Canadian Student Shocked After Being Denied Entry to the U.S.
A 20-year-old Canadian woman, Julia, was left stunned and in tears after being denied entry to the United States while attempting to board a flight to Florida to visit her grandparents. What was supposed to be a relaxing six-week trip to Orlando turned into a distressing ordeal that she described as “an abuse of power.”
Julia, who preferred not to share her last name, arrived at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport earlier this month, passport in hand and luggage packed. She had booked a round-trip ticket with Porter Airlines and planned to use her break from school to enjoy some family time. However, when she reached the U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance area, things quickly took an unexpected turn.
According to Julia, what began as routine questioning soon escalated into a tense interrogation. Officers allegedly grew suspicious that she might be attempting to move to the U.S. illegally. “They decided to flag me and bring me into another room,” she told CTV. “I started to hyperventilate because I was nervous something was going to happen. Then I was told I was denied entrance into America.”
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Her mother, Kate, said she was shocked to receive a call from her distraught daughter, who had been prevented from boarding her flight. “It felt like a bit of abuse of power, honestly,” Kate said, expressing disbelief at the officers’ handling of the situation.
The customs agents claimed Julia failed to provide adequate proof of a return flight to Canada and did not show documentation of employment or school enrollment. However, Julia said she had a confirmed return ticket and was simply taking a break from her studies. “I have no interest of ever living in America,” she stated firmly.
Immigration lawyer Heather Segal explained that such incidents have become increasingly common, noting that cross-border screenings have grown stricter amid shifting political climates. “U.S. immigration takes its orders from the top,” Segal said, “and when there’s more anti-immigration sentiment, officers have all the tools to use at their discretion in a negative way.”
Although Porter Airlines later refunded Julia’s ticket, the experience has left a lasting impression. She now fears she might face similar treatment on future trips. Her mother believes Canadians deserve to be aware of the potential risks. “It can have financial repercussions, as well as emotional ones,” she said. “If our story helps another family avoid this, that would be great. I think a lot of people are boycotting travel to the U.S., and after this, I’m all for it.”
Julia’s story serves as a reminder that even the simplest travel plans can unravel at the border—and that travelers should be prepared with detailed documentation, even for short family visits.
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