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El Gringo

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #1 of 10 (1844 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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This is just a question out of curiosity. It wouldn't even apply to me, because I'm a US citizen. What are the procedures that a non-US citizen (Mexican or other) would go through at a US land border crossing. Say, for instance, San Ysidro. Like where are they directed to go, what forms are they required to fill out, and most importantly, where is this accomplished? I've just never understood how all of the formalities are accomplished through the chaos of the crossings.Thanks.

rainer

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #2 of 10 (1845 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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: This is just a question out of curiosity. It wouldn't even apply to me, because I'm a US citizen. What are the procedures that a non-US citizen (Mexican or other) would go through at a US land border crossing. Say, for instance, San Ysidro. Like where are they directed to go, what forms are they required to fill out, and most importantly, where is this accomplished? I've just never understood how all of the formalities are accomplished through the chaos of the crossings.: Thanks.The way the procedure works depends on the inspector you run into (ie. Customs, Immigration, or Border Patrol). The correct procedure is:
1. You state your citizenship (and have proof available, for US citizens birth certificate and picture ID or a passport ar the best proof; Non-US citizens have to show proof a. Green Card for Resident Aliens, Border Crossing Card for border residents' short term permit to cross on a limited basis, and passport with I-94 visitor's visa for visitors from any country)2. You state or answer questions concerning what you're bringing to the US from another country. (by the way, if you bring more than one liter of alcoholic beverages per person or more than $100 in gifts (non US) or more than $800 in purchases (US & Resident Alien), then you WILL have to fill out paperwork for the duties to be paid, also, all business related items imported into the US are required to have an entry more papers).This may sound involved, but, if the inspctor is satisfied by your answers, it won't take more than a minute or two - even if they do open your hood and trunk.This comes from an inspector, hope it helps.Rainer

Mereja

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1843 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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When we come back from Mexico, they usually ask to see my husbands permission to enter the US. He is from Mexico but has permanant residency in the US. They also ask some other questions, such as where and when did he apply for residency. I think they can tell from the card the answer to that. Sometimes we have to get out of the car and sometimes we don't. I also know of some people who have come in illegally with a card that was prepared for them and they are asked these questions. I guess they are told what they should answer. Also, one time when we were in Mexico, the van that we were driving burned up. My husbands wallet, INS card, and driver's license burned with the van. So at Tijuana, we got off the bus and they sent my husband over to the other side of the road where the offices are and he had to tell them the number that was on his card. With that, they look on the computer and they gave him a temporary entry permit and he had 10 days to go to immigration to apply for a lost card. He also needed the proof that the van burned. There usually are no forms to fill out. If they don't believe you or you look nervous or suspicious, they take you aside in another room and question you more.
Mereja: This is just a question out of curiosity. It wouldn't even apply to me, because I'm a US citizen. What are the procedures that a non-US citizen (Mexican or other) would go through at a US land border crossing. Say, for instance, San Ysidro. Like where are they directed to go, what forms are they required to fill out, and most importantly, where is this accomplished? I've just never understood how all of the formalities are accomplished through the chaos of the crossings.: Thanks.

Mereja

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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arbon

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #5 of 10 (1842 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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Well,when a non-US citizen (Mexican or other)gets to the customs officer at the border they are asked a few questions.
Something like.
"How long were you in Mexico?" and I say "5 months"
"How long are you going to be in America?"& I say "about 3to4 days"
"Do you have anything to declare?"& I say "2 bottles of alcohol"
Then if you are driving a van or RV, you are asked to pull over to 1
of the inspection bays & asked to get out of the vehicle,while they
do a search.
Then if they are satisfied, they let you go on your merry way,if not
if not you are arrested or sent back into Mexico for another 5 months.
Then if you are not Mexican,you are expected to go back to the border
to try again every 5 to 6 months & "thats the way it is".
(There are never any forms, to fill in at the border)

El Gringo

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #6 of 10 (1842 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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Thanks for the response. Do they even check your passport/visa? No stamps, records, etc? Do they make you get out of your car? Sheesh, I must sound like I want to sneek across or something. =:)

Scott

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #7 of 10 (1846 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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At land crossings, Canadians in transit or as tourists don't need to fill out any forms. You just show them your passport or birth certificate with drivers license. They ask the purpose of your visit, and usually send you on your way.The check is probably more rigorous if you're from non european descent. But I've never had a problem. At the airports yes, you do have to fill out the declaration card like everyone else. But not at the land crossings.Flying from Toronto to the USA, you'll probably get prescreened by US customs while still in Canada.

andrew

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #8 of 10 (1845 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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Of course, they do - if you don't have either, you can be in grave trouble. As for forms: it depends on what is the document allowing you entry to the US. On the personal experience (crossed land borders at Juarez and Otay Mesa as well as at several places on Canadian border) the procedure is as follows: you show up at the border and identify yourself as a non-U.S. citizen. If this is your "first" crossing (to be explained later) you are directed to park - or get out of the bus/ taxi - and go to the room where the INS agents are located. At Otay Mesa they actually send you about 100 yards inside the U.S towards what is, esentially, just a parked mobile home(theoretically, it is not too hard to just go straigt and enter the States, but, even if they fail to stop you, you'd be facing all sorts of trouble later). In Juarez, the INS people are sitting - at least were a few years ago - before the general pedestrian crossing, closer to the bridge. There you fill out (or they fill out for you on the computer - if you are Mexican and the visa type is common) a form - the usual white I-94 arrival/departure record (unless you are from one of the "visa-waiver program" countries without a visa, when you fill in the more detailed green version). Part of the form is returned to you -you should carry it in your passport. Unlke what happens everywhere else, on the Southern border you actually pay US$6 for it and the card is not supposed to be surrendered on exit from the U.S., but becomes your document for entering the U.S. through the land border until expiration (usually, for 6 months). As I understand, if you carry it next time (or have the frequent-crosser's card, or, perhaps, some other U.S. entry documents - I am not familiar with any of these, since I am not Mexican) you will not have to go through this detour again. They also ask you a few questions: where are you going, why, what are you doing in Mexico, how long have you been there, where are you staying in the U.S. (you also have to put some U.S. address on the white form). The line may be fairly long - and even if it is not it can be quite slow: there may not be enough agents, they may have other things to do and such (at Otay I waited for 45 minutes with 6 people - three families -ahead of me: they forgot to send the INS guy's replacement, so he left and the border patrol can't process you). Then they stamp the form and the passport, write in how long you are allowed to stay (usually, 6 months, though they are thinking about making it 30 days) and let you in. After the border guards there are customs - pretty much the same as for Americans, I guess. Sometimes a bit perfunctory - was none at all at Otay, at least not for pedestrians. If you are in a car you then go back to the parking lot, if you are on foot you just enter the country, if you are in a bus/taxi - they will be waiting for you on the U.S. side. That's pretty much it.

andrew

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #9 of 10 (1842 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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Canada is, obviously, an exception, since there are special border-crossing agreements in the U.S, but I am pretty sure that even Western Europeans, unless they had been in the U.S. and still carry their unexpire green I-94, need either to fill in that form, or have a visa and fill in the white I-94 (for procedures for Eastern Europeans - again, unless they carry an unexpired I-94 - see my previous post).

Marlene

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #10 of 10 (1842 views)

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Border Crossing Procedures for non-US citizens

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Be aware that every person who crosses meets with different immigration and customs officers, and their styles, and your experience could and likely will be different than the last person. If you have everything in order you will have no problems. That would be my suggestion. Arbon is an exception to the above rule because he is charming!!M: Thanks for the response. Do they even check your passport/visa? No stamps, records, etc? Do they make you get out of your car? Sheesh, I must sound like I want to sneek across or something. =:)