Can you come back with out a PASSPORT?

[Bevans]

The 3rd line for persons without passports/passport cards is gone. Just one line for Sentri and one line for everyone else. It's much slower. I started out in about the same location in line that usually takes me +/-1 hour to get through. This past Saturday it took, 3-1/2 hours.

 

[Mesperanto]

I don't ever or at least almost never have anything in my hands. I guess it is handled differently from day to day.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Well I been there during this time period you mention and they been checking. Let me just clarify my observations. If you have your hands full(bags,luggage,baby,etc.) you probably won't be asked for your passport or pass card right outside the building. And then it seems like the Border Patrol guy is playing outside. Letting 20 people pass by and the 21st person is asked.

So yes in this sense they haven't been asking for your passport or pass card. It depends how you see it. I get asked and when I get asked I always stop the line because I refuse to have my passport at hand. And then all that idiot wants to see is my passport and not even the picture. What the hell is that?

 

[Coach E!]

No they have not been doing that for about the last 6 weeks or longer. I have had to cross nearly 3 times a week the last few weeks and have not been asked once.

 

[Midnighter1]

Actually they(Border Patrol) still ask for your passport or pass card right before you are going to go in into the building. Don't they always? Except when is deep into the night. These damn lazy agents are too cold or I don't know. But what do I know I don't hang around there for too long.

 

[Isis Grace]

They have not been asking for the last few weeks. If you don't have a passcard or a passport, they have a special line for you though.

 

[Colby]

There is some type of BS happening at the border. The last three times I've walked through the rotating gate to get back to the US, a border patrol agent will stop me and ask me if I have my passport (this is before the metal detector, before where you have to stand in line for the agents) - I have a passport card and show them that.

I guess they will take me in the first building for advanced processing if I didn't have a passport. It looks the like the newbie agents get this duty and I'm frankly fucking sick of it.

 

[Law Man]

If you think about the Passport requirements, it's pretty hard to implement other than having the general citizenry complying...

If you're an American citizen, how could it be possible for the government to keep you out of your own country?

The passport is mainly a matter of convenience for the border agencies.
Instead of learning 50 different State ID cards and the territories, the passport is a federal ID.

Passports are basically used to keep the other non-citizens out easier.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Yep no passport is needed...

Just be prepared for the 'death stare' and a few extra questions

 

[saydgeelyaves]

I have had more problems comming back from Canada than TJ without the passport, maybe because there is only a 5 car long line there.

One time I was 20 miles south of Detroit and found that I forgot my passport, I figured if I can cross into Windsor I would have no problem commimg back to the USA. Got into canada without any problem, but crossing back to detroit got questioned for 10 to 15 minutes and lectured about having a passport.

I will be glad when Ohio goes to the enhansed drivers licence and I won't have to carry a passcard or passport.

 

[alizemuffin]

That's the same question I had but since passports are not really required to come back to the states my question is not as important as I thought.

 

[That Other Dude]

GQ

How would the border guards know that you have only been in TJ or Mexico for 72 hours? We don't check out of America to exit the country. They would have no idea how long we have been in Mexico.

However, even with the passport requirement, my friends have crossed back into usa with simply a stern lecture to bring the passport next time.

No secondary check or anything like that. They just had their California Driver's license.

 

[shashou]

This is certainly going to encourage more mongers who don't have a passport. This passport policy is really stupid if they are not strict about it. I take that back. Only with a certain group.

 

[Arahsay]

I went last weekend and used my original birth certificate and my drivers license with no problem.

 

[FeveDrercor]

I heard from someone that you don't need a passport to come back to the states if you been in Mexico for less than 72 hours. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I highly doubt it but if it's true it can help a fellow monger.

 

[Helpful]

Was in a rush a few weeks ago forgot my wallet at home,realized after I already drove into TJ and tried to park.The border guard was cool when I told him the story just asked if I cross often with a passport or passcard.I told him yes which is true.Then he asked me some questions about myself and checked my registration and then let me cross back.No secondary either which was nice I hate that extra hasel.

I always use a passcard though because I don't need the extra hassel if I can avoid it.

About two months ago I got sent two secondary twice in two days randomly which sucks cause it can take up to an extra half hour if they are busy when driving across.

 

[heyyah123]

I was in San Diego yesterday on business, and made a spur-of-the-moment trip into tj. Likewise, I didn't have my passport on me.

Crossed back about 1am, guard says "Why dont you have a passport, you were in a forign country?" I played stupid and he waved me in.

These guys see this 10,000x a day. I dont think they give a shit unless they're in a bad mood.

BTW it was a typical monday. The alley sucked. Nothing new in AB, CC had a few new hotties, HK usual eye candy but rediculous prices. Got on cheap cbj sin ropa for 20 in the alley and had a repeat provider in AB for about 47minutes (yes I time it) w/ no knock

 

[Wolfie]

I am not aware of any fines. I believe some agents have told mongers about fines, but I believe it is a scare tactic to get them to get a passport.

Maybe someone can link a law that refers to a fine.

 

[Zatch]

That's great news but let me ask you what kind of fines are you looking at if they decide to make an example of you and what's the best response if an agent asks why you don't have a passport/passcard?

 

[Lenny Kicks In!]

Thank Bush and the North American Union for never needing a passport to go all through Mexico and Canada.