immigrate since I was a minor, and my promise of work back in Toronto. The officer spoke to my companion Dave briefly and then he left the room. The officer came back to say that he was completing the final papers for me to sign, as he gave me a couple of additional forms to complete.
When the officer returned I handed him the completed forms he had given me. He sat down and asked the predictable questions I expected. “Why do you wish to immigrate?” Briefly I told him I was against compulsory military service. This was the first time any official had asked me why I wanted to immigrate. I told him that I felt Canada was a country with opportunites for young people. I told him I thought Canada would protect personal freedoms better than my own country and that I wanted to contribute and be a positive part of Canada. He didn’t ask anymore questions but asked that I sign the forms in all three places and assured me that I had made it so I could sign.
The officer took the papers and left the room. I felt great relief, I thought of how great it would be to go back to Toronto and tell John that I had made it. The immigration ordeal was ending! The officer came back and sat down accross from me at the table. This man in his fifties in his olive green uniform told me he liked to let in as many young Americans as possible, there was a long pause . . . I was quite young however, I didn’t have a degree or a skill, he was sorry . . . I was stunned and silent.
Back in Toronto I had my first good meal in a few days at the YMCA cafeteria. I talked to John about my border experiences, spoke to N. Wall and retired to bed very early feeling exhausted.
Early next morning, John and I began looking for a job. My previous job offer working for a boiler company was withdrawn, but in early afternoon N. Wall called and said she had a lead for a job working at the University of Toronto bookstore. I applied and got the job that afternoon! I left the bookstore with a typed letter, a job promise, I was thrilled.
N. Wall directed me to take the bus to Kingston, Ontario. Kingston is about half way between Toronto and Montreal. I arrived there about 8:30 pm, the border was about twenty miles from Kingston. I found the address N. Wall had given me of the people who had offered to take me to the border the next day. They were university students, studying for exams the next day so after a short conversation, we went out for dinner came back and then I went to sleep on the couch.
The next morning was bright and sunny. The sunshine helped me to relax and forget my previous bad experiences at the border. After a shower that morning, I dressed in a sports coat, clean shirt and tie. After a cup of coffee Dave, the person who had volunteered to help me, drove me to the border in his girlfriends volkswagen.
About 10:30 am we crossed back into the United States at Treasure Island Bridge. The nearest town was Watertown, NY. This was beautiful up-state New York, an April day with very pleasant temperatures.
Neither, the beautiful day, nor my companion’s conversation could keep my stomach from tightening as we approached the border. My mouth was dry. We drove to Canadian customs and were directed to the immigration office and where to park the car. Once in the office I explained to the officer I had come to secure landed immigrant’s status. I was given the necessary forms, familiar by now, and as I completed the forms I slowly began to relax.
he immigration officer was a grey haired man in his fifties, but friendly. He slowly studied the form, a letter from my parents, explaining they were aware of my intention to
