Forum Discussion

bighatnohorse's avatar
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Mar 02, 2020

Made back into the US without a passport!

I had a passport in my pocket.
Crossed into Algodones, had some dental work done. Stood in line to get back to the US customs office only to find that I had picked up DW's passport by accident.

Sweating bullets.
I explained to the customs officer that I have a passport but picked up the DW's by mistake.
I showed the officer my driver's licence.
And was asked if I have a passport. "Yes."
Officer: "Okay, go ahead. If you go back to Mexico just explain to the officer that you have a passport and show your ID."
!!!!

Apparently, this sort of thing happens to the customs office all the time.
. . .just another forgetful geezer. . .
  • Talleyho69's avatar
    Talleyho69
    Moderator
    Mar 18, 2020
    Legally, officially, you must have a passport or for ground crossing, a passport card.

    Obviously at times, people make it through. Personally, I'd hate to be the one that decided, "not to bother with" taking my passport, only to find that returning to the US suddenly became very difficult.
  • OkieGene's avatar
    OkieGene
    Explorer
    Mar 18, 2020
    I don't know but I'm afraid that will be changing any day now. You might be able to just use your drivers license but the CBP officer may have to do more and thus waste your time, etc.

    Good luck to all of you all who have to cross borders for the next few months.
  • ajriding's avatar
    ajriding
    Explorer II
    Mar 18, 2020
    A friend goes back n forth into Mex and never bothers with a passport. Mex doesnt seem to car who comes in, and a US citizen is a citizen of the US , so he always got back in with just a DL
  • down_home's avatar
    down_home
    Explorer II
    Mar 06, 2020
    Canadian border not Mexican. 2002 perhaps, We crossed at the Su. Canadian Customs, a nice lady asked for my tag number. Didn't know it ,how many do. Got out to get it but fifth wheel prevented seeing it.
    Got back and and told her. I don't remember handing her my drivers license or anything. She must have seen on a camera our plates on Fifth wheel. She rattled off who we were our address and other items. It caught us off guard wherever she got the info. She just waived through then.
    So the Border Agents of all three countries, I think have access t everyone's id and data,I think.
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2020
    You were fortunate.
    They do go by how people look.
    My brother has spent years traveling everywhere. He used to have long hair and a beard and did not look right to some border agents.
    He has been strip searched multiple times in places like Bulgaria, and the Republic of the Congo.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Mar 03, 2020
    It was going to be 3hr of hassle taking you into a back room...interrogating you...and he already has the information he needs.

    As someone mentioned, you didn't look like a problem so no reason to hassle you...but I certainly wouldn't plan on it.
  • Two_Hands's avatar
    Two_Hands
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2020
    And yet I had left a post-it note on their computer screen specifically directing them NOT to let you guys back in.
  • chris3403's avatar
    chris3403
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2020
    I had the same thing happen to me last year down here in Progreso also while having dental work done. Only I didn't have the wife's as a backup. I just showed him my driver's license and he ran it through the computer and said; "yep I see where you were just over here yesterday with your passport. Have a nice day."
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2020
    Plus you didn't look like a criminal, rebel or no good!

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