Terry, you are getting advise from John and Ken..I really don't know anymore about the I-94 card other then I previously stated and I am not familiar with your line of work, so I will step aside and see what you eventually decide to do and please keep us updated. Thanks!

@Terry just to clarify, if the US is not coming on the ships, then why is the card necessary?

I know you must be part of the Seafarers union, are ALL people without the card being kept off the ship by the employer, despite the US not checking anyways?

Maybe more information will help us find you a solution. I assume your union has not been able to help correct?

And immigration lawyer is going to "make work" by filing SOMETHING to justify getting paid.

@Terry This is just what I mean Terry when I said to go to a lawyer since your case may indeed be complex. You probably have the special security clearance port badge for the ship and all the more reason to seek out Counsel. Especially so now that we know more about your career.

Again, it is your choice but I personally would not gamble my career over this issue. Seek out whatever appropriate Counsel as you see fit. You are well ahead of the information curve in regard to this situation as displayed by your clear and current knowledge of I-94 procedures. I am unsure if you are maybe a Longshoreman or qualify under the US Immigration Visa categories of C & D.

Trust your instincts and do what you feel is best but do not delay too long as your career may indeed suffer. Contact appropriate legal Counsel. You can also reach us at 1 888 908-3841 or 604 332-9213. We have 6 global locations and maybe we can help find the right Counsel for you. We may be able to assist in many ways. We will do it/help you at no cost since we have that flexability.

You definitely have a great career and it would be a damn shame to lose it over this issue.

www.usentrywaiverservices.com

@J Rogers all maritime sailors are required to have it in there passport I work on a ship us customs and immigration are no longer coming to the vessel all crew are now cleared and the i94 card is now no longer be giving to those who hold a valid waiver

@Terry I just want to clarify your situation, an I-94 CARD is just the departure record and is meaningless. If your talking about the WAIVER, then that is a different matter. Feel free to call me anytime on my cell. 416-843-1371. No need to go to a lawyer.

@terry I only say run it by an immigration lawyer because you may have special circumstances based on your case and what you have said thus far here in the forum. I also say it only because I think you may need to actually sit down with counsel and spell everything out on paper. I agree that you could just continue to travel and just see what happens and hope for the best. However, this is not how I do business and understand that we at our business tend to stay on the side of caution and not take an unnecessary risk with cases.

You have invested 40 years in your industry and it would be a shame to needlessly throw it away. I am also assuming that you are close to 60 and likely do not want to retrain in another industry if you do not have to do so. Sometimes it is difficult here in the forum to do a complete and thorough analysis since the best way is to always have the person sitting down at your desk and taking case notes and determining the best course of action to finalise a case. At least this is how we do our cases.

So it will boil down to your personality and what you value the most. This person is a competitor but you can try https://www.rjimmigrationlaw.com/u-s-immigration-lawyer-niagara-falls/. I would rather send you to a competitor that can help you protect what you value most.

Obviously, it is your choice as to what you ultimately decide to do. However, you have been given the options here and it will be your final as decision as to what you do. I will go on record here and firmly state that I think you should run your situation by counsel first and get a legal opinion. I am not saying that this will happen but you do not want to take the unnecessary risk of losing your waiver and job if it can be prevented. We just do not have enough information on your case here to give you a fully valid hypothesis.

The lawyer MAY be able to advocate for you with the CBP Port Director in regard to your case. He MAY be able to get you an I-94 or at least give you the needed reassurance that everything will be fine after sitting down and reviewing your case particular facts. It will not hurt my ego if you sought out counsel since I gladly refer people to counsel if it is something that I have not had any experience dealing with at work.

Terry..I suggest continue traveling..I don't believe that u will be denied because of an expired I 94 card..as long as u have a valid waiver..I is my understanding that an I 94 does not prevent u from traveling..and is more related to other Immigration purposes such as visas..which Canadian citizens really don't need unless..work..student or living in USA..I think u will be fine..just try and see what happens..

@terry I can understand that you have a lot riding on this issue since you say it may impact your employment. I highly recommend that you contact a good immigration lawyer in you area and run this problem by him. It may only cost you a consultation fee in your case. You can ask him many things to include if filing an I-102 would solve your problem since this may or may not be the case for you.

An I-102 is the document that a person would file to replace an I-94. However, this document MAY or MAY NOT be applicable in your case. I think now is the time to elevate your issue from the forum to now Counsel since it would be a diaster to lose a job of 40 years. Especially if it could be prevented.

Again, I highly recommend that you contact an immigration lawyer and get an actual legal opinion on your situation and a possible solution to the problem. He may also possibly be able to contact the Port Director to get your situation resolved.

Also note that I am basing my reply only on the fact that you are saying that you could lose your employment based on an I-94.

@Terry. I have clients that have flown and entered no problem. So you can fly. Why are you so worried about the "card" ? It doesn't allow you to travel/not travel. I think your confused.

You can't drive across the border, but you can fly. When you fly, you do not get a card anyways. My client flew and came back, and he simply went to see his girlfriend in the United States.

I was told by Niagara Falls border they are not giving i94 cards at this time I need a new one as mine is about to expire now I will lose my job after 40 years us customs have no date as to when I can get one my waiver is good till June 2021 which I can’t even start

Yes, they are still using the "card" system for Truck drivers at least. These are the only essential workers I have driving, I have a few clients who have flown to the US with no problem.

@michelle This link may somewhat help but you brought up an interesting point that branches out to other topics. I say that I will call the borders in my area(BC) and maybe you can call the ones in your area. Lets pose this question to both borders and see if they both say the same thing regarding essential workers having to get an I-94. John can pose this question to the borders in his area and lets compare notes and their statements here. However to partly answer your question yes it is called an I-94.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94

Edit: Is this the I-94 card?

Sorry, I do not know what this is; is there a form number? Thanks!