Previously denied entry from Canada to USA. Does that technically count as setting foot "on US soil"?

Question

15 years ago, we decided on a whim to get lunch in the USA as we were passing near the frontier on a road trip in Canada. We did not know the exact requirements, and as we lacked an address of destination and US currency we were refused entry by the US officer. After filling some forms, the officer showed us the roundabout on the US side, told us to go around it and go back to Canada. I remember him insisting "you have never been to the US", I found it strange, as de facto we were on US soil, even so for a few minutes.

Two years after that we immigrated to Canada, we've been citizen of this country for 10 years or so. My question is not about the risk of being scrutinized or denied entry when I go back there –I found plenty of answers here about it– but specifically what I should answer if a border officer ask me "Have you ever put foot on US soil?"

I feel that if answer "yes" I might get accused of lying (as contradicting the imperious statement of the previous officer) but if say "no" I'll be accused of the same thing as I, indeed, in reality, physically been to this country before.

(I've considered explaining the situation, but my experience of talking to these border control agents is that they don't like complicated stories, that make them go paranoid.)

Answer 1

Doing a U-turn and coming back into Canada does not constitute any time spent in the United States. Your answer to their question is a simple "No". If they ask further and want more detail you can embellish them.

"No" is the simple and factual answer of the matter. You have not ever been into the USA as a visiting traveller. A few hundred feet in order to immediately turn around because you have not been granted access certainly does not count.

You were not given clearance at that time, so the answer is "No".

"No. No. No!"

Answer 2

Have you ever put foot on US soil?

Yes. You were on US soil. If you committed a crime you would have been prosecuted under the US judicial system. If you died a US coroner would have issued a death certificate saying you died in the US.

However, a border guard will never ask this question. They'll ask:

Have you ever visited the US before?

or perhaps

Have you ever been to the US before?

"No" would be your answer. While you were technically on US soil from a customs perspective you were denied entry and never "entered" or "visited" the US. It's like your vehicle was magically turned around before it actually crossed the border. Even though for practical reasons they had to allow you onto US soil.

I would also add that I don't think a border guard would ever use the term "soil" as too many people would (mistakenly) believe that if they've ever been to a US embassy that they have put foot on US soil.

EDIT: I think the "you have never been to the US" comment the officer made has to do with international law. By refusing you entry and sending you back to Canadian customs the Canadians must deal with you. They can not refuse you entry and send you back to the US. Canada can either permit you entry or possibly if your visa has expired detain and deport you back to your home country but legally it's as if you never set foot on US soil.

Rather then saying "you have never been to the US" the officer should probably have said "When you get to Canadian Customs tell them you were denied entry to the US".

Answer 3

Have you ever put foot on US soil?

No, I was turned around to Canada by road in 2002.

Let them decide what to regard that as

Answer 4

You did not enter the US, you entered the border zone between the nations which technically is a grey area controlled jointly by both. It's a thin line on the map, but large enough for some fences, guard shacks, parking lots, and that area you made a U-turn in.