BajaNomad - Punished by border patrol

Punished by border patrol

ehall - 10-27-2020 at 07:46 AM

Somehow with all the new construction in Mexicali a group of 6 jeeps ended up in the sentri lane with no way to bail out. None had sentri.
We were all educated and then sent to secondary were they made us wait for a couple hours. When it was my turn to be inspected he had me open my hood and tailgate and stand on the curb. He disappeared for 15 minutes with my passport then came back with a big smile and said I was clear to go. Nobody even looked under the hood or thru my stuff.

DouglasP - 10-27-2020 at 08:04 AM

Similar incident for me last year. Multiple lanes, traffic backed up onto the road. Mexican popo directing traffic. He waved us into the sentri lane. I knew it was the wrong lane, my lovely wife adding to the confusion yelling just go. I started to back out and the popo blocked me. So onward we went.
We received the same treatment as you, to a tee. Also told multiple times we would be fined next time. Like 5K if I remember correctly.
I remember thinking we were being punished at the time.
Oh well, live and learn.

Udo - 10-27-2020 at 08:27 AM

You were lucky!
You could have been fined $5,000USD for the violation of entry into SENTRI lane. Generally, there are at least 3 posted signs designating the SENTRI lane and violation is subject to a fine.

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

Somehow with all the new construction in Mexicali a group of 6 jeeps ended up in the sentri lane with no way to bail out. None had sentri.
We were all educated and then sent to secondary were they made us wait for a couple hours. When it was my turn to be inspected he had me open my hood and tailgate and stand on the curb. He disappeared for 15 minutes with my passport then came back with a big smile and said I was clear to go. Nobody even looked under the hood or thru my stuff.

bajatrailrider - 10-27-2020 at 08:44 AM

Same thing happened to me Ed . I could not get out of line. When I got to inspection booth. I held my hands out like hand cuffed. asked how long in jail he laughed said already 20 like you today. As luck would have it dont try it again he said.

jamiec - 10-27-2020 at 09:30 AM

Last summer I crossed at Mexicali for the first time. Got turned around a couple of times downtown and finally found my way to the border.

Accidently got in the SENTRI lane. Once you are in, you are in.

I've never seen so many Border Patrol agents give me the slow WTF head shake.

The search of my truck wasn't really that thorough compared to the guy in the next stall. BP said if I did it again I would be fined or could have my truck impounded. No thanks.

Beagle - 10-27-2020 at 09:52 AM

Speaking of, If you have Global Entry, is that the same and get you entry into the SENTRI line and isn't there an updated way to add a vehicle to your "account" without showing up somewhere for an inspection...? Or am I imagining all of that?

Chup - 10-27-2020 at 10:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle

Speaking of, If you have Global Entry, is that the same and get you entry into the SENTRI line and isn't there an updated way to add a vehicle to your "account" without showing up somewhere for an inspection...? Or am I imagining all of that?

You can use your GE card in the Sentry lane. But, adding a vehicle is for Sentry holders only, as I understand.

Adding a vehicle

John M - 10-27-2020 at 10:24 AM

I can't speak for G.E., but I added our new vehicle to SENTRI on-line. No actual inspection. Then, I printed out the confirmation that the truck was added - to take with us just in case...

Some time ago when you added a vehicle, the first time you re-enter the U.S. in that newly added vehicle they would send you to secondary.

That did not happen this time, and we've been through SENTRI lane several times since.

John M

Beagle - 10-27-2020 at 11:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John M

I can't speak for G.E., but I added our new vehicle to SENTRI on-line. No actual inspection. Then, I printed out the confirmation that the truck was added - to take with us just in case...

Some time ago when you added a vehicle, the first time you re-enter the U.S. in that newly added vehicle they would send you to secondary.

That did not happen this time, and we've been through SENTRI lane several times since.

John M

I think THIS is what I heard about! Will be looking into it more. Thank you!

ehall - 10-27-2020 at 11:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Same thing happened to me Ed . I could not get out of line. When I got to inspection booth. I held my hands out like hand cuffed. asked how long in jail he laughed said already 20 like you today. As luck would have it dont try it again he said.

The guy leading our group astray is a federal air marshal. Not sure if that helped or hurt our cause.

mtgoat666 - 10-27-2020 at 11:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

Punished by border patrol

Somehow with all the new construction in Mexicali a group of 6 jeeps ended up in the sentri lane with no way to bail out. None had sentri.
We were all educated and then sent to secondary were they made us wait for a couple hours.

as an authorized, card-carrying member of the short-line club, I a approve of CBP meting out punishment on line violators :lol:

map boy needs to publish maps to clue you guys in! :light:

David K - 10-27-2020 at 12:45 PM

Mexicali East, the signs are crystal clear (as long as you know that garita = border crossing and Camiones = trucks)...

Garita II is Mexicali East and Garita I is the original downtown crossing (but recently changed to a new crossing just west of the old).

Autos & trucks right and Sentri straight.

I have not crossed north at the new Mexicali downtown/ Calexico border, just southbound. It should be as equally well-signed??

ehall - 10-27-2020 at 12:58 PM

Lol. We crossed at the West crossing going North. Lots of new construction.

ehall - 10-27-2020 at 01:04 PM

I have no problem with how they handled it. I fully expected to be turned around somehow.

apple - 10-27-2020 at 03:54 PM

Doesn't sound like you were punished at all!

ehall - 10-27-2020 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by apple

Doesn't sound like you were punished at all!

Worked out well. Got to wait in the shade. I think we got off pretty easy for an honest mistake.

The one thing that did upset me was no churros in the sentri line.

JZ - 10-27-2020 at 04:05 PM

Get Global Entry guys.

Beagle - 10-27-2020 at 04:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Get Global Entry guys.

We have Global Entry but not SENTRI. Does it work the same way? We can get in the SENTRI line if our car is also registered?

JZ - 10-27-2020 at 04:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle

We have Global Entry but not SENTRI. Does it work the same way? We can get in the SENTRI line if our car is also registered?

Yes.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1295?language=en_US

[Edited on 10-27-2020 by JZ]

Skipjack Joe - 10-27-2020 at 07:37 PM

If you use google maps to cross the border it directs you to it via the sentri lanes. BP told me he didn't care.

nbentley1 - 10-28-2020 at 08:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle

We have Global Entry but not SENTRI. Does it work the same way? We can get in the SENTRI line if our car is also registered?

Yes.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1295?language=en_US

[Edited on 10-27-2020 by JZ]

Global Entry certifies the person, Sentri certifies the vehicle and the Person. A person with global entry can ride in a sentri certified vehicle.

JZ - 10-28-2020 at 08:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by nbentley1

Global Entry certifies the person, Sentri certifies the vehicle and the Person. A person with global entry can ride in a sentri certified vehicle.

Not sure what you are trying to say.

But you can add your car to your GE account and drive it through through the Sentri lane. You do not have to have a car certified by Sentri.

Other than cost, the only difference between GE and Sentri is who can get it. Sentri is available to more foreigners.

[Edited on 10-28-2020 by JZ]

jamiec - 10-28-2020 at 08:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

If you use google maps to cross the border it directs you to it via the sentri lanes.

This was my mistake. A couple of times in Baja.

It was actually bizarre how bad my ATT connection was just a mile or two from the border and was suddenly was great once we crossed back into the US.

[Edited on 10-28-2020 by jamiec]

mjs - 10-28-2020 at 08:48 AM

You can add vehicles to GE. The main difference between GE and Sentri is that Sentri is open to all foreign citizens while GE is only available for US citizens and a few foreign applicants.

Allwaters - 11-11-2020 at 04:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John M

Ok what is SENTRI? I remember seeing and hearing about the lane one isn't supposed to use... is that some kind of comuter/membership lane? I remember my buddies in another rig ended on it and they were threatened with fines impoundment etc...

[Edited on 11-12-2020 by BajaNomad]

mtgoat666 - 11-11-2020 at 06:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Allwaters

Ok what is SENTRI? I remember seeing and hearing about the lane one isn't supposed to use... is that some kind of comuter/membership lane?

Yes.

pascuale - 11-17-2020 at 02:49 AM

Educated? First, those officers are Customs Officers not Border Patrol. So you got to skip the entire line but are complaining you had to wait 15 min because you f$&ked up? Really?

ehall - 11-17-2020 at 04:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pascuale

Educated? First, those officers are Customs Officers not Border Patrol. So you got to skip the entire line but are complaining you had to wait 15 min because you f$&ked up? Really?

First off there is no need to be a dick. Secondly if you had read the post instead of just half assed scanning over it you would see we were in secondary for a couple hours. Lastly this story was supposed to be funny. Don't be a jerk. Have a nice day.

P.s. they are all border patrol. Lol