U.S. / Canada Border

We are here, in Canada, and it wasn't easy. Arriving at the border on the Buffalo side, there was a long line-up of mostly transport trucks and a few cars. They had officers pre-screening the purpose for our travel. The line moved so quickly that I didn't stop to notice if anyone was being denied entry. When it was our turn to speak to the officers they asked, 'Citizenship?' We said, 'Canadian'.

They asked, 'Where do you live?'

We said, 'Myrtle Beach, South Carolina'. They asked, 'Under what status?'

I said, 'to renew our I-94's' 🤦‍♀️

I thought the next question was 'purpose of your trip?' and obviously, I wasn't listening.

I was nervous and flustered when I corrected myself and said, 'E-2 Visa'.

The officer let us go and we went over the Bridge into Canada to one of the two open Customs Agent's gates. There were NO CARS waiting to get through, it was a ghost town. When the Border Patrol Officer asked the same preliminary questions, I was careful to listen closely and answer honestly. Everything was moving smoothly until he said, 'Where will you quarantine for 14 days?' We told him we would be staying with my in-laws (Kevin's mom and step-dad) on their 25-acre property where they have a travel trailer ready for us. We also explained that we had hoped to leave the following Saturday (staying only 7 days). The officer said that wasn't possible. I told him the info I read on the Customs/Border Protection website: we could leave Canada as long as we were asymptomatic and considered essential workers in the U.S. We had our documentation from the South Carolina State Government stating we are considered essential in our field. I wasn't being lippy but I did argue my point and that's when the officer said, 'if you don't believe me, you can go in and speak to an immigration officer'. I apologized and said that I did believe him but if there is any chance that we could be approved for less than the 14 days than we would like to try. We entered the almost empty building, save for the older lady with two granddaughters trying to enter Canada for a funeral and drive back home after 2 days, and the man who claimed his girlfriend as his wife and his girlfriends daughter as his step-daughter, wanting to visit them before heading back to work (whatever that may be). We were last to be called up so we got to hear the conversations being held between immigration and the two separate scenarios. The lady with the funeral was a Canadian Citizen who lived in the U.S. and she threatened a lawsuit if they wouldn't let her in the country for her brothers funeral. The officers did not bend and they did not blink when she swore at them. After explaining multiple times that they were not denying her right to enter Canada as a citizen, they were making the 14 day quarantine mandatory which meant not going to the funeral physically but she could stay in Canada, separate living quarters while self-isolating, OR she could go back home to the U.S. End result: the lady and her two grand-daughters had a police escort back to the United States. The guy wanting to visit his girlfriend and his step-daughter was told since they were not legally married and the child was not legally adopted by him, that he cannot pass for a visit. It was looking grim for us. We were called up and told the same information from the previous officer: Option 1 - enter and stay for 14 day minimum while under quarantine the whole time or Option 2 - go back to Myrtle Beach. We asked for some time to discuss the options. We talked outside about what the calendar looked like for work, how many additional business days we would miss and whether we were being fair about this situation. We called Mike first for his blessing regarding the business which is our main priority. Then we called Odie and Tim about staying with them longer than expected and lastly, we called the kennel to see if poor Zeus could be there for another week. We got the green light with every call so on 4 hours sleep, 15 hours of driving and hunger taking over our rational thought, we decided to commit to the 14 days.

We were so grateful to keep working through the COVID-19 pandemic, never having a single day at home unless it was a Sunday and now, we are quarantined in Canada, not allowed to see any family or leave the property. It's a good thing I love spending time with my-laws 💕

I wonder how long it will take before Kevin and I start pulling out our hair? Maybe we can start a betting pool... my money is Kevin by 2pm on Tuesday. Anyone want in on this action?