Canadian actor slapped with U.S. ban

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Officials have banned a Canadian actor from entering the United States for five years after he allegedly lied to border agents about the purpose of a visit.

Chad Rook, 30, of Vancouver told The Province his experience was completely unexpected. He thought he would be questioned at the border Jan. 28 and then waved through to spend the next three months in Los Angeles.

Customs and Immigration agents say Rook actually planned to move to Los Angeles and stay there. The alleged fraud was the reason for the five-year ban.

Rook had already applied for a U.S. work visa. His career got a boost with a recurring role on "The Cult," a series on the CW network, and one reason for his planned trip was to be in Los Angeles for the Feb. 19 premiere.

"It was unreal. It's like the Twilight Zone," Rook said, describing 9 hours of questioning at the border that included giving agents access to his Facebook and Twitter accounts and email.

Lorraine D'Alessio, a Los Angeles lawyer representing Rook, said he did nothing wrong. She said Canadian actors frequently travel to Los Angeles to meet those involved in the U.S. television industry.

"His agent had organized some meetings for him to meet some people who were interested in him," she said. "He wasn't coming down to do any work, he was coming down just as a visitor and was doing it completely legally."

Rook is back in Vancouver, appealing the ban.