BajaNomad

New immigration checks for illegal's

Loboron - 11-28-2007 at 10:19 AM

IN MEXICO..............

Yesterday I stopped at the border and got my FM 3 renewal stamped. The immigration officer had me fill out a form; who, what, where and how long and the type of Visa, FM 3, etc., I had in the way of proper documents for my stay in Mexico.

I asked, wasn't my FM 3 proof enough? He said the form was for Mexico, officials want to know how many "Foreigners" visit Mexico and for how long. I asked how they could keep an accurate count, pointing out the window at all the cars entering Mexico.

The officer then said that a new Pilot program starting in January 08 for the Tijuana-Rosarito area, we will be checking all visitors for proper documents. I asked about this area known as the "Free Zone" He smiled and said, "Like the United States, we have a lot of illegal's here and we will be looking for those people and direct them to obtain the proper documents or we will expel them." His words.

I asked him where the checkpoints were going to be, on the main roads or toll road. He said no, these checks will be done in Rosarito and in Tijuana, he wouldn't be specific. He did say that their concern was that there are many Russians and other foreigners, other than Americans who are here illegal and the government is concerned about them.

He cautioned to have your US passport and proper Mexican documents with you at all times.

This is FYI only, I'm just repeating what I was told.

Al G - 11-28-2007 at 10:28 AM

In essence I agree this should be done.....but suspect it has a darker side. Me think they want to know where gringo living in Baja are just in case retaliation is needed for EXPELLING their GNP...

ELINVESTIG8R - 11-28-2007 at 10:44 AM

If that will keep out the criminal element i.e. gang members, etc. who I suspect do prey on tourists then I am all for it.

toneart - 11-28-2007 at 11:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Loboron
IN MEXICO..............

Yesterday I stopped at the border and got my FM 3 renewal stamped. The immigration officer had me fill out a form; who, what, where and how long and the type of Visa, FM 3, etc., I had in the way of proper documents for my stay in Mexico.


This is a question for anybody who knows:
I thought that with an FM3 you don't have to stop at the border to get it stamped. I think that it was stamped at Guerrero Negro on the times they have asked to see it. Upon arriving at your residence, you have to go to immigrado and report your address within 10 days and they stamp it there. :?:

Cracking Down.

MrBillM - 11-28-2007 at 12:07 PM

IF there is a darker "Tit for Tat" motive for the Immigration crackdown, it would not be the first time that the Mexican authorities have reacted to U.S. crackdowns.

There have been many of those "Shoot self in Foot" instances over the years where they react to Government policy by making things difficult for the individual Gringo Turista who has little or no sway over Governmental actions and IS bringing money into the Mexican economy.

With all of the negative news regarding crime already discouraging some visitors, a stricter and hostile attitude from the Mexican authorities would be pretty Dumb, but Hey, that's Mexico.

For people like me, it's just another irritation since all of my papers are in order. For the casual visitor (especially first-time) it may be the proverbial "Straw".

Hook - 11-28-2007 at 12:23 PM

They're worried about Trotskyites from the Great Bear joining up the AMLO's followers?

DENNIS - 11-28-2007 at 12:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Loboron

He smiled and said, "Like the United States, we have a lot of illegal's here


Man...Is that a fact!!!!!! I know Americans who have lived here for thirty years without any kind of papers. I've often wondered why they didn't come down on them but, I figured they didn't want to start cross border retaliation.
One thing I've seen, if a person gets jambed up with the law, they will have to get legal before they can be defended.

rts551 - 11-28-2007 at 01:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Quote:
Originally posted by Loboron
IN MEXICO..............

Yesterday I stopped at the border and got my FM 3 renewal stamped. The immigration officer had me fill out a form; who, what, where and how long and the type of Visa, FM 3, etc., I had in the way of proper documents for my stay in Mexico.


This is a question for anybody who knows:
I thought that with an FM3 you don't have to stop at the border to get it stamped. I think that it was stamped at Guerrero Negro on the times they have asked to see it. Upon arriving at your residence, you have to go to immigrado and report your address within 10 days and they stamp it there. :?:


I have been told by the immigration officials that anytime you leave or enter the country with a FM3 or FM2 you are supposed to get it stamped. But very few do and it is hard to check on.

DianaT - 11-28-2007 at 01:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Quote:
Originally posted by Loboron
IN MEXICO..............

Yesterday I stopped at the border and got my FM 3 renewal stamped. The immigration officer had me fill out a form; who, what, where and how long and the type of Visa, FM 3, etc., I had in the way of proper documents for my stay in Mexico.


This is a question for anybody who knows:
I thought that with an FM3 you don't have to stop at the border to get it stamped. I think that it was stamped at Guerrero Negro on the times they have asked to see it. Upon arriving at your residence, you have to go to immigrado and report your address within 10 days and they stamp it there. :?:


I have been told by the immigration officials that anytime you leave or enter the country with a FM3 or FM2 you are supposed to get it stamped. But very few do and it is hard to check on.


I wonder if everyone will need to now stop and have the FM3 stamped upon leaving and entering. I know some people do it at Guerrero Negro, but we won't go anywhere near that immigration office.

DENNIS - 11-28-2007 at 01:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter

I wonder if everyone will need to now stop and have the FM3 stamped upon leaving and entering. I know some people do it at Guerrero Negro, but we won't go anywhere near that immigration office.

Diane....
It will never happen at the US/MEX border. It would require a Mexican gate of exit prior to the US gate of entry. That or the most huge parking lot imaginable. There are FM3/2 holders who pass through more than once a day. It would be a nightmare for everybody, government included.

bajajudy - 11-28-2007 at 02:39 PM

Sunday when I took my husband and our employee to the airport, there were immigration officials checking everyone who entered the airport. Somehow they missed me, which was good as I had nothing with me except my Mexican driver license. And they let my mother in law go. But they asked our Mexican employee what he was doing there and he told them that he was going to Guadalajara with him and pointed to my husband
Weird.

Don Alley - 11-28-2007 at 03:35 PM

Stamping FM3s...

I just did a short flight to the states and back. Presented my FM3 to Immigration at the Loreto airport, as required. Filled out the red form. Got stamped coming back in, but no exit stamp. Seems they are never consistent.

It would be easy to check the FM3s at renewel time, but they never do. I think I have more exit stamps than entrance stamps, yet here I am.;D

toneart - 11-28-2007 at 03:46 PM

Yes, they do check and (sometimes) stamp your FM 3 at airports. This string was concerned about stopping at the border while driving. I have never heard of or known of anyone who has with an FM2 or FM 3 stopping at the border to get it stamped. Not sure about FM2, but my experience is with FM3.

Diane,

I was not talking about going into town in Guerrero Negro. I am saying that the official at the Baja Sur line always asks for papers. You can't avoid him. I have read here that sometimes he doesn't check, but he has always asked for my papers.

[Edited on 11-29-2007 by toneart]

bajajudy - 11-28-2007 at 04:00 PM

Since FM3's have no residency requirements, I doubt anyone would care about checking in and out. BUT FM2's require that you are not outside of Mexico for more that 180 days in 5 years and I believe(i. e. do not know for sure) that you should check in and out at the border if that is the migracion status that you hold.

Anyone with an FM2 ever heard any different?

DianaT - 11-28-2007 at 07:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart

Diane,

I was not talking about going into town in Guerrero Negro. I am saying that the official at the Baja Sur line always asks for papers. You can't avoid him. I have read here that sometimes he doesn't check, but he has always asked for my papers.

[Edited on 11-29-2007 by toneart]


We only go through there when the immigration office is closed, or we go another way. We want NOTHING to do with them---U2U and I will explain. :yes:

Diane

[Edited on 11-29-2007 by jdtrotter]

gnukid - 11-29-2007 at 01:49 PM

An FM-3 is supposed to be unlimited entry/exit. Sometimes they say you have to stamp in and out and sometimes they don't and they make it difficult. Therefore the stamp is not really that important depending on who's asking you, except to demonstrate the time you were in and the time you were out for legal purposes, such as reducing your US taxes and Mexico capital gains taxes by demonstrating full time residency in mexico without departure for one full year.

US tax laws and Mexican tax require this full year without departure as a starting point to determine full time residency for taxes, which I imagine the Trotters are alluding to.

If you are a property owner in mexico and have a persona fisica taxpayer id and taxpayer id card known as a tarjeta tributaria and can show that you didn't leave the country for a full year you benefit from capital gains laws that allow you to pay zero capital gains taxes on sales of homes after two years if its your primary home. You'll also need to show all home utility bills paid for the period.

[Edited on 11-29-2007 by gnukid]

vandenberg - 11-29-2007 at 02:11 PM

Quote:
If you are a property owner in mexico and have a persona fisica taxpayer id and taxpayer id card known as a tarjeta tributaria and can show that you didn't leave the country for a full year you benefit from capital gains laws that allow you to pay zero capital gains taxes on sales of homes after two years if its your primary home. You'll also need to show all home utility bills paid for the period.


Gnukid,
I don't believe you should make statements to the effect of not having to pay capital gains taxes. I think that the laws pertaining to that , are far more complex then that. Have been living here permanently for 14 years and rarely leave the country. Also am an inmigrado, own my home, my wife has an Hacienda nummer, etc. Would be nice if I would qualify for the no gains status, but frequent inquiries have never ever defined my status to that effect. And others here in Loreto with the same status can't answer those questions either. However, I would be thankful if anyone on this board could give me a clear answer to those questions. Usually they end up being as clear as frosted glass :biggrin::biggrin:

DENNIS - 11-29-2007 at 03:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
I would be thankful if anyone on this board could give me a clear answer to those questions. biggrin:

Or any other questions pertaining to Mexico.

gnukid - 11-29-2007 at 04:17 PM

I am not a lawyer so I apologize if I insinuated that in fact I know the laws. Its heresay. I only recently read something here... http://www.lapaz-realestate.com/Category/SellerInfo and I met with two Notarias #11 and #12 in La Paz who told me something similar but a little different... at a bar. Basically you should pay the tax. Its simplest. But you can qualify for the exemption if you do your homework in advance.

Or you can also apply for the forms which state the amount you put into the home remodel to be deducted from the capital gain, normally done to the Catastro (sp?) who provides a __________ building document based on facturas which require a #RFC but you may also demonstrate the cost of the construction/remodel to them in various ways....

"The third option is to re evaluate the property and bring it up to the sales price by registering the actual value or market value in the public registry and receiving a document called “manifestacion de construccion” this document when submitted in a closing of the sale of your property will eliminate the capital gain if the value in the document and the sales value are the same, This is an easy process and necessary in most sales as most foreign owned property registered value is way below the actual sales value This is done during "escrow" and is very inexpensive compared to paying capital gains." from Sidne Byers.

Can any one fill us in on this process of manifestacion de construccion with the Catastro office or whatever they are called.


[Edited on 11-29-2007 by gnukid]