passport issues

ace621 · Cholo Nako Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 9

does anyone have any information regarding how strict the enforcement of needing your passport to cross the border is?

i was recently verbally harassed and had my time wasted unnecessarily by an immigration 'officer' named Cid while attempting to cross over with only my driver's license.

he asked me to "prove that you're a U.S. citizen" countless times. Maybe presenting only a certified California driver's license is a free pass to an attempt to make me feel ignorant?

i thought maybe i should keep myself updated with issues regarding border crossing and complaints against federal officers Cool

RandR · Posted: 03 Jul 2009 09:13 PM Post subject: Re: passport issues

angel.88 · Cholo Nako Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 19

well it all depends who it is. i sometimes get asked alot of questions with my drivers licence. but i once forgot it and i only had my business card with my picture on it, and the lady asked me where i was born and let me pass.

ace621 · Cholo Nako Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 9

I forgot to mention that I have not lived in Calexico for 2 years now and hardly cross over to Mexicali.

no offense but I don't believe part of his job is to try to make me feel ignorant with ongoing questions. It would be nice to know that his job is to determine if I am permitted to cross the United States/Mexico border in the most time efficient way possible and to inform me on the different documentation I need to provide when trying to cross.

like the other officer who handed my friend a brochure yesterday with that exact information.

turns out that the grace period began on June 9, 2009 and there are about 5 different documentations that you can show including your passport and an extended license.

AikiMike · Posted: 04 Jul 2009 09:13 PM Post subject:

Please explain what a "certified" driver's license is and what an "extended" license. I've never heard of either.

elchrist · Posted: 05 Jul 2009 08:27 AM Post subject:

I recall there being an IV Press article with a quote from a manager/director at the Calexico West POE stating that the passport requirement was not even going to be enforced. A driver's license and birth certificate was going to be sufficient identification in order to cross north. There were a few readers that were infuriated because they had spend ~$500 in passports for their entire family.

The CBP really needs to get their act together inform the public about what the requirements really are and when they'll actually start enforcing them. They've postponed the deadline so many times now that I'm sure many border crossers don't even take them and this requirement seriously.

Also, why isn't the "Pledge to Travelers" posted yet at the Calexico POEs? The Calexico POE director, Billy Whitford, personally told me they had ordered the signage months ago and I've yet to see them.

"
We pledge to cordially greet and welcome you to the United States.
We pledge to treat you with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
We pledge to explain the CBP process to you.
We pledge to have a supervisor listen to your comments.
We pledge to accept and respond to your comments in written, verbal, or electronic form.
We pledge to provide reasonable assistance due to delay or disability.
"

spic-ole · Posted: 05 Jul 2009 10:05 AM Post subject:

gee4mac · Posted: 05 Jul 2009 11:17 PM Post subject:

Since the new law went into effect I've only been harassed once by a very rude agent. He asked why I did not have my passport, I said I didn't have time to apply. He even had the nerve to ask me if i didn't have $45 to pay for my passport!

I have the money to apply, its just that they make it very difficult to get one. They have weird hours at the post office and the county. I filled out my app online and took the afternoon off on wed. I get there and find out they dont take any walk-ins after 2:30 at the post office, and 3:30 at the county. So I get off work earlier on thursday, to find out they don't take credit/check cards. You actually need a $20 money order for the passport and $25 cash to pay for the proccesing fees. I decided to just make an appointment on monday for 4:15. I'm tired of driving around and dealing with rude goverment employees.

gee4mac · Posted: 05 Jul 2009 11:32 PM Post subject:

AikiMike · Posted: 17 Jul 2009 04:10 PM Post subject:

gee4mac,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I had heard of the chip implanted DLs being considered, but hadn't heard the name of them yet. Appreciate the information.