Published
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2019, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Updated November 13, 2026: CBSA’s trusted traveller recourse page, U.S. CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs page and the Federal Courts Act checked that day.
First: find out who decided. NEXUS is run by both CBSA and U.S. CBP, and each has its own review.
Canada (CBSA): ask for a review within 90 days. The decision takes effect immediately if you were told in person, or 15 days after the notice was mailed.
After a CBSA review: Federal Court judicial review within 30 days. Why a lawyer
Our immigration lawyers
Sundeep S. GrewalBarrister and Solicitor
Prabhpreet Kaur SanghaBarrister and Solicitor
Pardeep S. GrewalBarrister and SolicitorAbout our lawyers
Sundeep S. Grewal founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.
Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.
Pardeep S. Grewal is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.
NEXUS is a joint program of the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Either country can deny an application or suspend or cancel a membership, and each has its own way to challenge the decision. The first step is to read your notice and find out which country made the decision and why.
Lawgical Law Corporation, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, advises on NEXUS denials and cancellations, CBSA reviews and Federal Court judicial review; this guide is by Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha.
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Who decided?
| Decided by | Review | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| CBSA (Canada) | CBSA Recourse Directorate, online or by mail | 90 days from when the decision takes effect |
| CBP (United States) | Reconsideration request to the CBP Trusted Traveler Ombudsman through the Trusted Traveler Programs website, in English | Check your notice |
Common reasons
- Undeclared goods, currency or food at the border, or a seizure: see NEXUS cancelled after a border mistake;
- A criminal record or charge, including impaired driving;
- An immigration or admissibility issue in either country;
- Incomplete or inaccurate information on the application;
- “No longer meets the program requirements”.
The CBSA review
CBSA says the request should include your name, address, phone number, the program, your Client ID, a detailed explanation of what led to the decision, a certified criminal record check if relevant, your representative’s authorization and any supporting documents. A Recourse official reviews the decision and may contact you. The decision comes by registered letter.
The Federal Court
There’s no automatic appeal from the CBSA review, but you can apply to the Federal Court for judicial review within 30 days of being notified of the decision (Federal Courts Act s. 18.1). The Court asks whether the decision was reasonable and fair.
If the U.S. side decided
A CBSA review can’t change a CBP decision. Use the reconsideration process on the Trusted Traveler Programs website, with court records for any arrest or conviction, even if expunged.
Why a lawyer helps
One lawyer, one file, every step:
- working out which country decided and why;
- getting your records;
- writing the review request;
- Federal Court review if the CBSA review fails.
Many review requests fail because they don’t answer the actual reason in the notice. A clear, documented explanation is what the reviewer needs.
Immigration lawyers are members of a provincial law society (in our case, the Law Society of British Columbia), and only a lawyer can represent you in the Federal Court if a refusal has to be challenged there. An immigration consultant cannot appear in that court for you.
Common mistakes
- Asking CBSA to review a CBP decision, or the reverse.
- Missing the 90-day window.
- A review request that argues fairness but doesn’t explain what happened.
- Ignoring the 30-day Federal Court deadline after the review.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to ask CBSA for a review?
90 days from when the decision takes effect: immediately if told in person, or 15 days after the notice was mailed.
Can I reapply instead?
Sometimes, but a recent cancellation usually leads to another refusal. A review may be the faster route.
Does a NEXUS cancellation affect my immigration status?
Not by itself. But the reason behind it, such as a charge or an admissibility issue, might. See being refused entry at the border.
Can I go to court over a U.S. decision?
Not in Canada. Use CBP’s reconsideration process.
What should I do right now?
Read your notice, identify which country decided, and mark the 90-day deadline.
Book a consultation with our immigration lawyers in Surrey, Abbotsford or Vancouver, or online from anywhere.
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Sources (official)
- CBSA Recourse: trusted traveller program reviews
- U.S. CBP: Trusted Traveler Programs denials and revocations
- Federal Courts Act, s. 18.1
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts.