Canadian Says CBP Turned Him Away With Passport at Blue Water Bridge

Kevin Larson says U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers turned him away at the Blue Water Bridge on October 18, 2025, despite his Canadian passport. The agency said he gave inconsistent answers about why he wanted to enter the United States.

The 68-year-old Ontario retiree was seeking entry near Sarnia, Ontario, to attend a No Kings rally in Port Huron, Michigan. His account concerns one identified traveler, not a described group of Canadian visitors.

A passport must meet the document rule, but officers also assess whether a traveler qualifies for admission. Canadian citizens’ passports need to remain valid only through the planned U.S. departure date, not for an additional six months.

The inspection ended with Larson allowed to withdraw his application and leave voluntarily, the agency said. He disputed the reason officers gave and later challenged the labels on paperwork he received.

Larson and the agency gave different accounts of the inspection

The agency said Larson gave inconsistent answers during secondary inspection about his travel purpose and was deemed inadmissible. It said officers let him withdraw his application for admission and voluntarily depart.

Records Larson shared cited insufficient evidence that he intended to enter for the purpose he described. He said officers never questioned his reason for going to the rally.

“At no time did they question the intent of my visit," he said. "They never challenged that whatsoever.”

An FBI form listed ‘Immigrant w/out Docs’ and ‘Alien inadmissibility under Section 212 (a).’ Larson disputed both descriptions, saying he had his passport. It is not clear what specific violation CBP cited or what inconsistencies officials identified.

DNA collection brought lawmakers into the dispute

Larson said officers held him for three hours, searched his phone and car, and took his fingerprints and photograph. He said he provided a cheek swab after officers warned that refusing could lead to a charge and possible jail time.

The agency said it collected DNA under the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 because of an immigration violation. A 2025 directive covers people in custody who are subject to fingerprinting, with stated exceptions for some people being processed for lawful admission.

Representatives Debbie Dingell and Jamie Raskin asked federal departments to explain the legal basis for collecting Larson’s DNA and whether others had experienced the same treatment. They also asked about how the sample would be stored and removed.

Larson wanted the sample removed. The FBI cited laboratory procedures and declined further comment.

Canadian passports need validity only through departure

CBP’s guidance says a Canadian citizen’s passport need only remain valid until the intended date of departure from the United States. There is no six-month extension requirement for Canadian citizens.

For air entry from Canada, Canadian citizens must show either a valid passport or a NEXUS card. NEXUS-only passengers on flights that are not precleared in Canada must use regular inspection lanes, not Global Entry kiosks.

Different documents apply at land and sea crossings. Canadian citizens may use a Canadian passport, an Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Identification Card, or NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES or SENTRI enrollment cards. CBP says Canadian citizens may generally visit for up to six months.

The agency encourages people applying for travel authorization to apply at least 72 hours before expected arrival at a U.S. land port. As of October 16, 2026, an approved ESTA authorization costs $40.62. That fee applies to travelers visiting with an approved ESTA, not to every Canadian visitor.

An officer still decides whether a traveler is admissible

A required passport establishes identity and citizenship, but the inspection also considers whether the traveler qualifies to enter. CBP says Canadian applicants carry the burden of showing they do not intend to immigrate.

Proof of employment or residence can help demonstrate ties to a home country, the agency says. It sets no fixed waiting period before a person can seek entry again after a visit, but frequent visitors may need to show they are not effectively living in the United States.

Canadian residents who are not citizens face different requirements. Landed immigrants generally need a passport and visa unless their citizenship makes them eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Some categories, including treaty traders, also have visa requirements.

Travelers should check documents and keep refusal records

• Check that a Canadian passport remains valid through the intended U.S. departure date. Air travelers can use a valid passport or NEXUS card.
• If refused entry, keep every document officers provide. The usual record is Form I-275 or a similar document.
• Consult an immigration lawyer before applying for admission again.

A refusal document may state the basis for the decision and help the traveler address it before another application. Keep the paperwork and get legal advice before trying again.