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contacts for this news release

Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection, together with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have launched a public awareness campaign aimed at advising students on Spring Break who travel to Mexico of the applicable federal and state laws and agency requirements upon their return to the United States.

The campaign includes distribution of informational flyers on key laws and agency requirements to southbound pedestrians at the Gateway International Bridge. CBP’s “Welcome to the United States” brochures, which explain the goods that are permissible and prohibited from entry, also will be distributed to the area hotels via the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce.

The flyer advises travelers going to Mexico to carry proper identification and lists key requirements from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. will need to present proof of both identity and citizenship. They can do this by presenting a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate and a government-issued photo ID such as a state-issued identification card or driver’s license. A passport, which serves as proof of both identity and citizenship or a passport card, a wallet-sized version cost-effective version of the traditional passport that is specifically designed for cross-border land or sea travel to the U.S. is preferred.

With the full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on June 1, the only accepted documents for re-entry to the U.S. by U.S. citizens will be a U.S. passport, the passport card, a trusted traveler card such as a SENTRI, FAST or NEXUS card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDLs) being produced by several states. After June 1, a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate and a state issued identification card or driver’s license will not be acceptable documents for entry.

Among the highlights: all articles acquired in Mexico must be declared; one liter of alcoholic beverages may be imported per person over 21 every 30 days; foreign students must present a valid passport, F-1 visa, I-94 and I-20, assaulting or interfering with a federal officer is a criminal offense and will be prosecuted; zero tolerance policy on illegal drugs and fines of $50 to $1,000 may result from failure to declare agricultural items. Both countries have stringent laws regulating firearms. It is illegal to carry firearms or ammunition into Mexico.

On the flyer are toll-free numbers from the U.S. and Mexico for people to call to report drug or alien smuggling activity. The flyer includes numbers for the U.S. Consulate’s Office.

Michael T. Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville, advises students on Spring Break who travel to Mexico to consult the flyer and familiarize themselves with CBP, TABC requirements before they return in order to avoid problems at the border. For more detailed information on CBP requirements, students also may look up the “Know Before You Go” brochure on the CBP Web site, or by stopping at any port of entry before leaving the U.S. ( Know Before You Go )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.