General Reports

[Flyer47]

I have a non-US passport with a US (student) Visa.

OK, so I looked into this a bit more, and it looks like as a non citizen there are more issues that can arise with CBP for you.

I think most of the people on the Tijuana board, including myself, are US citizens.

It sounds like if a non citizen is suspected of or admits to committing drug crimes they can be denied entry into the United States.

Also, foreign females in particular have been detained and threatened being banned from the country for carrying condoms, traveling with males, or traveling with lingerie: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/clay-n...b_3112638.html.

The assumption was carrying condoms, traveling with males and traveling with lingerie are marks of a prostitute, and it sounds like suspicion of being a prostitute can be grounds to deny entry to a non citizen.

I'm not sure if CBP would assume a male non citizen with condoms entering the United States would be a prostitute, but just to be safe, as a non citizen, maybe it's better to not enter the United States with condoms and sexy outfits.

[OneInTheDugOut]

Appreciate all the replies. This really puts my mind at ease.

I gather that crossing should not be a problem as long as you are calm and honest in your answers, and carry all the required documentation.

As at Simmer points out, I intend to partake in touristy activities to help me answer truthfully. With beaches, beer, and food all around, I am sure there is going to be plenty to explore in Tijuana during my downtime.

Looking forward to the trip now! I will share my experience soon.

Thank you guys.

If you will be there Sept. 6-7 I will show you around and help you cross back. Has anyone tried the free Cascadas room night coupon from Facebook?

[Artisttyp]

there is nothing illegal about an American citizen partaking in the services of an adult prostitute in another country where prostitution is legalized.

Debatable IMHO. You certainly can't stop it from happening but I certainly wouldn't advertise it. It is illegal to travel for sex with a minor but the buying and selling of people which is technically what prostitution is will never be OK with christian / judeo cultures like our own.

The whole trafficking thing has to do with SEX. SEX is a bad bad thing in La La Land, USA.

[LearnToMonger]

Appreciate all the replies. This really puts my mind at ease.

I gather that crossing should not be a problem as long as you are calm and honest in your answers, and carry all the required documentation.

As at Simmer points out, I intend to partake in touristy activities to help me answer truthfully. With beaches, beer, and food all around, I am sure there is going to be plenty to explore in Tijuana during my downtime.

Looking forward to the trip now! I will share my experience soon.

Thank you guys.

[Flyer47]

As mentioned on the forum before, there is nothing illegal about an American citizen partaking in the services of an adult prostitute in another country where prostitution is legalized.

CBP doesn't do jack if you tell them you were mongering in Mexico.

Lying to a federal agent is a crime though.

[Basketball101]

Hola,

I have a couple of quick questions regarding border crossing at San Ysidro. I hope all the experienced folk here can help me out.

Some background info: I am planning a solo trip to Tijuana (3-4 days) and will be staying at Cascadas. I have a non-US passport with a US (student) Visa. I shall also be carrying all the relevant documents (I-20, Sevis, I-94 etc etc).

My questions are:

1) What should a non-US citizen expect to be asked by the officers at the border?

2) While returning back to the US, do the officers probe and poke until you confess that you went there for sex or they don't care? Since I will be staying at Cascadas for 3-4 nights, I can't say I went there to sight-see or enjoy nature. How do you guys respond to such questions convincingly without them raising their eyebrows?

3) If you are staying for more than 72 hours, do you have to get some kind of a travel permit?

I am looking forward to the replies. I have gathered so much information about mongering in Tijuana from this forum. Really appreciate the effort people put in here.

Thank you.

Last visit, in July, I showed my passport going into Mex, and was waved in. No forms to fill out.

Coming back into us, they always ask if you are bringing anything back. Sometimes they ask where are you going, or what was your purpose in Mex. I always say dinner. Never ask anything more. They are looking more at your demeanor than your answer.

[TomJackin]

Walking across to Mexico now you are suppose to fill out a FMM tourist card. But like most things in Mexico, sometimes they let you thru without it. (And it makes little sense, since you do not fill one out when driving thru.) And depending on the Customs officer, some will fill it out for you, others will have you leave the line to fill out the form. (I hate that, because I usually forget to fill the bottom out.) You are also suppose to pay a fee depending where you go and are staying for 7 days or more. (Again, it is one of those deals in Mexico that interpretation varies from one Custom Officer to the next.).

If you walk across on a regular basis or fly out to Tijuana to other Mexican cites; it's is easier just to purchase the 180 day FMM. Currently, it costs 533 pesos.

[Once Sailor]

Walking across to Mexico now you are suppose to fill out a FMM tourist card. But like most things in Mexico, sometimes they let you thru without it. (And it makes little sense, since you do not fill one out when driving thru.) And depending on the Customs officer, some will fill it out for you, others will have you leave the line to fill out the form. (I hate that, because I usually forget to fill the bottom out.) You are also suppose to pay a fee depending where you go and are staying for 7 days or more. (Again, it is one of those deals in Mexico that interpretation varies from one Custom Officer to the next.).

[Dilwala]

Not to worry. I went two months back with non US passport with valid US visa stamp (non expired). Sometimes they give you border permit, but its OK even if you didn't get.

While coming back you can simply say I went for tourism. You don't even need to get new I-94 unless you want to renew your I-94. Make sure you carry your documentation.

Hola,

I have a couple of quick questions regarding border crossing at San Ysidro. I hope all the experienced folk here can help me out.

Some background info: I am planning a solo trip to Tijuana (3-4 days) and will be staying at Cascadas. I have a non-US passport with a US (student) Visa. I shall also be carrying all the relevant documents (I-20, Sevis, I-94 etc etc).

My questions are:.

[Simmer]

1) What should a non-US citizen expect to be asked by the officers at the border?

2) While returning back to the US, do the officers probe and poke until you confess that you went there for sex or they don't care? Since I will be staying at Cascadas for 3-4 nights, I can't say I went there to sight-see or enjoy nature. How do you guys respond to such questions convincingly without them raising their eyebrows?

Each time I've crossed (4 x, mix of road and pedestrian) I've only been asked about whether I have anything to declare. I told them I had 3 cans of beer and wasn't sure if it was over the limit (turns out it was), but he waved me on. I didn't notice any difference between crossing as a green card holder and subsequently as a US citizen. The last time I forgot and still had my Cascadas wrist band on so it was blatantly obvious where I'd been!

Quite frankly, if you're a single male walking over the border, you're most likely a monger. I think!

I suppose you could mention visiting the craft beer scene in Tijuana which is growing. But at least actually do it so it's truthful.

[BayBoy]

Hola,

I have a couple of quick questions regarding border crossing at San Ysidro. I hope all the experienced folk here can help me out.

Some background info: I am planning a solo trip to Tijuana (3-4 days) and will be staying at Cascadas. I have a non-US passport with a US (student) Visa. I shall also be carrying all the relevant documents (I-20, Sevis, I-94 etc etc).

My questions are:

1) What should a non-US citizen expect to be asked by the officers at the border?

2) While returning back to the US, do the officers probe and poke until you confess that you went there for sex or they don't care? Since I will be staying at Cascadas for 3-4 nights, I can't say I went there to sight-see or enjoy nature. How do you guys respond to such questions convincingly without them raising their eyebrows?

3) If you are staying for more than 72 hours, do you have to get some kind of a travel permit?

I am looking forward to the replies. I have gathered so much information about mongering in Tijuana from this forum. Really appreciate the effort people put in here.

Thank you.

I can't answer all your questions; but I was there recently and got thru the border with no problems. The customs officer asked me what I did in Tijuana and if I had a good time. I told him I did tourist stuff and had a fun time. That was it. He didn't probe any further. 72 hours doesn't require a travel permit.

[Scudrucker]

1) - Don't know you have a unique situation. However it turns out please report back on how things went.

2) - While some mongers think it is amusing to respond to questions about " What were you doing in Mexico? " with sexual jesters alluding to women and bars you really shouldn't. Buy a few items perhaps to have something to show from a tourism stand point. Otherwise you wanted to see Mexico PERIOD. It none of their business otherwise.

3) - You need a FMM tourist card when you enter the Mexican Customs building. Someone will direct you to the appropriate desk.

I am also a non USA Citizen but do travel with passport. The fmm card is required but they usually fill it out for me to save time. Not much asked but once asked what I would be doing in mexico. I replied that I got a small vacation and I love mexico. The beers the beaches you have it all. She smiled.

I usually return the new pedwest to save time. Once the female customs officer asked me how the Canadian airlines treated me. No idea why she asked me that but I responded that they do not charge us for movies and TV yet. Again she smiled and waived me thru.

You just have to be honest and relaxed with your answers. We are all friendly tourists with time on our hands and a great town ahead of us.

We all know what not to carry.

The border is a safe point and always glad to get there either direction.

On the way in and out will probably see a marine or two and sometimes a dog. They are just watching the active border.

[CountryMan54]

1) - Don't know you have a unique situation. However it turns out please report back on how things went.

2) - While some mongers think it is amusing to respond to questions about " What were you doing in Mexico? " with sexual jesters alluding to women and bars you really shouldn't. Buy a few items perhaps to have something to show from a tourism stand point. Otherwise you wanted to see Mexico PERIOD. It none of their business otherwise.

3) - You need a FMM tourist card when you enter the Mexican Customs building. Someone will direct you to the appropriate desk.

I went for 3 and a half days and no one at Mexican customs ever said anything about a tourist card!

[Artisttyp]

Hola,

I have a couple of quick questions regarding border crossing at San Ysidro. I hope all the experienced folk here can help me out.

Some background info: I am planning a solo trip to Tijuana (3-4 days) and will be staying at Cascadas. I have a non-US passport with a US (student) Visa. I shall also be carrying all the relevant documents (I-20, Sevis, I-94 etc etc).

My questions are:

1) What should a non-US citizen expect to be asked by the officers at the border?

2) While returning back to the US, do the officers probe and poke until you confess that you went there for sex or they don't care? Since I will be staying at Cascadas for 3-4 nights, I can't say I went there to sight-see or enjoy nature. How do you guys respond to such questions convincingly without them raising their eyebrows?

3) If you are staying for more than 72 hours, do you have to get some kind of a travel permit?

I am looking forward to the replies. I have gathered so much information about mongering in Tijuana from this forum. Really appreciate the effort people put in here.

Thank you.

1) - Don't know you have a unique situation. However it turns out please report back on how things went.

2) - While some mongers think it is amusing to respond to questions about " What were you doing in Mexico? " with sexual jesters alluding to women and bars you really shouldn't. Buy a few items perhaps to have something to show from a tourism stand point. Otherwise you wanted to see Mexico PERIOD. It none of their business otherwise.

3) - You need a FMM tourist card when you enter the Mexican Customs building. Someone will direct you to the appropriate desk.

[LearnToMonger]

Hola,

I have a couple of quick questions regarding border crossing at San Ysidro. I hope all the experienced folk here can help me out.

Some background info: I am planning a solo trip to Tijuana (3-4 days) and will be staying at Cascadas. I have a non-US passport with a US (student) Visa. I shall also be carrying all the relevant documents (I-20, Sevis, I-94 etc etc).

My questions are:

1) What should a non-US citizen expect to be asked by the officers at the border?

2) While returning back to the US, do the officers probe and poke until you confess that you went there for sex or they don't care? Since I will be staying at Cascadas for 3-4 nights, I can't say I went there to sight-see or enjoy nature. How do you guys respond to such questions convincingly without them raising their eyebrows?

3) If you are staying for more than 72 hours, do you have to get some kind of a travel permit?

I am looking forward to the replies. I have gathered so much information about mongering in Tijuana from this forum. Really appreciate the effort people put in here.

Thank you.