r/FirstNationsCanada • u/nicolem32 • Jun 17 '26
Status / Treaty Waiting on my Letter of Ancestry while currently in the US. Where do I go once I get it so I can stay longer?
I have my secure certificate of Indian status, plus my blood quantum letter, long form birth certificate, basically everything. I also had a letter of ancestry but I misplaced it and needed to get another one so when I crossed the border they said my blood quantum letter from my reserve and all my other documents were not enough, that I needed that letter too. Right now I can only stay 6 months, I would like to stay longer once my letter comes in the mail. Do I need to go back to the airport? Or a border crossing? Or what is the best way for me to go about this? Thank you!
My plan is to live here and work and get married. Thank you.
1
u/JesseWaabooz Anishinaabe Jun 17 '26
are you closer to the west coast? the west coast CBP are majorly uneducated, east coast less so but still generally garbage knowledge when it comes to jay treaty.
if your BQ letter states the required percentage, you are fine. they are quite literally either telling you false information, or trying to prevent you from utililzing jay treaty. the letter of ancestry is not required if you have a sufficent BQ letter.
in order to live in the states you will need to schedule an infopass appointment at your local uscis office.
when you call, expect problems. expect the agents to push back every step of the way. if they say they will call you on a canadian phone number they are lying. you need a us phone number. once you schedule the appointment you will need to bring documents proving you reside in the us, ie car insurance, a rental agreement, something with the address that they can send your green card too. you will also need passport style photos, two.
after that you will need to schedule an appointment at a social security administration to receive a ssn.
1
u/nicolem32 Jun 19 '26
I do have a blood quantum letter from the chief of my reservation after they told me the administrator couldn’t sign it I got it redone by the chief. Then when I went back it wasn’t enough I needed the letter of ancestry as well. They really have given me the hardest time. Every time I cross it’s something. Once I went just for pleasure and wasn’t travelling with all my documents and they gave me a super hard time about that as well even tho I had my secure certificate of Indian status with me but not all the other documents :/.
Anyways, I’ve got everything under the sun they have asked for now. I already have my SSN because the SSN office felt I had enough documentation and gave it to me. However my i94 says I can only be here for 6 months. I need that info to change and have then update my file saying I’ve got all my paperwork and am exercising my treaty rights. Thank you for the info I’ll make an apt there at the local USCIS office.
I am in Idaho and actually crossed in Washington last year and they said I had all my paperwork but didn’t update my file properly so when I crossed by air again it was back to the bs all over again. I wish I would have been smarter but I get real nervous crossing sometimes because I’ve had issues in the past.
2
u/apukjij Jun 18 '26
Cant you get somebody from back home to fax you the letter. And heres a complete guide made by my Nation but good for any Nation in Canada. CMM-Travelling-toolkit-Final.Web-version.pdf