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Help Terrence Get Home to the U.S.
After 63 years in America, I’ve been stranded in Canada. I need help to come home.
Hi everyone, my name is Terrence.
I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in May 1962 and adopted by American parents a year later through Boston, Massachusetts. For the past 63 years, with the exception of a few recent trips to Canada to reconnect with my birth family, I’ve lived proudly in the United States — the only home I’ve ever known.
Over the years, I’ve served my country and community in many ways:
U.S. Navy veteran (enlisted in 1980)
Father to a daughter born in Texas (1984)
️♂️ Member of the PGA of America (1989–2004)
⚓ Holder of a U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Captain’s License (since 2000)
What Happened
On April 10th, while returning home to Atlanta, Georgia, with my 7-year-old beagle in tow, I crossed into the U.S. at the Calais, Maine border. What began as a routine screening suddenly turned into a nightmare.
Without warning, I was told there were questions about my admissibility to reenter the U.S. I was detained, my belongings were searched, and within hours I found myself in immigration detention. Two days later, both my dog and I were sent back to Canada — and I was told not to attempt to cross again until I completed multiple immigration forms (each costing about $525 USD) and obtained a valid U.S. passport.
Health and Hardship
I found a small hotel in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and began searching for immigration lawyers. Just weeks later, I suffered a heart attack and was taken to the nearest heart center in Saint John, NB.
***Health Update***
Jan 18th, 2026, Had another heart attack, 10am in the bathroom. Put in Ambulance while having a Stroke, and went into Cardiac arrest while being wheeled into Emergency room. CPR, 6 MINS, a few cracked ribs, and they got a pulse back and I started breathing again. THANK GOD. 5 days later, Pacemaker ICD, Defibrillator installed in my chest..
Unable to work and facing growing health issues, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to find my dog a loving new home for her safety and wellbeing.
Now, I’m stranded in Canada — separated from my home, my community, and my life — trying to raise the funds and support needed to get back to the U.S.
How You Can Help
If just 2,000 people gave $5, it would cover:
Attorney retainers and immigration filing fees have been paid for and submitted as of Feb 12th.
I need help
Temporary lodging and food
Truck is broken needs fix.
Transportation and essential living costs
Anything beyond my direct expenses will go directly to dog rescues and shelters, causes close to my heart that I’ve supported, volunteered with, and rescued from over the years.
Please Help Me Get Home! Please help me keep my head above water while I regain my health and strength to move forward.
Thank you Canada
Your generosity — no matter how small — means everything. If you know anyone in U.S. immigration law who might be able to help, please reach out.
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you.
— Terrence
Organizer
