CBP Makes Up Visa Rules to Detain F-1 Student

It seems that even when you follow the rules, CBP (Customs and Border Protection) can still flag you for made-up laws.

That’s exactly what happened to a recent F-1 student from Canada. She graduated in May, didn’t take OPT (Optional Practical Training), and decided to use her 60-day grace period, as clearly mentioned on her I-20, to stay in the US until early July.

She and her husband planned to exit before that deadline, re-enter as Canadian visitors, and spend three weeks wrapping up their lease and belongings. But when they flew back in, things took a bizarre turn.

The border agent accused them of overstaying, claiming there’s no 60-day grace period and students must leave “as soon as classes end” — even throwing out random time frames like “a week or 10 days.”

She tried to explain the I-20 terms — even quoting the Homeland Security-issued document directly. But the officer seemed ignorant, telling her not to trust schools or lawyers, even when the student never mentioned them.

The student was eventually allowed in, but left shaken and unsure if she could ever return to study again. If even Canadians are getting this treatment, one can only imagine what treatment other communities are facing.

This isn’t just about one CBP officer. It’s about a system full of uninformed people designated to higher positions, making the immigrants’ lives a hell.