Going to Progreso Mexico to shop

You will only need $.50 to cross into Mexico. Coming back is where the US Immigration people will give you some static. Why not go to local post office and apply for a passport?

A US government website would tell you.

msparker505 wrote:
When living in RGV and you go to Progreso, Mex (or other Mexican towns in the area) is a passport required to cross the border? I am an American citizen with lots of ID but no passport.

http://www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders

"Starting June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, are required to present one of the travel documents listed below.

U.S. Passport – This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person’s identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea.

U.S. Passport Card – This is a new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea.

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – Several states and Canadian provinces are issuing this driver’s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the U.S. by land or sea.

Trusted Traveler Program Cards – Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards can speed your entry into the U.S. and are issued only to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The cards are valid for use at land or sea; the NEXUS card can be used in airports with a NEXUS kiosk."

A passport is required but not mandatory. I am kidding somewhat, but people are still returning to the US with only birth certificates, and other forms of identification. It will probably delay the process a few minutes and they might give you some grief, but it is still going on. Having said that, it is definitely recommended that you get one of the approved ID's mentioned above.

I got across the border at Yuma and forgot my pass port. gave them my Dr's lic and they looked it up on the computer and asked me a few questions and let me back in. it just burns my back side that we as american citizens need pass ports to come home and I will not go any further for fear of being deleted.

You don't need any ID to leave the country, after 9-11 you need a passport to get into the US.

A passport is good for 10 years, and it's one tool in securing our boarders and takes very little effort to get for most.

Nicest thing to hear is "Welcome home", the saddest is "sorry, you need to go back."

You go here? Confused.

MickeyBrennan,

They are asking about crossing into Nuevo Progreso.
Across from the RCV TX.

aauummm...very helpful & accurate information. Sounds to me that you are CBP educated?

Lakeside

lakeside013104 wrote:
aauummm...very helpful & accurate information. Sounds to me that you are CBP educated?

Lakeside

Chuckle..... nah, we just studied up on it for staying in the RGV in 2010-11 winter and then this summer taking the 12 year old granddaughter to Niagara Falls via Canada. Didn't want to have any problems getting back into the good old USA.

It felt great to just flash that US passport and then have the Border agent give me a big smile and say "Welcome back!". I thanked him for the job that they do to keep our borders safe and told him that it was great to be back!

A note for grandparents: Canada requires a lot of documentation if it's not the parents that are taking a minor from the US into Canada.