General Info

[Pinche Gabacho]

I was recently told by my immigration attorney that the US Passport was a must

Yes, and your dentist just told you that your caries needs immediate attention. Part of good salesmanship is to create a sense of urgency.

Now, I'm not an attorney and I shouldn't even be allowed to play one on the Internet, but I do like to read things like U.S. immigration law and Baja California penal code at first-hand just so I'm not confused by the Internet buzz. I also live right at the border in Tijuana and cross all the time with nothing more than a California driver's license. My passport's been expired for twenty years because I've settled into fronterizo life and I'd no sooner get another one than vote for the Bush Family Wehrmacht.

Several posters have made the distinction between crossing the U.S.-Mexico border by land and by air or water. The underlying reason for this distinction is that the two countries have historically recognized the right of border-dwellers ("fronterizos") to pass back and forth relatively untrammelled. Most of us, historically, have had ties to both countries in terms of family, business, or real estate and we have been permitted to stay within the border region of the "other" country for up to seventy-two hours without the need for a visa or other special permission. That is still true for U.S. visitors to Mexico but, with the advent of the "visa láser", most fronterizos on this side of the border lost their right to cross freely.

The next distinction to make is in the nature of the passport. Traditionally, the passport served as internationally recognized identification for the purpose of entering a foreign country. The Bush Family Wehrmacht is trying to change that by requiring it for entry into your native country as well. Can they pull that off? I don't know. To do so, however, they will have to make an intrinsic change to well-established law, which is the sort of maneuver that precipitates an ACLU test case.

And, finally, just what are the requirements for a U.S. citizen to enter the United States? The last time I checked -- about five years ago -- one needed only present credible evidence of one's nationality. "Evidence" is when you say to the nice man "Murikan!" when he asks your nationality. "Credible" is when the nice man notices your clothes came from Target and that you look too whitebread to be One of Them. And if the nice man thinks you might be a bit too brown or a bit too yellow, you can always try to convince the nice man's supervisor. But a passport will trump all that because it is much more than evidence -- it is proof of both your identity and your nationality. If the nice man at the border can't demonstrate that your passport is counterfeit (or that you're committing a crime in his presence), he is required by law to welcome you home.

It used to be that the border guards were required to accept even an expired passport on the grounds that it yet proves that the U.S. State Department had been satisfied as to your identity and your nationality. That may still be true. When I went to the State Department website four or five months ago, however, I encountered ambiguous language in the interpretation of the new (2006 or '07 or '08) regulations. It's hard to say whether the "valid passport" they will be asking for is an unexpired one or (as previously) a genuine but expired one. It seems to me, however, that it will require a fundamental change in federal law to invalidate expired but legitimate passports as proof for admission into one's native country.

I will ask you to stay with me for one final step. Again referring to my visit to the State Department website four or five months ago, I recall it said that "valid passports" would be required for "expedited admission into the country". What does all that really mean?

I recall my quasi-friend the jackster (that was his monger handle), whose practice it is to become impossibly drunk in the Zona while carrying about a thousand dollars in cash on him. He crosses with a passport because he lost his driver's license from DUI convictions and he loses his passport along with his cash everytime he goes looking for some rough trade in the Zona. So, about every six months or so, he shows up at the pedestrian entrance to San Ysidro ever much the worse for wear, no money, no ID, and with only his good name to get him back into the country. They always let him back in even though he has to come in through Secondary.

So I'm thinking that, if the Bush Family Wehrmacht is still in power when the entry requirements change, we will still be able to get in on foot with our driver's licenses (unless the nature of the CDL changes in the meantime). The worst-case interpretation of what I've read on State's website would mean that CDLs will get shunted off to Secondary, confirmed with the DMV database, and then waved into the country.

The logistics of such a practice, at least at the Richard Nixon Memorial Port of Entry (the building at San Ysidro dates back to Nixon's administration), would turn every two-hour line into four hours and every four-hour line into eight. Bearing in mind that those lines contain thousands of people wanting to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in San Ysidro and recalling Woodrow Wilson's dictum that the business of America is business (also recalling the studies made by San Diego Dialogue and SANDAG), it's hard to imagine that our border crossing would become much more onerous than it already is.

But then I never imagined that the border crossing would have become as onerous as it is. To err you need a Democrat in office but to really screw things up it takes a Republican.

PG

[Mill Just]

This is not exactly true. A passport is not required for either a tourist card or re-entry to the USA.

For a tourist card, a birth certificate and some other ID will do.
Entry to the US by land does not require a passport, yet.

I was recently told by my immigration attorney that the US Passport was a must, or that it will soon be. I know there's a new law coming into affect soon...any details on that and when the new law will actually be enforced? (I hear the date keeps getting moved up). In any case, though, its always a good idea to have your US passport up to date and with you whenever you're in a foreign country. If only just for the sake of convenience...what with all the bodily fluids and alcohol being tossed around, those birth certfictes get soggy real fast

[MonterreyDude]

As a Mexican living here for 48 years now, let me contradict you here only in the sense that as a Mexican account holder, the maximum daily ammount you can withdraw from a checking account or credit card is 5000 pesos (the term NMP "Nuevos Pesos Mexicanos" is like 10 years passé, Austriaco).
3000 peso limit is indeed for foreigners.

As someone who has been living in Mexico for more than four years, I can confirm this information. Almost everywhere, any major bank has at least one terminal that is connected to the Cirrus network, and many in-store ATM terminals are. Use both a US and a European card, never any problem with either. Never heard of ATM ripoffs or scams where I live (Querétaro). The only problem I have encountered is that Mexican ATMs many only allow you to withdraw up to the Mexican daily withdrawal limit (usually NMP 3000.00), regardless of what withdrawal limit your US homebank specifies.

EA

[El Austriaco]

Depends on where you are going, but generally speaking ATM's are safe, unless you are prone for rippoffs... but during the daytime, on any large city (with the exception of Mexico City) you should have no trouble at all.

As someone who has been living in Mexico for more than four years, I can confirm this information. Almost everywhere, any major bank has at least one terminal that is connected to the Cirrus network, and many in-store ATM terminals are. Use both a US and a European card, never any problem with either. Never heard of ATM ripoffs or scams where I live (Querétaro). The only problem I have encountered is that Mexican ATMs many only allow you to withdraw up to the Mexican daily withdrawal limit (usually NMP 3000.00), regardless of what withdrawal limit your US homebank specifies.

EA

[Bbond]

Howdy Blanche,

Remember, though, that a US Passport is essential for all of this. With the passport you can get the tourist card and get back into the US. Without it, you better take some swimming lessons because you may have to swim across the Rio Grande to get back.

Mill

This is not exactly true. A passport is not required for either a tourist card or re-entry to the USA.

For a tourist card, a birth certificate and some other ID will do.
Entry to the US by land does not require a passport, yet.

[El Austriaco]

In your opinion guys, where is the best scene (country and city)in Latin America for sex tourism?

Of the countries I know, I would say Brazil (Rio), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, El Salvador, in that order. Sad to say, pretty much every place in Latin America is better than Mexico.

EA

[Romankh]

In your opinion guys, where is the best scene (country and city)in Latin America for sex tourism?

[Roguesta]

If you are crossing on foot into Tijuana, there are no set check points. You can get a tourist visa, which is good for six months, for $22.50. You actually don't even need this if you are staying close to the border (within, let's say, about 75 miles). Just make sure that you have a proper, US government issued ID.

ATMs are everyone. Don't let anyone stand too close to you, looking over your shoulder, while you do your business. And, do not let anyone help you. Through sleight of hand, some have been known to pass you a similar looking card, and then walking off with your card and PIN. I don't know how they pull this off, but they do.

[Mill Just]

Howdy Blanche,

The only thing that you're required to have as an American in Mexico is a tourist card issued by the Mexican government. The maximum stay is for 180 days. Usually, they will just give you 90 days as a tourist and make you take out another card for the remaining 90 days when the time is up. But, either way, 180 days is the maximum you can stay on a tourist card.

A way to beat this is to just show up at the border and cross over. The tourist card is only a problem when your are further in country and want to fly to the states or if the Mexican migra catches you with an expired card. They WILL mess with you and you will be at their dirty disposal because you are in violation if the law. Once you get to the US border, however, you are free and safe because the Mexican gov't has no jurisdiction over you. You then only need a US passport to get back into the US.

One time, my tourist card expired and I decided to take a plane to Tijuana from where I live in Morelia and then just cross the border by foot. I then planned to fly over from San Diego to Las Vegas, but I got nabbed at the Tijuana airport. The Mexican migra were total assholes and tried to extort a large sum of money from me. I fought and argued and tried to pawn off an old press pass for a Mexican event as the reason I was in Mexico. I was there for a couple of horrible hours. Eventually they let me go, but not before I gave them a few bucks.

So, I strongly recommend that you stay within the law. Once you cross the border coming into Mexico there will be an office of Mexican immigration where you can get your tourist card. It's been awhile since I went through the borders at Tijuana and Nuevo Laredo, but I think the cost is 200 pesos (I'm pretty sure that they don't take dollars). If you don't get your permit there, you only have a short time to be in Mexico without a tourist permit.

Another option in case of an immigration emergency is to go to a Notary in Mexico with a couple of witnesses who will vouch for the fact that you crossed the border at such and such date. Take the letter from the Notary to the immigration office and they will give you a tourist card. This method is more expensive and time consuming and only recommended if you are in dire straits, stranded without a permit, far beyond the border.

Remember, though, that a US Passport is essential for all of this. With the passport you can get the tourist card and get back into the US. Without it, you better take some swimming lessons because you may have to swim across the Rio Grande to get back.

And with regards to the ATM machines in Mexico: Yes, there are plenty and they are safe. Only take out money from the ATMs inside a bank. HSBC, Banamex, Bancomer and Serfin are the names of the ones I've used. And the only problem I had with a transaction in 7 years in Mexico was quickly corrected within 24 hours. Also, a pretty beneficial exchange rate in our favor is taken into account when you take out money in Mexico from a US account.

Hope I helped. Feel free to ask any other questions.

Have fun,

Mill

Hello guys,

I am new to this site, as you can see, but I've been lurking for some time. I have traveled to TJ and DR quite a few times; but never had any new info to post (only things that have been posted several times before).

I hope to have some new experiences this year that I will be able to post about.

Anyway, I was thinking of spending some time in Mexico and I had a few questions for anyone with experience.

If you cross on foot, how far can you go before reaching a check point? What do you need to pass the check point (I read a tourist card, can I get this with state ID/birth certificate from America)? How long can you stay on a tourist card?

Is it easy to stay longer than you should on a tourist card, or to stay an extended period without getting a tourist card at all? I spent months in DR on a tourist card that was only good for a short period of time with no problems. When I left, I just paid a small fine. Would it be hard to do this in Mexico? (I am a spanish speaking hispanic, so blending in is not an issue). If I were found to have overstayed my card while in Mexico, would that spell trouble?

Are there many safe ATMs throughout the country to withdraw money from a US account?

I thank you very, very much for your help!

[MonterreyDude]

I can tell you about the ATM's.
Depends on where you are going, but generally speaking ATM's are safe, unless you are prone for rippoffs... but during the daytime, on any large city (with the exception of Mexico City) you should have no trouble at all.
But like I mentioned, depends on where you are planning to go.

Hello guys,

I am new to this site, as you can see, but I've been lurking for some time. I have traveled to TJ and DR quite a few times; but never had any new info to post (only things that have been posted several times before).

I hope to have some new experiences this year that I will be able to post about.

Anyway, I was thinking of spending some time in Mexico and I had a few questions for anyone with experience.

If you cross on foot, how far can you go before reaching a check point? What do you need to pass the check point (I read a tourist card, can I get this with state ID/birth certificate from America)? How long can you stay on a tourist card?

Is it easy to stay longer than you should on a tourist card, or to stay an extended period without getting a tourist card at all? I spent months in DR on a tourist card that was only good for a short period of time with no problems. When I left, I just paid a small fine. Would it be hard to do this in Mexico? (I am a spanish speaking hispanic, so blending in is not an issue). If I were found to have overstayed my card while in Mexico, would that spell trouble?

Are there many safe ATMs throughout the country to withdraw money from a US account?

I thank you very, very much for your help!

[Country John]

No I'm not Mexicano, but I was offered the opportunity through my attorney and, without saying too much, it would involve very little monetary investment on my part. I just wanted to know if it would even be worth the time I would have to invest.

Being horny on my part, I'm just thinking about getting some cheap action.

Country- As one of the most knowledgeable skirt-chasers in Mexico, do you have any 1st or 2nd hand knowledge of this company?

No first hand experience, I have two friends in the business in TJ though so I know a bit about it generally speaking.

The words "never invest more than you are willing to lose" has never been truer than investing in Mexico. Seriously.

In the sex trade, I would only trust friends that I know personally, not just for monitary reasons but because most of the big-time action is mob run. Mexico is no place to get caught up in that kind of action.

In Mexico, you must stay low profile in business. You can't flaunt wealth. One friend said to me that "it sucks being rich in Mexico." If you look like you got money, even if you don't have money, you could be over-exposing yourself to the wrong people.

I would be wary of any attorney who advises his client to get involved in a prostitution business, especially in Mexico.

So the rule I would follow is: "If you don't personally know the people you are working with, if you don't have a relationship with them and fully trust them based on that relationship then I would not get involved, especially in pandering where pandering is illegal. The legal system in Mexico can ruin you.

Country John

[Mill Just]

Hi guys,

After spending some time with my favorite stripper/escort here in Morelia, I was told by her that there was a guy going around claiming to be a writer for "The International Sex Guide." I've also heard first-hand of someone from this board using that line in Mexico City.

Whoever is doing that...PLEASE stop it! These girls get curious and go on-line to see for themselves and they are NOT happy about it. Most "working girls" are in the closet about their profession and are terrified that they may be "outed."

In my most desperate times early on in my life in Mexico, I had been tempted to use that line to try and squeeze better service out of an "iffy" worker, but have resisted. This line does not make the girls happy or more eager to please- it makes them scared and more likely to jack up their prices for the risk involved.

So, please, brothers, don't mention this forum when you are mongering. At best, it has no effect on the girls and at worst, you may be ruining the flow of all future mongers.

Thanks

[Mill Just]

No I'm not Mexicano, but I was offered the opportunity through my attorney and, without saying too much, it would involve very little monetary investment on my part. I just wanted to know if it would even be worth the time I would have to invest.

Being horny on my part, I'm just thinking about getting some cheap action.

Country- As one of the most knowledgeable skirt-chasers in Mexico, do you have any 1st or 2nd hand knowledge of this company?

[Country John]

I was recently presented with a unique business opportunity and I need some info on the following company: Caribbean Corp. SA de CV (Elite Escorts Management).

I would appreciate hearing about any info you have on this company. Answer me here or PM me.

I will let you all know why I want to know this after I cross a few T's and dot a few i's.

Thanks in advance, brothers.

Are you Mexicano? How much do you know about Mexico Corporations Law? Are you being asked to put money in?

Country John

[Mill Just]

I was recently presented with a unique business opportunity and I need some info on the following company: Caribbean Corp. SA de CV (Elite Escorts Management).

I would appreciate hearing about any info you have on this company. Answer me here or PM me.

I will let you all know why I want to know this after I cross a few T's and dot a few i's.

Thanks in advance, brothers.