Monday, February 20, 2017

An Unpleasant Experience Going Back Into the USA…

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After our ten days were up in Puerto Penasco Mexico it was time to head back to the good old USA. As I mentioned earlier the sites are tight and there are no paved roads making getting out of there a bit of challenge. As I scoped out how we were going to leave there was only one area where I saw there would be be a bit of a tight turn. Fortunately our 44 foot neighbor left the day before proving it could be done. Check out the photo below left and see how tight the turn to the right was for the 44 footer in the middle driving slowly past the two parked rigs. He had to back up once to get around those two rigs!

As our time approached to leave we put everything away and fired up the RV.  Sharon walked down to that turn and getting around that turn wasn’t too bad so before long our three RV caravan was back on the road. We sure had a blast visiting Puerto Penasco having had a lot of fun with our caravan buddies and all the new friends we made as well. Many photos in this blog document our fun times (some pictures were taken by MonaLiza as well).

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We had no problem leaving town and and everyone was able to stay together traveling through the busy town of Soyonita. Next up was the border crossing which I had read was a bit challenging to maneuver as it  is tight and has a turn or two in it. We were the middle rig and we were all the same height. Steve and MonaLiza were leading and as they entered the custom’s lane to enter the USA I noticed the hanging barrier above their RV said “Clearance 12’ 3”. Yikes! We are 12’ 8” and even though I was assured we would fit,  hearing that soft hanging barrier rolling over the top while driving through was still disconcerting.

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The lanes were indeed tight but we managed and pulled up alongside an ICE agent (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Steve and MonaLiza were moving into the next series of lanes at the same time. After answering all the agent’s questions we were asked to move on to a lane two lanes over from Steve’s RV. About the time we made a wide turn to navigate into the lane we saw Steve’s RV already leaving and entering the USA. One down and two RV’s to go.

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Well, when we pulled into a very tight lane two the ICE agent there told us to turn of the engine and that they were going to search the RV. We were told to leave our cell phones and the keys to the RV on the dash.  One of the two guards said we could stay on board but the other said to the other guard “no, this is a 107”. We were then told to go have a seat in the waiting room around the corner. We had no idea why we were selected to be searched. Either I answered a question suspiciously, looked suspicious or it was simply random.

While they were going through our rig  we saw our third RV in our caravan easily clear customs so now 2 out of the 3 of us were in the USA… but we were not!!! We sat for about 20 minutes not being told anything by anyone as our RV was being searched. Then, to our astonishment, an ICE agent drove our RV off around the building where we couldn’t see it at all! I had no idea they were allowed to do that (still not sure that they are). Again no one told us anything…

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Ten minutes later we saw our RV on the the other side of the building and they were moving it into what appeared to be a large x-ray machine for trucks and large vehicles. Five to ten minutes later our RV was sitting back in front of the building we were in. Still no one telling us anything… Another five minutes passed when an ICE agent at last walked up to us and handed me my keys saying we were free to go.

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We still had to maneuver back through the 3 last lanes to enter into the USA but when we did our friends were waiting for us, curious as to why we were delayed. We still have no idea what they were looking for (drugs we assume) but there were a few things disheveled from their search. So despite all the efforts undertook to ensure we followed all instructions for a smooth crossing into the USA from Mexico we still were detained for 30 to 45 minutes.

This whole experience was very unnerving and  I hope no other RVer has to endure it. Watching our RV drive off without us while we are still technically in Mexico did not sit well with me. I mean what if someone in Mexico had stashed some drugs under the RV to be picked up by an unscrupulous character in the USA. Our RV (our HOME) and all earthly possessions could have been confiscated by our own government. NOPE, we don't want to ever experience that again so future trips into Mexico may not happen again for us, at least not in our RV, our home…

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NOTE: Again, with her permission I used a few pictures taken by MonaLiza of Lowes Travels blogger fame. We don’t often get many pictures with both of us in the photo so it was fun that she shared her photos… Thanks MonaLiza! We are now in Why Arizona for three nights and then will be moving over to Tucson AZ…

20 comments:

  1. We realize that there are a million great stories about traveling to Mexico in our "homes". Unfortunately we have heard several really horrifying ones too. I don't think we will bother. There are enough wonderful places to visit in the US and Canada.

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  2. Do you know if they went through your phones? I can't believe they moved your RV. Who pays if they damage it?

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    1. Not sure about the phones but there was evidence that they had searched through much of our belongings... I would only assume they would be responsible for any damage!

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  3. You were right to be concerned what might have been placed in the RV without your knowledge. It does indeed happen. I've been placed into secondary more than a few times and it's never a pleasant experience, but as with you was soon enough sent on my way. A point must be made that your Mexican experience was great, it's the dang crossing coming home!

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    1. No doubt Jeff... I would suppose if we decide to go south of the border again in the RV we will stay much longer to make it worth the possible hassle coming back into the USA.

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  4. John, although you do look a bit shifty, Sharon is so happy and friendly that I can't figure out what happened! Had lots of fun with you guys and look forward to seeing you again in a few days...
    ~Steve

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  5. You were singled out but for whatever reason you will never know. A friend of ours who crosses often has tattoos on his left arm and when he crosses in a short sleeve shirt he gets searched but when he is wearing long sleeves he does not. Not always true but often enough. We have crossed back into the USA about eight times with the RV, usually near Laredo, TX and there, all RV's get X-Ray'd but they let me drive in myself. Only once they gave me an intensive search. Did you know you are not allowed to import feces and urine into the USA? Well, you are not. A long distance trucker friend of ours was once forced back into Canada to empty and clean his holding tank. In the border crossing zone, you are at their mercy and have few, if any rights.

    I guess the more intensive inspections are a good thing as the flow of thousands of tons of drugs a year have to be stopped but it would be nice if their pre-screening picked out the folks who actually have those drugs.

    You can indeed loose your vehicle if they find something placed by us or someone else and this is something we are always aware of. Canada Customs' main source of used motorhomes is from Americans who think it is OK to lie or "forget" about having weapons on board. They can go to court and argue their case but usually the best they get is the chance to buy their motorhome back at an auction.

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  6. One other thing, where is that place where you are sitting at the table overlooking the ocean? We are going down for a few days in a hotel and it looks like a neat place.

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    1. That was taken at the top of the rocky point at the restaurant called Del Capitan. Get a copy of the Rocky Point News and on the third to last page is a coupon for 50% off of food (not drinks) from 11am to 4 pm...

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  7. There are always a whole pile of "what ifs", but ultimately all you were subjected to was a 30-45 minute delay.

    Croft (above) is entirely correct...at the border of any country you are at their mercy and have few, if any rights.

    We have crossed many international borders over the past ten years and despite delays and the occasional frustration, there have been no major incidences. I think you were singled out for a random check, and it's unlikely to happen again.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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    1. I'd like to believe that Kevin but this is the third time I have been singled out... one in Canada by the Canadians, once in Canada reentering the USA and this time in Mexico coming back...
      Maybe Steve was right and I look a little shifty...

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  8. My friend and I also had bad experiences there yesterday. We weren't searched but both of our rigs were damaged because the booth lanes aren't wide enough.

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    1. Yikes... I looked for you when we were there but couldn't find you. You weren't with the singles group were you? If so I say a group of ladies playing music and you may have been there when we walked through your park...

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  9. Welcome back to the good old USA! Another adventure for your memories. Glad everything worked out for you.

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  10. Now that sounded scary!! After getting over the scary part I think I would be furious...they actually DROVE your MH!!!! Then they went through your belongings....obviously not carefully since it was noticeable. I would have been so angry! What an awful experience. Glad you all are ok and back in the USA.

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  11. Certainly not a pleasant experience. Glad you made it back all right:)

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  12. Now that is a very very scary situation. I don't think we will be ever driving our RV over to MX. I know many have a great experience but one bad experience can ruin it all. So glad you are both safe in Ajo.

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  13. We have been searched a few times , entering the USA from Mexico and Canada, also a couple of times entering back into Canada. Just go with the flow, we have no rights when it come ]s to customs.

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  14. We were searched coming back into the USA from two months in Canada last summer. No x-rays, but the did o thru the fridge and confiscated one red pepper. We had to sign an abandonment form. They did not open the slides which would have given them access to the closets and the large under the bed space. We have also had our rig checked out with dogs at the Rose bowl parade. I guess they do a lot of random searching.

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