Mexico looks to close gap on Brazilians sneaking into United States

McALLEN — The Mexican government will work toward imposing new passport regulations for entering their country from Brazil almost five years after eliminating passport restrictions for Brazilians entering Mexico.

John Naland, U.S. Consulate in Matamoros said he had requested that the Mexican government reinstate the visa requirement for Brazilians.

This is the first time the Mexican government has officially responded to that request.

Although local Border Patrol officials could not comment on the specifics of the new requirements, the news could mean a possible decrease in the number of Brazilians crossing the border into the United States illegally.

Brazil is one of 45 countries not required to present a passport to enter Mexico, according to the Instituto Nacional de Migracion Web site, www.inami.gob.mx., the national Mexican Migration Institute.

U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Corpus Christi, who has publicly criticized border security, strongly supports the need for greater cooperation between agencies to protect the nation’s borders. A spokesman in Washington, D.C., said the congressman was pleased because the new measures would help curb illegal crossing into the United States.

In the last few months a recent wave of Brazilians caught along the U.S.-Mexico border, mainly western Hidalgo County, has agents working overtime.

"We’ve seen an increase in the Rio Grande Valley sector alone. We have adjusted our resources and manpower at the most common points of entry," said Roy Cervantes, spokesman for the Border Patrol McAllen sector.

Almost 200 Brazilians have been caught since March, he said. In all, close to 20,000 Brazilians have been arrested nationwide — 12,000 of them in the Valley — since the new fiscal year began in October.

On Wednesday, agents were notified of 10 undocumented Brazilians in police custody following the arrest of two men for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants, Cervantes said.

Hours later, agents found another group of nine immigrants — all of whom had passports.

Those illegal aliens, currently being detained at the Border Patrol station in Weslaco will be interviewed and given a criminal background check, which is standard protocol for all undocumented immigrants.

If cleared, they are given a written notice to appear before an immigration judge at a later date and released on their own recognizance. Approximately 86 percent actually appears in court, according to Monitor archives.

"Once we’ve exhausted our efforts there is no other option than to release (them)," he said. "We have more than 1,400 agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector and are very good at what they do. They are dedicated to the mission of security, working under the umbrella of Homeland Security."

Miriam Ramirez covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor you can reach her at (956) 683-4441.

MEXICO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

http://www.mexicotravelnet.com/Travel_Tips/mexicoentryrequirements.htm

PASSPORT & VISAS

Mexico requires visitors to carry three items:

1. Photo I.D. (such as a Driver's License)
2. Valid Proof of Citizenship
3. Tourist Cards

Proof of Citizenship

U.S. Citizens
Passports: U.S. citizens may present a passport, even if it has expired within the last five years. Canceled passports are not acceptable.

Original Birth Certificate: Hospital copies of birth certificates are not valid as proof of citizenship. The certificate must have an official stamp from the state of birth. A notarized copy of the official document is also acceptable. Married women with a different last name should carry a marriage license or notarized affidavit with their married name.

Notarized Affidavit of Citizenship: Mexico accepts the notarized affidavit of citizenship. However, it is not recommended due to possible problems with U.S. Immigration upon return.

U.S. Naturalization Papers: An original certificate or laminated card is acceptable. Photocopies are not valid.

Canadian Citizens
Canadian versions of the above documents are acceptable; notarized affidavits must be executed in Canada.

Other Nationalities
Contact the Mexican Consulate or airlines serving Mexico for details. These regulations change periodically. At a minimum, foreign citizens will need a valid passport. Some nationalities are required to obtain a consular visa from the Mexican Consulate.

Student Visas and Business Visas
Contact the Mexican Consulate in your area.

Minors

Any person under 18 years of age is considered a minor. Very strict regulations govern travel by minors into Mexico.

If traveling alone, the minor must have a notarized consent form signed by both parents.

If traveling with only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent not traveling.

If traveling with only one parent and the other parent is deceased or the child has only one legal parent, a notarized statement must be obtained as proof.

Airlines will also require the name, address and phone of the person meeting the unaccompanied minor upon arrival in Mexico.

Tourist Card

The Mexican government provides tourists cards free of charge to visitors. The tourist card is "permission" from the Mexican government to visit the country. Although sometimes difficult to acquire in large quantities, airlines always have an abundant supply upon check-in.

When you arrive in Mexico, your first stop will be Mexican Immigration. Mexican Immigration will inspect your proof of citizenship and validate your tourist card. The inspector will give you a blue copy - don't lose it! The copy must be returned upon departure.

Write down your tourist card number and keep it with your travel documents. If the card is lost, having the number will help greatly. Be sure to keep your tourist card and travel documents in a secure place.

Tourist cards can be validated for up to 180 days.

>>>>Original Birth Certificate: Hospital copies of birth certificates are not valid as proof of citizenship. The certificate must have an official stamp from the state of birth. A notarized copy of the official document is also acceptable. Married women with a different last name should carry a marriage license or notarized affidavit with their married name.

Oh darn! I don't qualify to go to Mexico. I'm heartbroken. I don't have an ORIGINAL birth certificate. I have a hospital copy.

Sheesh.

>>>>Other Nationalities
Contact the Mexican Consulate or airlines serving Mexico for details. These regulations change periodically. At a minimum, foreign citizens will need a valid passport. Some nationalities are required to obtain a consular visa from the Mexican Consulate.

That right there is blatantly damning.

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