BajaNomad

Sentri

bacquito - 9-13-2008 at 06:40 PM

I'll post this but I might be the only person unaware. I have a Sentry card but crossed in another car without Sentri clearence and I did not carry my passport. When I crossed I simply explained that I had a Sentri card but forgot my passport. The inspector said all was O.K. and that the Sentri card carried all the information. This is true for a U.S. citizen but not for a legal resident.
I was under the impression that Sentri cards were only valid in Sentri lanes.

The Gull - 9-13-2008 at 10:19 PM

Keep doing what you described and your card will be taken away.

Phil C - 9-14-2008 at 06:27 AM

I know two people who had thier cards taken for showing it at regular lanes. Took weeks to get it back. Maybe Baquito just told them he had one? If you listen at orentation they make that clear.

bajaguy - 9-14-2008 at 09:36 AM

When I am in a rental car (no SENTRI pass on the vehicle), I always use the sentri card and my passport. The only question I have ever received is "why don't you use the SENTRI lane???"

After I explain that it is a rental car, the agent(s) shrug, and wave me through.

Never had a problem, warning or admonishment.

This has been at Otay and once at SY.

elgatoloco - 9-14-2008 at 10:07 AM

We were at Sentri office a week ago renewng our cards. The agent told us that the new card with the RFID chip will EVENTUALLY be used as valid ID for US citizens when returning to the USA from land , air or sea. She said you will not need to show your passport to get back into the country if you have a Sentri card or the various other types of frequent traveler cards.

My experience with the hard working professionals in the various offices and at the border crossings for the last four decades has made me always take what I hear with a grain of salt.

We shall see.

Sentri

bacquito - 9-14-2008 at 10:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by The Gull
Keep doing what you described and your card will be taken away.


My son is an ICE inspector and he said I am correct in using nothing more than my Sentri pass. All the information Immigration needs is on the card. I recently used only my Sentri card and once again cleared.

tjBill - 9-14-2008 at 07:10 PM

According to the US Dept. of state website, Sentri cards are valid form of travel document to re-enter the USA on land.

Valid documents
1) U.S. Passport
2) US Passport Card
3) Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
4) Until June, 2009: a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Bajafun777 - 9-14-2008 at 08:56 PM

Yep, I too have had the inspectors tell me that the Sentri is the same as the passport. I have used it in other car lanes because I missed getting into the Sentri could not find them. Note, I have found the T.J. one now just need to find the right way to the Otay Mesa and yes I have maps but always seems the cops are detouring just as a special thing when I am traveling. You know it seems to me that the Calexico Ports of Entry are just a little friendlier than the other ports. I could just have been lucky but who knows. Later--------------------------------- bajafun777

wornout - 9-15-2008 at 08:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by The Gull
Keep doing what you described and your card will be taken away.


Not True....anymore. I had heard of this rumor too, so, when I applied for my card in April, and had to sign a paper titled, 'Applicant Orientation for the Sentri Lane User Calexico, CA' I questioned the statement in there about this very fact. I was told we could use the 'New' cards which they just started issuing this year. You get the card in the mail now, not over the counter.

The Orientation paper says, """As of January 31st, 2008,--, If you apply for entry into the United States as a returning UNITED STATES CITIZEN, you MAY use your Port Pass (Sentri Card) as proof of United States Citizenship, through ANY Vehicle or Pedestrian lane."""

I carry a copy of the paper with me because of the way the border personnel like to use their authority whether they are right or wrong. The only thing I can think of that could have happened in the past, to start this rumor and it wouldn't really be a rumor then, is these people were NOT US Citizens, used it before January 31st, 2008, or happened upon one of those fun loving uninformed authorities at the border.

TBcountry - 9-15-2008 at 05:52 PM

About a year ago I went through regular lanes at Otay Mesa (missed the Sentri turn-off) and showed my Sentri Pass. The officer, young tough guy, then asked for my drivers license. He was taking along time so I finally asked...is something wrong??? He said most definitely!!!!...how long have you had Sentri? We had for about 6 months. Gave me a long speech....then sent me to secondary and said he was requesting that my wife and I get our Sentri Passes revoked. In secondary another more seasoned officer just warned us, told us not to use Sentri in regular lanes and sent us on our way. That being the case I have not shown Sentri again in regular lanes. So I sure hope you are correct in saying it now CAN be used as ID. Any more responses??
Thanks Tom

Phil C - 9-15-2008 at 06:00 PM

I guess this info is for us "old Guys" who have had Sentri for a while. It was DEFINATLY laid out to us at orentation, mine five years ago, that to present the card at a regular lane or attempt to use it as I.D. would result in forfuture of the document. At renewal, no change was indicated.

I was told when we received ours in Calexico

beercan - 9-15-2008 at 06:38 PM

in May of this year that it could be used in lieu of a passport for any entry into the U.S.
I have even used it for aircraft entry !!
Quote:
by TBcountry
bout a year ago I went through regular lanes at Otay Mesa (missed the Sentri turn-off) and showed my Sentri Pass. The officer, young tough guy, then asked for my drivers license. He was taking along time so I finally asked...is something wrong??? He said most definitely!!!!...how long have you had Sentri? We had for about 6 months. Gave me a long speech....then sent me to secondary and said he was requesting that my wife and I get our Sentri Passes revoked. In secondary another more seasoned officer just warned us, told us not to use Sentri in regular lanes and sent us on our way. That being the case I have not shown Sentri again in regular lanes. So I sure hope you are correct in saying it now CAN be used as ID. Any more responses?? Thanks Tom

elgatoloco - 9-15-2008 at 10:22 PM

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09082008.x...

" Additionally, program members will receive an enhanced Radio Frequency Identification SENTRI card that meets the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for proper documents for U.S. citizens who cross the border by land or sea, which will go into effect June 1, 2009."

Logic would dictate that if you have the enhanced card that it would be permissable for entry into US prior to the June 1, 2009 required date. The key is 'logic' and the crap shoot is who has or has not seen the memo at the border.

The Gull - 9-16-2008 at 05:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09082008.x...

" Additionally, program members will receive an enhanced Radio Frequency Identification SENTRI card that meets the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for proper documents for U.S. citizens who cross the border by land or sea, which will go into effect June 1, 2009."

Logic would dictate that if you have the enhanced card that it would be permissable for entry into US prior to the June 1, 2009 required date. The key is 'logic' and the crap shoot is who has or has not seen the memo at the border.


MORE requirements coming in June 2009? What more do these a-holes think they can require? There are passcards and passports issued by INS right now which are required. Only a total imbecile or cheapskate drives around with their driver's license & birth certificate. Would we be seeing the beginnings of a National ID card? Orwellian?

woody with a view - 9-16-2008 at 06:29 AM

i wonder about the RFID chip. we just came thru the border last week and used our new border crossing cards for the first time. i had them out of their sleeves starting when we were 4th in line, holding them at my open window. when i got to the booth the guard took the and entered info from each one instead of swiping them. kinda makes you wonder! he had no questions for us and said, "go ahead.":?:

bajasammy - 9-16-2008 at 08:52 AM

I went through Sentri with the family 'sportster' (ie: Minivan)a couple weeks ago, and it seemed to be moving much slower than usual.

When we got up to the gate, the guy started really workin' us over (must have been my ornery looking boys in the back seat, 12 & 10). Is this your vehicle (doesn't my sentri info tell him that already)? Did you bring any drugs? Did you have any weapons?

I haven't had these questions since we've been using the Sentri Lane. Maybe he just moved over from the regular lanes and hadn't had time to adjust? Anybody else ever get the 'grill' when in the Sentri?

Oso - 9-16-2008 at 04:12 PM

Statistically, 10% of the world's male population is homosexual and 10% of all customs agents are azzoles. Sometimes it seems like more but it's just luck of the draw. I got my new passport card with RFID chip. Haven't used it yet. We'll see...

BajaGeoff - 9-16-2008 at 04:22 PM

I have had my Sentri for almost a year now and have not had a bad experience with any of the officers. I have crossed back into the U.S. over 30 times with no problems or weirdness.

David K - 9-16-2008 at 04:28 PM

Geoff, was that using non-sentri lanes?

The rest of you... what is the problem with having a passport on you when you leave the United States? I mean, that is pretty much standard protocal in most of the world, no?

Why have both ??

beercan - 9-16-2008 at 06:58 PM

I have to have the sentri when driving , so I can leave my passport home !

woody with a view - 9-16-2008 at 07:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Geoff, was that using non-sentri lanes?

The rest of you... what is the problem with having a passport on you when you leave the United States? I mean, that is pretty much standard protocal in most of the world, no?


i may be old school, but i figger if the gov't wants me to carry a card, WTF? if i lose it maybe its harder to fake than a passport....

elgatoloco - 9-22-2008 at 07:38 PM

Returned this afternoon thru Otay using regurlar lanes as I had kayaks in back of pickup and had gooten mixed messages about being able to do that. Got up to the gate showed my Sentri card guy asked why I did not use Sentri, told him kayaks he said no problem. I went to Sentri office for confirmation, was told:
1) Sentri card good in all lanes and pedestrian
2) Kayaks or small boats in bed of pick up Ok no towing anything

sentri

2-tie-dye-4 - 9-25-2008 at 11:21 PM

I get the purpose of the "sentri" line, and I'm one of those ........... that went through it wrongly. But, US customs could do a better job of profiling and at least pretend to listen to a persons story for 30 seconds. We meant to park on the US side at Tijuana and walk over to see if we could get our Visas then and not have to worry about it later. We accidently drove over the line, fipped a B.... and found ourselves in the Sentri line and could not get out. So we proceeded to the "human" to ask what we should do. We were read the riot act, warned about the seizure of the vehicle and 5k fine and told repeatedly that they were going to check the computer and if we'd done this before, we're screwed. We gladly said "check it, please". Mind you, this is after we were directed to another search area. We passed after our hard boiled eggs were confiscated (my bad, didn't do my homework) . We were repeatedly asked what we were bringing back from MX and we kept telling them we just did a uturn when we realized we missed the parking lot. I realize they get all kinds of flakes and I'm just another one, but jeez louise, they could just pretend to listen. My boyfriend said if we ever get in that lane by mistake again, he's just getting out of the truck and saying tow it, do what you must, but I'm not crossing that line. US customs needs to take a course in compassion and humanity before the immigration course. But Kudos to the US customs guy in Tecate, he was a real person. Did his job, by the book, but with respect and compassion.

Barbareno - 9-26-2008 at 05:45 AM

2 tie dye 4 I wonder if we had the same custom guy in Tecate. Don't remember his name but what a gem. We were in a pickle and right away he assured us that we would be able to get through and on our holiday.

Barb

dao45 - 9-26-2008 at 11:53 PM

What she said BUT Im not as polite.Compassion and respect should be free.Butt head!
The other side of the coin was Tecate and the gentleman was polite,helpful and considerate.
He was 50ish bald headed and I would recognize his smile in any line up.Seemed he actually enjoyed his job.Not just his percieved power over people