US Border Patrol

As you read this keep in mind that I saw the movie, Machete, yesterday...

It seemed inevitable that while I was in America I would eventually have some confusion with their immigration and VISA policy. I thought I had done the right thing by applying for both the J-1 working visa and the B1/B2 extended tourist visa and that amount preparation would be enough to keep me out of trouble. Apparently not. I called several different immigration people and heard different stories from all of them. One thing was clear: I have to leave the country and re-enter. The other option being to fill out and process a form which would cost me another $300, which is as much as my 2 visas cost combined. Not an appealing option.

So it seemed to me as easy as ducking down to Mexico for a few days and coming back in to continue my travel adventure. I was excited for this plan and this excuse to visit Mexico until I started hearing different stories about having to stay out of the country for 30 days, then I heard that it depended on the mood of the border patrol officer and then I heard you could leave for 15 minutes then come right back in. Suffice to say I am concerned that when I go down to Mexico and then try to re-enter I am going to be denied entry and be stranded down there. The option then would be to fly to Canada, travel there for a while then head back to Australia. Whatever happens happens and is now beyond my control.

The guy I spoke to today assured me that I would be allowed to re-enter the States as long as I had proof I was going to leave (he conveniently avoided the question about whether I would have to stay out of the country for 30 days) so it is all systems go with my original plan. Apparently the tourist VISA means that I am allowed entry as a tourist up until that expires, not that I can stay here as a tourist until then. That was where the confusion came from. The B1/B2 VISA gives me 90 days in the country as a tourist, after which I am required to leave, and it will be back to Canada.

I tell you this so that you know you are not alone, and if you're in the same quandary this is a way of dealing with it. I found it most useful to ring the border patrol directly since they are the tough guys you will be dealing with.

The reference to Machete may not be self-evident, but it is to highlight how difficult it is to get into America...especially from Mexico.