Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone out here could help me. I am a Canadian citizen, who fell in love with an inmate serving a life with the possibility of parole sentence, in the southern U.S. My question is, would it be at all possible at some point down the road, for him to cross the border, to visit me? Would he have to get a pardon? And if so, how would we go about that? I would appreciate any and all information or advice anyone out there may have for me! I would LOVE it if he were able to move to Canada, but I don't know how realistic that is??? Thank you!

Lisa

There's information on the Cdn. Citizenship and Immigration website:Overcoming Criminal Admissibility (http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/visit/conviction.html)

Generally a life sentence means, life.

If you are on parole for life, you can not ever leave. You may get permission for a holiday. But legally speaking, the USA parole is going to make sure he has permission, and I would think it highly unlikely Canada is going to allow a inmate serving a life sentence to cross our boarder.

Considering all the loss of freedoms since 9/11, and everyday it seems the security checks get tighter and tighter, unless governments make a u-turn in policies, it will only get more difficult to enter or leave, Canada or the USA.

If he is serving a State sentence, then look up the Board of Prison Terms requirements for serving life sentences in the community in that State.

If his sentence is something like 20yrs to life there may be an incredibly small chance for a pardon, however, a sentence of life with possibility of parole would make him inherently ineligible for a pardon. Also any pardon would have to come stateside.

I have your answer my dear as my husband is a US citizen and I am Canadian so I have looked this up and down and in and out. Due to his felony conviction, that makes him inadmissable to Canada. That being said he can try to cross and may make it but if they ask about a criminal history or have that info they can deny him entry. They have become stricter about that. He can apply for a pardon but from what I understand that can only happen 5 years after his release...and for that, the process I am not so sure. It sure makes it hard.....I guess I am moving to the states!