for you into USA. So this is an extremely risky thing to do. Please seek professional legal advise, if you are ever compelled to use point "c".

Hope this helps.

Also "Dimple 2001" would be the best person to help you. Let us wait for his inputs.

Peace by TK

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

No pedestrians allowed across any of the 2 Windsor-Detroit border crossing. The US immigration is located after you drive through the tunnel or drive across the Ambassador bridge. You cannot drop any one off just before the immigration booth because 1) no pedestrians allowed and 2) you cannot turn around before talking to an border officer.

Since you will be required to meet with the border officer, yes, you will be allowed to talk to the immigration officer. If you are referred to a secondary inspection, all passengers in the vehicle must go to the immigration area and show the necessary documents.

Whether you want or choose to enter US is up to you. I don't know how it works if you choose not to enter the US. Again, regardless of whether you wish to enter or not, you will be required to go through the border point and talk to an officer.

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Dimple2001

Thanks Dimple,TK and all those who answered my query.

I spoke to the US Immigration officials and they said that if I don't have the right documents to enter US, there is an official turnaround process which takes 4hrs to complete and they will make me return to Canada for insufficient docs.
I didn't tell in the query, actually my mother is taking Greyhound to travel to Detroit from Toronto. I thought of not going with her since I won't be of any help, instead I am writing a letter to the Immigration Officials to issue her a visa. Also, I wrote all the details of I-94 Card which they need to fill before entering US, I will talk to the Greyhound co-passengers or the driver to fill the I94 card on her behalf.
Any more tips to make her journey comfortable and hassle free. Appreciate your response.


Thanks Again...Dimple,TK...please respond

Generally US Immigration Officers will ask:

1) What is the purpose of your trip to United States?

2) How long will you stay in US?

3) What is your occupation in Canada, if you are a Canadian PR and have US visitor visa?

4) If traveling by Grey hound bus make sure you have return ticket, to ensure the immigration officers that you have intention of returning back.

All these questions are Generic and immigration officer can ask none of these questions or can ask what he feels at the moment.

I -94 form, if traveling for first time, you have to fill on your own. I am not sure if Greyhound driver will fill that. Yes, it might be a good idea to talk to a fellow passenger to help your mother when in US Immigration.

Best of luck