does anyone know how the border crossing is these days? we want to go south in to Mexico from Arizona but we've overstayed our visas here in the US. We would like to visit central America before touring the US then go on to Europe but we can't judge if we would be able to leave the US and reneter without a problem. Before 9/11 there was no check point going into Mexico, has this since changed?
If anyone out there can offer any advice or help we would love to hear from you.

Are you saying you have traveled between MEx-USA without checkpoint. Are you talking about Baja. Otherwise there has always been border checks both ways.

Maybe you mean that you have left the US and they never noted the date so when you returned it was treated like a another entry on a multiple visit visa or visa waiver. This is an area that they are pushing to strengthen after many years of lack of funds. When I crossed the into Mexico there was no US check upon entering Mexico. However, it does not change the fact that you are doing something illegal. For example, you could be happily riding towards the Mexican border and be stopped by the border patrol who can examine your passport and determine that you are beyond your time permitted and suddently find yourself being deported.

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Prevously known as JSherm
My blog: http://www.motorcycleramblings.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/sherman/ I will up date this soon, really Grant, I will....
"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac
"Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him" OW Kenobi

I am trying to ascertain whether the US now, since 9 11, has a checkpoint for the exit .I rode down to Acapulco in 1999 and was amazed that the exit to Mexico was not monitored. I re entered a few months later then flew back to london. This time I've been here in LA more than the three months allowed on the visa waiver scheme but we're stuck here in the US, mid winter. We want to tour mexico and Central America before we tour the USA then Canada and over to europe for the sumer madness. BUT WE HAVE NO IDEA IF THERE IS NOW A US MONITORED EXIT POST. I THINK THE ONLY SOLOUTION IS WE GO TO THE BORDER AND SEE FOR OURSELVES IF ANYONE HAS CROSSED NORTH TO SOUTH RECENTLY. YOUR INPUT WOULD BE APRICIATED.

[This message has been edited by phil&helen (edited 11 January 2005).]

phil&helen,

I crossed the border going south at San Diego/Tijuana last Feb and there was no "exit" coming out of the US. You just drive through a one way gate at the end of the freeway and presto, you are in Mexico. I seem to remember a stoplight at the gate, but I think that this was manned by the Mexican authorities and not the Americans.

Can't imagine you will have any problem exiting the US, the US seems to be far more concerned with entry into this country. Coming back into the US at a later date with some visa issues may be a problem but sorry, I can't help you there. I think if you leave without an exit stamp you may have some issues so I would get that sorted out before you leave, but again I am not one to ask on the visa situation.

-Dave


[This message has been edited by davidmc (edited 11 January 2005).]

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Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/

OK, I do no believe there are any US exit control stops along the Mexican border, but again this does not really change anything. I crossed in October and I never heard of anyone being stopped upon leaving. I was stopped by border patrol at road checkpoints, but this was a border patrol looking for illegals, which is what you seem to be at this point.

I believe you are focusing on the wrong issue. You get up to 90 days on the visa waiver. This includes travel to the Canada and Mexico. You cannot just go to Mexio and come back to get another 90 days. If you are already over your time limit you already have problems. You may wish to consult a lawyer to have this explained to you in detail.

In your trip in 90 did you stay beyond the 90 days and then reenter the US. If so, what happened at the border.

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Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

[This message has been edited by JSherm (edited 11 January 2005).]

__________________
Prevously known as JSherm
My blog: http://www.motorcycleramblings.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/sherman/ I will up date this soon, really Grant, I will....
"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac
"Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him" OW Kenobi

Phil&helen,

I live in San Diego and go to Baja often to ride or just for some taco's and .

All the check points in San Diego county are for vehicles traveling from the East to San Diego. There is no U.S. inspection going south at any of our border crossings. I'm not sure about any check points going East to Arizona in the deserts out side of San Diego county. As of last summer there wasn't any on Highway 8 untill the Arizona border. There the just wanted to make sure I wasn't bringing in any fruit. No I.D. checks. (State employees not Feds.)

I have several European friends that are here illegally. They do not seem to have any problems getting thru the check points. Just raise your sheild, smile and waive.They probably not even stop you because you are on a bike.

If I can suggest a route to ease your mind. From LA, 5 south, 805 south, 94 east, Pay close attention to the 94 signs. The highway goes through some enterchanges also becomes a surface street for a few miles with a hard right turn at a "T" intersection. After the town of Descanso the lanes will change as if you are going to be inspected at a check point but there is no stop for east bound traffic. I was on this road last weekend. 94 will take you to highway 188 turn south and cross at Tecate. From Tecate you can take the road all the way to Arizona crossings.

Hope this helps and have a great rest of your trip!

Ron Young

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Rocket Ron

We just went into Baja in tecate and there is no US checkpoint, even the Mexicans normally wave u through. Just remember the Permit if u go to the mainland. It was all really easy, so easy that we were in Mexico before we recognized it.

Have fun
Martin

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Martin and Katja Wickert
www.twintraveller.com
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I left three weeks ago through palomos in New Mexico. It is a quite crossing and no stops going through to Mexico but you would be checked coming back into the US. You woiuld have trouble re-entering though unless you could convince the authorities that you had not over stayed which might be possible as you would not have an exit stamp.

You could say you gave your Visa permit card to the mexican border gaurds as they have a habit of throwing them away as we were told by tjhe customs poeple at that crossing.

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In mexico heading south to central and south america until Jan 06

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Finished 09/04/06, Denver Colorado to Ushuaia and back to Santiago. 27000 miles two up on a 2005 F650GS Dakar

You can ride thru the San Diego/Tijuana crossing INTO mexico. HOWEVER - if you're heading further into mexico, make sure you get a tourist card, temporary import permit for the bike and the mandatory 3rd party insurance for the bike otherwise you will end up in a whole lot of trouble if you get asked for that at a military checkpoint. wWe rode through and got into Tijuana before realising we needed all this stuff. PLus, if you're leaving the US and not returning, make sure they take out the green card from your passport and cancel the visa otherwise they might get funny if you need to return at some point.

Hi there,

i went on 18. of November 2004 from Calexico to Mexicali. There was no check point on the US side. You have to take care that you talk to border officials & give them the departure report & the temporary vehicle import (if you don't want to return to the US).

CU out there
Heiko

I have found that many of the border guards are confused by foreigners showing up on strange looking motorcycles.Most of the time the guards will wave you thru quickly.