I know that the State Department is asking for passports for all U.S. citizens returning home from Mexico, but what happens when someone doesn't have one? Guess I'd better ask about Mexican laws too, will they still accept a gringo drivers license as ID in the border zone?
I have a 19 year old relative that needs to get out of Dodge, and thought I might send him to some friends in Mexico for a couple of weeks.
the State Department is asking for passports
They are not "asking." They are demanding. And México wants to see that passport on the way in. An airline won't let you on the plane without it.
If they are only going to the border zone, México will be OK, but they'll have a hell of a time getting back into the USA.
Be happy, follow the law.
Thanks, rollyb. I agree about following the law, especially when you are a guest in another country.
I'd like a good estimate of what "a hell of a time getting back" might actually be. My guess is that you would be detained in a holding area for a couple of hours while they run some checks. Not fun, but not unreasonable.
Has anyone here been through this?
A US citizen cannot be denied entry to the US for lack of a passport. A citizen entering the US by land without a passport will be detained until their citizenship can be proved to the satisfaction to CBP at the port of entry. If the person has some form of photo id that would probably be sufficient, although as you predicted they could be waiting for a while.
The trick is how does one get outside the US without one. Other than entering Mexico by land and travelling in the border zone I would think it would be difficult and a little risky.
Altahabana has it essentially correct, except that until your identity is established and you clear the port of entry (ie, as a US citizen), you have 'no rights as a US citizen,' to paraphrase one of my friends who work for CBP at our port of entry.
My brother had his passport stolen in Tijuana and had quite a wait getting back in until he could prove who he was.
It is also a good idea to make copy of your pages of the passport with your basic information on them. And of course, keep it separate from your passport. I also make a copy of my FMT (Tourist card) in case I lose the original. Adios, Edmund
The "Get out of Dodge" reference makes me wonder if the person is eligible for a passport. Unless he is a convicted felon, he should be able to get an expedited passport.
Lots of good answers I see...
Get Out Of Dodge and go directly to Fort Apache. The border zone is a war zone. Staying there would be foolish. Airline, cruise ship and overland passengers are being checked for proper immigration documents (FMT until FMM arrives 1 May). I know for a fact that the army and FPP (Policia Preventiva Federal) are checking bus passengers south of the "Border Tourist Zone" for illegals. A person may (or may not) bluff their way past an inspection without an FMT but the officer is going to demand to see a valid passport. Driver license just doesn't cut it anymore. No FMT or Passport and oops, the person is detained until examined by an INM officer. Several days later they are bussed back to the waiting arms of the CPB.
After 1 May the old tourist card goes away forever. The FMM allows a stay in Mexico of one hundred eighty days in a three hundred sixty five day period. No more going to the border, turning around and getting another tourist card. The system is computerized just like the car permits. All FMM's must be turned in at the border or a police report showing the FMM was reported stolen. If an FMM holder does not turn in the form when leaving, that's the last time they can enter Mexico and obtain an FMM. Bienvenidos A Hermano Mayor.
Counting yesterday in the last week alone on the highway I was checked three times, for FM-3 and car papers. All were minutely examined. There were two buses over on the side as well with all passengers disembarked. I did not notice if any looked like other than Mexican origin.
The Days of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid like tripping across the border are gone forever. But, areas like Ensenada, and San Felipe are less strict. Re-entering the USA without proper ID usually involves the entrant supplying their fingerprints, which are electronically submitted to the NCIC (National Criminal Information Center) for database analysis. The Customs own computer searches for wants and warrants. This all takes a lot of time, and does not even touch on the subject of sometimes intense grilling. Those folks can be rude and aggressive.
Good Luck
I have been on this and other Mexican forums since 1997. I really cringe when someone talks about doing something they know is illegal, assuming it will be worked out. We have read some real horror stories at times when they find out the border folks aren't the push-overs they might find in their home town, where if you walk on the grass, the cop tells you to stop and that's it.