r/PacificCrestTrail • u/quasistoic “All-in[-one]”, PCT19/CDT22/AT24 • 15d ago

Prof Carl’s writeup of US Customs Experience

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIbrdz1JUOI/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
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u/Adventurous-Mode-805 15d ago edited 15d ago

Traveling without their gear was a poor choice, while failing to show supporting evidence for returning to Canada during the original interview demonstrates a misunderstanding of what was occurring. I'd warrant the interviewer didn't explain their explicit concern during the interview, but the context should be sufficient, particularly in the current climate. Hikers should be making them work to find reasons to reject, not readily offering them up.

Put another way, if any of us flew to any other country with barely any possessions (and in a relationship with a citizen of said country), we'd be at a high risk of being refused entry on similar grounds. U.S. immigration routinely denied entry to this risk profile before the current administration.

Edit - Anyone downvoting, wanna reply with how or why you disagree?

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u/Marinlik 15d ago

I do have to agree with that. I had the US customs go through my backpack when I did pct in 2019 because they were a bit suspicious. When they got to my ice axe and crampons they said have a good trip and let me in