BajaNomad

Is a Vaild US Passport now Requiered to return at the Border?

jeans - 5-17-2015 at 02:16 PM

The US government has been saying for years that someday a passport will be necessary. Are they there yet? Until I got a Senri Pass, I used my Birth Certificate, CDL, and a copy of my expired passport. Is that still good enough?

AKgringo - 5-17-2015 at 02:43 PM

Sorry, no answer here, just a couple of questions. Don't you need a passprt (or card) to get a Sentri pass?
Also, isn't it required to get an FMM?
It is my understanding that you will be allowed to re-enter the US with proof of citizenship, but why risk extra delays that would possibly be encountered?

jeans - 5-17-2015 at 03:49 PM

I am asking for a possible visitor. I have a Passport card and a Sentri. My mother has lived in Rosarito for 30 yrs. and I have been coming here since I was in High School, but I'm out of touch with what is required today.

Thanks for replying.

David K - 5-17-2015 at 04:01 PM

They cannot deny an American from returning to his/her country. The passport just makes the process of IDing you easier for the border gaurd. People I know have had no issues without one. PS good to see a new post from you!

Bajahowodd - 5-17-2015 at 04:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
They cannot deny an American from returning to his/her country. The passport just makes the process of IDing you easier for the border gaurd. People I know have had no issues without one. PS good to see a new post from you!


Correct, although it may get you sent to secondary.

bajaguy - 5-17-2015 at 04:54 PM

Actually, once you cross that yellow line on the pavement before you get to the CBP booth you are in the US. They can't send you back, but they can send you to secondary

David K - 5-17-2015 at 05:34 PM

Yes they can... as any of us with or without passports can. Both of our sons have been to Baja the past years since the passport rule was announced, and neither had to go to secondary having just a birth certificate or just a CA drivers license. I am not saying it is a-OK to not get one, I am just assuring jeans that her friend cannot be denied entry back into the U.S. if he/she is a legal U.S. resident.

mtgoat666 - 5-17-2015 at 07:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
They cannot deny an American from returning to his/her country.


They can do whatever they want to. Cbp can deny entry to anyone deemed a threat to sovereignty. Many Americans raised in mexico are treated as Mexicans by cbp, the cbp routinely denies usa citizens entry if they try to enter with birth certificate and a foreign accent. If you are going to try crossing with only a birth certificate, make sure you don't look or sound like a foreigner.

BornFisher - 5-17-2015 at 07:22 PM

No, is the answer to your question.

Bajafun777 - 5-17-2015 at 10:30 PM

Jeans, just have them bring their driver's License and a certified birth certificate if they have it. Two forms of identification will make getting back into the USA much easier. Most Customs Agents look over the IDs and pass you through. However, once in while you will get a Customs Agent that will give you a lecture of why you should have the passport. Just politely say you know and will get one for the next visit, they will not deny your friend re-entry into the USA.

If your friend likes Mexico have them go to the Post Office and get the passport card, as it is only about $40 dollars and lets them do the Ready Lane either in car or on foot. Take Care and Travel Safe-----"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

Ateo - 5-18-2015 at 06:57 AM

Just hope Obama isn't filling in for your booth inspector. He will surely send your friends back to Mexico, then call in a drone strike. Life was so much better when George W was around.

JK

:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P

jeans - 5-18-2015 at 10:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
Just hope Obama isn't filling in for your booth inspector. He will surely send your friends back to Mexico, then call in a drone strike. Life was so much better when George W was around.

JK

:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P


Oh...thanks for your "helpful" answer. Proud of yourself?

For those that took the time to give a useful answer.....thank you...

DENNIS - 5-18-2015 at 11:12 AM




Hey, Mindy......as I'm sure you know, customer attitude at the border is everything. Even an apology[of sorts] for deviating from the supposed rules will go a long way.
Insisting on strict adherence to "rights' as some people think they know them, could make for a long day in secondary.
Nice to see you, by the way.

Udo - 5-18-2015 at 11:37 AM

YEAH!

5 hours for me!
Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  



Hey, Mindy......as I'm sure you know, customer attitude at the border is everything. Even an apology[of sorts] for deviating from the supposed rules will go a long way.
Insisting on strict adherence to "rights' as some people think they know them, could make for a long day in secondary.
Nice to see you, by the way.

JoeJustJoe - 5-18-2015 at 12:40 PM

I used to cross the US border all the time, and I still cross occasionally, mostly by foot, because the lines are very short back into the US after about 12 midnight, on weeknights where the wait is about five minutes.

There are a large percentage of people still using drivers licenses, and birth certificates, although they're supposed to have a passport or passcard.

Most custom agents, don't tell them a thing, and at the worse you might hear a custom agent, telling the people about the passport requirement while they are waving them through.

I have also taken family members and friends from out of town to Tijuana, and they never had a problem crossing back into the US because they didn't have a passport.

Sure you might run into a rude customs agent with a chip on his shoulder who might send you to secondary, but he might have sent you to secondary regardless if you had a passport or not.

Ateo - 5-18-2015 at 12:45 PM

Someone can't take a joke. You had plenty of answers before I came along........figured I'd mix it up a little.



Quote: Originally posted by jeans  
Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
Just hope Obama isn't filling in for your booth inspector. He will surely send your friends back to Mexico, then call in a drone strike. Life was so much better when George W was around.

JK

:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P


Oh...thanks for your "helpful" answer. Proud of yourself?

For those that took the time to give a useful answer.....thank you...

soylent_green - 5-18-2015 at 03:16 PM

since 2009, US citizens are required to enter the US with a US passport.
you can go around and around as to whether you do or do not actually need on, but legally the answer is yes.

get the passport

if you are pressed for time, then go to downtown san diego passport office and you will have it for an extra $60 fee. You will have it in 2 days. and then have to worry again about getting one in 10 years.

Whenever I take anyone to Mexico, I make sure they have a passport. Everyone should follow that rule IMO


No one likes to be in a car that got sent into secondary because one guy decided he really didn't need to get a passport because he or she won't be denied entry to US.

yellowklr - 5-18-2015 at 03:50 PM

If you can afford to travel you can afford a passport……….IT iS THE LAW

jeans - 5-18-2015 at 04:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS  


....as I'm sure you know, customer attitude at the border is everything. Even an apology[of sorts] for deviating from the supposed rules will go a long way.
Insisting on strict adherence to "rights' as some people think they know them, could make for a long day in secondary.
Nice to see you, by the way.


My mother learned the hard way that the shortest route to Secondary is to angrily ask the agent, "Do you get paid more for being an a$$hole?"

Yep, Dennis, I hear ya about customer attitude at the border...good thing I'm a lot nicer. :saint:

tjsue - 5-18-2015 at 04:58 PM

I don't have a passport. I do, however, have a passport card and Sentri. If you're using either one of those, a passport isn't required. I used the passport card to cross the border until I got the Sentri, and was never asked for a passport.

Neal Johns - 5-18-2015 at 09:24 PM

Mindy, good to see you are still full of it. :-) Send me a U2U telling me what is happening.
Neal

JoeJustJoe - 5-19-2015 at 09:37 AM

According to CBP website, it ways, effective June 1, 2009, only WHTI-compliant documents are acceptable for entering the US. However, they also say, "Documentation is essential to ensuring a problem-free U.S. border crossing," which I take to mean, you may run into some problems if you don't have a passport, or other acceptable requirements they list.

However, I think this travel tip website is more accurate in terms of actual practices at the border, and they are getting their information from, " Frommer," a well known travel site.

If you have a passport that's great, and that's the way to go to Mexico, and back, however, for many people, getting a passport, might prove problematic because of the costs for $110 dollars, especially if they have teen kids, the costs add up, especially if it's a last minute decision, and getting that rushed passport will cost an extra fee.

Some people can't get a passport if they owe significant amount of back child support, and I understand if you have a felony conviction in your background, that they could delay or even stop you from getting a new passport, and from what I know, about certain members of forums, including "Baja Nomad" there are a few members, mainly ex-members, with serious issues in their background that may make getting a passport nearly impossible.

I don't think any of these reasons should keep anyone from enjoying Mexico, especially on a day trip, where many US citizens, are still traveling to border cities like Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada, using only their California Drivers license, and birth certificate to get back into the US without any problems at all.
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Ways to Cross the Border

People have several choices for traveling between Tijuana and San Diego. The bright-red San Diego Trolley runs between its namesake city and the San Ysidro stop, which sits adjacent to the pedestrian bridge leading to the Tijuana border-crossing station. Tourists also can drive down to the border on I-5 south and park their cars in one of the long-term lots on the US side before walking across the bridge into Mexico and returning the same way. Alternatively, you can drive to Tijuana after passing through the highway inspection gate at the border. Myriad companies also offer bus tours from San Diego to Tijuana and back if you're looking for a guided experience. Frommer's recommends Baja California Tours as well as Gray Line San Diego and Five Star Tours for such services. If you decide to drive to Tijuana on your own, make sure to fill your vehicle with enough gas for the one- to two-hour wait in line coming back into the United States.

Passport

US citizens can cross the border coming back from Tijuana with nothing more than a valid passport or a US passport card. The passport card is a limited-use document that is less bulky and less expensive than a regular passport, but it is valid only for travel by land and sea.

Trusted Traveler Program Cards

US Customs and Border Protection also recognizes Trusted Traveler Program Cards such as SENTRI and NEXUS. These cards serve as identification and can speed your entry into the United States. Only preapproved, low-risk travelers can obtain these cards, and their validity applies only to land and sea entry.

Proof of Citizenship

Americans without passports or special documents also can return across the border from Tijuana with two proofs of citizenship, according to Frommer's. The most common documents include a driver's license and birth certificate, though documents such as military identification also work. Travelers 18 and younger must have a birth certificate if they are crossing without a passport.

Non-US Citizens

Non-US citizens face a more arduous process when crossing the border from Mexico to the United States, as officials are tasked with stemming the flow of illegal immigrants. According to Frommer's, all non-US citizens must carry a valid passport as well as form I-94 and a multiple-entry visa. Legal aliens residing in the United States can cross over with a passport and their resident alien card. More information can be obtained from the US Department of State online at travel.state.gov or by calling 202-647-5225.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/need-cross-border-tijuana-san...

Bajahowodd - 5-19-2015 at 04:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
Just hope Obama isn't filling in for your booth inspector. He will surely send your friends back to Mexico, then call in a drone strike. Life was so much better when George W was around.

JK

:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P:P


You are not funny. Just ridiculous!:fire::fire: