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A Canadian family living in Massachusetts for four years has found themselves barred from re-entering the United States following a weekend ski trip in March.
Michael Freeze, his wife Cinthya, and their three young children had been residing in Martha’s Vineyard when they traveled to Quebec for a brief vacation. Since then, the family has been stranded in Ottawa, unable to return to their home, according to reports.
Freeze shared with the Daily Mail that he was denied entry twice by U.S. Border Patrol agents while attempting to renew his TN visa-a non-immigrant visa that permits Canadian and Mexican professionals in certain high-skilled occupations to work in the U.S. This visa, typically valid for three years and renewable indefinitely, covers professions such as engineers, scientists, and lawyers.
However, Freeze fears that his current role as a management consultant for a luxury home construction firm no longer qualifies under the TN visa criteria. “In the past, they were a little more lenient on what those [work] categories qualified,” he explained. “I just think they’ve gotten less lenient.”
Renewing a TN visa requires the holder to leave the U.S. before expiration and apply for renewal at the border upon returning. Admission is ultimately at the discretion of the border officer encountered.
Unaware of any potential issues, Freeze planned the family’s trip to Canada as a vacation while complying with the renewal process, which also involved presenting passports for his wife and children. Upon attempting re-entry at a Quebec border crossing, he was informed that his job no longer qualified for the visa. A subsequent attempt the following day at an Ontario checkpoint, even with updated paperwork, resulted in the same denial.
Reflecting on the experience, Freeze remarked, “Three years ago when I got my visa, I think they were like, ‘this is a guy who’s doing honest work and is trying to grow the economy.’ Now that’s changed… While that is frustrating for me, I don’t think CBP did anything wrong. They’re just trying to do their job.”
Freeze indicated that additional responsibilities beyond his management consulting role might have contributed to the decision but did not provide further details. He was also told by a border officer that the list of qualifying occupations may have been recently updated.
Having lived in the U.S. for seven years and obtained the TN visa four years ago after graduating from Brigham Young University-Idaho, Freeze is now working with legal counsel to facilitate his family’s return. Meanwhile, he is seeking new employment opportunities that better align with TN visa requirements.
He offered advice to others holding TN visas: “If you’re trying to go down that route, it’s subject to denial, so don’t take things for granted. Be prepared, because it’s up to whoever takes your case.”