BajaNomad - Tecate CPB Complaint

Tecate CPB Complaint

Bajaboy - 7-16-2014 at 09:55 PM

So just got back from five weeks in Baja...epic trip...absolutely perfect except crossing at Tecate today...not a big deal but at the same time it really peeed me off...

Here is my letter I hastily submitted online:

This afternoon I crossed at Tecate, CA port of entry at approximately 1:40pm. I provide the female agent with two passports for my wife and myself and two original birth certificates for my children ages 4 and 6.

The officer told me I was out of compliance and issued me a warning because I didn't have passports for my children. I asked when the regulations changed and she said 7 or so years ago. I explained that I cross at least 5 times per year and have never had an issue with the birth certificates. The officer said maybe her co workers were not doing their job.

The officer went on to lecture me that the long border waits are due to people such as us who do not follow the proper protocol. I was not very pleased with the lecture but kept my mouth shut. She gave me a form explaining my mistake...which was not applicable.

So I wanted to clarify my mistake and this is what I found on your website:

Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth certificate.

I am sick and tired of being treated like an idiot by Customs and Border Patrol personnel. How is it that I know the regulations better than the agent? This is not the first time something like this has happened to me.

Please advise your personnel at Tecate that children do not need a passport.

Thank you,

Zachary Johnston

bajaguy - 7-16-2014 at 10:04 PM

Please share the response to your complaint. I am getting the popcorn and beer ready.!!

Bajaboy - 7-16-2014 at 10:15 PM

I'm not holding my breath.....

monoloco - 7-16-2014 at 10:26 PM

The last time I drove across the border we were sent to secondary and I got a lecture because the agent in the booth failed to put our paperwork under the windshield wiper. :?:

Cisco - 7-16-2014 at 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy
So just got back from five weeks in Baja...epic trip...absolutely perfect except crossing at Tecate today...not a big deal but at the same time it really peeed me off...

Here is my letter I hastily submitted online:

This afternoon I crossed at Tecate, CA port of entry at approximately 1:40pm. I provide the female agent with two passports for my wife and myself and two original birth certificates for my children ages 4 and 6.

The officer told me I was out of compliance and issued me a warning because I didn't have passports for my children. I asked when the regulations changed and she said 7 or so years ago. I explained that I cross at least 5 times per year and have never had an issue with the birth certificates. The officer said maybe her co workers were not doing their job.

The officer went on to lecture me that the long border waits are due to people such as us who do not follow the proper protocol. I was not very pleased with the lecture but kept my mouth shut. She gave me a form explaining my mistake...which was not applicable.

So I wanted to clarify my mistake and this is what I found on your website:

Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth certificate.

I am sick and tired of being treated like an idiot by Customs and Border Patrol personnel. How is it that I know the regulations better than the agent? This is not the first time something like this has happened to me.

Please advise your personnel at Tecate that children do not need a passport.

Thank you,

Zachary Johnston

Zach:

They are out of control and have been for years.

I posted this:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=74565

Over on off-track today about the abuses documented.

micah202 - 7-16-2014 at 11:00 PM

.
.....I'd be a bit concerned about them tagging your file after submitting that complaint--sad but true :no:

Bajaboy - 7-16-2014 at 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202
.
.....I'd be a bit concerned about them tagging your file after submitting that complaint--sad but true :no:

She told me that they monitor this site...looks like you might be going to Secondary now...sorry

Cisco - 7-16-2014 at 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202
.
.....I'd be a bit concerned about them tagging your file after submitting that complaint--sad but true :no:

She told me that they monitor this site...looks like you might be going to Secondary now...sorry

I have been in their face since the changes made by the Patriot Act and the inclusion of Homeland Security. They know me well.

Video and audible recordings made (which makes them crazy) unwillingness to submit to search of person or vehicle except at ports of entry, everything documented.

And it will only get worse. That is a long but interesting article I posted on the other side if you have time. Dali-Dali had a question about my experience at that interior site east of Yuma around Christmas that I answered then also.

They deputized the CBP so they can write tickets for the Yuma county people to make money on, it's a cash cow.

Fly low and keep your head down, I'm already in the system and very aware of it so expect secondary on a regular basis.

Appreciate the FYI though.

[Edited on 7-17-2014 by Cisco]

redhilltown - 7-16-2014 at 11:32 PM

We are not talking rocket scientists here...it's not like those of us who get pulled into secondary don't have a history...that is the ENTIRE fickin point...we DO...and yet they continue to do it. Doesn't give you much confidence.

bajabuddha - 7-17-2014 at 06:45 AM

BB, you mentioned you cross the border at least 5 times a year, and this is your first hassle with the rent-a-cops? I'd say you've had it made so far! I got a long lecture about joining the NRA and protecting my gun rights because being from New Mexico it was turning Blue instead of Red and when I told him I don't play with guns any more since Vietnam he told me, "Yeah, but YOU lost that war....". Nice guy, huh. I average about 30/30/30%, the good, the so-so, and the super ugly.

mtgoat666 - 7-17-2014 at 07:00 AM

If you frequently travel to Mexico, why not get your kids passports? What if you need to fly? You will need a passport. Regardless of USA law, Doesn't Mexico law require kids to have a passport?

I agree with the cbp comment that the lines would be shorter if people traveled with passports. I am sure it adds time to process people showing paper birth certs,... They are not easy to verify, have no chip to scan, etc.

While there is no good excuse for rude guards at border, I bet border crossing guards can tell a lot of stories about rude gringos they have dealt with at the border! :lol:

I bet Mexicans xing the border are much more polite, as they perceive risk of getting flagged and losing visa privileges, eh?

Would be interesting to have a cbp nomad here to tell stories about some of the people they have to deal with at the border, eh?

DENNIS - 7-17-2014 at 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
I average about 30/30/30%, the good, the so-so, and the super ugly.

I just close my mind, and my mouth, grin like a masturbating baboon, and let them do what they have to do and be what they have to be.

bajalearner - 7-17-2014 at 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
I average about 30/30/30%, the good, the so-so, and the super ugly.

I just close my mind, and my mouth, grin like a masturbating baboon, and let them do what they have to do and be what they have to be.

Fine for you but not everyone is a republican. :coolup:

DENNIS - 7-17-2014 at 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner

Fine for you but not everyone is a republican. :coolup:

Conservative!!!.........please. :biggrin:

bajalearner - 7-17-2014 at 07:49 AM

I previously posted my 2 negative encounters at the SY border crossing both of which were with female agents. 2 out of 1400 crossings in 3 years. 2 out of 1400 are bad stats but 2 bad encounters and both were females is a problem.

I sent a 2 page complaint to CBP internal affairs over 2 years ago and have not received an acknowledgement, request for more info or a notice of findings. The Gestapo operates without oversight. Each chance politicians get to strip our rights and freedoms, we have to endure more Gestapo treatment.

bajalearner - 7-17-2014 at 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner

Fine for you but not everyone is a republican. :coolup:

Conservative!!!.........please. :biggrin:

Okay, conservative, I respect your right to be what you want to be.

But is it possible to conserve the past or should we adjust to the present and maybe guess at the future?

bajabuddha - 7-17-2014 at 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
I average about 30/30/30%, the good, the so-so, and the super ugly.

I just close my mind, and my mouth, grin like a masturbating baboon, and let them do what they have to do and be what they have to be.

I concur, Big D. Wuz born in the night, but just not last night. I was taught about the law enforcement "Personality Test" when 15, and abide by it always.

DENNIS - 7-17-2014 at 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner

But is it possible to conserve the past or should we adjust to the present and maybe guess at the future?

How many cases of beer did that one take to formulate? :lol:

Bajaboy - 7-17-2014 at 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
If you frequently travel to Mexico, why not get your kids passports? What if you need to fly? You will need a passport. Regardless of USA law, Doesn't Mexico law require kids to have a passport?

I agree with the cbp comment that the lines would be shorter if people traveled with passports. I am sure it adds time to process people showing paper birth certs,... They are not easy to verify, have no chip to scan, etc.

While there is no good excuse for rude guards at border, I bet border crossing guards can tell a lot of stories about rude gringos they have dealt with at the border! :lol:

I was legal fair and square. She got a bit peeved when her passport reader could not read my passport and she had to type in the numbers.

Thus, I don't necessarily agree with your statements about passports. I'm sure I fit my profile as I came to the gate.

Desertbull - 7-17-2014 at 08:35 AM

Get your precious kids their passports, if your family was involved in an incident where you needed to extract them out via emergency air flight i.e. Med-Jet, LifeFlight, Aero Med-a-Vac ... it's mandatory for the injured to have a passport to be flown out in an emergency ...

David K - 7-17-2014 at 08:35 AM

Also in Tecate:

Officer:"Have any fruits or vegetables?",

Me: Yes a few limes (they were bought in the USA but limes are permitted anyway).

Officer: "Oh, I need you to go to secondary...".

Me: Limes are permitted...

Officer: "Well, a lime is like an orange, and they oranges aren't permitted."

Me: :rolleyes:

In secondary, after 15 min. waiting for the Ag inspector... looked at the note on my windshield from the officer.. laughed, said "LIMES?!!" and told me I could go (not even looking at my limes.

How's that more government is better government working for YOU??? :lol:

David K - 7-17-2014 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Desertbull
Get your precious kids their passports, if your family was involved in an incident where you needed to extract them out via emergency air flight i.e. Med-Jet, LifeFlight, Aero Med-a-Vac ... it's mandatory for the injured to have a passport to be flown out in an emergency ...

EXCELLENT ADVICE TIM!

SFandH - 7-17-2014 at 08:44 AM

Don't get me wrong, I also find many of the border guards to be grumpy, condescending, rude, sourpusses but having ID other than a passport, even if permitted, does slow things up. I don't like it when the person in front of me at the booth hands the guard papers instead of a passport and I have to wait while the guard looks things over, probably trying to decide whether or not the papers are authentic.

One Better..........

bajaguy - 7-17-2014 at 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Also in Tecate:

Officer:"Have any fruits or vegetables?",

Me: Yes a few limes (they were bought in the USA but limes are permitted anyway).

Officer: "Oh, I need you to go to secondary...".

Me: Limes are permitted...

Officer: "Well, a lime is like an orange, and they oranges aren't permitted."

Me: :rolleyes:

Female CBP inspector at the primary booth: "what is in the ice chest"

Me: "dirty clothes"

Female inspector fills out ticket, places under windshield......"pull into secondary"

Secondary agent (male), looks at ticket under windshield wiper: "why were you sent to secondary??"

Me: "dirty clothes in the ice chest"

Secondary agent (smiling): "may I look"

Me: "yes, sir"

Secondary agent after looking in ice chest (trying to hold back from laughing): "have a nice day and drive safe.

It is my belief that there is a "secondary quota" that all primary booth inspectors have.

Bajaboy - 7-17-2014 at 09:08 AM

Quote:

We were holding off primary as we had a tentatively planned on going overseas and thus would need a standard passport for air travel. I don't think that is going to happen so we are likely going to go with passport cards for the whole family.

Now you are going to get me all worked up over the bs involved with the different types of passports and the associated costs for obtaining them..... :fire:

I'm still at a loss as to why the agent didn't know the regulations?!

bajabuddha - 7-17-2014 at 09:19 AM

BB, "Tiene armas, tiene poder". It's like the sign in our VFW hall; "You may be an officer of the Post, even the Post Commander. However, the bartender on duty is COMMANDER IN CHIEF."

DENNIS - 7-17-2014 at 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Female CBP inspector at the primary booth: "what is in the ice chest"

Me: "dirty clothes"

Just me, but, I would never pull up to the booth with the lid of an ice chest closed unless, of course, it had ice in it.
I try to think ahead and be prepared for any stooped questions. If you take away their game, it leaves them speechless.
Remember...we are their entertainment. :light:

DENNIS - 7-17-2014 at 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy

I'm still at a loss as to why the agent didn't know the regulations?!

They know the regulations. Jeeezo...they live the regulations.

It's one of their methods, to engage you in conversation that might set you off. They look for nervousness which may prompt further inspection. That's why I say, just sit there, grin and drool. It'll all be over soon.

bajaguy - 7-17-2014 at 09:25 AM

Yup, my bad

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Female CBP inspector at the primary booth: "what is in the ice chest"

Me: "dirty clothes"

DavidT - 7-17-2014 at 09:26 AM

Just have your kids surrender and ask for their right of asylum
After all they are being persecuted by their own country

micah202 - 7-17-2014 at 09:28 AM

Quote:

Would be interesting to have a cbp nomad here to tell stories about some of the people they have to deal with at the border, eh? I bet Mexicans xing the border are much more polite, as they perceive risk of getting flagged and losing visa privileges, eh?

.

....'funny' thing--us canadians have to be just as careful....it's only americans who are entitled to come and go from the states

micah202 - 7-17-2014 at 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
BB, "Tiene armas, tiene poder". It's like the sign in our VFW hall; "You may be an officer of the Post, even the Post Commander. However, the bartender on duty is COMMANDER IN CHIEF."

.

....ohhh,,I always thought the sign in the wall translated as...''don't even -think- of talking back--the US Border is it's own law''

.

micah202 - 7-17-2014 at 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
Passports are a big dollar hit but just pony up.

......probably nothing compared to the stupid I-192 'pardon' process --cost me months and ~$700....now I have a pardon letter to show that I had zero record to be pardoned from!!!

..'can't fight stupid'',,,indeed :barf:

danaeb - 7-17-2014 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner
I previously posted my 2 negative encounters at the SY border crossing both of which were with female agents. 2 out of 1400 crossings in 3 years.

1400 crossings in 3 years?

DENNIS - 7-17-2014 at 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danaeb

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner
I previously posted my 2 negative encounters at the SY border crossing both of which were with female agents. 2 out of 1400 crossings in 3 years.

1400 crossings in 3 years?

He's a Cartel. :lol:

bajabuddha - 7-17-2014 at 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by micah202

Quote:

.

....ohhh,,I always thought the sign in the wall translated as...''don't even -think- of talking back--the US Border is it's own law''

.

Yuppers, that about sums it up; the 'Occifer' in the booth is his/her own law at that exact given time and lane; they have a gun, and they have the power, and they make the rules. Any arguments (especially if you're in the right) just makes for flunking the 'personality test' and if you complain hard enough, they can dismantle your vehicle down to the nuts and bolts in front of you, and YOU have to put it back together. Makes for a very long secondary.

BajaLuna - 7-17-2014 at 03:01 PM

WOW BajaBoy, I too, researched that birth certificates were enough, and they are according to your research and mine as well, but I certainly don't want no freaking hassles, thanks for letting us know!

You got a good point there, Dennis, "they know the regulations", "it's one of their methods to engage you"....

bajalearner - 7-17-2014 at 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danaeb

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner
I previously posted my 2 negative encounters at the SY border crossing both of which were with female agents. 2 out of 1400 crossings in 3 years.

1400 crossings in 3 years?

Yes, because I used to take my son north for school, return home to Tijuana, and go back north to get him in the afternoon. Most of time on my motorcycle. I'm happy to be done with that now.

It is the attitude of the guard.

baconjr - 7-17-2014 at 06:45 PM

I just crossed with my niece and her 5 year old. The guard looked at the birth certificate, letter from her father, my ready pass and my nieces expired passport with her birth certificate and was waved on. You could have knocked me over with a feather. It is up the the guard.

Quote:

BajaRat - 7-19-2014 at 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy

The officer went on to lecture me that the long border waits are due to people such as us who do not follow the proper protocol. I was not very pleased with the lecture but kept my mouth shut.

Zachary Johnston

A little ways back a female guard at Tecate crossing lectured us on how irresponsible we were for bringing or children to Mexico, now who was holding up the line :?:

I told her the most dangerous part of our trip was still to come..... We have to drive through Phoenix Az to get home and sometimes over nite there.
I wanted to tell her she might consider working out, loose the muffin top, go get layed and raise her endorphins since it seemed ok to give me life's answers. :lol:

[Edited on 7-19-2014 by BajaRat]

DENNIS - 7-19-2014 at 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaRat
I wanted to tell her she might consider working out, loose the muffin top, go get layed and raise her endorphins since it seemed ok to give me life's answers. :lol:

You'd have been pitching your tent in secondary. :lol:

BajaRat - 7-19-2014 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaRat
I wanted to tell her she might consider working out, loose the muffin top, go get layed and raise her endorphins since it seemed ok to give me life's answers. :lol:

You'd have been pitching your tent in secondary. :lol:

And as my dad would say " without a pot to pee in " :lol:

Its amazing how much info is at their disposal when you cross the border legally, when we changed trucks last year they new it . The guard asked us if this was going to be the vehicle we would be using now for our Mex trips. I replied we sold the other one, the family had grown out of it.
We had a cactus skeleton from our ranchito in Az on the dash for decoration and a Tecate guard carefully reached in, picked it up and said it was a rare endangered Baja species to which I replied of course its endangered in Baja, Its from Northern Arizona :?:

[Edited on 7-19-2014 by BajaRat]

Whale-ista - 7-19-2014 at 01:56 PM

Ha!

All this discussion has made me wonder what the border Xing agent would say if my passport/passport card/SENTRI card/drivers license were lost or stolen, and I tried using my original, cardstock, computer batch-punched "certificate of live birth" paperwork, issued by County of San Diego "Department of Public Health" 50+ years ago?

For a photo ID- do they accept CostCo AmEx cards?

Hey, the certificate cost my parents $1/each back in the day, and mom ordered 2 (receipt also still in the original mailing envelope). And that was pricey back then- I know, cuz I also have their annual tax filings for those years, showing my USMC dad's meager income!

My dear departed mom, being a super-organized military parent (copies of vaccinations, school reports, medical records etc. were required at new schools for all 4 kids, with every transfer) kept these files up til her death. Not sure where the 2nd certificate wound up, probably buried in a DoD archive somewhere, proving another dependent had entered the world.

My baptismal record is also with those docs- I bet those would be respected in Baja!

RIP mom- and thanks for the memories! They may come in handy some day...

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaLuna
WOW BajaBoy, I too, researched that birth certificates were enough, and they are according to your research and mine as well, but I certainly don't want no freaking hassles, thanks for letting us know!

You got a good point there, Dennis, "they know the regulations", "it's one of their methods to engage you"....

Bajahowodd - 7-19-2014 at 05:01 PM

Blame Bush. His administration started this idiocy.

bajaguy - 7-19-2014 at 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Blame Bush. His administration started this idiocy.

And your guy Obama has had plenty of time to do something about it.

Just hoping for change

dtbushpilot - 7-19-2014 at 10:28 PM

Geeezzz, really? I cross at Tecate often, no issues. Sometimes they send me to secondary because I'm pulling a trailer or forgot to take off my sunglasses or the computer flagged me or because I have 2 cats and 2 dogs I might have a bag of pet food contraband (ok, I made that last part up).

I guess I'm fortunate enough to still be in the "Baja Spirit when I get to the border and I don't get needlessly hassled there, or maybe I don't have a "where is your warrant" chip on my shoulder....or maybe I don't sweat the small stuff.....

mike odell - 7-19-2014 at 10:43 PM

DT,
Maybe you don't get hassled much cuz your close to 8 ft tall, weigh close
to 400 pounds, bald, look like you eat nails and spit out horse shoes!
Or maybe Jillie and cacahuate gives ya away as a a softy? :saint:

Know your government!!

baconjr - 7-26-2014 at 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Blame Bush. His administration started this idiocy.

And your guy Obama has had plenty of time to do something about it.

Just hoping for change

Congress makes the laws. The Prez signs them. Congress is a joke primarily due to the House.
Just hoping for an informed citizenry!! :lol:

Bajaboy - 7-27-2014 at 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
The House didn't make Obamacare... the biggest joke pressed upon the American people.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Yes, and the House will likely try and repeal it again. Your tax dollars at work.