BajaNomad - Immigration Office N. of G. Negro open?

Immigration Office N. of G. Negro open?

elskel - 6-30-2011 at 09:23 PM

A quick question: Has the Immigration office at the state line been open recently?
thanks, brian

mulegejim - 7-1-2011 at 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by elskel
A quick question: Has the Immigration office at the state line been open recently?
thanks, brian

So far as I know it has not been open for a few years - can't remember exactly when the last time it was open as I went through. Jim

monoloco - 7-1-2011 at 07:04 AM

They were open a month ago.

Marc - 7-1-2011 at 07:05 AM

For a while they were there checking visas and passports, but for the last few years it's just a spray station.

David K - 7-1-2011 at 07:22 AM

Wow, why conflicting reports? Immigration checkpoint is where the official asks for your Tourist Card. The pest spray station is by there, but a seperate deal.

Two years ago, when we last went into Baja Sur (July, 2009), it was manned and they asked to see our FM-Ts (Tourist Cards).

So many reports that is has been closed the last several months... I took that as confirmed they were closed and wondered if the entire peninsula of Baja California was now in the 'border zone' (however, you still need the Tourist Card if you are in Mexico over 72 hours).

MMc - 7-1-2011 at 07:45 AM

Conflicting reports, it's Baja. Please get the FMM when you cross. If you need to register you can go into town.

David K - 7-1-2011 at 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MMc
Conflicting reports, it's Baja. Please get the FMM when you cross. If you need to register you can go into town.

YES! Get the FMM when you enter Mexico...

(What is 'to register', that is needed?)

shari - 7-1-2011 at 07:53 AM

I just called Magdelena who has been in charge of the Immigration Office in Guerrero Negro and the word from the horses mouth is that they are open as they always have been. Perhaps there was some confusion when they changed locations...out of that funky trailer to over across the street ...but it is business as usual there.

I also asked about the new laws and she said they havent received any info on that yet.

David K - 7-1-2011 at 08:41 AM

Thanks Shari... good to know! So they must be understaffed to have so many drive that far south, and found nobody is on duty to ask for Tourist Cards?

toneart - 7-1-2011 at 09:06 AM

For at least three years there has never been anyone from immigration come out from a building, present a visible presence or ask for my papers.

I am thinking they weren't there. Only the Ag guys were there and the bug spray guy.

Whether they were there or not, I am sure they would want us to think they were there. With that threat existing, they really don't have to staff it regularly. Just the threat of their presence is enough to keep most of us honest, and not go to BCS without your legal papers. But that is not anything I would want to take for granted. Bad sh*t can happen to you. It is ignorant or stupid to take that kind of chance.

Why would anybody take a chance and not get their FMTs? It's the law! Getting in trouble in Mexico is not the same as getting in trouble in the U.S. The U.S. operates under rule of law. That is, the enforcement goes by the book. In Mexico it is not so dependable. You are stuck with the individual who catches you. Your fate is subject to a multitude of external influences; mood, and attitudes of both parties :rolleyes:

When in Mexico, you may get just treatment, but NEVER expect it! :no:

DianaT - 7-1-2011 at 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
I just called Magdelena who has been in charge of the Immigration Office in Guerrero Negro and the word from the horses mouth is that they are open as they always have been. Perhaps there was some confusion when they changed locations...out of that funky trailer to over across the street ...but it is business as usual there.

I also asked about the new laws and she said they havent received any info on that yet.

The new immigration building is on the same side of the street as the old trailer---just south of it---both across the street from the AG inspection area.

Magdelena is still there, but when the new system went into effect, they brought in a new boss. It made it easier last year when we had to get our first new FM3 card that replaced the old book.

They don't get there until after 9 AM and the boss leaves at about 2pm. Don't know if they are checking passing cars or not as we go into the office.

[Edited on 7-1-2011 by DianaT]

redmesa - 7-1-2011 at 09:35 AM

We got out new FM3 cards in April at the funky trailer. The hours are short so I think they are not often there to check any VISAs and maybe it is not their job anymore.

DianaT - 7-1-2011 at 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by redmesa
We got out new FM3 cards in April at the funky trailer. The hours are short so I think they are not often there to check any VISAs and maybe it is not their job anymore.

That trailer was funky---never sure which door to use and it was a mess! The new building is very small, but MUCH nicer. :yes:

bajabass - 7-1-2011 at 11:08 AM

A immigration guy checked my FMM coming down in June, right before the AG guys stole my 20 pesos!! :lol:

Pescador - 7-1-2011 at 11:42 AM

When I came through on Monday the 27th, they were open and checked my FM2. Now I have had my FM2 checked for the very first time. I told the guy "Por Fin" and he had a good laugh.

Frank - 7-1-2011 at 12:22 PM

Not checked on June 21st southbound 7pm or June 28th northbound 7 am.

DavidE - 7-1-2011 at 04:28 PM

So what's the big deal? Get your tourist card at the border and if they spray, so what? You ought to see the mainland where I had to go through SEVEN Puestos de Controles in 220 miles between Lazaro Card##as. Full on inspections and two points where every single letter on every single document was checked. Including verification of vehicle permits, immigrations and VIN numbers.

rts551 - 7-2-2011 at 09:23 AM

some one was checked last week and fined 1090 pesos when he did not have any paperwork

J.P. - 7-2-2011 at 09:38 AM

You are supposed to get your FMM at the port of entry I know from experince if you wait untill youi get to Ensenada there can be a fine. It may not be a huge dollar amount but the inconvience of finding a bank and all the hassel it's not worth it.

elskel - 7-3-2011 at 09:17 AM

In the past I have had a pre-paid FMM, and pulled into the immigration office at the state line and had it stamped. Never had any problems.

monoloco - 7-3-2011 at 09:46 AM

I haven't dealt with them recently but, in the past, I have found the migracion in Guerrero Negro to be quite helpful and accommodating. Up until the last couple of years it was possible to have them stamp your entry and exits on a fm or issue an fmt, but they seem to have different rules now.

oldtortisegrl - 7-6-2011 at 03:10 PM

Drove north through GN this past Saturday, they were there but just waived us through.

DianaT - 7-6-2011 at 03:45 PM

Picked up our FM3s there on Monday and Magdelena said she was surprised when she heard that anyone thought that office had closed. Oh, she also said that they really do not know how the new law will be implemented.

The new boss there is really very accommodating. She had forgotten to initial John's card and she was not there. They called her at home and she came over within 20 minutes---just long enough for us to walk the dogs.

Also, we did not have a CURP before and somehow, they managed to acquire them for us---the numbers are on the cards and they gave us the papers and told us it was very important and not to lose them.

[Edited on 7-6-2011 by DianaT]

Bajahowodd - 7-6-2011 at 04:40 PM

Geez. No rhyme nor reason. We have NEVER been asked to show papers at this station, in virtually decades. North or South. And yet, I've been told by several folks we encountered along the way about fines they had to pay.

As was mentioned several times before, ALL travelers should obtain their FMM at the border and pay for it then, as well.

edm1 - 7-6-2011 at 04:54 PM

went thru this am, asked for our fmt. after trying to find hers in her bag it was decided she lost her fmt. they gave her one after we went to the banamex to pay. BUT she got fined 1,200 pesos for having 5 apples in her basket :-(

[Edited on 7-6-2011 by edm1]

David K - 7-6-2011 at 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by edm1
BUT she got fined 1,200 pesos for having 5 apples in her basket :-(

[Edited on 7-6-2011 by edm1]

I hope you are kidding ART!

The INM people don't enforce the ag stuff... the ag people next door do... You were extorted... sad sad... You guys are so nice, don't let government crooks rob you.. or at least without putting up a fight!

DianaT - 7-6-2011 at 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by edm1
BUT she got fined 1,200 pesos for having 5 apples in her basket :-(

[Edited on 7-6-2011 by edm1]

I hope you are kidding ART!

The Ag people are right there with the immigration people and as long as they paid at the bank, they were not ripped off. If paid at the bank, it is legitimate---if not, that is different and he was not specific.

Glad your wife got her tourist visa since it had been announced that she was in Baja illegally without a tourist visa.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Art is headed south, but Nora couldn't get a Tourist Card, as her passport was expired and they wouldn't issue her one in Mexicali... So they may not go into Baja Sur because of that... (Yes Shari, I did tell them about the other way across the border) :light:

[Edited on 7-7-2011 by DianaT]

David K - 7-6-2011 at 10:43 PM

It may NOT be illegal to be in Baja Norte for up to 72 hours without a tourist card... The southern limit of the border zone has been in question for years and since the checkpoint at Maneadero was moved to near Guerrero Negro some 20 years ago, even the state officials of Baja California claim the entire state (Norte) is in the 'border zone'. We have asked to see federal 'text' on this, until then it is safer to just go with Maneadero (as it was the last location of the border zone in print).

papers please!

EdZeranski - 7-8-2011 at 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Wow, why conflicting reports?

The operation is kinda erratic. The south bound 10 peso spray seems pretty steady but the northbound visa check is on again-off again. Several times we've gone through and if they were on a break or just having a good time they waved us through.

EdZ KG6UTS