I'm new on here but had a question for you all. I will be traveling to RP on 12/30 and returning on 1/2. It is going to be my wife and I and our two friends. I have a valid passport, my wife has an expired passport and our friends have no passports but will be bringing along birth certificates. I know there are several of you have crossed with no problems but our friends and my wife are all getting nervous about getting stuck there.
It wouldn't surprise me if you were detained as we are now a full six months into the new regulation requiring passports or passport cards.
The rules now seem to be that everyone gets handcuffed while things are worked out. This is what I have been told directly by folks who had this experience recently at the Lukeville crossing.
I have a friend who crossed 6 times over the past few months. They have never cuffed her and it wasn't that big a deal but the last time said that next time she tried it she would get a pretty hefty fine.
Brother d was trying to make it sound worse than it is in the post before mine. I'm saying that she had no problems several times but they finally got tired of suggesting she get a passport and threatened a fine if she came across again without one.
No effort on my part to make it sound one way or another. The poster asked for opinions and I gave one based on actual events. People are getting handcuffed at the border coming back to the U.S. while they wait to be cleared for entry. Simple as that. They don't need a good reason to do it. No passport is plenty good enough.
No effort on my part to make it sound one way or another. The poster asked for opinions and I gave one based on actual events. People are getting handcuffed at the border coming back to the U.S. while they wait to be cleared for entry. Simple as that. They don't need a good reason to do it. No passport is plenty good enough.
And you have actually seen this??? I come across at least once a month....and have never seen anyone get handcuffed SOLELY for not having a passport if they have other paperwork (birth certificate)....I can see if there are drugs or something found....
Thanks for the information. We have decided to just go down to the Tucson office Thursday morning to get the passports taken care of before the trip. My aunt went down on sunday afternoon and met with the border patrol agents and they told her, "We cannot deny access to the United States to any natural born citizen, the process may take a few minutes longer but as long as they have a drivers license and birth certificate we can prove their citizenship status". Knowing that is comforting but still much more comforting to just have the actual passports.
As far as I know and for what I have been told by the Custom officers is that you can use your pic ID and birth certificate to go back to USA, it will delay your entry since they will have to do more investigation about you, once they find that you have been told a few times they might get hard on you and allow you to sit and wait for a few hours to teach you a lesson, however you go and proof that to the authorities, they might make you wait longer the next time around, with or without passport!!
In all the back and force that I have done with passengers they have not make us pull to the side or make us wait longer than 15 minutes for not having a passport.
If anybody has a criminal record, or a fine that has not been paid (warrant for arrest)or probably a joint he bought down in PP, you bet you ars they will handcuff you, otherwise you could go to the Human rights org and kill them all for letting this happen, specially to a USA citizen returning to his/hers homeland.
No effort on my part to make it sound one way or another. The poster asked for opinions and I gave one based on actual events. People are getting handcuffed at the border coming back to the U.S. while they wait to be cleared for entry. Simple as that. They don't need a good reason to do it. No passport is plenty good enough.
As a regular crosser I have never seen that either. My son crossed at Thanksgiving without a passport, no problems. Prior to his visit I phoned the Lukeville ICE office and was told he could pass with an ORIGINAL or certified copy of a birth certificate. Yes, better to have a passport and get it over with.
If you have a receipt for application for a passport along with picture ID and birth certificate, you will not have a problem, friends of mine did just that last week and there was not even a delay.
As far as being handcuffed solely for not haveing a passport, I would have to see that to believe it!
I just called the Port of Entry at Lukeville and was told by 2 separate people including the director that as long as you bring a valid birth certificate and 2 forms of ID there will be no problems. Just wanted to let you all know.
As I've said before, been through several times w/out a PP; went through a couple of months back and they didn't even want to see my birth certificate, just ID. Handcuffs? Puhhh-LEEEZE! That **** would be all over the news. Liar.
Sorry folks. but I do believe some of these idiots will resort to hand cuffs. My son got handcuffed and shackled on entry solely because there was a for sale sign on the floor of the car. Being a dark skinned Mexican wasn't a big help for him yet I still believe if they had ID'd him first all that drama could have been avoided.
Liar is a harsh word.
Sorry folks. but I do believe some of these idiots will resort to hand cuffs. My son got handcuffed and shackled on entry solely because there was a for sale sign on the floor of the car. Being a dark skinned Mexican wasn't a big help for him yet I still believe if they had ID'd him first all that drama could have been avoided.
Liar is a harsh word.
I've also seen people get cuffed in front of me on line....but it was always for some other reason and not for not having their passport.....
Regarding this statement: "The rules now seem to be that everyone gets handcuffed while things are worked out. This is what I have been told directly by folks who had this experience recently at the Lukeville crossing."
If you break a law an officer of the peace is always required to handcuff the subject. Not having papers upon entry and you try to still come in is breaking the law.
The process at lukeville is if you "KNOW" you are breaking the law, (which not having a passport and trying to cross is); is park your car at the Mex side and "Walk" into the crossing house. You volunteer the information and documentation. You declare first. (I am breaking the law but here is what I have)
You do not wait to see if they will "catch" you trying to do something illegal.
I would even go to the Xhouse before crossing into Mex to get a signed clearance to show upon re entry. They are very accommodative. I used a USdrivers license and a paper showing that I was in process of obtaining a Green card and they let me pass after a few calls by them.
After looking into the details of our friends who were handcuffed the story is this:
Their boat in tow on a trailer had an abundance of sand in the hull due to a mishap with a sandbar. The presence of the sand created a situation that the guards wanted to verify further. The folks were both handcuffed for a couple of hours as the mystery of the sand was investigated.
I can see that happening. I bring my boat back and forth a lot. And they always inspect it. Have even X-rayed it a time or two. Never been handcuffed, though, while they went through the boat. Usually, they just ask about what I do for a living and how I can afford such a nice boat!
After looking into the details of our friends who were handcuffed the story is this:
Their boat in tow on a trailer had an abundance of sand in the hull due to a mishap with a sandbar. The presence of the sand created a situation that the guards wanted to verify further. The folks were both handcuffed for a couple of hours as the mystery of the sand was investigated.
Maybe based on an initial "profile" of your friends, the customs people felt the "need" to handcuff.....and yes, there is profiling.....they couldn't do their job if there wasn't, for all you ACLU types :stir::rofl:
I sometimes bring two large jetskis across....sometimes they give them a cursory look, aq ocuple of times, they pulled the seats, etc to look inside....but I'm 60, and usually have my daughter along...so they probably consider me harmless!!
Wahoo - I think I missed something. Of what country are you a citizen and live in? What document do you use to enter the U.S if you don't have a "green card"?
Also, A U.S citizen not having a passport is not "breaking the law" entering the U.S. at a port of entry, as long as the person is truthful about his citizenship. Telling the inspector: "I'm a U.S, citizen, but I do not have my passport" is not breaking the law.
It is a fact that many people have been routinely handcuffed when sent for secondary inspection, whether at the discretion of the primary inspector, or randomly selected by the computer.This recent policy is very intimidating, and the experience can be traumatic to some individuals. It hasn't been publicized by the government. It began about the time that outgoing inspection was initiated. U.S. outgoing inspection agents carry machine guns and shotguns, which is no less intimidating to U.S. citizen tourists than machine gun bearing Mexican soldiers at Mexican highway check points. Why the need for agents armed with automatic weapons where there wasn't a previous need for even a checkpoint? Mexico is responsible for checking people entering Mexico.
Ok so we just got back and had no issue whatsoever at the border upon return. We came back across around 8am, handed the border guard my valid passport, wifes expired passport, and our friends birth certificates and ID's. She looked at the passports, scanned mine, reviewed the birth certificates and then proceeded to examine the jeep. She shuffled around the blankets, went through the ice chest, and unzipped and poked around our bags. All while we sat in the line holding up the traffic. In all my years of going back and forth I've never had such an extensive search while we sat in line. Then again, I've never come across without the proper documentation. Hope this helped for you all.
Incaroads wrote:
"In all the back and force that I have done with passengers they have not make us pull to the side or make us wait longer than 15 minutes for not having a passport."
So this just increases the wait for everyone in line and takes the time of the border people. Sounds like it would be helpful if people would simply get the border the cards. They can be flashed at the camera as you pass by, you get a question or two and you are on your way.
For 45.00 plus a picture it's just such an easy fix.
Damn the man found my big assed bag of Oranges yesterday at the border.The Asparagus made it safely. There was a caravan of 8 police trucks with guys with long guns in the back headed into a side street with sirens blaring yesterday...looked like trouble
.....So this just increases the wait for everyone in line and takes the time of the border people. Sounds like it would be helpful if people would simply get the border the cards. They can be flashed at the camera as you pass by, you get a question or two and you are on your way.
For 45.00 plus a picture it's just such an easy fix.
That would be in a perfect world, however since this is new, well if you can call it that, most people that travels in a regular basis have a passport and the card are for those that do not want to travel other than by road to the border towns, I guess?
I do not think that they will ever let you go by with a wave of the hand, when it comes to terrorism, contraband, etc. they are going to continue stopping cars and with or with out the card it is going to take at least 15 minutes, undercarriage check with mirrors, tap in van body, open doors, etc. and not just because I drive a commercial vehicle, this happens to any and all cars they feel like doing it to, and let me tell you, as Wahoo above says go to Europe and try to cross any border with a piece of paperwork missing, you'll be in for a surprise
Wahoo - What country is your citizenship? What is a G4 visa?
All new passports and passport cards have RFID chips. However, even though the readers have been installed at Lukeville, they have not been functioning, as of the last time I crossed. Passports and cards still have to be manually scanned by the inspector.
Jerry - You should know better than to try to smuggle oranges across the border. You could have been slapped with a "big assed fine" for your "big assed bag". Not a good example to set. Asparagus is OK, so long as it is declared. If you don't declare what is legal to cross, it can be confiscated solely because of not being declared. There is a long list of fruits and vegetables that can be crossed, as long as they are declared.
Jerry - You should know better than to try to smuggle oranges across the border. You could have been slapped with a "big assed fine" for your "big assed bag". Not a good example to set. Asparagus is OK, so long as it is declared. If you don't declare what is legal to cross, it can be confiscated solely because of not being declared. There is a long list of fruits and vegetables that can be crossed, as long as they are declared.
but cactus a big ars bag of oranges and very juice costs $5 in Mexico and now with the freez in Florida they say that orange prices will go up, so wwhat will they do (orange growers)? they will buy $5 sack from Mexico and sell them for $25 in the USA, I know about all the overhead involved however overly pricing it (guaging?sp) takes place all the time so why not beat them at their own game, specially if you are just bringing them for your own use, "not for re-sale" stamped in outside of orange peel in each one, american style, that should not bother anybody :eek3:
Jerry - You should know better than to try to smuggle oranges across the border. You could have been slapped with a "big assed fine" for your "big assed bag". Not a good example to set. Asparagus is OK, so long as it is declared. If you don't declare what is legal to cross, it can be confiscated solely because of not being declared. There is a long list of fruits and vegetables that can be crossed, as long as they are declared.
Damn. I usually have them hidden but I picked up hitch hikers and in making room for them exposed the little orange devils.I can't believe i forgot to recover them up. I would be a bad smuggler
Damn. I usually have them hidden but I picked up hitch hikers and in making room for them exposed the little orange devils.I can't believe i forgot to recover them up. I would be a bad smuggler
Inka - The law is the law, and you can't rationalize breaking it based on personal economics, or whatever. Try getting away with smuggling marijuana, based on it being almost free in Mexico, and quite expensive in the U.S. "Oh, this pot is very expensive in the U.S., and it's for my own personal use. I don't intend to sell it, I promise". Well, not really the same because oranges are legal in the U.S.
The warning signs about crossing restricted agricultural products are very visible. They prevent using ignorance of the law as an excuse. The reasons for restrictions vary, depending on the particular fruit or vegetable. In any case, the undeclared restricted items will be confiscated, if found, and you can also be subjected to significant fines, at the discretion of the inspector. You will not be subject to sanctions if you declare something that happens to be restricted.
Restrictions based on preventing the spread of disease to our domestic crops are easy to understand and accept. Oranges fall into this category, preventing the spread of "quick decline" virus, and other diseases that are a threat to our domestic citrus (orange) industry. Sounds good, but the actual "threat" may be more of a myth than reality. However, other types of citrus aren't restricted.
Other restrictions are based on economic reasons. I believe avocados are an example. Avocados can be imported if the pits are removed. This makes no sense from a disease prevention aspect. Removing the pit makes the fruit rapidly perishable. The same applies to importing coconuts. They can only be imported if the milk is drained. Try to find an inspector who can explain the reason behind this.
Many importation restrictions may be no more than nonsense, and we may not agree with them. However, getting caught violating them may cause one to get flagged for secondary inspection on subsequent border crossings.
Cactus, believe me when I say I understand your point and also understand the consequences of transporting across the border items that are not acceptable/illegal, however I have seen when the crops are bad here in AZ and the prices skyrocketed and a week later you see all the sonoran produce come into the stores and the prices do not reflect the change, remember tomatoes a couple of years ago? :eek3:
Kenny - Being real is having an understanding of the law, and the consequences of being caught breaking it. One makes his own decision in regard to this in regard to weighing the risk/reward for one's actions. My point is that one should not make light about casually bringing prohibited items across the border. Losing a bag of oranges may be insignificant, but being slapped with a hearty fine, and being added to the border "watch list" may not be a lot of fun. One's personal belief about the law has nothing to do with this. You miss the point.
Inka - You make a valid point. These conditions exist now for many items. That's why I load up on fruit/vegetables in Mexico before heading north. Cucumbers are just one good example. This week I paid $.89 for just one cucumber here. In Penasco that would buy a kilo! The same price difference applies to Anaheim chilis, tomatillos, tomatoes, limones, asparagus, etc., etc.
Approximately 80% of our winter produce comes from Mexico, mostly from Sinaloa, south of Sonora. Interesting that what one is prohibited from personally importing, can be imported commercially. Commercially imported items are "inspected" and pose no threat! SURE!
Papayas are OK, but not mangos, even though both are grown in the same regions. Something about mangos being a host to some species of fruit fly. Where are mangos grown in the U.S.? I have never seen a domestic mango in any market. Most come from Central America. That specific fruit fly of interest could probably not even survive in our climate! Well, how do you stop something that has wings and can fly?
No matter, protect your butt and don't give the Obama/Napolitano border gestapo an opportunity to make an example out of you. Things have changed very quickly recently with the implementation of outgoing inspection, the government violation of private property rights (Gringo Pass), and handcuffing law abiding citizens as if they were criminals under arrest while their vehicle is being inspected at secondary inspection.
Inka - One thing I forgot to mention in regard to price variability of produce. You can buy a kilo of avocados in Rocky Point for the price that you would pay for one or two avocados in Tucson. However, recently, avocados cost more in Hermosillo than they cost in Tucson. Go figure!
About the passport being flagged...a friend who lives in RP and Phoenix was traveling from Europe last year and was caught with a small amount of sausage (very small) carefully wrapped. His passport was "flagged" at that time and now he has a longer wait at the border each and every time he wants to re-enter the U.S.
About the passport being flagged...a friend who lives in RP and Phoenix was traveling from Europe last year and was caught with a small amount of sausage (very small) carefully wrapped. His passport was "flagged" at that time and now he has a longer wait at the border each and every time he wants to re-enter the U.S.
Brother d you need to reread the Bro handbook.Commenting on the size of another bros sausage is against the rules.
The represented size of the sausage was a quote from the bro in question therefore I plead innocent on this one. I will tread more lightly in the future though. :-)
Although I'm a fairly new poster here I've been a lurker on this site when it started as well as the site prior to this. I find your alls posts, cheapshots and humor very interesting, informative and quite funny at times.
I would like to comment about the last two trips I made down, one was in May of 09 and again the next month, June.
Get this, I drive a F-150 with a hard tonneau cover on the bed, you can't see in without opening the tailgate and lifting the cover up. Anyhow, both times at the border while crossing on the way out I was floored I didn't get asked to move to the secondary inspection area. On the first trip, which would be my wifes first time there I told her in advance we would be sent over to the side to look under the cover, it didn't happen in either trip. Being I've been going to RP since the mid-80's with about a 5 year hiatus, I still knew what to expect. So, both times we don't get secondary screened, and both times when we hit the checkpoint outside of Why, still no looky-looky under the cover. Granted both times they ran the dog around the vehicle, but nothing more. My wife almost called me a liar and I was flabbergasted. I've never done or even thought about doing anything illegal while crossing back to the U.S. but I'm seeing these two passings as what "could have happened". I chalk it up to how I acted or didn't act for that matter when I hit the border...or, the agents where both blind.
Also, when at the border I handed the agent ID's and birth certificates for me, my wife and two sons. The truck I drive is a 4 door and the windows are tinted pretty dark. After I handed over the papers, the agent didn't even try to look past me to see in the back seat to verify 4 occupants. His eyes never left mine. Since my wife was nervous as a wh0re in church when I told her I wanted to take the family to PP, maybe the agents felt sorry for me with mind-reading abilities and knew we were not a problem. So say you???
Here, let me make you feel right at home.."Although I'm a fairly new poster here" is a little understated, isn't it? Since you've been reading this forum for years, you made a post.
OK, I hope you feel at home now... In all the years I've been crossing I've never been checked out at all. Never a ice chest opened or anything like that. On both sides I have been asked what my big bazooka pole case is, and when I tell them " you must not fish, that's a fishing pole case" they just go "oh". I also have a Browning backpack type case for my big reels and such, and if it's in sight it always catches their eye on both sides of the border because Browning means gun's to most. Again, I tell them that "it's for fishing gear, it's not a gun case, they make em for fishing gear too". They've just said "oh", and have never looked inside.
"I chalk it up to my how I acted or didn't act for that matter when I hit the border"... I honestly think that has a lot to do with it... I still declare, "I declare I had a really good time", and smile when asked "do you have anything to declare", but I am a little quicker to make a more formal response than in the past, if I get that look...LOL... A positive and open attitude will go a long way's anywhere, even at a border check.
The Gold wrapper, called especial, is a a blond beer, while silver is a dark.
Always ask for it and sooner or later the establishment will carry it. (mayan has it)
It is considered the best beer in Mexico. RP was monopolized by Corona, but that strangle hold is slowly been broken by the popularity of Bud.
>>> • Bohemia: One of the most popular beers in Mexico and one of the best. Made with Saaz hops, the beer has a malty, fullbodied taste with a hint of vanilla. It’s also more potent at 5.4 percent alcohol by volume.<<<
Here is one for you Kenny :coldone:
Thank you Wahoo... For years I went to go to the back door of the Corona distributor, but it sounds like that if this stuff would have been around then, the higher alcohol content would have been calling me like the siren's from Greek mythology. I would have soon been yelling... Yahoo, Wahoo!
