BajaNomad - citizens of Mexico

citizens of Mexico

Desertsurfergal - 9-10-2008 at 08:00 PM

I have a question for all Mexican citizens. As you know, we Americans enjoy your wonderful country and find it easy(with a passport) to "just drive, or walk over" to vacation or visit in Mexico. What type of papers or "visa" do you need, if let's say, your family wants to visit the Grand Canyon or stay in the U.S. for any other reason? I see alot of vehicles in Arizona and California with Baja plates and wonder what you all have to go through to visit in the U.S. ? Thanxs, just curious.

LOSARIPES - 9-11-2008 at 06:01 AM

Jump through hoops, beg, call a number to get an appointment, pay US100.00 for a visa application (just the application) per person; travel to Tijuana for the interview, carry all kinds of papers like Birth certificate; School diplomas; bank statements; marriage certificate; shower and shaven, well dressed; smiling, punctual, upbeat, (not too much so as not to raise suspicion) show enough money for the trip and no more... and if you speak good english, fake a heavy accent as they may think you have and live there and will stay there....
Lots...lots of good Mexicans have given up on tourist visas just to avoid the embarrassing process.
They used to issue visas in La Paz, Mazatlan, Hermosillo, and other more convenient places. Now, because of Osama bin laden, they closed the consulates....... and charge 100.00 for each visa application.
Illegal immigration also contributes to this problem... granted... but they treat them like........... sheeken

shari - 9-11-2008 at 07:38 AM

yes, all this and more...you also need a bunch of work related stuff...like your last 3 paystubs...a letter from your boss....basically they want to be sure you will come back to your good job....also names and addresses and phone numbers of who will stay with....etc...etc...ad nauseum. I know personally heads of companies, vice presidents of corporations etc. who were flatly just turned down....and all they wanted to do was take their kids to Disneyland. Word in our community is ...don't even bother trying...not worth the huge expense as very very very few people actually walk away from the terrible experience with the tourist visa.
Most americans have absolutely no idea how impossible and expensive it is to be a tourist from mexico...sigh

Katiejay99 - 9-11-2008 at 08:07 AM

I'm not a Mexican, but I'll add my two centabos worth.
I was trying to help a Mexican man get a tourist visa into the US. We got all the stuff together as mentioned above and then went to the US consulate in Cabo to see how to proceed. We were told to first go to the bank and pay the fee because we would need the receipt number when we called for an appointment. He gave us a 900# to call and the info for the fee. We paid the fee, called the number and were put on hold - no music, no nothing just a dead line feeling - for over 45 minutes. We hung up and tried again the next day. After an hour on hold we went back to the Consulate office and he asked us when we were planning on traveling. I told him late the following month and he said that month and the next were closed out and no more visas were being offered until midway through the next month after.

He Did go to the US - and returned - but I can't tell you how.

shari - 9-11-2008 at 08:39 AM

oh yeah, I forgot about THAT part of the process...same experience...took over a month to just GET the appointment...and lots of maddening long phone calls to try to arrange it...they really really make it nearly impossible to do on purpose.

oxxo - 9-11-2008 at 09:02 AM

We wanted to bring a friend from a foreign country (not Mexico) for a two week visit to California. I have a very close friend who is a career diplomat in the US foreign service. I called him to see if he could fast track the application as a personal favor. He said, no way. He said he couldn't even get his counterpart from a foreign country in for a visit to the US.

He used to work the visa desk in Haiti. He has told me about some of the scams. He had a Haitian come in garbed as a Catholic priest who wanted a visa to visit a shrine in Florida. He asked the "priest" to recite the Lord's Prayer. The "priest" didn't even know what the Lord's Prayer is! REJECT :lol:

Eugenio - 9-11-2008 at 11:12 AM

Shari - I hope I'm not opening a hornet's nest here - but I'm curious - is it any easier for a mexican to get a tourist visa to Canada?

shari - 9-11-2008 at 11:24 AM

Oh yeah, big time....mexicans dont need anything in advance. The reason we got Juan's american tourist visa was that we were flying out of San Diego...that's all....
To go to Canada, you just show up at the airport there with your passport and they GIVE you the tourist visa...no $, no appointment, no paperwork except your passport, no hassle. Very nice experience...Juan was impressed. It's easier for a mexican to fly direct from mexico to canada...but way more expensive....but cheaper if you figure the costs of the american visa you need to fly out of the states.

Santiago - 9-11-2008 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eugenio
Shari - I hope I'm not opening a hornet's nest here - but I'm curious - is it any easier for a mexican to get a tourist visa to Canada?

Are you kidding me???? Hornet's nest??? Last time I was sitting around Shari's dining table she went on and on and on about how the average Canadian had finally surpassed the average 'merican on many different measurements; especially the 'happiness' scale. We had to start chucking full Tecates at her to get her to hush up! Only thing I remember from the whole brew-ha-ha was that Canadians drink more and have more sex. Okay, let's review:
1) happier 2) drink more 3) more whoopee 4) kamloops trout.

Hmmmmm, I'm out of here. :cool:

Desertsurfergal - 9-11-2008 at 12:21 PM

thanks everyone. I am sorry that it's such a hassle for those who want to visit the U.S.

Phil C - 9-11-2008 at 12:24 PM

OK Shari, "Mexicans don't need anything in advance" to travel directly Canada. What DO they need? Just a ticket?

shari - 9-11-2008 at 12:24 PM

Yes, you just need a ticket to arrive at the airport in canada and then they give you your visa upon entering.

In case you were wondering about this newsworthy article that Santiago referred to...here is the link...read it and weep!

e had a pretty good laugh over it.

http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/article.jsp?content=2...

[Edited on 9-11-2008 by shari]

Phil C - 9-11-2008 at 12:31 PM

I'm curious that anyone could just land at an airport in Canada and be admitted to the country. Is there something I'm missing here? You must need a passport, voter I.D. card or something.

[Edited on 9-11-2008 by Phil C]

[Edited on 9-11-2008 by Phil C]

Eugenio - 9-11-2008 at 12:44 PM

Phil - passport.

Shari - come to think of it I have met a few mexicans that have visited Canada - but not the US - I guess that must be the reason. But some of these aquaintances go back 10 years or so...

shari - 9-11-2008 at 12:44 PM

I guess you missed where I said you just show up at the airport with your passport! that's it amigo...no muss...no fuss

Phil C - 9-11-2008 at 12:54 PM

Shari, My Bad, sorry 'bout that. That perks my curiosity again, what is needed to obtain a Mexican passport?

DianaT - 9-11-2008 at 01:04 PM

Canada makes it very easy for people from the US or Mexico to visit. However, those from Central and South America and several other areas need visas obtained before the visit. They also charge a non-refundable application fee.

We know several people who travel from Mexico to the US on a regular basis and many who do so daily. I do think it is a shame that the process is not streamlined, but I feel that way about the complcated requirements for many countries.

For example, it is VERY difficult for a Guatemalan to obtain a travel visa for Mexico.

Diane

Pescador - 9-11-2008 at 01:43 PM

OK, Shari, now I am confused totally. Are you saying that the problem with getting a mexican Visa to go to the United States is a problem with the beauracracy of Mexico or a problem with the US? If it is that difficult to get a visa from the Mexican Government then why is it easier to go straight to Canada?

Oso - 9-11-2008 at 04:08 PM

No, the problem is with the U.S. bureaucracy. I should be used to it by now, but I'm not. I still remember how the incompetents at the D.F. Embassy kept me separated from my wife and child for a year and a half, losing documents, making us go through repetitive procedures over and over again, treating us with haughty contempt. (And that was in the seventies when it was EASIER) Last winter my sister-in-law, two nieces and a grand niece wanted to visit us when Mexicana had a sale on fares from DF to TJ. (We live a mile or so from the border well within the 25 mile zone). They all had passports, owned property and worked in the family-owned business, a fonda in the market in Ixmiquilpan, HGO. They thought they could fly to TJ and get visas at the consulate. Wrong. They were told they would have to go back to the embassy in DF and apply and it might take "some time" for background checks etc. We ended up visiting at a hotel in SLRC for a couple days but they could not come to our house a couple miles away. A month and a half ago, we discovered that my wife's green card had expired (She's been here more than 30 years as a "permanent" resident alien.) On the advice of an ICE agent that it would be faster, we started the renewal process online. It cost me $370. A month later she got an appointment letter to get her "biometrics" done. The people at the ASC (Application Support Center, under contract to INS) were courteous enough. But instead of a new card in the mail, last Friday she got another appointment letter. It explained nothing. The guy at ASC was a bit puzzled too, but then figured out some code letters that meant the fingerprints had not cleared. So, we had to go back and do them again. So now, we're waiting again, no idea for how long. Meanwhile I'm paying a monthly fee for a dental plan in Algodones we can't use and we can't go to friend's daughters' (twins) quinceañera in SLRC this weekend because they might not let my wife back in.

I don't know which I love less, INS or IRS. :mad:

A truly ugly system

thebajarunner - 9-11-2008 at 07:00 PM

Not that difficult to get into the US by illegal means, happens every minute,
Try to take the "high road" and do it legally, well, as described above it turns into a demeaning and senseless process.
And, they keep asking why the illegal immigration is so rampant??? Because our miserable INS makes it nearly impossible for anyone, scoundrel or prince, to get past the "process"
Having spent many, many days at the good old TJ consulate, I can only shake my head at the bad memories.
Those visits included visas for foster kids I adopted, for friends and for my wife's family.

(and, just for the record, my brother-in-law recently retired after 25 years of faithful service to our State Department, his entire career was spent denying visas and demeaning citizens of many countries- I know first hand what a sad lot that so-called "Service" really is....)

shari - 9-11-2008 at 08:25 PM

I was completely appauled (sp?) at the US government's beaurocracy(sp?) regarding tourist visas for mexicans. I finally realized WHY there is such a problem with illegals crossing the border...they arent' just crossing to work...they cross to see family as well. It was really sad and embarassing to see how many were treated in the visa area of the consulate in TJ. I really dont' understand why so many honest working people with good jobs are denied a tourist visa. We were lucky because I got to go into the interview with Juan & Sirena as she was underage and we were a family. They didn't even talk to them and I just explained why we were going to the states. Plus they dont even tell you about the OTHER visa you need if you are going further than san diego...this we only found out when crossing the border and had to wait another 2 hours in a line to get this paper....more hassle and worry and stress and $. really sucks

Baja&Back - 9-11-2008 at 09:47 PM

FYI:
You can fly direct, non-stop from Cabo (SJC) to Vancouver BC with Westjet, a Canadian company, without ever touching ground in the US.

Pescador - 9-12-2008 at 08:38 AM

This thread has been very educational and yet frustrating. We keep learning just how broken the whole system is. People in the US are very frustrated that the border is broken and people flood in the the US in a steady stream and yet the people who hae legitimate reason like tourism or family or whatever can not get legal, easy access to entry. Somehow I can not bring myself to picture Oso's esposa carrying illegal arms and drugs back and forth. So, lets punish the people who would come shopping and go to Disneyland and spend massive amounts of money, that will surely fix the problem. :?:

DianaT - 9-12-2008 at 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
I was completely appauled (sp?) at the US government's beaurocracy(sp?) regarding tourist visas for mexicans. I finally realized WHY there is such a problem with illegals crossing the border...they arent' just crossing to work...they cross to see family as well. It was really sad and embarassing to see how many were treated in the visa area of the consulate in TJ. I really dont' understand why so many honest working people with good jobs are denied a tourist visa. We were lucky because I got to go into the interview with Juan & Sirena as she was underage and we were a family. They didn't even talk to them and I just explained why we were going to the states. Plus they dont even tell you about the OTHER visa you need if you are going further than san diego...this we only found out when crossing the border and had to wait another 2 hours in a line to get this paper....more hassle and worry and stress and $. really sucks

Sounds very much like what our friends in Guatemala said about the Mexicans. Our friends had good paying teaching jobs, owned homes, had families and just wanted to attend an educational conference.

After spending weeks jumping through all the hoops---a real nightmare where they were treated quite rudely -- they were only granted 3 days to attend a 5 day conference.

Maybe bad attitudes have something to do with working borders, immigration, customs, or otherwise. While we have been treated very well at several borders in South, Central and North America, we have also met those who seem to hate their jobs and take it out on everyone else.

thebajarunner - 9-12-2008 at 09:04 AM

I raised four boys from The Door of Faith Orphanage in La Mision with my family in California.

I made a major effort to bring each of them here legally,

And in the end I let them all slide into "illegal" status, when I endured the trips to INS- San Francisco, and also back to the TJ consulate, the SY border offices, etc.

It was not worth it, and in the end they all are US citizens, by various methods, but all legal.

Why bother to do it right, when obviously our own government does not want to help out in this situation.

Desertsurfergal - 9-13-2008 at 10:34 AM

To everyone, Wow!!! once again thank you for all of you inputs and "lessons" in this matter. I appreciate all of your stories and I am saddened by some of the experiences you have gone through.

"Sorry pal" - one more story

thebajarunner - 9-13-2008 at 10:50 AM

My wife sponsored her brother, Pedro, for citizenship.
File in 1989.
In 2005 he got a letter from INS- "You will be in Juarez, with your sponsor, one week from today"
Well, we were in Brazil on a mission trip and did not get word from Pedro until we arrived home, one day after the ultimatum date.
Phone calls, faxes, emails, letters, all in vain.
So, back down the list he went.
Last year he again got the letter, "one week.... etc."
So, we hustled up plane tix- he from San Diego, Teresa from SFO, and finally, he got his citizenship.

You call that justice?
I call it incredible bureaucratic insensitivity- dare I say total indifference!!!

(Those who decry "illegal crossings" may wish to take note of how the system really works..... actually how it does not work)

Oso - 9-13-2008 at 02:03 PM

No Muslim extremists arrested here since 9/11

BY E. EDUARDO CASTILLO

Associated Press

Mexico says it has arrested 12 people on terrorism charges in the years since the Sept. 11 attack on the United States, but an official said none were linked to Muslim extremist groups like al-Qaida nor were any planning to strike in the United States.

Officials from both nations say there hasn´t been any sign of the southern U.S. border becoming an entry point for terrorists, as had been feared after the suicide jetliner hijackings that struck New York and Washington.

The Mexican government revealed the 12 arrests to The Associated Press this week in response to a public information request seeking details of any terrorism arrests in the last seven years. The request was made in February.

Many Americans feared Islamic terrorists from al-Qaida might try to slip into the United States by linking up with the criminal gangs and drug cartels that control large swaths of Mexico and smuggle drugs and migrants across the border.

Months after the 2001 attack, U.S. President George W. Bush pushed Mexico to increase security. "We need to use our technology to make sure that we weed out those who we don´t want in our country, the terrorists, the `coyotes,´ the smugglers, those that prey on innocent life," he said.

Asked whether Mexico´s 12 terrorism arrests were linked to plots against the United States, an official at the Attorney General´s Office said none "had anything to do with that."

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she wasn´t authorized to be quoted by name, said those detained had links to Basque militants in Spain or were involved in radical domestic activities in Mexico.

U.S. Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said Friday the United States continually works with Mexico to ensure terrorists don´t turn to Mexico, and so far there is no evidence that has happened.

"There´s no indication that there´s been a direct al-Qaida presence in Mexico," he said. "But there certainly have been individuals that present security concerns."

He wouldn´t elaborate, but one of the U.S. government´s recent worries has been smuggling networks moving East African migrants through Latin America and into the United States. Two such smugglers operating in Mexico and Belize were arrested last year.

DRUG THREAT

In a speech Wednesday on international terrorism threats, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the biggest threat in Mexico is likely the powerful drug trade, in which gangs target both police and civilians and often behead their enemies.

"These enterprises may currently be criminal enterprises, but we cannot rule out the possibility in the future that they may take on a more political coloration," he said.

The United States has dramatically increased border security, adding fencing and border agents and monitoring more closely those who cross at border stations. Mexico also has become much more vigilant of foreigners entering both legally and illegally.

Many people from Muslim countries now have trouble getting visas to visit Mexico, and officials have arrested dozens of Christian Iraqis who left their homeland and tried to sneak into California through Mexico.

Thomas Sanderson, deputy director of the transnational threats project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said al-Qaida usually sends its members through Europe because citizens of those countries can enter U.S. territory without a visa.

"We are more likely to see people come in through airplanes," he said.

He also doubts Qaida operatives would expose themselves to organized crime or smuggling groups in Mexico. "They´d be concerned that their cover or their effort would be exposed. It´s unfamiliar territory for them," he said.

Pressed to discuss the 12 people arrested, the Mexican official would say only that five were linked to the Basque group ETA and that seven were Mexicans detained in domestic cases.

She said the purported ETA members were living in Mexico to help finance the group´s operations in the Basque region of northern Spain and were not planning attacks.

The official said some of the seven Mexican suspects were tied to murky domestic militant groups that have planted crude bombs at banks, government offices and oil pipelines across Mexico in recent years.

None of those attacks caused human casualties but several of the pipeline attacks had a big financial impact by interrupting fuel supplies to major industries.

Baja-Brit - 9-14-2008 at 01:27 PM

My wife who is Mexican was telling me the hassle she had getting a Visa to visit the US and how badly treated they are.

This despite having a well paid job, no criminal record, money in the bank, speaking fluent English and owning property etc.

She has now found a way around the problem

.......she got a British passport!

She said " they can stick their visa where the sun d'ont shine" or words to that effect. :tumble:

-------------------------------------------------------------

I must admit I don't like visiting the US, I find the immigration officials rude and intimidating, perhaps thats the idea, make you feel guilty, even if you have'nt done anything.

I appreciate they have a job, but can't they be nice about it?

As you were.

[Edited on 14-9-2008 by Baja-Brit]

DianaT - 9-14-2008 at 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja-Brit

I must admit I don't like visiting the US, I find the immigration officials rude and intimidating, perhaps thats the idea, make you feel guilty, even if you have'nt done anything.

I appreciate they have a job, but can't they be nice about it?

Yes, they can be very rude---but it seems like everytime this subject comes up, it is always USA bashing---they are awful, the worst, etc.

It can and does happen lots of places. The absolute worst we were ever treated was at a border crossing from Montana going into Canada. The Canadians were extremely rude---so rude, that if we had not been heading for Alaska, we would have turned around. But it has also not kept us from returning to Canada.

Usually going into Canada we have had no problem and have been treated OK or at least indifferntly. At times in Central America we were treated poorly going from one country to another, and other times treated fine. The same with Mexico, both the northern and the southern border.

Yes, they have a job to do and it would be nice if they were polite about it, but please, it is not just the US officials

Diane

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by jdtrotter]

Baja-Brit - 9-14-2008 at 03:52 PM

I'm not having a dig at the US in any way shape or form, I am sure they are worse out there.

I am afraid to say they are the worst that I have experienced and I have traveled extensively.

Very unwelcoming!

I think a trip to charm school would work wonders.

As you were.

DianaT - 9-14-2008 at 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja-Brit
I'm not having a dig at the US in any way shape or form, I am sure they are worse out there.

I am afraid to say they are the worst that I have experienced and I have traveled extensively.

Very unwelcoming!

I think a trip to charm school would work wonders.

As you were.

I have no reason to doubt you. And for us the absolute worst were the Canadians, and the absolute worst for our Guatemalan friends were the Mexicans---on and on.

They could all use charm school.

Sorry if it sounded like an attack, it was not meant in that way. We all relate to our own experiences.

However, as I said before, there is an amazing amount of USA bashing on this board at times by some others.

Diane

[Edited on 9-14-2008 by jdtrotter]

USA bashing??? NOT!!

thebajarunner - 9-14-2008 at 04:34 PM

At last count I have been to 52 countries (list supplied, privately, on request)

The US stands alone in rude and arbitrary treatment at borders, whether by land, by sea or by air, or even by foot, for that matter.

Went to Myanmar (Burma) two years ago and was warned that the immigration process would be ugly.... it was not.

A close second to the US, Ghana.
My fellow traveler had a Canadian passport and they waved him through with a smile, they really gave me the third degree- but US has been much worse.

(Ever go through the US customs line that is set up in the Bahamas? Why we have our incoming in a foreign country is a mystery, but they put the really incredible jerks at that posting, IMO)

DianaT - 9-14-2008 at 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
At last count I have been to 52 countries (list supplied, privately, on request)

The US stands alone in rude and arbitrary treatment at borders, whether by land, by sea or by air, or even by foot, for that matter.

Went to Myanmar (Burma) two years ago and was warned that the immigration process would be ugly.... it was not.

A close second to the US, Ghana.
My fellow traveler had a Canadian passport and they waved him through with a smile, they really gave me the third degree- but US has been much worse.

(Ever go through the US customs line that is set up in the Bahamas? Why we have our incoming in a foreign country is a mystery, but they put the really incredible jerks at that posting, IMO)

The mention of USA bashing was not in reference as much to this subject as it was to what has happened in several threads. I guess I should have been clearer----sorry.

Yes, we do see things from our own experiences and yours have not been good.

Diane

Skip_Mac - 9-16-2008 at 03:10 PM

I am sorry jdtrotter that your Canadian border experience was so difficult. My own was the opposite, a few questions about destination and amount of cash..and through. Coming back to the States, from Canada has always involved a car unload, examination, and frisk by US Homeland Security. In contrast coming back from Mexico (about 12 trips now) were like going inot Canada...Except for the green Tortoise trip, when the USA had us unload ALL baggage and go through individual questioning, (No One Was Searched at all). Reloading was not fun.

Look. Many people have bad border experiences. Politics and military/police/drug security screw all of us innocent people. I would have hoped that Sheri, Sirena and Juan's status would have put them on a GREEN list... But from what I hear on the grapevine...Homeland security is one of the WORST, inefficient ( and possibly) ineffective bureaucracies ever created by a "First World" country.

My apologies to all of you who are abused by salary wasting USA bureaucrats at the US border. And as well to you jdtrotter for your unfortunate experience with the Canadians (way oit of line with my personal experiences... but I am not discounting your experience...Sad).

DENNIS - 9-16-2008 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skip_Mac
Look. Many people have bad border experiences.

Ken....Do you see this?