BajaNomad - Mex immigration sweeps Petes camp

Mex immigration sweeps Petes camp

dizzyspots - 10-2-2014 at 07:10 PM

SO...our friends over on FB Baj South Campos Amigos are reporting that Mex Immigration was making sweeps at Pete's Camp and some of the South Campos ...looking for FM2, FM3, other documents. No mention of what they did , if anything if you were found with papers
In the 14-15 trips we have done , we were only asked 2 x ...the 1st ..we were waved past at Guerro Negro, the other time was at the San Luis crossing..we were asked..we paid and moved on.

Headed back down next Wed,,,late (midnight?)...any idea what immigration hours are at a 24 hr border crossing?

shari - 10-2-2014 at 08:11 PM

Once in awhile immigration goes to a place and just checks everybody...normal.

sancho - 10-2-2014 at 08:20 PM

Read of a similar incident at Punta Banda a couple weeks
back, Mex Imm looking for acceptable papers, anyone know
if an fmm 180 day would be adequate for renting in one
of the Campos? I suppose technically not

DENNIS - 10-2-2014 at 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
Read of a similar incident at Punta Banda a couple weeks
back, Mex Imm looking for acceptable papers, anyone know
if an fmm 180 day would be adequate for renting in one
of the Campos? I suppose technically not

For those "busted" in PB, the FMM was the required fix.

elgatoloco - 10-2-2014 at 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dizzyspots

Headed back down next Wed,,,late (midnight?)...any idea what immigration hours are at a 24 hr border crossing?

San Ysidro 24 hours

woody with a view - 10-3-2014 at 01:15 AM

discover Baja from your house!

BajaBlanca - 10-3-2014 at 04:05 AM

they probably still come to La Bocana once a year, but since we are now out of their hair (or vice versa), we don't see them any more.

dizzyspots - 10-3-2014 at 05:40 AM

elgatoloco are you saying if the border is open 24/7...that immigration is open 24/7? We are crossing at San Luis Wed night....midnight...only staying 6 days should be a freebie?

luv2fish - 10-3-2014 at 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
Once in awhile immigration goes to a place and just checks everybody...normal.

Be nice if they could do that here in L.A.

elgatoloco - 10-3-2014 at 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dizzyspots
elgatoloco are you saying if the border is open 24/7...that immigration is open 24/7? We are crossing at San Luis Wed night....midnight...only staying 6 days should be a freebie?

Sorry no experience with San Luis directly. Only San Ysidro. Let us know how it goes?

sancho - 10-3-2014 at 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dizzyspots
are you saying if the border is open 24/7...that immigration is open 24/7? We are crossing at San Luis Wed night....midnight...only staying 6 days should be a freebie?

Possibly some old info, but San Luis lists 2 crossings, #1 says
24 hrs., #2 says 9 am - 8 pm. I assume this is when the border
crossing is open, not Immigration necessarily. The free 6 nt, 7 day fmm
should be available, they MAY tell you you don't need one for
6 days

dizzyspots - 10-3-2014 at 01:13 PM

Thank you Sancho...

mojo_norte - 10-3-2014 at 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

For those "busted" in PB, the FMM was the required fix.

So how did that work ? did they just record their name and give them a warning to go get an FMM regardless of their apparent residency status ?

David K - 10-3-2014 at 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
discover Baja from your house!

You still need to stop at the border so INM can stamp and validate it. So, they need to be open to do that... yes?

Pappy Jon - 10-3-2014 at 05:31 PM

What exactly did they "sweep?" The palapas?

David K - 10-3-2014 at 05:51 PM

They 'sweep' through gringo ex-pat compounds to see if the people living in Mexico actually bothered to get the correct visa for doing such. Sounds like even a tourist card will give you a pass?

Pete's Campo El Paraiso is north of San Felipe, and in the 'border zone' where no documentation is required for up to 3 days... Since there is no checkpoint, there is no way to enforce this rule in Baja Norte.

DENNIS - 10-3-2014 at 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
the 'border zone' where no documentation is required for up to 3 days... Since there is no checkpoint, there is no way to enforce this rule in Baja Norte.

I guess that explains why they're asking....to enforce the rule...or, is it a law?
I think it is.

sancho - 10-3-2014 at 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

and in the 'border zone' where no documentation is required for up to 3 days... Since there is no checkpoint

Good point, although in real practice, I believe it would be
fairly apparent that the Gringo being asked for Imm papers
is 'living' in the home/trailer/etc., I suppose he coud
claim he was renting for 3 days. I'm my opinion, Mex Imm
is being VERY GENEROUS in letting someone live in Baja with
only an fmm

Ribbonslinger - 10-7-2014 at 09:09 PM

When we returned last year we did not return our tourist card but the US customs stamped our passport for us with an exit date. Anyone know what if anything will happen when we return this fall and get a new tourist visa?

so far

captkw - 10-7-2014 at 09:35 PM

myself have never heard of anyone that has heard of anyone having a issue on not turning in your tourist card...BUT..never say never !! I would not even give get a 2nd thought !! :cool:

David K - 10-8-2014 at 08:15 AM

The U.S. stamped your passport when you returned???

As for getting a new FMM, just make sure you do not have the previous one with you!!!

Nothing will happen... or at least has ever happened that we have heard of.

An address has been provided here on Nomad in the past (from Discover Baja Travel Club) where you can mail in your FMMs from your U.S. home before they expire, as there is no procedure created by Mexico to collect them as you drive out of the country.

FMM return

akshadow - 10-8-2014 at 08:54 AM

I also would not worry, But the "procedure" at the East Mexicali crossing to turn it in is the same as getting FMM when you go into Mexico. Stop at the Mexican Immigration office, go inside, return form, get your passport stamped." It is a bit of extra work because you first have to turn into the Lanes for the Mexican Customs/immigration then after this go to main road and start the line for getting to US Border crossing. Mexican immigration official gave us these instructions but did not seem to really want all the extra traffic compliance would require. I did this when I left last spring.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
The U.S. stamped your passport when you returned???

As for getting a new FMM, just make sure you do not have the previous one with you!!!

Nothing will happen... or at least has ever happened that we have heard of.

An address has been provided here on Nomad in the past (from Discover Baja Travel Club) where you can mail in your FMMs from your U.S. home before they expire, as there is no procedure created by Mexico to collect them as you drive out of the country.

rts551 - 10-8-2014 at 10:05 AM

Quote:

Bull pucky. you just do not like the procedure. You do like others have done. you return it to the immigration office. The back clearly states (in English for non-spanish speaking people) "During your stay in Mexico, you must retain this immigration form and surrender it upon leaving the country."

Because they have never enforced it, you think it is OK.

DENNIS - 10-8-2014 at 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
"During your stay in Mexico, you must retain this immigration form and surrender it upon leaving the country."

There has to be a reasonable method to do that when exiting through TJ/San Ysidro. I mean, you can't personally turn it in if there's no place to accept it. It would require re-entry into Mexico. One could get caught up in a never ending circle.

rts551 - 10-8-2014 at 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
"During your stay in Mexico, you must retain this immigration form and surrender it upon leaving the country."

My son turns his in at the immigration office in Tecate.. The officer records it in the computer (I am assuming on the record for the permit). You could do the same in TJ but it would require going to the immigration office first before exiting the country. Before everyone get is a up-roar, yes it would be nice if they provided a drop box in the exit lanes to the US.

aguachico - 10-8-2014 at 11:11 AM

I have taken my expired FMM to the office to get a new one, only to the the INM official restamp it for another 6 months - return the old one.. pfsst - vale madre.

DENNIS - 10-8-2014 at 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
You could do the same in TJ but it would require going to the immigration office first before exiting the country. Before everyone get is a up-roar, yes it would be nice if they provided a drop box in the exit lanes to the US.

Well...I did say "reasonable", but you must have missed that part, Ralph.
Correct me if I'm wrong...the immigration office in TJ is at the entrance to the country. How is one expected to access that office without re-entering Mexico.
Furthermore, how is one to access that office without leaving Mexico to make the return trip?

sancho - 10-8-2014 at 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

The back clearly states (in English for non-spanish speaking people) "During your stay in Mexico, you must retain this immigration form and surrender it upon leaving the country."

Because they have never enforced it, you think it is OK.

This is clearly Mex Imm regs, in practice I have never had or
heard any Tourist to Mex being questioned on a previous fmm
not being reurned, when applying for a new one. I'm kinda
uptight about paperwork in Mex, Immigration, Insurance, etc., I always have things in order. I physically return fmm's, and
get an exit stamp, however there never has been any indication it matters. Mex Imm has told Tourists in the past
it doesn't matter if you turn an fmm in, but the last 2 times
crossing at Calexico to San Felipe, getting the free 7 day
fmm, Imm were clear in stating they wanted the fmm returned before it expired, again I don't think it matters in the least if one returns

one or not

mtgoat666 - 10-8-2014 at 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho

Quote:

well,.... the issuing of FMMs is all computerized now, so only a matter of time before they learn how to use their database so they can catch the scofflaws that are not turning in their FMMs. i imagine right now there are some smart computer geeks writing code to get the FMM and passport database working the way they want it, eh?

INM has facebook and twitter pages, why don't one of you nervous nellies post a question there? ask them how and where a traveler should return their FMM when crossing northbound from Mex to USA via land border xings in baja?

rts551 - 10-8-2014 at 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

reasonable to whom. There are some that think tourism drives Mexico's economy and that entering and exiting Mexico should be painless. After listening to the political debate over land ownership, There appears to be others in Mexico who differ on that issue. I believe it is still possible to park in TJ and walk to the immigration office...Oh oh, I said walk.

SFandH - 10-8-2014 at 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
I believe it is still possible to park in TJ and walk to the immigration office...Oh oh, I said walk.

Yeah, you could do that at the new US to Mex pedestrian crossing on the east side. You would be walking against the flow in a crowd, perhaps a real heavy crowd, depending. Parking in TJ, walking to the office and back to the parking lot would take about 1/2 hour. Plus you would have to pay to park. Plus you would have to find your way back to the vehicle lanes from the parking lot, maybe another 15 minutes if you know the route, it's not easy.

I suggest you do it. Be a trailblazer, you would be the first to ever do it.

I'll just keep throwing mine away when they expire.

[Edited on 10-8-2014 by SFandH]

rts551 - 10-8-2014 at 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
I believe it is still possible to park in TJ and walk to the immigration office...Oh oh, I said walk.

No I obeyed the laws and became a legal resident many years ago. My son returns his in Tecate...no big deal. Easy? who said it was supposed to be easy?

mtgoat666 - 10-8-2014 at 01:24 PM

perhaps INM could employ the chiclets and churro vendors to collect FMMs from y'all while you wait in line at the border.

DENNIS - 10-8-2014 at 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
reasonable to whom.

Reasonable to those asked to comply......or do you believe the demand trumps all in this cooperative venture?
Reminds me of Mexico's recent demand that foreign residents...US citizens in particular....meet an income requirement that far exceeds that which Social Security will allow, knowing full well that is the income bracket of many expats.
Kinda makes some feel inadequate in the scheme of things, as well of being in fear of being dispossessed of all they have and have done here.
Now...that doesn't sound to me like such high regard for foreign money....or US citizens.

rts551 - 10-8-2014 at 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
reasonable to whom.

Dennis my friend, no. we and our money are not held in high regard sometimes.

rts551 - 10-8-2014 at 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
reasonable to whom.

Reminds me of a good friends effort to get a VISA to come to the US. His sole reason is to shop with his girlfriend (she is a US citizen) and visit friends. Even though , on his third attempt, he had a letter from his College, his future employer (the coop), and many references....denied...no income and single. Sound familiar?

SFandH - 10-8-2014 at 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

No I obeyed the laws and became a legal resident many years ago. My son returns his in Tecate...no big deal. Easy? who said it was supposed to be easy?

Tecate? I thought we were talking San Ysidro. At San Ysidro, the Mex gov has made no provisions for a tourist to return a FMM. I cross there frequently, walking and driving. I know the crossing well. However I don't know how to drive northbound to the office where FMMs are issued when driving southbound. Maybe you don't know, the new southbound crossing is not in the same place as the northbound crossing, which is where a northbound tourist would be going.

There must be a way, the Mex workers at the crossing get there but it's not marked nor obvious. A tourist driving back wouldn't be able to find it.

So you could do as I suggested and turnin the FMM at the office the pedestrians use on the east side of the original crossing, but, like I explained, it's complicated and time consuming, and again, a tourist driving northbound would not know how to do it. There are no signs whatsoever saying where the office is. None. I know, because like I said, I'm very familiar with the crossing, both walking and driving. If the tourist gets into the lanes to cross north, which would be a natural thing to do, he can't park and walk to the office. He would need to bypass the northbound crossing lanes, drive to Colonia Federal, park, and walk and then find his way back to the northbound crossing lanes from Colonia Federal. Good luck.

I hope you understand the situation even though it doesn't affect you because you don't use FMMs and your son crosses at Tecate.

It's not impossible to turn in a FMM at San Ysidro, it's next to impossible.

[Edited on 10-8-2014 by SFandH]

Returning FMM's

bajaguy - 10-8-2014 at 04:55 PM

You could avoid the hassle at the border and return the FMM by mail:

Postage is $1.15 (as of Aug. 2014) if mailing from the U.S.

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACION
PUENTE PUERTA S/N
COLONIA FEDERAL
TIJUANA, B.C. MEXICO C.P. 22310

DianaT - 10-8-2014 at 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551

Reminds me of a good friends effort to get a VISA to come to the US. His sole reason is to shop with his girlfriend (she is a US citizen) and visit friends. Even though , on his third attempt, he had a letter from his College, his future employer (the coop), and many references....denied...no income and single. Sound familiar?

We had a good friend who had a good income, a home, and no problems in her background denied a visa because she did not have fingerprints! The tips of her fingers are very smooth!. She now has the visa only because she married someone with dual citizenship.

David K - 10-8-2014 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
You could avoid the hassle at the border and return the FMM by mail:

Postage is $1.15 (as of Aug. 2014) if mailing from the U.S.

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACION
PUENTE PUERTA S/N
COLONIA FEDERAL
TIJUANA, B.C. MEXICO C.P. 22310

Wait for it... Ralph will pounce on you for offering a simple solution (as I did earlier in this thread)! Thanks for finding the address...

bajaspuds - 10-8-2014 at 05:14 PM

upon entry last month the Mexican immigration official in Tijuana said returning the tourist card/permit when leaving the country is NOT required ...

bajaguy - 10-8-2014 at 05:19 PM

Hey, Spuds.......that was his opinion....wait a few days and that will change....lol

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaspuds
upon entry last month the Mexican immigration official in Tijuana said returning the tourist card/permit when leaving the country is NOT required ...

bajaguy - 10-8-2014 at 05:23 PM

Well, it would be great if there was a (easy) system to return them when you cross back to the US, but there isn't. Maybe they could get a PO box in San Diego.....nah......too easy.

PS: Ralph doesn't scare me

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Wait for it... Ralph will pounce on you for offering a simple solution (as I did earlier in this thread)! Thanks for finding the address...