BajaNomad - Enhanced Drivers License for Re entry to US?

Enhanced Drivers License for Re entry to US?

fishhead - 10-7-2017 at 03:02 PM

Friend without passport who wants to visit me in Baja wants to know if they can get back in the States with enhanced drivers license only? U2u me, thanks

David K - 10-7-2017 at 03:31 PM

It is more about getting into Mexico, legally. Customs cannot deny a citizen from returning to his country. Passport needed for FMM (Mexico) and quicker proof of citizenship returning to U.S.

SFandH - 10-7-2017 at 04:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishhead

Friend without passport who wants to visit me in Baja wants to know if they can get back in the States with enhanced drivers license only? U2u me, thanks

Looks like the answer is yes and he can use the Ready Lanes:

"To use the Ready Lanes you will need a WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled cards approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

These include: the U.S. Passport Card; the Enhanced Driver's License (EDL); the Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC); Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry and FAST cards); the new Enhanced Permanent Resident Card (PRC) or new Border Crossing Card (BCC). Ready Lane locations can be found here."

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1211/~/ready-la...

The standard lanes, at least at the San Ysidro crossing, have RFID readers too, so those lanes would be good also.

[Edited on 10-8-2017 by SFandH]

sancho - 10-7-2017 at 04:20 PM

Enhanced or not, US Customs, CBP will admit US citizens
back into the US, no matter what CBP sites say, with a DL.
Not sure if they give a slight lecture or not, without the enhanced license that is, as DK points
out, Mex Imm requires passport, passport card, to get an fmm,
to be legally in Mex one needs an fmm, but that is a separate issue, so it would not
conform to Mex Imm regs. Me, I'm always within Mex regs.
For border visits, I would guess few tourists bother or even
are aware of the technical requirement the for the fmm/tourist card

[Edited on 10-7-2017 by sancho]

SFandH - 10-7-2017 at 04:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

Enhanced or not, US Customs, CBP will admit US citizens
back into the US, no matter what CBP sites say, with a DL.

I know you're correct but it's a curious situation. As you stated, they will let US citizens in without documents that prove they are citizens. So what are they going by to know you're a citizen?

[Edited on 10-7-2017 by SFandH]

David K - 10-7-2017 at 05:48 PM

Before the passport for Mexico days, U.S. customs were only asking you to state your citizenship and determine if further proof or questioning was needed. A birth certificate (what Mexico used to need) worked as proof of citizenship. Passports have photos and made it easier and more certain, is all.

PaulW - 10-7-2017 at 09:58 PM

No problem and kind of drivers license will work it you use the regular lane. Done it several times when I forgot my passport. The first time I was given a flyer to tell what kind of ID was required for each lane. The flyer is long gone. I was told you need enhanced DL for the Ready lane
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Quote: Originally posted by fishhead

Friend without passport who wants to visit me in Baja wants to know if they can get back in the States with enhanced drivers license only? U2u me, thanks

Being THERE

MrBillM - 10-9-2017 at 12:35 PM

When asked the question, one is already IN the USA.

Of course, without proof and if in doubt, CBP can simply place one in detention until the status is resolved.

funcrew - 12-29-2017 at 03:23 PM

I have my enhanced/real ID to get back into the USA. My problem is an expired passport (replacement by mail was supposed to be here by now) so not sure if I can get into Baja to start with. Last few times I was there (years ago) nobody ever checked going southbound. Is a passport a hard requirement now in Baja?

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

No problem and kind of drivers license will work it you use the regular lane. Done it several times when I forgot my passport. The first time I was given a flyer to tell what kind of ID was required for each lane. The flyer is long gone. I was told you need enhanced DL for the Ready lane
======== =

Quote: Originally posted by fishhead

Friend without passport who wants to visit me in Baja wants to know if they can get back in the States with enhanced drivers license only? U2u me, thanks

willardguy - 12-29-2017 at 03:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by funcrew

I have my enhanced/real ID to get back into the USA. My problem is an expired passport (replacement by mail was supposed to be here by now) so not sure if I can get into Baja to start with. Last few times I was there (years ago) nobody ever checked going southbound. Is a passport a hard requirement now in Baja?

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW

Quote: Originally posted by fishhead

Friend without passport who wants to visit me in Baja wants to know if they can get back in the States with enhanced drivers license only? U2u me, thanks

its the FMM (passport required) that you need.

David K - 12-29-2017 at 03:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by funcrew

Yes, to be "legal"... However, not all cars are stopped when entering Mexico and those that are usually are only asked about the vehicle contents and not if you have the FMM "Tourist Card" or a Passport to get the FMM. You get them there at the border, in the building at the border (INM office). It is a pseudo-voluntary procedure to get an FMM. Call it 'peace of mind' but needed if you want to cross into Mainland Mexico or if there are any surprise immigration checkpoints. There was one at Guerrero Negro for a few years. In 2017, I drove over 15,000 miles in Baja and not once was there any place that asked to see it.

Enhanced US Driver's License

bajaguy - 12-29-2017 at 04:04 PM

You can use the Ready lane if it has the RFID chip....some do, some don't