BajaNomad

Checking gringos for Visas

BajaKevin - 12-5-2013 at 03:55 PM

Hey all... not sure if this post is in right section...
had 2 friends get stopped yesterday, one heading north, other heading south...at the Fed Police stop sign near Las Canadas..
checking for Visas...anyone else go through that, and what is up ???

BajaGeoff - 12-5-2013 at 04:07 PM

Wow..first I have heard of that. Technically, you are supposed to have the visas when traveling further south than the town of Maneadero (just below Ensenada) but I've never seen it enforced except when crossing into Baja Sur. Interesting.

BajaKevin - 12-5-2013 at 04:12 PM

Yep...kind of unusual... that is the stop sign check point just south of Maneadero, so makes sense they would be there to check...most times no one is manning that and we always just blow through that sign... my one friend did not have his Visa, so they took his name and scolded him, saying better have it next time... could it be with new rules for the new year... they were only stopping the gringos, the locals were being waved through.

BajaGeoff - 12-5-2013 at 04:23 PM

Thanks for the info. I have only seen it manned a few times but have never been stopped there. I guess we will see how this develops....

bajagrouper - 12-5-2013 at 04:54 PM

Americans do not need visas to visit Mexico, they may have had their FMM tourist permit checked...

Here is a list of countries where citizens need visas to enter Mexico :

http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/Paises_Visa/en.html

BajaKevin - 12-5-2013 at 05:01 PM

The tourist cards are what is being referred to as "visa"... hope there was no confusion... bottom line, they are asking for them.

Russ - 12-5-2013 at 05:12 PM

As we get closer to Xmas I think there will be a lot more questions asked as we travel around.:light:

BajaOkie - 12-5-2013 at 05:35 PM

Howdy,

Just went thru and no stop and nobody there - a long time ago that was a regular stop (maybe 10 years ago), now it is usually empty.

BajaKevin - 12-5-2013 at 05:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaOkie
Howdy,

Just went thru and no stop and nobody there - a long time ago that was a regular stop (maybe 10 years ago), now it is usually empty.


good news, was thinking that might be the case...went through a similar thing 3-4 years back at old barracks checkpoint, then never saw or heard about it again 'till yesterday, thanks for the update BajaOkie

MMc - 12-5-2013 at 05:57 PM

Better to have you papers then not. Easy and sorta quick.

Keri - 12-5-2013 at 06:21 PM

Ok whats happens if you don'ti have them. Do you have to go back to ensenada to get one. Is there a fine?k

[Edited on 12-6-2013 by Keri]

mojo_norte - 12-5-2013 at 06:33 PM

I doubt the Mexican Feds have gotten into the tourist card enforcement business . Probably a one off case looking for a specific 'Badie'

David K - 12-5-2013 at 06:38 PM

Were they Federal Highway Police, Military, or Immigration officers (INM)?

All three are 'Federales' being from the federal government vs. state or local officials.

INM officers (at the border entering Mexico and crossing into Baja California Sur) are the only people that are involved with your FMM. It is certainly possible they have opened a new INM checkpoint south of Ensenada... There used to be one just south of Maneadero in the 1960's, 70's and 80's!

[Edited on 12-6-2013 by David K]

rts551 - 12-5-2013 at 06:46 PM

There is, and has been for a year, a federal police check point/stop with permanent signs on the side of the road at this spot. The few time I have seen them there they were checking for valid auto registration. Doesn't mean they couldn't check anything of federal concern including visa/tourist permits.

mojo_norte - 12-5-2013 at 06:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
It is certainly possible they have opened a new INM checkpoint south of Ensenada... There used to be one just south of Maneadero in the 1960's, 70's and 80's!

[Edited on 12-6-2013 by David K]


Yes, We were stopped at that checkpoint back in 94 ? without a tourist card. The infamous grumpy guy that later worked at the Ensenada office was there. We able to get the card there after a verbal lashing.

sequoyah - 12-5-2013 at 07:00 PM

I went through multiple checkpoints between Ensenada and Loreto and no one every asked for anything.

But I have my tourist card and would wonder why someone would not just get it and avoid any possible trouble.

Paulina - 12-5-2013 at 07:49 PM

Does anyone remember back in the day, when Maneadero was just a stop sign? Where the road forks, at that very first "mini mall" (no Pemex or bank at the time) there used to be a required stop to show "Paperwork" going in both directions.

Thanks for the heads up, ours are still good from our last visit.

P>*)))>{

[Edited on 6-12-2013 by Paulina]

CortezBlue - 12-5-2013 at 08:05 PM

I got stopped, but they asked for my Master Card, not a Visa:lol:

Wicked since of humor CortezBlue

captkw - 12-5-2013 at 08:43 PM

I dont care who you are...that's down right funny !! LOL...Btw,, nice blog ya got there !!:lol:

Mulegena - 12-5-2013 at 08:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
I got stopped, but they asked for my Master Card, not a Visa:lol:
... and that's about the long and the short of it.

It's Christmas time and the Federales will likely be out in force and on the pinch for some holiday cheer to put under their trees.

Also, the local police have been going door to door asking for donations.

Not making a judgement, just an observation, this is the way of Mexico.

Edited to add that the pinch is put on everybody, not just foreigners.

[Edited on 12-6-2013 by Mulegena]

MMc - 12-5-2013 at 09:06 PM

When I had places in Mexico I would always stop by this time of year with cash and cookies. You can never be to nice to the local cop.
Love the M/C call.

Mulegina

captkw - 12-5-2013 at 09:14 PM

Very true and also right before valitine day too...every xmas and viny day each year like clock work !!....maybe one of the very consistant things about mex/Baja.......................

DanO - 12-5-2013 at 10:47 PM

The Policia Federal de Caminos? I have never had an issue with those guys looking for a bite, ever. Local cops, sure, but not those guys. Anyone here ever been shaken down by the Feds? If you have a story to tell from that specific area, tell it. That is an important spot on the highway and for us to be spreading unsubstantiated BS about the Federales on the take there is totally irresponsible. Unless your intent is to scare all the touristas off the highway over the holidays, in which case fine, it just increases my chances of survival when I head down to San Quintin for my annual oyster run.

Mulegena - 12-5-2013 at 11:10 PM

Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.

As to the topic of the thread, the Federales on the southbound Maneadero grade asking for visas, I've no comment.

monoloco - 12-6-2013 at 07:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.

As to the topic of the thread, the Federales on the southbound Maneadero grade asking for visas, I've no comment.
If you pay them mordida, you are just perpetuating the problem. Just say no to bribery and be part of the solution.

Pescador - 12-6-2013 at 08:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DanO
The Policia Federal de Caminos? I have never had an issue with those guys looking for a bite, ever. Local cops, sure, but not those guys. Anyone here ever been shaken down by the Feds? If you have a story to tell from that specific area, tell it. That is an important spot on the highway and for us to be spreading unsubstantiated BS about the Federales on the take there is totally irresponsible. Unless your intent is to scare all the touristas off the highway over the holidays, in which case fine, it just increases my chances of survival when I head down to San Quintin for my annual oyster run.


I too have never seen or heard of the federales soliciting or asking for mordida. With the truck drivers, it is a whole different story and you will get a pretty strong response when you ask them. Kinda like the port offices back in the states.

The checkpoint they are referring to is a Federal checkpoint just south of the entrance to Las Canadas. The signs all indicate that the checkpoint belongs to the Federales which are referred to in Mexico as the pandas because they drive black and white cars. They also had a checkpoint for awhile at San Ignacio where they focused on proper vehicle registration.

This (usually) works

durrelllrobert - 12-6-2013 at 10:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.



Martyman - 12-6-2013 at 11:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
Does anyone remember back in the day, when Maneadero was just a stop sign? Where the road forks, at that very first "mini mall" (no Pemex or bank at the time) there used to be a required stop to show "Paperwork" going in both directions.

Thanks for the heads up, ours are still good from our last visit.

P>*)))>{

[Edited on 6-12-2013 by Paulina]


Yeah I remember hitchhiking down the peninsula in 1980. The gringo that gave us a ride blew right thru that stop in Maneadero. The officers had no car to chase us!
Anyway when we got to Mulege the driver pulls up to his friends house, opens up the back of the station wagon and he's got a dozen new 22 rifles still in the boxes! I had no idea. They were quickly bought up by the locals.
And that was my career as a gun smuggler.

David K - 12-6-2013 at 11:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
Quote:
Originally posted by Paulina
Does anyone remember back in the day, when Maneadero was just a stop sign? Where the road forks, at that very first "mini mall" (no Pemex or bank at the time) there used to be a required stop to show "Paperwork" going in both directions.

Thanks for the heads up, ours are still good from our last visit.

P>*)))>{

[Edited on 6-12-2013 by Paulina]


Yeah I remember hitchhiking down the peninsula in 1980. The gringo that gave us a ride blew right thru that stop in Maneadero. The officers had no car to chase us!
Anyway when we got to Mulege the driver pulls up to his friends house, opens up the back of the station wagon and he's got a dozen new 22 rifles still in the boxes! I had no idea. They were quickly bought up by the locals.
And that was my career as a gun smuggler.


Great story! I knew another gringo who told me of just blowing by the station... they don't chase you, it is all an honor system.

I recall a time when my parents and I went to Castro's Camp (near Erendira) in the late 70's for some bottom fishing. My dad stopped at the Maneadero booth, and we got our tourist cards there (they were free before mid-2000). The official was dressed up like a general in the army, little rope on his shoulder, etc... and after giving my dad the 3 tourist cards, said, in a low tone of voice, "If you would like to give me a tip... I WILL accept it." :wow:

My dad did tip him, and we had great laughs and storytelling ever since! Love Mexico!!:lol:

Lee - 12-6-2013 at 01:34 PM

I was stopped by federales, I think, about 5 years ago, North of San Quintin asking for FMM papers. He did say the impromptu checkpoint was only checking for that. Didn't have on a federale uniform but dressed in black. I'm surprised I'm not asked more about my immigration status. Like my dog papers, nobody asks.

Think it's a few years since federales were stopping cars on the way to the San Jose airport (at the bottom of the hill), collecting fines for speeding. Think that stuff was posted here.

Don't think there's anyone in the food chain in MX who isn't up for gratuities. The holidays are always a good time.

monoloco - 12-6-2013 at 02:08 PM

I wish people would quit using the term "federales", it's kind of a nebulous term.
There are Federal de Caminos, Federal Police, INM, and military, all which are "federal", so when someone says federale, it's not clear just who they are referring to.

Immigration checkpoint

astrobaja - 12-6-2013 at 02:26 PM

Hi all,

My Wife and I were headed up to Ensenada for mail and supplies this last wednesday and were ran into a immigration checkpoint right by Las Canadas campground (where the Federales sometimes have one for the truckers). They were mostly pulling cars over northbound. They asked if we were tourists or residents and we told them we were in Baja now for 6 years. We did'nt have our FM2's with us as they are being renewed but the guy took our passports and called the office to check our status.
They were very cordial and spoke perfect English (we speak fairly good Spanish so we just stayed with that) and after five minutes he let us go.
Anyhow this was the 1st time ever that we were asked for any kind of papers so I'm wondering if this is a new thing or if they figure they would do a sting on those that do not get thier tourist cards when heading south....

David K - 12-6-2013 at 02:38 PM

Hi Mike, nice to get some more on this... Thank you!

It was already reported here, yesterday: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=70805

David K - 12-6-2013 at 02:39 PM

Confirmed: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=70818

aguachico - 12-6-2013 at 02:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
The signs all indicate that the checkpoint belongs to the Federales which are referred to in Mexico as the pandas because they drive black and white cars. They also had a checkpoint for awhile at San Ignacio where they focused on proper vehicle registration.


Pandas? I have heard lobos, but never pandas. I have also hear 'ratas con dos patas" Pandas :lol:

astrobaja - 12-6-2013 at 02:52 PM

Oh ok thanks David, just to be clear these were INM officers that checked us, although the Federal police were there too just checking the trucks as they often do going southbound...

dasubergeek - 12-6-2013 at 03:07 PM

I prefer this one:
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Federales can and sometimes do set up roadblocks on Mex 1 and come up with an infraction where you pay them discreetly (don't flash your wallet around they'll tell you), you pay the officer directly in cash, on the spot. This happened to my husband two years ago during the Christmas season up on the crest of the hill by Tres Virgenes about a half-hour north of Sta. Rosalia. He's a Mexican national, btw, and he understood exactly what was going down-- it's Christmas. He took the bite philosophically.




monoloco - 12-6-2013 at 03:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by aguachico
Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
The signs all indicate that the checkpoint belongs to the Federales which are referred to in Mexico as the pandas because they drive black and white cars. They also had a checkpoint for awhile at San Ignacio where they focused on proper vehicle registration.


Pandas? I have heard lobos, but never pandas. I have also hear 'ratas con dos patas" Pandas :lol:
They are also often referred to as zorillos. (skunks)

toneart - 12-6-2013 at 04:33 PM

Of all the various police and immigration entities, the Black and Whites seem to garner the most respect, sort of like the California Highway Patrol. I believe they are there for the public safety and see that as their mission.

I have never been stopped by one but a girlfriend, who was following me in a separate vehicle, was trying to catch up with me and was pulled over for speeding. They were polite, gave her a verbal warning and let her go. I'm sure her good looks had something to do with it. :rolleyes:

Several years ago I was stopped by 2 Tijuana motorcycle cops. Brand new stop signs had been put in to stop you before you enter the roundabout. I was quite familiar with that roundabout and didn't even see the stop signs. Prior to the new stop signs, you just merged with the traffic in the circle. The cops were there for easy pickings. I had indeed broken the law. When I asked if there was any way we could all save some time and take care of this right now, he said, "Well OK! Hide it in that newspaper that was on my front seat." $20.00, and I got off easy.

One time when I was stopped at the border, the agent asked, "Do you have any Drogs?" I said "no". He asked, "Do you have any gons?" I said "no". He then asked, "Do you have anytheeng for me?" I laughed as though it were a big joke. :lol: Then he laughed and I was on my way...no mordita.:wow:

Anyway, back to topic, all law entities can ask to see your "visa", although the rarely do. But why wouldn't you have it to show? It is so easy to get. Why take the chance? You know what would happen in our country if an illegal were stopped...:( Why would you think we are special? That attitude of entitlement is a trait North Americans display all too often, and it ugly!

David K - 12-6-2013 at 04:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
Oh ok thanks David, just to be clear these were INM officers that checked us, although the Federal police were there too just checking the trucks as they often do going southbound...


Good to know... I wonder if they will set up the same checkpoint when driving south of San Felipe (for the first time)?

Did you ask if they could issue tourist cards there? Sometimes people who were only going to Ensenada may decide to hop on down to San Quintin... No way will they drive to the border madhouse to do this. The Ensenada INM isn't always there either, as Bryan McKenzie had recently discovered.

sancho - 12-6-2013 at 04:55 PM

On the San Felipe site today, Kats Korner, there
was a bit on fmm's, nothing real new, there was
report she had of Tourists recently entering the East Mexicali
Crossing, who were told by Mex Immigration Officers
there that Tourists need an fmm to ENTER Mexico,
nothing concrete was/is ever spelled out regarding
tourist cards in No. Baja. A few yrs. back, I stood in
the downtown Mexicali Immigration trying to get
lazy Imm Officer to stamp my, back in the day the
free 180 day fmt,
he told me I could stay in San Felipe as long as I want
without an fmt, doesn't make one feel confident when you know the regs better
than they do

Bajahowodd - 12-6-2013 at 05:03 PM

This just exemplifies the idea that anything goes SOB.

DENNIS - 12-6-2013 at 05:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by astrobaja
They asked if we were tourists or residents and we told them we were in Baja now for 6 years. We did'nt have our FM2's with us as they are being renewed but the guy took our passports and called the office to check our status.



Thanks, Mike. They do this occasionally, I believe to give the illusion of "On the job." They come....and they go.
No biggee.

Thanks again for the "heads up."


PS........gettin' cold up there?

Ateo - 12-6-2013 at 05:14 PM

Thanks for the info Mike. Looks like I will be getting tourist cards for the whole family next week. Don't need any surprises.

toneart - 12-6-2013 at 05:27 PM

During the '60s, Federales were special, plain clothed agents. I believe their main function was the equivalent of our DEA agents. Mexicans did not like them and they did not trust them. They were sneaky. The word at the time is that they were not above planting drugs on you and then making a bust.

Does anyone remember this? Are these guys still operating today and are the still called "Federales"?

Tomas Tierra - 12-7-2013 at 09:55 AM

Do Kids under 16 need tourist cards?

David K - 12-7-2013 at 11:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
Do Kids under 16 need tourist cards?


Yes, just as they will also need passports (to get the cards and return to the USA). In the past, some have reported the officer doesn't require small children to have them... but it is possible, and could really cost you big bucks before you even enter Mexico officially ($23+ per person)!

astrobaja - 12-7-2013 at 11:58 AM

if we are stopped again, I will ask if they are willing (or able) to issue tourist cards on the spot, but I doubt they would (just not in the mindset of a gov't worker to think outside the box no matter what country you are in!)

If they are starting to do this on a regular basis it might be a good idea to let people know not to take the chance and just go ahead a get a card at the border, or in Ensenada....

Dennis: yup its starting to get cold here at night, 2 nights ago it got down to -9 C (which is like 16 F) and we had some snow showers too... We just got a proper fireplace insert which is light years better than just the plain fireplace!!!

[Edited on 12-7-2013 by astrobaja]

Ateo - 12-7-2013 at 12:00 PM

Thanks AstroBaja. I need to hurry and get my kids dual citizenship so only I will need to get a tourist card!

Bump

toneart - 12-7-2013 at 03:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
During the '60s, Federales were special, plain clothed agents. I believe their main function was the equivalent of our DEA agents. Mexicans did not like them and they did not trust them. They were sneaky. The word at the time is that they were not above planting drugs on you and then making a bust.

Does anyone remember this? Are these guys still operating today and are they still called "Federales"?


My last paragraph is still unanswered.

Gringos erroneously lump many different police, army and immigration officials together and call them "Federales".

Exactly who are the real Federales today?

bajaguy - 12-7-2013 at 04:00 PM

The AFI in Mexico is similar to the FBI and is a Federal Police Agency, wear plain clothes, conduct criminal investigations. I don't know what the Mexico DEA is called
Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Does anyone remember this? Are these guys still operating today and are the still called "Federales"?

toneart - 12-7-2013 at 04:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
The AFI in Mexico is similar to the FBI and is a Federal Police Agency, wear plain clothes, conduct criminal investigations. I don't know what the Mexico DEA is called



Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
Does anyone remember this? Are these guys still operating today and are the still called "Federales"?


Thank you, Bajaguy. I think this is the department I was thinking of.

Ateo - 12-18-2013 at 09:07 PM

Any more reports?