Anyone know if you can get into Mexico right now? This is a serious question.

[Likinikki]

I have a girlfriend whose father is in Mexico trying to clean up his house after the storm. He's needing his family's help, but no one knows if they can get into Mexico right now.

A friend told me today that the bridges are all currently closed, so they can't go for at least a few days. However, my here are my questions:

1. How long will the bridges be closed?
2. Are the authorities allowing people in and out without passports...regardless of the distance "into" Mexico (over 19kilometers) being it's an emergency?
3. Or are the standard entry regulations (passports) still in effect to get back into the US?

Any information is greatly appreciated. My girlfriend and her brothers want to go help their father...but, they don't know what is allowed or not. Thank you!

[oden]

You need a passport and a destination and return date. Coming back you need a passport and another government ID to be precessed as a citizen. The further south you want to cross the more the damage but if you can be a little more specific I know there are members of this board go back and forth all the time.

There is a lot of violence down there and I would strongly suggest going with someone who#1 speaks Spanish#2knows the lay of the land#will keep you low key and get you out of there asap.

[Sa_artman]

I'm currently back in the valley now. Some of the bridges are reopening so the wait to cross either way is long, unless your just on foot to shop in Progresso. You'll need a passport. At Progresso, they have been known to let it slide if you haven't visited since they changed the laws and let you back in with ID and Birth Certificate. I wouldn't chance it though. I would advise them to cross at one of the smaller checkpoints if they're going through the lower RGV (Los Indios, Pharr). At 20 miles in, you'll be fine as long as they stick to the highways. People are crossing both ways but they're releasing more water so who knows in a few days if it stays that way. I had heard Laredo only had one entry open. -
My suggestion: pack the bags and head out there (not referring to Laredo). A lot of people are in bad situations because of the flooding.


Your chance of being robbed or killed walking on a shady side of SA right now are greater than visiting a border town during the day (with exception of Juarez). A lot of the violence is not aimed at US citizens. Now at night unescorted or anything further than one of the border towns it's a crap shoot. I was going into Matamoros weekly for awhile last year. Not one incident. You have to remember thousands of people cross daily, both ways, at multiple locations and there are few incidents. Not saying it doesn't happen, but a lot of its' targeted. Just like anything else, you make yourself a target, well then your asking for trouble.

[Mokoa]

On the news at 10 this evening they were still reporting that all bridges in the Laredo area were still closed. The Rio Grande is still above the flood stage there. I do not know about the bridges in the other border towns.

[Likinikki]

Thanks for the information. My girlfriend's family are from Mexico and they all speak spanish fluently. They would only be there to help their father clean up the house so he can get out of there.

Her father's in bad health (diabetes) and needs help desperately. My girlfriend and her brothers live here, but don't have passports. That's why I'm asking if they can get in and out of Mexico without passports. I didn't think they could either.

[Sa_artman]

Originally Posted by Likinikki

Thanks for the information. My girlfriend's family are from Mexico and they all speak spanish fluently. They would only be there to help their father clean up the house so he can get out of there.

Her father's in bad health (diabetes) and needs help desperately. My girlfriend and her brothers live here, but don't have passports. That's why I'm asking if they can get in and out of Mexico without passports. I didn't think they could either.

Which area of Mexico? Which crossing would they take? I can ask some Border Patrol buddies and see what they say. The one's I know handle the lower RGV. You might also poke around the South Texas forums and see if anyone knows any missionary types in the area who might help. That's probably a reach here...but never know.

[Likinikki]

I'll have to ask her what part of Mexico...thanks artman!

[Likinikki]

I'm not 100% sure...but, her aunt went last week, and I believe she said something about going through Laredo. I'll have to find out...thanks SA artman.

[DRAGON210]

Liki, PM me if you haven't found an answer yet.

[Likinikki]

Thanks everyone...it's a no go as they need a passport.

[rgvpapi]

there was a shootout in Nuevo Laredo about 2 hrs ago...it lasted an hour and a half and left 15 or so dead...

if you need any more info about crossing thru Laredo, Nikki...let me know, babe.

[Likinikki]

Oh wow that's scary! My girlfriend's family are going to Laredo to take cleaning products, but not crossing over. Her father is going to cross over and get the items on the Texas side.

Papi...thanks for the info...I just talked to her and warned her to be very careful. She's going with her brothers and husband just to make sure. Thanks everyone for the info!

[pangzione]

http://www.cityoflaredo.com/bridgesys/bridge4cam.html
Here is a camera view of the international bridges in Laredo. There are cars passing over them now. Hope this helps you Likinikki.

[pangzione]

Here is a link about coming back from Mexico and what is needed.
http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/uspassport.php

[eqi]

you people really don't understand Mexico