Running away from home in Canada & Going to the USA

[Unregistered]

My boyfriend is a senior in high school in New York and I turn 16 in July and I want to go to his prom because mine isn't for another two years & I want to know if I stay there for a while and they find me will I be banned from the USA?

[ccsmod10]

RE: Running away from home in Canada & Going to the USA

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us. Although we are not legal experts we can try and explain what we know about the runaway laws. Technically, in the United States it is not against the law to run away from home. In most states it is considered a status offence. However, anyone that you are caught staying with could be charged with ‘harboring a runaway’.

It sounds like you want to stay for an extended visit. Are you planning on staying for the next two years? If this is the case, it might be helpful to talk to a legal expert about what your rights are and how to stay safe. We would be more than happy to continue talking to you regarding your situation. Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone about what makes you want to leave home.

We are non-judgmental, confidential and anonymous. We will not tell you what you should or should not do. We are here to support you no matter what. We can be reached at any time at 1-800-RUNAWAY or by live chat at www.1800runaway.org from 4:30-11:30pm Central Standard Time. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best of luck.

-NRS

[Guest]

I'm thinking about running away from the USA to Canada , will canada send me back

[ccsmod7]

Hello there, thanks for reaching out today.

It might be hard for you to runaway to Canada. We are not legal/immigration experts at all, but we can speak about what we know generally. Typically you need some sort of guardian permission to cross the border before you turn 18. Also, you would need to show some sort of ID. If you leave home without permission before you turn 18, your guardian can attempt to file a runaway report for you with the police; which would enter you into a national database as a runaway. So if they were to look at your ID at the border, they might be able to see that you are listed as a runaway.

We are not familiar with Canadian laws, so we do not know their protocol for returning runaways to the states. You might contact this Canadian teen resource to learn more about what could happen if you make it into Canada http://kidshelpphone.ca.

We strongly encourage you to reach out via calling 1-800-RUNAWAY or through our live chat if you would like to have a conversation about your situation. We can provide support and help brainstorm your options.

Best of luck,

NRS

[Guest]

i am 16 and planning to runaway from the US to Canada. i have a place to stay but im worried about legal trouble since im adopted and my parents are extremely abusive. i cant stay in this household anymore. its not fair for my safety. i have plenty of friends in Canada who are ready to help me but im afriad of how i can do this all without legal trouble. im bringing my dog because he means the world to me, which is a setback on its own but i need him. im really stressed and trying to find a way for this to work without harming anyone or causing any legal troubles. if anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

[ccsmod5]

Hey,
Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you're in a scary situation at home and you deserve to be in a safe, supportive home. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for support. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA--we unfortunately don't have much knowledge about runaway laws in Canada. To find a resource in Canada, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: http://www.childhelplineinternationa...where-we-work/
We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country. If you’re being abused at home, you have the right to report that. Here is a link for locating your local child protective services: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs...Locations.aspx
Good luck and stay safe!

[Guest]

I have thought about leaving toronto to go to los angeles by greyhound bus. I am 16 and have enough money to support myself for around 70 days then I plan to come back. What would I have to bring with me to cross the border and what would I have to be prepared to tell border security when I cross. I plan to just say I'm staying at my uncles in L.A for a trip. Do I need proof or can I just cross the border with my passport and my story

[ccsmod1]

Hi there,

It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help.
The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. Since you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: http://www.childhelplineinternationa...where-we-work/
We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Best,

NRS

[Guest]

Me and my friend have been both thinking about running away, but the issue is I'm the older one, would I be charged with harboring a minor, I'm confident I can make it on my own, but I also wanna finish my high school, is it still possible if I leave now?

[ccsmod0]

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/.
We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

[Guest]

hey i'm 15 and from uae, i have problems with my family and i feel unwanted here, and i can't handle it and it hurts , so i wanna go to canada alone and i need help and to work to get money, thanks for listening and i hope u can help me

[ccsmod1]

Hey there,

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/.

We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Be safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Running away from Canada to the usa I’m old enough to do it but will the usa kick me back to Canada or can I stay and work ther finally

[ccsmod0]

Thank you for reaching out to us at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, and we understand it takes courage to reach out for help. The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. If you are located in a country outside of the USA, you can use this link to find a youth helpline in or around your country: https://www.childhelplineinternation...pline-network/. We aren't legal exports, and your question would better be answered by legal services or through a non-emergency police phone number. Odds are, you would have to follow the legal process of immigrating into the USA from Canada.
We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Please click the link below to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/we_care_what_you_think

[Guest]

Hey I'm planning to run away to a state in the US from Canada, I'm 16 years old currently and will be nearing 18 by the time I leave. My question is what do I need to prepare and do to cross the border and will I even be permitted to cross the border at this age? If you don't have the answer please guide me to a source who can tell me what the procedure would be to follow through with this plan. I also do not want my parents to or family to find out AT ALL about things such as where I am or anything in general, they'll just know I went missing and that's all. Thanks for the help

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to write us here at NRS. It sounds like you are planning on moving from Canada to the United States when you turn 18 and you want to know more about how to do this. We are not legal experts so we can not give legal advice or specific answers to your questions. Some factors to take into consideration while planning this move are making sure you have vital documents like an ID and birth certificate, a safe place to stay when you move, a way to make money, and you will likely need to go through some visa process in order to live and work in the United States. Because the National Runaway Safeline is based in the United States, our knowledge of youth in crisis related laws and resources is limited to the United States. There is a Canadian crisis line called Kids Help Phone that might be a more helpful start for you to get the information and resources you are looking for. www.kidshelpphone.ca

We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Best of luck,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 19 and I’m trying to run away from my home in Canada to the US. I only have access to my drivers license. I have a friend who’s willing to help me and let me stay over until I can get my own place. I’m wondering how that would work and if it’s possible. I have no other option at the moment. I just need to leave this place.

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out; we are glad that you did. Because we are a US based service, we don't know the laws in Canada, but it looks like the age of majority is 18. If you verify that, you wouldn't be considered a runaway.
Right now, there are border restictions due to COVID19, so you would have to research carefully as to whether you can enter the country. For help in Canada you can reach out to Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 and Youthspace Canada 6pm - Midnight PST. You can text them at 778-783-0177
We hope these resources help you get the assistance you need.
Sincererly,
NRS

[Guest]

I’m 14 & an male, I’m attempting to runaway from an abusive household. (CA - USA) as of right now, I’m afraid i might run into legal troubles and get sent back here. My only concern is how i could get there, and if’d get sent back. I have friends with parents that are willing to become my legal guardian and take legal action for custody over me, however I’m not sure how I could get to them got any tips?

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to write us here at NRS and we appreciate you sharing a bit about your situation. It sounds like you are considering leaving home and staying with a friend. However, you have still have some details to work out like transportation and possible legal consequences. Reaching out to do more research was very resourceful and a smart step to take to make sure you can stay as safe as possible.

The National Runaway Safeline is located in the United States of America (USA). Our knowledge of helpful community based resources and our understanding of youth in crisis related laws is limited to the USA. Since you are currently living in Canada and that is where your legal guardians are, the laws in your area would be what applies to your situation. Kids Help Phone is a youth crisis line based in Canada that can better answer your questions and provide helpful resources for your situation. https://kidshelpphone.ca/

We hope that by reaching out to a local resource, you are able to get the support you need from an organization that understands the laws and circumstances that affect youth in your country.

Good luck and stay safe,
NRS

[Guest]

Hello i am thinking about going to north carolina in the USA to see my boyfriend, my parents are way too paranoid of the virus and just wants to keep me stuck inside. I have been vaccinated and my immune system has improved over the years i want to plan this trip but my mom has a hold of my passport. How can i do this? She wont let me travel alone and i want to. My boyfriend and i have been long distance for nearly 2 years now I miss him dearly and I would do anything to live with him, I do need something bit to carry all my stuff in... my boyfriend doesnt want me to do this since it wont be safe but i want to surprise him, help?

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out; we are glad that you did. It's understandable that you would want to see your boyfriend in person, but yes, the virus is very real and is very prevalent in places like North Carolina. In addition, there may still be restrictions at the border, and you would need your passport to enter the US.

It also sounds like your boyfriend doesn't think it is safe for you to make this long trip. It sounds like you are a minor in both countries and therefore your mom does have the right to decide whether you can go or not. Interstate travel, if you were somehow able to cross the border is difficult and usually requires parental consent to, say board a commercial bus.

We hope that you will listen to those who care about you and want to keep you safe from both the virus and a dangerous journey. If you want to talk about this further, please reach out to Kids Helpline at 1-800-668-6868 which is the youth hotline for Canada.
Sincerely,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi I need help, my friend is in an extremely abusive household and needs to get out. They live in Canada and I live in the US, but I’m really worried about the process. If they make it to the US and to my house, will there be legal trouble? Can they be returned to their home if they’re found? Will my parent be held legally accountable for kidnapping or something, even if they just escaped and came to my home? Will they have trouble crossing the border into the US? How can I best help them if I can’t drive to pick them up?

[ccsmod6]

Thank you for reaching out to us here at the National Runaway Safeline. It sounds like your friend has been dealing with a lot. We’re sure your friend appreciates your kindness and your support. You mentioned that your friend lives in Canada. Unfortunately, our knowledge is limited to laws and resources within the USA. We don’t have an understanding of what runaway laws or harboring laws may apply for Canadian citizens.
Though we aren’t legal experts, crossing the border might prove incredibly difficult or impossible for your friend while they are an unaccompanied minor. If your friend feels that they are in any immediate danger due to the ongoing abuse in their home, we would encourage them to contact local emergency services.
One resource your friend might reach out to is Kids Help Phone, which is a Canadian helpline for youth. Your friend can find more information about how to reach them at https://kidshelpphone.ca/.
All the best,
NRS

[Guest]

Hi so I'm 15, and I live with my parents and two brothers in the US. My mom is emotionally/psychologically/mentally abusive. I for the past 2 years have wanted to run away from here because I hate her and there is nothing legally i can do as of now, because i have to be 16 in my state to be emancipated and even then idk if i would be able to. Also, recent laws in the US have made me uncomfortable living here. I know this sounds like a stupid situation but would i be able to run away to Canada, as it is my dream country. I have no id.

[ccsmod16]

Hi,
Thanks for reaching out; we are glad that you did. It sounds like you live in home where your mom emotionally, psychologically, and mentally abusive which makes you want to leave. It's understandable to want that. It sounds like you want to go to Canada.
As a minor, you wouldn't be able to cross the border on your own and you may want to begin researching what you would need to do to emigrate to Canada. Countries have laws about legal immigrants and gaining citizenship.
You can reach out to us by chatting us through this site and we can post to you the overview of emancipation law for your state. You would have to prove to a judge that you have a job that will allow you to fully support yourself.
We do hope that you will reach out to us so we can have a conversation. You deserve our support because you don't deserve to be treated this way. We are here to listen and help. We truly hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
NRS