General Reports

[Grandnash84]

Let me get this clear. When you walk into Mexico they're asking you all these questions and stamping your passport wtf?

I haven't been there about 4 months and don't recall having any of this shit. I just crossed into Tijuana without any questions. Why are they harassing US visitors I don't understand?

Thank donald trump for this.

[Member #4450]

I went through Monday afternoon without a hitch after showing my visa and passport card. But yesterday (Wednesday) was different. I showed my visa and passport card as I entered the building to one of the agents. He waved me through to the left.

Then there were 2 agents standing next to the wall on the opposite side as the entrance. The male agent called me over and asked me where I was from and asked to see my documentation. I told him I already showed my documentation, but yet he wanted to see it for himself. I showed him and he sent me on my merry way. So they are definitely targeting the Gringos; just a heads up.

BTFW, they spent a lot of money on the nice ne

Once again, a very few Libre cabs in the hectic area.

Let me get this clear. When you walk into Mexico they're asking you all these questions and stamping your passport wtf?

I haven't been there about 4 months and don't recall having any of this shit. I just crossed into Tijuana without any questions. Why are they harassing US visitors I don't understand?

[TomJackin]

Does anyone know if a SENTRI card with attached Global Entry satisfy or can be used in like fashion as a Passport Card for entry to Tijuana instead of a passport?

No, the Sentri and GE is only good to enter the US.

[Batuk]

Does anyone know if a SENTRI card with attached Global Entry satisfy or can be used in like fashion as a Passport Card for entry to Tijuana instead of a passport?

The Tall Man.

What about Green Card? In all my visits I was able to came back through the Ready Line with my GC only. The USCIS has never asked me for my passport.

Passport Stamp will be a major bummer.

[The Tall Man]

At this point in time the remedy to the passport stamp is to get a passport card. This can be expedited if you pay a fee. Or cross at Otay. Or drive in.

Another option is to plead ignorance to the new requirement and tell them you did not bring your passport, they seem to be letting people enter with a warning about next time you better bring it.

Does anyone know if a SENTRI card with attached Global Entry satisfy or can be used in like fashion as a Passport Card for entry to Tijuana instead of a passport?

The Tall Man.

[Baxter Slade]

-- Are they stamping passports while you enter MX for less than 24 hours? Either way it is going to become very problematic for mongers, stamp in the passport is a concrete evidence for the wife or significant other. Anxiously waiting to know.

At this point in time the remedy to the passport stamp is to get a passport card. This can be expedited if you pay a fee. Or cross at Otay. Or drive in.

Another option is to plead ignorance to the new requirement and tell them you did not bring your passport, they seem to be letting people enter with a warning about next time you better bring it.

[Captain Solo]

Use your passport card. Other visitors have used them to cross in place of the passport.

The car is credit card size, no room for any stamp.

If you don't have the card, apply for one at the passport office. Have to send in the passport. Costs $10 extra at the time of passport renewals.

[Batuk]

I'll be there in a few weeks. Are passports being stamped when crossing the border back to San Diego now?

-- Are they stamping passports while you enter MX for less than 24 hours? Either way it is going to become very problematic for mongers, stamp in the passport is a concrete evidence for the wife or significant other. Anxiously waiting to know.

[HorseTrader]

To me a price is reasonable when I buy something, and the owner is screaming and hollering that I am a cheap bastard and that I am ripping him off. To me it's the nicest way of saying thank you for your business.

Hahaha. I haven't had exactly that, but I did have the shopkeeper throw my item at me and mutter something in Spanish as I walked out the door. Another time I was followed into another store and brought back to buy the item at my last offered price.

[RichardGastow]

I'll be there in a few weeks. Are passports being stamped when crossing the border back to San Diego now?

[Dickhead]

On the earned income tax credit:

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Earned-Income-Tax-Credit-Do-I-Qualify

"Generally, must be a citizen or a resident alien." There are some loopholes for refugees.

But what I was saying was closed was using the employer tax ID to get a driver's license. Not supposed to be able to do that any more.

[Jackie888]

It seems to me that the Memxican economy is largely a negotiated economy. As Americans we are unfamiliar with the practice and feel taken advantage of. But in reality, we just need to polish up on negotiation skills to make things fair. A good point of thumb is to always counter offer at 1/3 to 1/2 of the asking price. Thereafter they will go down a little, you up a little, and everyone is happy.

I don't think that they're out to screw us over. But they're always going to over price things in anticipation of us (buyers regardless of nationality) low balling them with a counter offer. It's how things are done since the day they were born. It is unreasonable to expect the Mexicans to change the way they've been doing business in their own country just because we are Americans tourists visiting.

To me a price is reasonable when I buy something, and the owner is screaming and hollering that I am a cheap bastard and that I am ripping him off. To me it's the nicest way of saying thank you for your business.

[Phordphan]

You cannot get the EIC if you are not a citizen or a resident alien. You cannot get a driver's license without a Social Security number (the loophole about using a federal tax ID #has been closed). You cannot get Obamacare without lawful permanent residence. You cannot get SNAP without lawful permanent residence and 40 quarters of work credits. The emergency room is not free (although I admit, if they don't pay the bill, there is not much recourse).

Dude, you'd better come here and tell the illegals. They've been doing it wrong all these years. LOL.

But, seriously, I never said that everything there was 100% legal. However, the system is very easy to exploit, making me wonder if it was designed that way on purpose.

I think you may be mistaken on the drivers license deal. You CAN get a California license if you're illegal and don't have a SSN. Look at this:

http://dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect...df?MOD=AJPERES

All you need is a Matricula Consular car for ID. Anybody can get one of those.

However, it seems a bunch of illegals were issued real, live SSNs under DACA.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/barb...illegal-aliens

According to Forbes, an illegal can get EITC, at least as of March of 2015. Maybe it's changed in the last several months.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwo...opped-by-bill/

Technically, SNAP can't be obtained by illegals, but many have found ways to circumvent the rules. And there appear to be some loopholes, like the trafficked and battered clauses.

Again, you're technically correct that illegals can't get Obamacare, but I have read of many who did. Also the CA Senate approved a bill that would allow illegals to buy insurance on the CA exchange, although I don't think it's law yet. Also, illegals do receive Medicaid benefits.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/...aid-treatment/

I wonder what would happen if an American wandered into another country and demanded K-12 education, legal representation to allow him to remain in the country, WIC-like benefits for his kids, maternity benefits at taxpayer expense, taxpayer-funded subsidized housing, and the ability to vote in national elections?

[Baxter Slade]

Yes a passport card will work fine as far as the new requirements to enter MX on foot. When heading back to the USA there will be a couple lines there is a seperate line for people using a passport card. Make sure you are in the right line it should help you cross quicker. As far as the DUI that would only matter if you were applying for a sentri card.

The exchange rate is great right now so be sure to exchange some money into pesos. If you like the HK thing bring plenty of $1's.

After you enter MX and have reached the bottom of the ramp where the taxi's are. Cross the street and grab a taxi libre. Before you get in negotiate the fare. Tell the driver what YOU will pay. Offer $3 or 50 pesos. Tell him you are going to bar La Valentina and you will be dropped off in the heart of Zona Norte. And then just have FUN.

Hey guys,

Can I cross the border with just a passport card. I got my American citizenship just last month and thus would be the first time I go international after becoming a citizenship.

Do they need the passport if I am crossing border for just a few hours? I had a dui in USA 8 years back. Would that cause any problems getting back into the USA.



Anything else I should be careful about.



Thanks!

[Dickhead]

Hmm, K-12 education, medical care (emergency rooms, clinics and Obamacare), Earned Income Tax Credit, drivers licenses (nominal charge), housing subsidies, SNAP (aka food stamps), WIC, legal representation, just to name a few.

You cannot get the EIC if you are not a citizen or a resident alien. You cannot get a driver's license without a Social Security number (the loophole about using a federal tax ID #has been closed). You cannot get Obamacare without lawful permanent residence. You cannot get SNAP without lawful permanent residence and 40 quarters of work credits. The emergency room is not free (although I admit, if they don't pay the bill, there is not much recourse).