BajaNomad

Immigration Stop

billklaser - 10-4-2018 at 07:48 PM

Just drove from Loreto to San Quintin today, there was an immigration check point just south of Santa Rosalia near the Prison( thought that was an interesting place to have it). The agent asked for our immigration papers ( visas) and passports. My wife and I have a Residente Permanente card, and US passports of course. My guess is if anyone did not have proper immigration papers, would have to go to the Immigration Office in Santa Rosalia and take care of it including a fine!

Just thought I would post a heads up thread.

RnR - 10-5-2018 at 09:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by billklaser  
Just drove from Loreto to San Quintin today, there was an immigration check point just south of Santa Rosalia near the Prison( thought that was an interesting place to have it). The agent asked for our immigration papers ( visas) and passports. My wife and I have a Residente Permanente card, and US passports of course. My guess is if anyone did not have proper immigration papers, would have to go to the Immigration Office in Santa Rosalia and take care of it including a fine!

Just thought I would post a heads up thread.


So, what kind of plate was on your vehicle? Mexican or US license plate?

I am still hearing second/third hand reports that Permanent Residents can only drive Mexican plated vehicles and there may be issues with PR's driving vehicles with US plates.

Or, this is not an immigration issue and is only a Federal Police issue and IMM doesn't care. (Not their job)?

weebray - 10-5-2018 at 09:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RnR  
Quote: Originally posted by billklaser  

.


So, what kind of plate was on your vehicle? Mexican or US license plate?

I am still hearing second/third hand reports that Permanent Residents can only drive Mexican plated vehicles and there may be issues with PR's driving vehicles with US plates.

Or, this is not an immigration issue and is only a Federal Police issue and IMM doesn't care. (Not their job)?


IMM has no interest or authorization to handle licensing issues. And please let's not go here again. We're gonna get the editor of Baja Insider on here again telling us that our cars are going to get impounded. Lots of hand-wringing etc. etc. Drop it. Please.

bajaguy - 10-5-2018 at 09:55 AM

Hopefully, INM will step up enforcement and start deporting those without the proper immigration status (FMM's or residente)

Federal Police in Ensenada a couple of weeks ago were stopping US plated vehicles being driven by nationals, and towing several vehicles.....looking for chocolates illegally in country or not imported properly

weebray - 10-5-2018 at 10:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Hopefully, INM will step up enforcement and start deporting those without the proper immigration status (FMM's or residente)

Federal Police in Ensenada a couple of weeks ago were stopping US plated vehicles being driven by nationals, and towing several vehicles.....looking for chocolates illegally in country or not imported properly


Hoooo Boy! I'm sorry, I know you think you are trying to help but the system is fine. No one is being harmed. Mexico is not the US or Canada. Worry about your own country and leave Mexico alone. It does not need your help. Please!

bajaguy - 10-5-2018 at 10:09 AM

The difference between your opinion and chocolate cake is I asked for the chocolate cake
Quote: Originally posted by weebray  

Hoooo Boy! I'm sorry, I know you think you are trying to help but the system is fine. No one is being harmed. Mexico is not the US or Canada. Worry about your own country and leave Mexico alone. It does not need your help. Please!

weebray - 10-5-2018 at 10:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Hopefully, INM will step up enforcement and start deporting those without the proper immigration status (FMM's or residente)

Federal Police in Ensenada a couple of weeks ago were stopping US plated vehicles being driven by nationals, and towing several vehicles.....looking for chocolates illegally in country or not imported properly

My rant continues with topic #2. Encouraging the police to harass poor Mexicans from driving illegally plated cars is stupid. These people are POOR! Generally speaking, the police leave them alone lest they prevent them from going to work. Once again, the system is fine. It does not need our help. This is not the US.


[Edited on 10-5-2018 by weebray]

weebray - 10-5-2018 at 10:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
The difference between your opinion and chocolate cake is I asked for the chocolate cake

Very clever, ha ha ha. BTW I was not talking to you or anyone else that already knows what is best for Mexico. That would be a waste of time.


willardguy - 10-5-2018 at 10:25 AM

:lol:..how do spot a gringo? we're the only one's with current registration and tags. at least in my neck of the woods the locals I know have whatever license plates happen to be on the car when they bought it, end of story. if by chance the local policia pulls em over its 200 pesos, done.

Pescador - 10-5-2018 at 12:01 PM

This is a checkpoint that has been on and off since May. The checkpoint is being manned by the immigration officers from the office in Santa Rosalia. They got their orders from Mexico City. It is to make sure that people traveling south have proper immigration papers. FMM, Residente Temporal, or Residente Permanente. A friend was stopped and could not find his papers and went to the office in Santa Rosalia and they issued him a letter which gave him enough time to get out of Mexico. I know he had the FMM and they were able to verify that on computer. Just make sure you are legal and everything goes smoothly.

PamelaP - 10-5-2018 at 12:30 PM

It is our understanding that is the Mexican National who can not drive US plated vehicles, this after reading, re-reading and email conversation with our local consulate. We, even with Residente Permanente can drive our US plated vehicles. I believe it is correct that we should all have current documentation (Period). It is their country for us to enjoy, follow the rules and have fun!

Pescador - 10-5-2018 at 01:40 PM

You are correct, if you have a Mexican Driver's license, you can not legally drive a US Plated Car. I have a friend who has ONAPAFFA drivers License and he is OK for US plates. In Baja and Baja California Our, Residente Permanente and Residente Temporal are ok with US plated cars.

billklaser - 10-5-2018 at 06:00 PM

My vehicle is California registered. Not aware of any issue regarding the immigration status and driving a vehicle. This is the first time in many years of driving in Baja having any immigration check since they were checking at Guerrero Negro. We were driving North at this check point.

chumlee57 - 10-5-2018 at 09:37 PM

back in the day, they indeed checked your documents out ( early 80's ) it seems going south has always been a little easier , as far as full vehicle inspections, than going north. Obvious reasons. It's becoming a smaller world, keep up to speed with all the new requirements and abide by them, it's easy and not to difficult. Safe travels

weebray - 10-6-2018 at 08:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chumlee57  
back in the day, they indeed checked your documents out ( early 80's ) it seems going south has always been a little easier , as far as full vehicle inspections, than going north. Obvious reasons. It's becoming a smaller world, keep up to speed with all the new requirements and abide by them, it's easy and not to difficult. Safe travels


I will agree that being completely legal is a righteous goal. But the wonderful thing about Mexico is the flexibility of the system. Normally stuff can be worked out satisfactorily.

charliemanson - 10-6-2018 at 01:22 PM

So Weebrey, are you suggesting that being legal is just a goal, or something you SHOULD do, which is not difficult.

Or are you just saying that its Mexico and not really a requirement which is exactly why the road and other basic govt services are not as good as they could be because you and others like you are to cheap to pay for the basic requirements to come down here and PARTY DUDE, its Mexico . Sorry if I am wrong...that statement just caught a nerve.

bajatrailrider - 10-7-2018 at 07:40 AM

I guess Carlie you don't know Mexico. Did you know if a Mexican woman drives a Calif plated car they let them go. Also once a Mexican gets pulled out in the check point and they pay a small amount. The fed gives him a code that lasts for a month. Everytime he goes past the check point. So lighten up this is not the states. Don't let your nerves get to you.

weebray - 10-8-2018 at 08:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
So Weebrey, are you suggesting that being legal is just a goal, or something you SHOULD do, which is not difficult.

Or are you just saying that its Mexico and not really a requirement which is exactly why the road and other basic govt services are not as good as they could be because you and others like you are to cheap to pay for the basic requirements to come down here and PARTY DUDE, its Mexico . Sorry if I am wrong...that statement just caught a nerve.


Geez, I did not mean for you to get your back up. I think you are reading too much in my post. My point? Just that when you cross the border you can sit back, crack open a brownback, and relax a bit. And no I'm not suggesting you drive drunk or be an a-hole. Just relax a bit. If something happens normally the Mexican system has a little "wiggle room" built in and things can be worked out.


[Edited on 10-8-2018 by weebray]

gnukid - 10-8-2018 at 09:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PamelaP  
It is our understanding that is the Mexican National who can not drive US plated vehicles, this after reading, re-reading and email conversation with our local consulate. We, even with Residente Permanente can drive our US plated vehicles. I believe it is correct that we should all have current documentation (Period). It is their country for us to enjoy, follow the rules and have fun!


As a permanent resident you have the qualities, benefits and responsibilities of a Mexican citizen except the right to vote. To suggest that it is "their" country suggests you want the benefits with out the obligations.

billklaser - 10-8-2018 at 12:11 PM

On this subject of driving, it has always been my understanding a Mexican National cannot drive a US vehicle unless he or she has a US drivers license. However there always seems to be some variance in how the laws are presented. For example, I drive from our place in Loreto to our place in Lopez Mateos. Couple years ago I had a Mexican helper drive my US plated vehicle from Loreto to Lopez with building supplies, and we were stopped by the local police in Insurgentes. They wrote up the citation for my Mexican helper having a expired Mexican drivers license, never said anything about the US plate.

charliemanson - 10-8-2018 at 12:55 PM

weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio

mtgoat666 - 10-8-2018 at 01:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio


Everybody wants good schools. Everybody wants their roads fixed. No one wants to pay taxes to make it happen.

thebajarunner - 10-8-2018 at 03:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio


Everybody wants good schools. Everybody wants their roads fixed. No one wants to pay taxes to make it happen.


In California 85% of our property taxes (plus a myriad of bonds) go to support public education,
which results in the bottom 10% quality in the USA

In California we pay the highest gas taxes (just got a DMV renewal on a 21 year old F150 for $265) and our roads are the worst in the country.
Recently I have driven extensively in NE, SD, IA, OH, PA, NY and Ontario Canada. All the highways were really smooth and excellent (except NY, but you already could figure that out)

The State of Brown is the State of Taxation without benefits.

willardguy - 10-8-2018 at 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio


are you high on drugs? those of us from "SD" pay a crapload of taxes everyday on every can of beer every taco and every purchase made here.........and who exactly is complaining:?:

norte - 10-8-2018 at 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio


Everybody wants good schools. Everybody wants their roads fixed. No one wants to pay taxes to make it happen.


In California 85% of our property taxes (plus a myriad of bonds) go to support public education,
which results in the bottom 10% quality in the USA

In California we pay the highest gas taxes (just got a DMV renewal on a 21 year old F150 for $265) and our roads are the worst in the country.
Recently I have driven extensively in NE, SD, IA, OH, PA, NY and Ontario Canada. All the highways were really smooth and excellent (except NY, but you already could figure that out)

The State of Brown is the State of Taxation without benefits.


Kalifornia's problems have been going on long before Brown. Most trace it back to the 70's.

charliemanson - 10-8-2018 at 06:16 PM

check out the thread on hwy 5 and you will see or come listen around here where all the people from SD are coming to for 6-8months and b-tch about the roads!!! Obviously they are not fromSD

willardguy - 10-8-2018 at 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
check out the thread on hwy 5 and you will see or come listen around here where all the people from SD are coming to for 6-8months and b-tch about the roads!!! Obviously they are not fromSD


sooo....you're bagging on people for using south dakota to register their vehicles instead of using mexico plates there by not paying their fair share of taxes for road improvement? is that your argument?

mtgoat666 - 10-8-2018 at 06:49 PM

flocking skinflint retirees in Mexico are paying insignificant taxes. You moved from South Dakota to Mexico because you couldn’t afford a sec 8 apt in South Dakota, and your purchase of 3 tacos a day in San Felipe is contributing next to zero taxes in Mexico.


[Edited on 10-9-2018 by mtgoat666]

mtgoat666 - 10-8-2018 at 06:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio


Everybody wants good schools. Everybody wants their roads fixed. No one wants to pay taxes to make it happen.


In California 85% of our property taxes (plus a myriad of bonds) go to support public education,
which results in the bottom 10% quality in the USA

In California we pay the highest gas taxes (just got a DMV renewal on a 21 year old F150 for $265) and our roads are the worst in the country.
Recently I have driven extensively in NE, SD, IA, OH, PA, NY and Ontario Canada. All the highways were really smooth and excellent (except NY, but you already could figure that out)

The State of Brown is the State of Taxation without benefits.


Is that why you moved to South Dakota, for the roads and schools?

willardguy - 10-8-2018 at 06:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
flocking skinflint retirees in Mexico are paying insignificant taxes. You moved from South Dakota to Mexico because you couldn’t afford a sec 8 apt in South Dakota, and your purchase of 3 tacos a day in San Felipe is contributing next to zero taxes in Mexico.


[Edited on 10-9-2018 by mtgoat666]


:lol: what a tool........

Clearly you have both comprehension and reading problems

thebajarunner - 10-8-2018 at 09:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  
weebray, apology accepted. After my feathers backed down I did feel I may have misspoke. You do understand however how many people come down here and do not respect the country, their(our) laws and try and get by with all that is possible without contributing. Like I said, sorry.

As I can see from here all of South Dakota is showing up to avoid paying their fair share of the road they are driving on, however still complaining about how bad the road is or was designed.

It is that attitude that really peees me off...so again sorry for interpreting your post incorrectly.

Good luck to all with Sergio


Everybody wants good schools. Everybody wants their roads fixed. No one wants to pay taxes to make it happen.


In California 85% of our property taxes (plus a myriad of bonds) go to support public education,
which results in the bottom 10% quality in the USA

In California we pay the highest gas taxes (just got a DMV renewal on a 21 year old F150 for $265) and our roads are the worst in the country.
Recently I have driven extensively in NE, SD, IA, OH, PA, NY and Ontario Canada. All the highways were really smooth and excellent (except NY, but you already could figure that out)

The State of Brown is the State of Taxation without benefits.


Is that why you moved to South Dakota, for the roads and schools?


I live square in the middle of California
Oakdale to be exact
And as soon as we liquidate a couple more businesses I am outta here.
One partner already moved to Reno, another to Sarasota.
Phoenix or Guadalupe sound pretty good to me
Anywhere but four buck gas Browntown

RFClark - 10-8-2018 at 10:15 PM

On the subject of S.D. Registration in Mexico. The Tourist Auto Insurance I buy is only valid if I am driving a properly registered car with non-Mexican plates. I also have the necessary 6 month Tourist Visa $533 N.M.

Nevada registration is about $380 U.S. ( I left The People’s Republic of California 12 years ago!) S.D. registration is $81 U.S. on the same SUV!

You do the math!

weebray - 10-9-2018 at 09:00 AM

I'm not going to jump into to the Calif. debate her, off topic. The bottom line for many of us living in Baja California regarding auto licensing is the opportunity, time and cost. The Mexican laws regarding importation are very limited and strict. My car does not qualify. Other than buying a car that fits their guidelines or buying one here my options are limited to South Dakota.

gnukid - 10-9-2018 at 09:48 AM

CA DMV allows CA residents to have CA registered vehicles at their Baja homes, or other out of state location, except for TJ, Laredo, Tecate and these vehicles may use an "affidavit of non-use", (different from non-op status), which reduces CA reg fees, hi-way tax and insurance requirement so those vehicles may be insured through Mexican providers. This is a low cost, 100% legal and recognized policy that many people use to maintain their cars in Baja. In fact, CA DMV has multiple address fields for reg, one for garage, one for mailing etc. so you can garage it Baja and either receive the DMV notices and sticker in Baja or at your Ca home.

[Edited on 10-10-2018 by gnukid]

Howard - 10-9-2018 at 09:51 AM

Do you still have to get a smog certificate every 2 years?

gnukid - 10-9-2018 at 10:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
Do you still have to get a smog certificate every 2 years?


Smog check is triggered by the zip code you enter in the CA DMV garage address field. Much of California zip codes are exempt from smog, (google CA DMV zip code smog exempt). Baja zip code addresses are exempt from smog except for TJ, Tecate, and Laredo, it's written in the DMV book google CA DMV smog exemption. Exemption only applies to Baja (Frontera) not for Sonora and the rest of Mexican Mainland.

Key points:

Change the garage address to your Baja address and update the mailing address to your mailing address with proper zip code before the reg is due.

Alternatively, you can use a temporary exemption form and write in the temporary address which can be DMV form 256 or REG 5103 https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/407b2792-be32-47cf...

You can do this at AAA or DMV on line or mail in form or in person at DMV.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/...

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/online/vrir/vr_sb15...




[Edited on 10-10-2018 by gnukid]

Howard - 10-9-2018 at 04:12 PM

I googled "famous people from South Dakota" and the best I could come up with is Bob Barker.

See, there is someone from SD!

SFandH - 10-9-2018 at 04:17 PM

Bob Barker!!

I called my old dog, now gone, that for a while. It fit. I changed his name occasionally. He responded to any name.

bajatrailrider - 10-9-2018 at 07:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
is it possible charlie and goat really believe we're all from SD.....could they really be that stupid? :?:


well to answer my own question.....yes, yes they are.;)

[Edited on 10-9-2018 by willardguy]
. We don't know about Charlie but we know mt666 is more stupid then any goat born in the USA. Jaaaaa

billklaser - 10-9-2018 at 07:48 PM

This is really interesting. I posted this thread to inform everyone about an immigration stop. Now we are talking about SD plates. Most of us are aware that some counties in SD will register your vehicle even though you probably have never been to SD. Jeez, really?

BajaMama - 10-18-2018 at 01:18 PM

No immigration check on October 18!