I Had a Bad Nightmare Yesterday, I Just Happen to Be Awake!

Calling All American CP's - Help - What's a Canadian Girl to Do?

By Kimberly Gray (lyricsingray productions), published May 11, 2008
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Can you help please, any advise?

I am furious!, I need to vent.

I don't know what to do and don't think there is anything I can do - any suggestions? Please!

I feel put down, shamed, degraded, labelled, helpless, bad, powerless, embarrassed, tired, shocked, depressed, let down, angry, violated, patronized, misunderstood, disrespected, disregarded, and mistreated, to say the least.

As a recovering drug addict, I've gotten quite use to judgement and pre-disposed notions. But when it's effecting me still today in a way that also effects others with me, who don't deserve it, and comes at me by surprise, I tend to freeze. Old behavior kicks right in and I want to hide or check-out (stop the feelings).

For those who don't know, I was going to Malibu (Sat) yesterday with my boyfriend. I arrived 2 hours early at 9 am, checked in, checked baggage and proceeded to the United States Customs Dudes.

I was about to be denied entry to the United States but wouldn't find this out for another 3 hours.

I have been to the US well over a hundred times for both business and personal reasons, as well as medical. Not to mention my father and brother have lived in Texas for the past 20 years.

But something or a lot of things have changed with Homeland security. But I am not sure how I pose a threat? I have tried to put myself in their (customs) position and just do not understand.

I was denied entry because their computer showed them I had attended drug treatment on three separate occasions in Minnesota, Los Angeles and Texas. Therefore I was a drug addict, which I didn't deny. That information has been there from 1984 to 1997.

Apparently US customs has the right to refuse a non-US citizen entry if they are a "drug addict' (clean or not)?

My boyfriend was told he was welcome to board the flight, but, and I quote him, "You want me to board on a trip planned with my girlfriend, without my girlfriend, and leave her alone in customs not knowing why, or what, the problem is? Thank you, but, if I may, I would like to wait with her."

 
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I Had a Bad Nightmare Yesterday, I Just Happen to Be Awake!
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Above who's Law?

Credit: kimberly Gray,2008

Copyright: kimberly Gray, 2008

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  • Airport Customs, Labels and lack of contol
Did You Know?
With no criminal record I was denied access into the US yesterday as a new Homeland Security law has been passed that even recovering drug addicts are not allowed in the Country for a certain number of years.
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wow what an awful experience!

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Posted on 05/14/2008 at 9:05:13 PM

 
It is a shame that you had to go through such an ordeal..................................

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Posted on 05/14/2008 at 5:05:09 PM

 
My brother was on the Canadian Minnesota boarder that he was held detained they said until further notice it was several hours that passed when they wouldn't also let him cross into Canada that his records also shown he had a Rap I don't know today as then but my brother spent spent alot time on the streets in mpls here he would tell the stories how police here would take him and our cousin down to mississipi river beat the boys up and well the home security worries rather our people pose as threat? needs to clean house because these were teenagers then and as adult they denied him rights to cross detained him and he also didn't pose as a threat today Good GRAVY THANK GOD You haven't had to deal with this unity of court court systems here SCOPE When your given a public pretender that won't really represent you the Judge denies rights for a new attorney When a person can't speak to contest or supressed evidences that something so big as CUSTODY OF KIDS now the Judge takes sides in the

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Posted on 05/14/2008 at 8:05:08 AM

 
If it makes you feel any better, I was refused entry into Canada. I have a criminal record but no convictions for years.

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Posted on 05/13/2008 at 4:05:22 PM

 
This is a huge ordeal. Don't know how you managed to handle it all. Great article

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Posted on 05/13/2008 at 4:05:59 AM

 
Artme you crack me up and itz whyza luv ya

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 10:05:45 PM

 
It's so insane!!! and I can not beleave this ...... that just crazy.... I real sorry that happen to you.. there's always Niagara Falls and the wooden barrel- :-) thats the way to look at it, don't let it get you down.... ARTME.... Wonder if they will check your package from me ... seeing what I seened you, They will feel bad for not letting you in, ass-holes , keep the faith...

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 9:05:25 PM

 
Wow, had no idea of such a restriction

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 7:05:36 PM

 
What?????? It's so insane!!! They treated you that way but still let all kinds of questionable & illegal people fly into the U.S. everyday. It seems Homeland Security needs to revamp their priorities and put their focus on where it needs to be - terrorists. Just b/c you USED TO BE a drug addict does not mean you were smuggling drugs or are a security threat. Geez ((((((((( cyber hugs )))))))))

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 11:05:43 AM

 
I am so sorry that you had to deal with this. You might be recovered, but you do deserve NOT to be hassled by people. You are as always in my prayers,s weet girl!

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 9:05:58 AM

 
Today, I will let myself feel my anger. I will express my anger appropriately, without guilt. Then I will be done with it. Provo. Kimberly Provo.. So sorry this happened to you.

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 9:05:06 AM

 
Oh no - Kimberly. I am so sorry for this travesty that ruined your vacation. I had no idea that our Homeland Security imposed these rules to cross the border. It seems so counterproductive in that it may discourage people from seeking treatment that they deperately need. It seems unfair that it has been 7 years for you and the border crossing threshold is 6 years. I don't understand at all. If I were you, I would try to get this story publicized through Letters to the Editor and/or Op/Eds to newspapers. See if there is a Blog out there somewhere that deals with Homeland Security issues that you could post your story. I'm so sorry. Hang in there - in just a few months, you will see your family again.

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 6:05:28 AM

 
CJ- Actually, HIPPA does not protect your medical info. Those who can still access it under HIPPA include: Insurance companies, State medical agencies (who put your medical info in a state registry), Universities doing medical research, Homeland Security. We had more protection before HIPPA. Non-US citizens' medical records may be reported to some central registry that can be accessed by Homeland Security, I'm not sure. Kimberly- I'm so sorry that this happened to you! I don't really know much about customs so can't advise you. I hope you are able to travel more freely soon!

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Posted on 05/12/2008 at 12:05:02 AM

 
I was in Toronto going through US customs - and they knew about my rehabs because they were all US institutions and I always told the truth of the nature of my travel. Make sense? So their computers for years have shown my US Rehab stays - but yesterday when they asked me when the last tie was I was honest about the one here in guelph 7 years ago - Should I have lied? It will always be difficult from now on entering the US - I am so upset. But Ill figure out something - there's always Niagara Falls and the wooden barrel- :-) grrrrrrrrrr

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Posted on 05/11/2008 at 11:05:32 PM

 
Kimberly, I'm so sorry that you had to go through all that crap, so many times the law enforcement people strain at a gnat, yet they swallow a camel!...It's so rediculous, that they will treat you that way, and yet let all kinds of questionable characters, fly into the U.S. everyday!....you have come too far to be pushed down again....It's just not fair....I will keep you in my prayers ...Hang on to that nail scared hand, He won't let you down. ~ PEACE ~

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Posted on 05/11/2008 at 11:05:14 PM

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