Recently, a Saskatoon man was stopped from entering the US. Kyle Kuchirka, a Canadian Citizen, tried to cross the US border to volunteer at an arts festival in Washington state. Kyle wasn’t coming to the US to work or to stay but simply to volunteer. He was still denied entry and banned from entering the US for five years.
Do I Need a Visa to Volunteer in the US?
In many situations, no. Typically, a Canadian can enter the US to volunteer as long as that person was not being compensated for their time. In Kyle Kuchirka’s case, he was not only denied entry for attempting to volunteer but he was also banned from the US for five-years.
The Canadian Citizen was taken into a large US customs building at the border and questioned for more than four hours. Once the officer was finished questioning him the customs officer handed him a document that stated “You do not have work authorization”. Kyle explained many times he was only volunteering and not being compensated for his work only given free meals. Kyle said that a guard told him that he was going to be taking American jobs.
Kyle Kuchirka was not a security threat, he did not have a criminal record.
The Canadian Citizen of Saskatchewan can appeal his ban from the US but his legal fees and application are estimated to cost more than $3,000.
Immigration Lawyer for US Denied Entry from Canada
We recommend whenever you are planning on crossing borders you should consult an immigration professional. If Kyle had legal representation he would have known before getting to the border that he would need work authorization or at least a lawyer when issues arose.
Here at VisaPlace we can provide both US and Canadian immigration lawyers that would help for denied entry case.
Are You Interested in Entering in the US?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-877-296-0874.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
