Finger Printing at San Ysidro?

Ed Note: Our intrepid reporters first discovered plans for the CBP U.S. SOUTHBOUND inspection areas at San Ysidro in June 2011.  Your congress critters are busy with the new immigration law and will have more clerks with guns greeting you as you drive southbound into Mexico from San Ysidro to Tijuana.  Just imagine the fun of handing over your I.D. southbound and answering to:

“What were you doing in the United States?”  “What are you bringing south to Mexico?”  “Where are you traveling in Mexico?”

“Would your prefer an iris scan or finger prints?”  “TSA massage or X-ray scanner?”

By Matt Canham, The Salt Lake Tribune, First Published May 20 2013

Washington » The federal government would start collecting fingerprints from foreigners at the nation’s busiest airports under a plan sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch.

The Senate Judiciary Committee accepted the Utah Republican’s amendment to a broad immigration reform bill Monday, saying it is a financially feasible step toward a universal biometric security system at all land, air and sea port “It is a good proposal, as we all said we would love to move to a biometric system but we have to make sure it works,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who supported Hatch’s plan, characterizing it as a compromise.

It didn’t satisfy some Republicans, led by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who argue for a biometric exit system at all airports, border crossings and ports within a year or two after the bill becomes law, saying that the cost is just “an excuse.”

The United States now collects fingerprints from foreigners traveling to the country at consulates and embassies, but doesn’t do so when they leave.

The immigration bill, sponsored by four Republicans and four Democrats, would immediately require the government to scan visas and passports for those leaving the nation.

Hatch’s amendment would give the Transportation Security Administration two years to set up the new fingerprint system at the 10 busiest international airports, including those in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Then, three years later, Homeland Security would study the effectiveness of the program and, unless Congress acts, the biometric data would extend to another 20 international airports, including Salt Lake City’s.

Those top 10 airports account for 70 percent of the international travel by foreigners, according to 2011 data from the Department of Transportation.

The TSA would collect fingerprints or other biometric data, like an iris scan, only from foreign nationals.

Colorado River Slows

When the original total allocation of the river was set in the 1920s, it was far above regional consumption. But it was also more than the river could supply in the long term. The river was divided based on an estimated annual flow of roughly 21 billion cubic meters per year. More recent studies have indicated that the 20th century, and especially the 1920s, was a time of above-normal flows. These studies indicate that the long-term average of flow is closer to 18 billion cubic meters, with yearly flows ranging anywhere from roughly 6 billion cubic meters to nearly 25 billion cubic meters. As utilization has increased, the deficit between flow and allocation has become more apparent.

Total allocations of river resources for the Upper and Lower basins and Mexico plus water lost to evaporation adds up to more than 21 billion cubic meters per year. Currently, the Upper Basin does not use the full portion of its allocation, and large reservoirs along the river can help meet the demand of the Lower Basin. Populations in the region are expected to increase; in some states, the population could double by 2030. A study released at the end of 2012 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation predicted a possible shortage of 3 billion cubic meters by 2035.

The Colorado River provides water for irrigation of roughly 15 percent of the crops in the United States, including vegetables, fruits, cotton, alfalfa and hay. It also provides municipal water supplies for large cities, such as Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas, accounting for more than half of the water supply in many of these areas. Minute 319, signed in November 2012, gives Mexico a small amount of additional water in an attempt to restore the delta region. However, the macroeconomic impact on Mexico is minimal, since agriculture accounts for the majority of the river’s use in Mexico but only about 3 percent of the gross domestic product of the Baja Norte province.

There is an imbalance of power along the international border. The United States controls the headwaters of the Colorado River and also has a greater macroeconomic interest in maintaining the supply of water from the river. This can make individual amendments of the 1944 Treaty somewhat misleading. Because of the erratic nature of the river, the treaty effectively promises more water than the river can provide each year. Cooperation in conservation efforts and in finding alternative water sources on the U.S. side of the border, not treaty amendments, will become increasingly important as regional water use increases over the coming decades.

Read more: U.S., Mexico: The Decline of the Colorado River | Stratfor

Otay Mesa Crossing Map

The Otay Mesa border crossing has become very popular for several reasons.  It lacks the character of the San Ysidro/Tijuana crossing.  It does not have the congestion of Tijuana.  The Blvd 2000 highway access avoids most of TJ’s traffic.

Otay is also a great crossing for SENTRI pass holders hauling visitors back north.  Able bodies visitors can walk the 200 yds of the pedestrian crossing and meet their drivers at one of several restaurants just across the border.  The PED X-ing at Otay is usually a fraction of the wait as the PED X-ing at Tijuana/San Ysidro.  Map for PED and driver meetup is photo #6 below.  Friend suggests Erik’s Deli for meetup on USA side of Otay for good coffee, food, wifi.

When I Otay,  I  use the Free Road at North Rosarito(exit Hwy1 just after the Commercial Mexicana).  7 Miles after exiting Hwy 1 is a well-signed right turn to AEROPUERTO.  7 more miles and good signage to “GARITA OTAY/AEROPUERTO” and you reach the Otay Mesa crossing.

The only negative that I find with Otay Mesa is that the Ready Lane program has made this crossing  as congested as San Ysidro during rush hour.  There are many times during the week when the regular lanes are faster than the Ready Lanes.

That and maybe the food choices at Otay aren’t as much fun as TJ.

Click on photos below to enlarge.

         

Baja Border Map

San Ysidro Ready Lane Map

San Ysidro Ready Lane Map, or how to get lost in Tijuana!  If my map confuses you, please blame the clusterfluff of Tijuana and not my map-making skills.  Constructed this map for visitors and forgot to publicize earlier.

CBP Ready Lane ID Requirement  If you have a passport CARD, that works for Ready Lane.  Unfortunately, the newish RFID passport BOOKS do NOT qualify for READY LANE.

With all of the construction and changes at the San Ysidro Border Crossing(Tijuana), please beware that these instructions could change at the whim of Customs and Border Patrol(CBP) and/or the city of Tijuana.  That is why I’m including all of the options around the border.  Traffic, blocked off roads and some holiday celebrations can put you in for a long day if you don’t know how to navigate Tijuana.

If you really need to escape TJ from here, PASEO CENTENARIO or PADRE KINO SOUTH(RIGHT) will get you to the AIRPORT and/or the OTAY MESA BORDER CROSSING.

During my crossing this week, I decided to try the PADRE KINO entry to the San Ysidro Ready Lanes.  They were blocked off, so I did the Col Federal loop and U-turn at the bus station(photo #7).  This route spits you out onto PASEO CENTENARIO, MHG roundabout and on to VIA RAPIDA ORIENTE entry to READY LANES.  Thanks to Baja Bound Insurance for their video and photo tour of this routing.

My READY LANE preferences from the Calle Segunda border approach Decision Point are the VRP  and PASEO de LOS HEROES options.   Photo below(photo 1 on map) give you the choice of 4 lanes to do your thing.

San Ysidro Border Approach Lanes

For the Via Rapida Poniente(VRP) option, see the Photo #2 below.  It is the right turn after 1/2 mile from the 4 lane Decision Point that will take you to the Scissors U-turn.

For the Heroes option, take PASEO de LOS HEROES lane at Decision Point 1/2 mile to Scissors.

    

Photo #5 above shows the route to VRO(along the side of the bridge) 200 yds after the Miguel Hidalgo Glorieta(MHG).  Photo #6 puts you at the Nissan dealer right turn to VRO.  BE CERTAIN to merge left ASAP after the Nissan right turn to access the READY LANES.    Miss this merge left and you’ll have to circle back on PASEO CENTENARIO to MHG for a second attempt.  Click any of the 4 photos to enlarge them.  Photo #s in top left corner correspond to locations on San Ysidro Ready Lane Map.

My Thursday 10AM crossing wait was 35 minutes.  One surprise was that at about 200 yards from the guard shacks, the SENTRI LANES had open access to merge with a READY LANE.  Hmmm, that may tempt me on my next READY LANE crossing.

I have mucho experiencia at the sport known as struggling through traffic in TJ and am happy to share.

SAN YSIDRO CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

Editor’s note: Mexico’s “El Chaparral” entry point at Tijuana, opened Nov 1 2012, has proved to be a much improved and efficient entry into Mexico.  The USA side of the project is on a much bigger scale, but, we’ll still give them a solid “B’ grade on keeping the border crossing moving during construction. 

U.S. General Services Administration Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini announced Wednesday that the GSA is requesting $226 million this year for the third phase of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. It would create a new southbound connection to Mexico from Interstate 5 and would “provide 17 additional northbound primary inspection booths.”

In a conference call with journalists, Tangherlini later said a start and end date on finishing the project will depend on if and when Congress approves funding Phase 3.  He said the current facility, built in 1973, no longer is adequate.

He said Phase 3 would leapfrog Phase 2 of the project, which would then be completed later. “We’re going to switch Phase 3 with Phase 2, so we should probably name them differently,” he said.

He said funding the $226 million for Phase 3 still would leave Phase 2 unfunded, and that the entire project would still would need about $250 million in funding to be completed.

He said this would put the total estimated cost of the project at $731 million.

A GSA media release said the following:
Investing in Border Infrastructure and Modernization:
The Budget includes two border crossing and inspection projects that will promote economic growth and national security. This includes a $226 million request for work on Phase 3 of the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Southern California, the busiest border crossing in the world.  Phase 3 creates a new southbound connection to Mexico with inspection facilities and will provide 17 additional northbound primary inspection booths.
GSA is also requesting $61 million to expand and modernize the U.S. Land Port of Entry facilities at the Port of Laredo in Laredo, Texas. These investments will increase efficiency, create economic growth, and improve safety and security for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
These are critical investments in infrastructure that will create significant savings by preventing costly emergency repairs in the future and build upon our progress.
*****

Construction and the changes at the port are continuing. They have necessitated changing the Sentri fast-pass lanes this week (Story, Frontera, PDF). A construction break that opened 23 lanes to traffic this past weekend instead of 17 greatly reduced wait times; officials are hopeful that such reduced times will be permanent once all the work is finished on the project in the next few years. Story, U-T San Diego.

complete article

Bringing Back Wine from Mexico

Editor’s note:  See green highlight section below for those of us with non-California driver’s license.  This make me very proud to be a Coloradan.  And, I have become a very popular Vino Bandito in Baja due to this regulation.

Importing Alcoholic Beverages For Personal Or Household Use

Introduction

This article summarizes the law on bringing alcoholic beverages into California.

Adults (persons age 21 or older) who bring alcoholic beverages into California for commercial or business purposes must be licensed by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Adults who bring alcoholic beverages into California for personal or household use do not need an alcoholic beverage license; however, some restrictions do apply, as explained below (Section 23661 Business and Professions Code).

Returning from a Foreign Country

Alcoholic beverages must accompany the returning traveler and may not be shipped to California at a later date.

• Travel by Steamship or Airplane Adults traveling into California from a foreign country by steamship or airplane may bring with them a reasonable amount of alcoholic beverages for personal or household use. A reasonable amount is not more than 60 liters (approximately five cases). (ABC agreement with U.S. Customs)

• Returning from MexicoSection 23661 of the CA Business and Professions Code limits the quantity of alcohol brought into California from Mexico for personal or household use as follows:
  • A pedestrian crossing the international border on foot may bring in only the amount of alcoholic beverages which are exempt from payment of duty in accordance with the existing provision of federal law (currently, this is one-liter every 31 days). Note: This limit applies to all persons regardless of state or country of residence. No waivers are available.
  • A California resident crossing the international border in a vehicle that is not a common carrier may bring in only the amount of alcoholic beverages which are exempt from payment of duty in accordance with the existing provisions of federal law (currently, this is one-liter every 31 days).
  • Non-California residents crossing the international border in a vehicle that is not a common carrier can bring with them a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages (up to five cases or 60 liters) provided the beverages are for personal or household use.  8)
  • A California resident or any other person crossing the international border via common carrier may bring in a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages (up to five cases or 60 liters) provided the beverages are for personal or household use.
  • No person under 21 years of age may bring in any quantity of alcoholic beverages.

  For the purpose of Section 23661 “common carriers” are steamship companies and railroads, or any persons who hold themselves out to the general public to transport in interstate or foreign commerce any class or classes of passengers or property, or both, for compensation by air or highway, who actually engage in such transportation, and who hold an interstate alcoholic beverage transporter’s permit as required by Section 32109 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

  Persons who transport only property owned or consigned to themselves shall not be deemed to be common carriers within the meaning of this section.It should be noted that “common carriers” do not include taxicabs or sightseeing buses crossing the international border.

California ABC website

Border Wait Times

We first posted this news in January 2013, thanks to our friends at Baja Bound Insurance. We now have a link to it on our “page” banner at top of our site AND have this photo…

in our left hand column of links. Click on the photo to link to the BORDER WAIT TIME SITE. ALL Mexico and Canadian border crossing into the USA are included on the site. For those of us Baja Amigos, the Andrade, San Ysidro/Tijuan, Otay, Tecate and Calexico/Mexicali crossing are in the California drop down menu.

My recent experiences with the site prove that the ANNOUNCED wait times, thanks to our Department of Homeland Security, are very inaccurate. DHS/CBP usually understates the wait time by HALF. For those of you with SMARTPHONES, you can provide YOURVERYOWN wait time experience. The more feedback travelers provide, the more accurate wait time prediction we will all have. THANKS FOR SHARING! For your mental health, NEVER cross on a Sunday after 8AM OR Monday morning. Frequent travelers should get the SENTRI pass to avoid all of the madness.

Features of the mobile app:

• Current wait times for passenger lanes – regular lanes, Ready lanes, and SENTRI

• Information available for California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas crossings

• Current U.S. border wait times – as reported by Customs and Border Protection

• iReport feature – User reported wait times in real time

• Typical wait – average historical wait time for this day and time over the past 3 months

• Number of lanes open at every port

• Last update – Information is updated hourly

• View the best times to cross the border via historical graphs

• Set your default start screen to your most used border crossing

• The free app is downloadable from Google Play for Android and iTunes App Store for iPhone

website

Baja border crossing option map

Our staff of cartographers has put together this map to show the 3 most popular SoCal crossings and how to get to/fro each of them.

Tecate Border Crossing Map

Last week, our taco shop explorers recommended some Tecate Taco Shops.   We have updated our map and included the not-so-easy-to-figger-out border crossing north.

……………

Guests from last week requested an ez map to head north at Tecate.  The “Ultimo” east Tecate exit on the Mex Hwy 2D toll road from Tijuana to Tecate gets you on Mex Hwy 3 headed toward the border.  After about 10 to 12 stop signs and traffic lights in a 1 mile stretch, you will see the baseball stadium on your right.  Take that right turn.  in one quarter mile you will see a small sign to USA/SAN Diego prompting your soft left turn that will lead you north to marge with Benito Juarez Ave.  Continue east and you will quickly come to a traffic light intersection.  Turn left/north and you will run into the fence that is the USA/MEX border.

If in the waiting line at this spot, you have approximately a 1 hour wait to cross the border.

After your exciting visit with Homeland Security,  approx 1 mile north of the crossing, will get you to state route 94.  East/righton 94 will lead you to I-8 east in approx 40 miles at Jacumba.

West/left on 94 will lead you to Spring Valley and the east suburbs of San Diego in approx 30 miles.  At Spring Valley, turn left to get to get to hwy 125 and all of San Diego’s suburbs.

There is also a road from 94 West that will lead you to Otay Lakes/Eastlake.   It’s approx 40 minute drive from the Tecate crossing to Eastlake.

La Mision Restaurant, Tecate

Any other recommendations for food in Tecate???

Tecate Border Wait Time Site 

fyi, this site also allows feedback via smartphone app.  April 1 Tecate report on the site had “20 minute wait”.  My guests, crossing north on April 1, experienced 47 minutes.  That was not bad for the Monday after Easter.

Tecate Border Map

Ensenada Pothole Update

Our traffic and road reporters are happy to update you on the pothole patching of Mex Highway 1(Reforma Ave) south of Chapultepec to Maneadero.

That 3 mile stretch is full of potholes and has caused countless accidents due to cars swerving to avoid being gobbled up by the potholes(baches en español).  See map below.

Thankfully, a contractor has been cutting out the crumbling pavement and patching with new asphalt.  Hoping that there is still money available to complete the work.  Subjectively guessing that approximately 50% of the work has been completed.

Strongly suggest extra care when driving Reforma Ave/Hwy 1 from the hill that descends into the agricultural valley through the Baja Country Club exit and into Maneadero.

Adopta un Bache Facebook Page

Ensenada Zona de los baches grandes

 

 

 

Tecate Taco Shops

Taqueria Los Arcos, Tecate

 

by Angelenobry

If you are ever 30 min from Tecate, Mexico hop over the border for some tacos. I used my Hidden Baja tour guide to refer me to two taco stands:
• Taqueria Los Amigos (on the North East corner of Hidalgo and Rubio)
• Taqueria Los Arcos (on the south side of Juarez just east of Rubio, there is a bus stop right in front of it)

I ordered two Carne Asada tacos from Los Amigos. They are compact and wound tightly into individual paper and aluminum foil wrappings. Burst of flavor. Right-sized.

Next we went to Los Arcos. Here I ordered a Carne Asada, an Adobado Pork, and a Cheese Quesadilla.

The Carne Asada was more tender and moist then Los Amigos. The Adobado Pork was even more outrageously delicious. The cheese quesadilla couldn’t compete with those two other stars but finished me off so I was not hungry the rest of the drive home back to Los Angeles.

Taqueria Los Amigos, Tecate

Editor’s note:  Los Arcos and Los Amigos are a few steps east from the Park, a few blocks south of the border.  Rubio is the street framing the east side of the Park.  Seems like I’m usually rushing through Tecate.  Will have to stop and smell the tacos next trip.  Any other favorite food/beverage stops in Tecate???