for those of you headed to canada — Page 2

As the brilliant trollprincess said, the fact that Bush won doesn't mean the Republicans get to keep the country. This isn't a game of marbles.

Tiff, how do you become an immigration officer?

They're looking for someone with a certain personality, and with a degree in a relevant field. I'm finishing up my Criminology degree so I essentially do all the work of a full-fledged officer without getting their pay or benefits (yet).

I mean, when did the idea pop into your head?

My university has a co-op program where students can network with professional and governmental fields relevant to their studies, and Citizenship & Immigration Canada has a lot to do with Criminology, so that was my foot in the door. And I study a lot of governmental legislation in my law classes so that helps. Plus my dad's an immigrant-turned-citizen, so it's always been an interest for me.

Are you really stern, or friendly and smiley?

Depends. When someone first walks up to the counter, I'm neutral but polite, because I'm Canadian and I have to be. We, and customs officers, are trained to essentially make a decision on our "feel" for a person within 30 seconds of interacting with them and go with our instincts, so that decides whether I'm happy and smiley (which is about 55% of the time) or whether I'm a screaming bitch (about 20% of the time). Which brings me to...

And do you have a lot of trouble?

Yes. Lots. And it surprised me how much crap goes on when I first started. Within my first four months I'd seen countless drug mules, aliens, sex trade workers and one guy suspected to have links to terrorism. In fact, last month I got roughed up by one particularly unruly drug mule coming off of a meth high (I still don't know how it happened).

There are a LOT of problems with the current immigration system in Canada. I've had to "land" new permanent residents and allow them to come into the country even though they've lied to me, are probably only in a "relationship of convenience" with their sponsor, or simply I just don't have enough concrete proof to deny them entry. I used to be very critical of how our country could have managed to let a few terrorists (allegedly) slip in and out to the States, but I wish people could see the high volume and the type of people that we DO apprehend on a daily basis (I would say we typically apprehend about a dozen illegals on an 8-hr shift) before they judge us on missing the odd few. There's a LOT of bad people out there.

I've got a lot of horror stories from the average day at work, and it still never fails to amaze me what people would do to get into the country.

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Wowie. That sounds like an intersting job... is it a difficult field to get into?

Will you let me sleep on the floor of you igloo?

Drug mule got his ass kicked -- oops, I can't say that. He...got what he deserved.

It's a difficult field to get into because it's SO beauracratic. If you want to get "bridged" into being a full-time officer, it doesn't matter if you've worked for CIC before, you STILL need to go through a "competition" with the general public and thousands of people nation-wide fight for these jobs. And yes, you can sleep on the floor of my igloo. And because I get paid so well, I'll even give you a blanket.

I would like to practice immigration law. Actually, no I don't. Mostly because having been on the receiving end of way too many immigration lawyers trying to be overly-adversarial to me when they don't even know all of the facts, I've grown to detest lawyers. (Ironic because I'm going to law school next fall!)

My dad (and mom, actually) are both originally from Malaysia.

It's really an interesting field to go into if you get the chance. Every day is different and there's always interesting stories to tell over dinner.

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"Sondheim needs a new character for the next revival of assassins!"

*cough* *hopefully VERY soon!* *cough*...I meeeeaaannn...that would be AWFUL!

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bme - You're right. I'm just afraid that I'll eventually have to fight fire with fire and sink to their ranks to beat them, you know?

I have a cool story with a Korean student psycho I could share if anyone's interested! This just happened a few months ago!

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Hey, most of my high school friends were Korean psycho students. :)

I'm cool because I'm a citizen of the two most hated countries in the world. If I'm ever on a hijacked plane, I'm so screwed it's not even funny. :P

where's my cool story? I feel cheated...*

*I'd add a smiley face, 'cept I don't know how**

**I'd add a frowny face, 'cept I don't know how

Updated On: 11/4/04 at 08:14 PM

Why thank you...I'd edit it, except that would make your post bit puzzling!

Hey, Tiff! Don't let me down...I want my story!!

Updated On: 11/5/04 at 07:33 PM

Ellie, you're a dear. Gimme half an hour. We're having a ridiculously early dinner right now. (It's not even 5pm!) brb!

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