YVR AM flight - I-94 before?
I'm probably overthinking this but over a decade of non-stop secondary inspections have made me this way.
Background:
Singapore passport, South Asian ethnicity (guess that's relevant these days), Canadian PR, NEXUS since 2023. Constant secondary ever since my first visit to the US - 2 and a half decades ago. I have 2 redress numbers. At secondary, they hardly ask me anything except "How's your day going", "They sent you back here for this?" (they don't elaborate when I ask for details) and "Big plans for *insert city name*?".. stuff like that. I lost a passport once but these secondaries happened before and after almost routinely ever since my first visit to the US. No more secondary these days after NEXUS but still occasionally get SSSS pre flight star treatment lol. Last trip to the US was Dec 2024. Received new passport (still Singapore) 2 months ago. Updated online via TTP portal and emailed CBSA with updated details as per their request following a phone call informing them of the new passport.
Now:
About to head for a trip to Chile with a stopover in the US. Flying in J on American, Nexus still valid. Originally was a single stopover in DFW and the flight would leave YVR at 715am giving me ample time for secondary should it come to that. American modified my flights, now 2 stopovers (DFW, MIA) and YVR flight leaves at 6am.
This is kinda causing me some panic. Since the US customs open at 430am, I'm sure there'll be a line even for NEXUS at that time? If I get SSSS, would I still be able to use the NEXUS line? I also have a business ticket if that helps. Ever since I got NEXUS, I haven't been pulled into secondary but I still get SSSS every now and then. Is there anything I can do to make my situation better customs wise? I've already been issued 2 redress numbers. I'm wondering if I should take a quick day trip down to Blaine for some shopping and in the process - get my new i94 done. I've read so many horror stories on here about how things have changed with the new administration so I'm in a bit of a panic as I haven't traveled south since then.
I know having a current i94 means you don't need to get shown to secondary to get the details for a new one. (I'm aware anyone can get pulled into secondary for any other reason).
I'm just trying to see what I can do to make this easier for me. I would never have booked a flight like this that hardly gave me time but this is where the cards have fallen. I can't take a different flight. Nothing would work for me.
In short, should I do a land border crossing a week in advance to get a I-94 to hopefully speed up the process the day I fly? Or will it make zero difference? I feel like if you need a new i94 at the airport NEXUS lanes, they send you to secondary to get that done? I know I'm insanely paranoid, but I think I have some reason for it.