Hey guys quick question. I've been to Hong Kong a dozen times. My buddy wants to come with me in two weeks. His passport is expired. He has US drivers license. We're walking across the San Yisidro/Tijuana border. He can get into Tijuana and back to the U.S. with a U.S. ID, (drivers license) right?
"U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)."
Many guys on here cross the border - I don't recall anyone stating they crossed with just an ID and no passport - it may even be harder if it's a non-California ID - I doubt anyone here has taken that chance and doubt anyone will tell you to do it although it seems that's what you wanna hear.
I just got a text from a buddy that goes to Tijuana to get HGH. He doesn't have a passport and he's from Arizona. He said he's never had a problem. Exactly what I thought. Thanks everyone.
It's possible but not guaranteed that he could get back from Mexico with just a driver's license and no passport depending on who is on duty at the gate and how well they do their job. I would recommend your friend bring plenty of extra cash as bribe money if he is going to try that. Border crossings aren't as lenient as they used to be on stuff like that.
Before the pandemic it was easy to go to Mexico, the problem is always been coming back into the USA, if you don’t look American (white) it requires passport, Green card, visa etc, etc, etc.
What will happen really depends on your buddy, who he's facing at the desk, and the border crossing itself.
If he approaches this with any kind of attitude, he's probably screwed because he can and could just get denied entry into MX with no way to fight that decision. Most of the time, though, the MX officers don't give a rat's ass and will just wave him through.
As far as getting back to the US goes, the law says he can't be refused entry. The law also says he can be detained while they confirm his identity and that can take a while. The law also gives the CBP officer in front of him a lot of discretion over the process until he's allowed back in. Until he crosses that magic line, the Bill of Rights does not apply to him. The First Amendment does not apply to him. He's not on American soil yet.
Chances are he'll just get told to have a passport with him next time, but if the CBP officer is having a bad day or he gets up his/her nose, they can ruin his day pretty easily. The guards at San Ysidro have seen it all and this won't be anything new to them. They know why he's there.
Just tell him to be cool and suck it up if he has to. Otherwise, he may well be sucking on it. :-)
Besmitty text me last night and said he crossed to go to Hong Kong and come back to the U.S. 4 times with zero problems. No passport. Tijuana would most likely let Adolf Hitler cross into Mexico. Coming back, if it's pretty obvious you're from the US it's unlikely you'll have much of a problem. It could take some time if they want to be picky about it that's also less likely if you're white, speak perfect English, and have an US ID.
My first 4 times going to mexico I had no passport. My first visit I believe was this last July. Basically have gone once a month since. Going in , they allow you to go "on emergency" which basically means they guy asks for $20 and pockets it. Coming back is no issue. Before getting to the building to officially cross over, they ask for passport and just say you came for dental or doctor. Then in the building they just ask you "are you a USA citizen and your address. 2 min tops convo.
If you go to a passport issuing office, you can get a passport virtually overnight if you are willing to pay one of their employees to walk your application through the passport office. I have done it. It is not cheap, but it is quick.
It may depend on whether your ID is considered a "secure" ID. In the state I live in, your DL may or may not be "secure" according to the TSA, and perhaps also ICE.
My bud the vulture flies back and forth across the US-Mexico boarder all the time. What is CBP gonna do? Shoot a frickin’ vulture?
I’ve crossed the border several times and, when questioned, my reply is “look at me… I’m a frickin’ lion! Now let me cross or you’re gonna be a frickin’ wildebeest.”
But yeah… if your a hairless ape you need a passport. That said, I dare you to cross over the US-Mexico border wearing a lion costume and see if that works for you. You should tape a GoPro to yourself if you try this because I bet the footage will be funny as shit. ROAR!!!
Frickin’ iPad autocorrect. Imma go wildebeest on the people at Apple if they don’t make their products more usable by lions and tigers and bears. Frickin’ hairless ape chauvinists…
As someone who has been without ID on both Canada and Mexico (both times I was in the trunk of the car leaving the US), it is a pain in the ass to get back in. If they ask how you got out of the country without an ID, don't say "I was hiding in the trunk." I spent 6 hours detained for that one in a cell. The shortest I was detained was 2 hours, middle of the night, nobody going through the lines. For that one, they were kind enough to let me sit in chairs and they let me have my phone. Also, don't fuck with the border people. They can easily detain you for cause and dick around with you.
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https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/…
Before the pandemic it was easy to go to Mexico, the problem is always been coming back into the USA, if you don’t look American (white) it requires passport, Green card, visa etc, etc, etc.
“It's Easier to Get Into Mexico Than Costco”
~ Jimmy O. Yang
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i6cTCgjMpz…
:D
Going to the Happiest Place on Earth (according to Krusty) is worth the risk of ending up in a Mexican prison
https://tuscl.net/photo.php?id=1401
Just tell your “friend” to enjoy “his” first time and always use protecting and be careful out there.
An yes keep us posted.
If he approaches this with any kind of attitude, he's probably screwed because he can and could just get denied entry into MX with no way to fight that decision. Most of the time, though, the MX officers don't give a rat's ass and will just wave him through.
As far as getting back to the US goes, the law says he can't be refused entry. The law also says he can be detained while they confirm his identity and that can take a while. The law also gives the CBP officer in front of him a lot of discretion over the process until he's allowed back in. Until he crosses that magic line, the Bill of Rights does not apply to him. The First Amendment does not apply to him. He's not on American soil yet.
Chances are he'll just get told to have a passport with him next time, but if the CBP officer is having a bad day or he gets up his/her nose, they can ruin his day pretty easily. The guards at San Ysidro have seen it all and this won't be anything new to them. They know why he's there.
Just tell him to be cool and suck it up if he has to. Otherwise, he may well be sucking on it. :-)
Real ID is not valid for any form of international travel.
My bud the vulture flies back and forth across the US-Mexico boarder all the time. What is CBP gonna do? Shoot a frickin’ vulture?
I’ve crossed the border several times and, when questioned, my reply is “look at me… I’m a frickin’ lion! Now let me cross or you’re gonna be a frickin’ wildebeest.”
But yeah… if your a hairless ape you need a passport. That said, I dare you to cross over the US-Mexico border wearing a lion costume and see if that works for you. You should tape a GoPro to yourself if you try this because I bet the footage will be funny as shit. ROAR!!!
Frickin’ iPad autocorrect. Imma go wildebeest on the people at Apple if they don’t make their products more usable by lions and tigers and bears. Frickin’ hairless ape chauvinists…