akexpat
Oct 1, 2015, 10:11 AM
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US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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I am new to Mexconnect. I have seen this question discussed, but the replies I have seen don’t really answer the question. So, I am asking it again. I am aware that some US visitors with past felony convictions have recently been turned away when attempting to enter Mexico. Does anyone know if this applies only to specific crimes? Is there a way for a person to find out if they will be turned away before spending all the money to fly to Mexico and risk being turned away? I am told this is a knowledgeable website, so I am hoping that someone will have some useful information.
Thanks in advance for any help.
rvgringo
Oct 1, 2015, 10:24 AM
Post #2 of 27 (15897 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Can a convicted felon even get a passport? If not, you cannot fly to Mexico.
akexpat
Oct 1, 2015, 10:46 AM
Post #3 of 27 (15887 views)
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Re: [rvgringo] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Yes a convicted felon can get a passport. The person I am speaking of has been to Mexico many times, the last one as recently as February 2015. But the posts I am seeing in other places say that Mexico has recently been turning away people with criminal convictions. I am looking for information on who gets turned away.
joaquinx
Oct 2, 2015, 8:42 AM
Post #4 of 27 (15807 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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I believe that sex crimes will get you turned away. The USA and Mexico share names of those convicted.
https://www.eldailypost.com/…ut-others-live-here/
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.
(This post was edited by joaquinx on Oct 2, 2015, 8:44 AM)
akexpat
Oct 2, 2015, 10:32 AM
Post #5 of 27 (15780 views)
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Re: [joaquinx] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Thanks. That is useful information. It does appear, however, that people with other types of convictions are also being turned away. On one of the expat forums, a woman said she had been turned away due to a federal drug conviction. It would be useful if there was a way for a person to find out if they will be admitted before spending what is in some cases a lot of money to fly to Mexico, only to be turned back by immigration officials.
cbviajero
Oct 2, 2015, 10:49 AM
Post #6 of 27 (15773 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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In Reply To
Thanks. That is useful information. It does appear, however, that people with other types of convictions are also being turned away. On one of the expat forums, a woman said she had been turned away due to a federal drug conviction.
I think that’s a reasonable policy,Mexico has enough home grown felons,why should they allow foreign convicted felons in?
akexpat
Oct 2, 2015, 12:45 PM
Post #7 of 27 (15750 views)
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Re: [cbviajero] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Well, in many cases it does not take much to become a convicted felon. And we could be talking about someone who mad a stupid mistake when very young, and has been an upstanding citizen ever since. But that is not really the issue. Mexico has always had the policy that it could choose not to allow people with criminal convictions to enter the country. The issue is, in the past this was not enforced. Now there is more sharing of records, and for that reason people are being turned away. Even people who have entered many times in the past with no problem. My question is not asking for a judgment on whether this is right or wrong. Just want to know if this is universally enforced, or only at certain border crossings, etc. Also, as i said, it would be useful if people could know before arriving that they will be turned away, so as to avoid trying to come in the first place. Not looking for judgements here, just information.
Gringal
Oct 2, 2015, 3:50 PM
Post #8 of 27 (15731 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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I’d suggest bringing that question to someone that can give a definitive answer, like the Mexican Consulate.
I know that when I applied for my first Visa to enter Mexico, I had to get a report re having/not having a criminal record.
Just curious: What is the U.S. policy on admitting convicted felons from other countries?
akexpat
Oct 2, 2015, 6:37 PM
Post #9 of 27 (15716 views)
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Re: [Gringal] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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I suspect the US does not allow convicted felons from other countries, but I don’t know for sure. For a tourist visa for US citizens to enter Mexico, as far as I recall, that question is not asked. But immigration officials are now turning people away, in at least some places, for having felony convictions. I am just trying to figure out if this is universal, or if it relates only to specific felonies, or only to federal convictions. Perhaps the Mexican consulate is the place to ask. Not exactly sure how to go about that.
bronco
Oct 2, 2015, 6:46 PM
Post #10 of 27 (15713 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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there is an expat who has a fed conviction who has been been flying back& forth for years. perhaps it wasnt so strict several years ago. do not know if the person has traveled since feb. ’15, or if they know the newer rules. i would ask the mex consulate & spencer the attorney.
(This post was edited by bronco on Oct 2, 2015, 7:02 PM)
bronco
Oct 2, 2015, 6:55 PM
Post #11 of 27 (15709 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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the US has 1000’s of convicted felons from mexico/central america. matter of fact they released about 65,000 rom prisons into the general population over the years. some legal immigrants, some not. youre talking about 2 completely different countries w/different MO’s. many 1000 gang members arrived in to US last summer unvetted. mexico quite strict in comparism.
Aaron+
Oct 4, 2015, 10:59 AM
Post #12 of 27 (15617 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Good question. I also would like to know. Short of asking INM at the likely entry point, do not know how to get a preclearance if it were necessary for a visitor.
I looked at the INM website, https://www.inm.gob.mx/…e_Autorizacion_Visas and found it redirecting the user to a new format for visa authorization. Looks to me as if the format was for someone seeking residence in Mexico, rather than as a tourist. However, of note is that the new format asks whether, yes or no, one has a penal record. I do not recall whether or not I was ever asked that. This latest web page was updated as of Aug. 17, 2015.
A Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) I picked up about one year ago when on travel, has no such question. It is the only form a tourist would encounter. No question regarding penal experience. .
Mexico does benefit from an interchange of information, as from the US, of sex trafficker, such as denying access to over 200 such “tourists” at Cancun in 2014.
https://www.quintanaroografico.com/archives/99541
Obviously the INM is relying on intergovernmental information regarding sex crimes rather than on asking the prospective visitor. So, if the US and Mexico exchange info down to the level of past convictions for drug use or trafficking in the US, than INM would the ability to exclude such felons.
My guess is that Mexico is interested in catching big fish rather than little fish.
akexpat
Oct 4, 2015, 12:52 PM
Post #13 of 27 (15605 views)
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Re: [Aaron+] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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I would also think that Mexico is more interested in catching big fish. Except that I have heard stories which claim people with very minor past offenses were denied entry. Of course, I have no way of verifying the accuracy of such stories.
richmx2
Oct 5, 2015, 12:26 PM
Post #14 of 27 (15525 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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“Felony” is a legal classification not found in Mexican criminal law.
https://mexfiles.net
https://mexicobookpublishers.com
chinagringo
Oct 5, 2015, 12:55 PM
Post #15 of 27 (15520 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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There is a rather lengthy thread on TripAdvisor on this very topic:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/…catan_Peninsula.html
The only thing I gleaned from the thread of any value was: anyone entering Mexico is at the mercy and mood of the particular Immigration officer processing ones entry documents!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM
joaquinx
Oct 5, 2015, 2:05 PM
Post #16 of 27 (15513 views)
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Re: [richmx2] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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In Reply To
“Felony” is a legal classification not found in Mexican criminal law.
How does “Delito grave” apply to Mexico?
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.
akexpat
Oct 5, 2015, 2:17 PM
Post #17 of 27 (15507 views)
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Re: [chinagringo] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Yes, it does depend on the person processing one’s entry for sure. But another question I have is — how do they obtain information about people who are entering? Is it done simply by swiping the person’s passport? And, if that is the case, might it be possible to find out what information is going to come up, prior to leaving the US?
chinagringo
Oct 5, 2015, 2:49 PM
Post #18 of 27 (15500 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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I don’t claim to know what the policies are on each and every airline flying into Mexico but on INTERJET San Antonio to Guadalajara, we were required to provide the airline with US Passport details prior to the flight. I would guess that information is shared with Immigration in advance? CBP requires Advance Passenger Information for all flights into or out of the US:
https://www.nbaa.org/…oms-regulatory/apis/
https://en.wikipedia.org/…assenger_name_record
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM
chinagringo
Oct 5, 2015, 5:13 PM
Post #19 of 27 (15481 views)
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Re: [chinagringo] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Receved this in a PM:
” I understand that INM does interchange information, as mentioned above, including Interpol.”
But would guess that RV Gringo meant it as a public reply?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM
akexpat
Oct 6, 2015, 5:41 AM
Post #20 of 27 (15436 views)
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Re: [chinagringo] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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All airlines require passport info if you are flying from a US destination to Mexican destination. You cannot get on the flight without a passport. But I would be surprised if all passport info from all passengers on all airlines was shared with Mexican immigration officials. Although maybe it is. That is a lot of information. My question, however, is this — what information can be obtained from passport info? Does a person’s passport somehow contain their entire criminal record, if any? That, too, seems unlikely. Or maybe I am just being naive.
chinagringo
Oct 6, 2015, 5:57 AM
Post #21 of 27 (15434 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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While I don’t have any concrete proof, I am firmly convinced that anyone carrying a US Passport has an extensive file with all sorts of pertinent info on ther travels. CBP can most likely access this info immediately when they scan your Passport? And now with the newer Passports with RFID chips, maybe foreign Immigration Officials can read more of your info? From a personal standpoint, I have had CBP ask me seemingly random questions about my travels dating back many years. I also know of people who have either “had issues or caused issues” when crossing into the US previously and are now subjected to additional questioning or attention. This tells me that they can see notations of such?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM
AlanMexicali
Oct 6, 2015, 6:00 AM
Post #22 of 27 (15434 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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All airlines require passport info if you are flying from a US destination to Mexican destination. You cannot get on the flight without a passport. But I would be surprised if all passport info from all passengers on all airlines was shared with Mexican immigration officials. Although maybe it is. That is a lot of information. My question, however, is this — what information can be obtained from passport info? Does a person’s passport somehow contain their entire criminal record, if any? That, too, seems unlikely. Or maybe I am just being naive.
https://www.quora.com/At-what-maximum-distance-can-the-RFID-in-U-S-passports-be-detected
I appears only the information written in a passport is available when scanned but with that information the INM can enter it into their database and get INTERPOL and other information. I doubt airlines can do this. It appears from Mexican news that not all airports or border crossing INM offices have the computer setup yet but the Mexican government has been able to access INTERPOL since 2006 when they signed up. When they signed up they have to supply information of Mexican origin.
(This post was edited by AlanMexicali on Oct 6, 2015, 6:02 AM)
fordmexico
Oct 6, 2015, 9:27 PM
Post #23 of 27 (15340 views)
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Re: [akexpat] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Here is a link describing the information contained within the RFID chip in newer USA passports.
https://www.us-passport-information.com/electronic-passport.html
Information about various convictions is not contained within the chip but rather in various databases, including in some areas biometric information such as facial recognition and iris scanning data that can be linked to your name or in some cases your passport identification numbers. These databases have been shared with various governments for some time now. As an example, Canadian immigration officials have had access to USA DUI convictions for several years and have used that info to deny entry to USA citizens with convictions.
Immigration officials in most countries including the USA and Mexico have quite a bit of discretion in deciding whether or not to permit or deny entry to foreigners. Information within the databases may also assist the customs or immigration official to decide whether secondary screening or inspection is warranted.
Want to check the information on the RFID chip? Keep in mind the following from the above link.
” – Protocols have been established to ensure that only authorized RFID readers can access the information stored on the chips embedded in the e-passport
– A random unique identification number is generated each time someone attempts to access the information on the chip in the electronic passport”
chinagringo
Oct 7, 2015, 6:23 AM
Post #24 of 27 (15317 views)
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Re: [fordmexico] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Can’t really determine just where the information came from (RFID or internal files in their software) but a CBP officer at LAX knew that my very first entry into the US using a US Passport was in 1949. I had a sneaking hunch that he could see a record of each and every exit or entry in my life? Personally, I could care less what is on my record because they never hassle me and their most intrusive activity has been a few random comments or questions.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM
AlanMexicali
Oct 7, 2015, 7:44 AM
Post #25 of 27 (15308 views)
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Re: [chinagringo] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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Can’t really determine just where the information came from (RFID or internal files in their software) but a CBP officer at LAX knew that my very first entry into the US using a US Passport was in 1949. I had a sneaking hunch that he could see a record of each and every exit or entry in my life? Personally, I could care less what is on my record because they never hassle me and their most intrusive activity has been a few random comments or questions.
The RFID chip has the same information as written in the passport. The chip with your ID number directs it to a central data base where it pops up on their screen to read. I doubt airlines can ever do this but they do have to notify at least 2 hours ahead of departure CBP your name and passport by logging into the Homeland Security webpage they are given with the information required by law.
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AlanMexicali
Oct 7, 2015, 1:31 PM
Post #26 of 27 (5028 views)
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Re: [AlanMexicali] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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In Reply To
Can’t really determine just where the information came from (RFID or internal files in their software) but a CBP officer at LAX knew that my very first entry into the US using a US Passport was in 1949. I had a sneaking hunch that he could see a record of each and every exit or entry in my life? Personally, I could care less what is on my record because they never hassle me and their most intrusive activity has been a few random comments or questions.
The RFID chip has the same information as written in the passport. The chip with your ID number directs it to a central data base where it pops up on their screen to read. I doubt airlines can ever do this but they do have to notify at least 2 hours ahead of departure CBP your name and passport by logging into the Homeland Security webpage they are given with the information required by law.
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/oct/07/citylights-border-crossing-rules-changed/#
The new system of checking passports entering TJ from San Ysidro, San Diego.
(This post was edited by AlanMexicali on Oct 7, 2015, 1:32 PM)
playaboy
Oct 8, 2015, 6:14 AM
Post #27 of 27 (4979 views)
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Re: [chinagringo] US citizens entering Mexico with felony convictions
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The USA has been tracking border crossings for years. All that information is kept on computers. All those computers are connected to the internet. All those CBP officers you are talking to when entering have internet access. They can check your information and anything else online that law enforcement might want to look at. Bet they have meta search engines that can check multiple databases in seconds.
The airlines collect passport data when flying in or out of the USA. They turn these passenger manifests over to CBP. The CBP officer probably knows who you are when you step up to the immigration booth at USA airport you just flew into. Imagine what would happen if there are 100 people on a manifest and only 99 checked in. CBP RED ALERT
Drive in by land and your picture is taken from a dozen cameras. All stored in a computer.
Mexico is attempting to track and control the movement of people across her borders. Mexico has been computerizing their land crossing the last several years. It is probably completely finished including internet access. When Mexico changed from FMT’s to FMM’s , that was a turning point. FMM’s are bar-coded and scanned. I think I read an article a couple of months ago that Mexico was now requiring the airlines to provide complete ,up to date, passenger manifests. There are cameras everywhere taking your picture with them being stored on a computer somewhere.
The frontier zone of Mexico is disappearing. 1st it was the 21km checkpoints. Now San Ysidro is the first to change the policy of free flow of people into Mexico. The rest of the land border will follow suit. In a decade, entering Mexico could be the same type procedure it is to enter the USA. It is at the airports
You can bet that Mexico and the USA are sharing information with both having access to common databases.
Good luck to the OP and have a great vacation.
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