How to Get Through the Border Gate with Minimum Hassle (Legally).
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES:
N.B.: NEW SECURITY PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT.
You MUST carry identification even if you are obviously (accent/speech/behavior) an United States American.
To PROVE United States citizenship and be allowed to re-enter the USA, you must either have a U.S. Passport or two forms of official identification, one of which may be a birth certificate. Or participate in the SENTRI "fast-pass" program] (See also: Best times to cross.)
HERE is a quote from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website (copied February 2009):
ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
Oral declarations are no longer accepted from U.S., Canadian or Bermudan travelers seeking to enter the U.S. by sea and/or land. Travelers will need to present a valid government issued ID and a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
On June 1, 2009 all U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 16 and older traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), will be required to present a valid passport or other alternative documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. and Canadian citizens who are 15 years old or younger will still be allowed to travel with just a copy of their birth certificate, as will teens between the age of 16-18 if they are part of an adult supervised school, religious, cultural or athletic group.
Lawful Permanent Residents (Green card holder's) do NOT need a passport to enter the United States, however you may need a passport to enter another country. Please contact the embassy of the foreign country you will be traveling to for their requirements.
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE while inflight through xibalba cyberspace,
AHEM...
Pedestrian Walkers @ San Ysidro going to catch the Trolley: see below or (we dare you) to figure it out for yourselves. *wicked laugh*
By the way, the Gringo reminds you to: NEVER, Ever, EVER NEVER carry ANYONE else's luggage -- NO Matter WHO -- sweet little old lady, innocent-looking child, or ANYONE asks you....
WE Repeat: Carry NOTHING that is NOT Yours. Smugglers (and terrorists) would LOVE you to be STUPID and help them get something across!
Tips for easy crossing:
- Do not cross into the U.S. on weekday mornings or weekday afternoons. Wait until 01:00 a.m.
:-) - Wait your turn. [ HAVE YOUR IDENTIFICATION READY -- PASSPORT, VISA, or Driver's License and 2nd ID (birth certificate) ARE NOW REQUIRED FROM EVERYONE. NO MORE SIMPLY SAYING "U.S. CITIZEN" AND BEING WAVED THROUGH. ] Smile and say hello, good morning, good afternoon, whatever. This gives the officer a chance to quickly check you out and hear your accent.
- Be honest. The usual questions are "Where are you going? Where are you coming from? What are you bring from Mexico?"
- Be polite.
- GET A PASSPORT — they are superb identification and the border officers prefer them.
- Remember that under the Constitution, the federal government has full authority [ AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL "RIGHT" ] to guard the borders. You have no "rights" here except not to be tortured. Sorry, but... *sigh*
- If you drive, often, think of getting a new SENTRI lane pass.
- If you can choose, walk. This is usually faster than driving (45 minutes versus 100). [ TIMES ARE LONGER NOW WITH NEW SECURITY PROCEDURES See: Best times to cross. ]
- Alternatively, ride one of the shuttle busses or vans from downtown Tijuana or jump on right from the border lines themselves (minibus hucksters are everywhere yelling Five Dollars U.S.-- and it's a long wait, too, but at least you're sitting down...
- If you are walking, and there is a wait, think of it as a line at Disneyland, waiting to get on a ride -- SEE, EXPERIENCE the U.S. roller coaster!
- Think of it as a supermarket check-out stand.
- REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE BORN!!!!
- Don't tell them they work for you....
- Be aware what may not be legally brought into the U.S.: many fruits and produce, most fresh meats (some cooked meats), fireworks, etc., ARE NOT ALLOWED. Ask questions of the U.S.Govt. ON-LINE here or maybe not.
- Be confident. Carry identification. If you are a United States Citizen, say so simply and clearly when you are asked your citizenship, and equally, if you are a citizen of another country, have your passport and/or visa ready.
- When they official asks what you are bringing in from Mexico, just say what you have. Don't give big explanations of how you went shopping for one thing and found another, just tell her or him what you have right now.
- If you are bringing back drugs (LEGAL drugs) from the pharmacies, make sure you have your Prescription ready to show.
- Just answer the questions you are asked. Don't waste time telling long involved stories or babeling about what we are telling you here (which is a joke, sort of.... Just Only Answer the Questions you are Asked).
- Be polite.
- Be honest.
- Smile and say thank you.
- Enjoy the United States. Spend money. That is why they are letting you in heh heh heh cackle cackle pay no attention to this little man behind the curtain....
Other Turinfo Pages: Tijuana Maptext.
