When travelling across the border into Washington state, British Columbia drivers will be sensible to look out for high-risk driving by other motorists. This also applies if they see pedestrians in Seattle because suffering cross-border personal injury could lead to complicated legal and insurance claims. Despite their own safe driving practices, the negligence of others could have dire consequences.
US immigration, marriage and unlawful presence
Everyone who has ever been in love will know that Cupid will not be stopped, and love arrows are sometimes shot when least expected. If someone from British Columbia happens to fall in love with a U.S. citizen while on a trip south of the border, he or she might feel tempted to get married and not return to Canada. However, U.S. immigration laws require Canadians to return to their country within six months.
Cross-border personal injury can be costly
British Columbia residents who are injured in accidents will hardly ever see hospital bills because their health insurance plans typically take care of all medical expenses. If such incidents happen while they travel outside the country, insurance coverage would be limited unless they take out travel insurance. However, not all Vancouver residents who make day trips to Seattle for shopping or a show regard it as international travelling, and they might not be covered by insurance in the event of a cross-border personal injury.
US immigration cannot access pardoned marijuana records
The federal government of Canada announced that people with prior cannabis possession convictions will be allowed to apply for pardons. Following these recent changes to federal laws, people across Canada, including British Columbia, might be able to have simple marijuana possession convictions pardoned. That might make travelling across the border easier. Since recreational use of cannabis became legal across Canada, U.S. immigration officials have refused entry into the United States for people whose criminal records included marijuana convictions.
