just a curious question that i've always wondered.
i am a united states citizen born of legally naturalized parents from mexico. so now that we're clear on that, i can proceed with the actual question.
if i tried to cross the u.s./mexican border via river & dessert (just for fun?) would that be illegal? and if i was caught, yet showed proof of citizenship, would i be off scotch-free?
its a fairly funny yet curious thing to wonder. what do you think?
(my opinion: it's illegal since i skipped the screening at the border, but i'm not quite sure. please note that i am not actually attempting to do this.)
2007-08-15 12:58:08 · 15 answers · asked by sdavila19 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
sorry i didn't add this earlier. i am hypothetically crossing INTO america as a citizen of the u.s.
2007-08-15 13:09:06 · update #1
Whichever way you're going, you're entering a country illegally. The legal way is through the Customs checkpoint.
2007-08-15 13:04:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Crossing the border into the US from Mexico isn't illegal, you going into Mexico that is another issue. Now that I cleared that up, your hypothetical question.
You would probably get rather strange stares from the border patrol after you show them your US ID, then they'd probably offer you some water and finally hand you some ad on pool contractors. Only some really desperate person would consider go swimming in the Rio Grand. It is really nasty. lol
2007-08-15 20:36:00 · answer #2 · answered by wild4gypsy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think it would be illegal to do it. I mean if you are legally a US Citizen then you should be able to cross or come into the country anyway you want to. The only think that might be illegal is if you had some kind of illegal things on you then it could be lol!
2007-08-15 22:28:24 · answer #3 · answered by <Carol> 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should at least be a misdemeanor. People who skip the check points are usually doing it because they can't get in legally. So if you are trying to bypass the check points "just for fun" you are going to be wasting the efforts of border patrol agents and distracting them from possibly catching a drug dealer or human trafficker (slave trader)
Most people want to create sympathy for the poor immigrants who just want to get jobs ignore the fact that there are some very serious scumbags out in the dessert. The border must be secured to only allow legal immigrants, once done we can talk about guest worker programs in a controlled manner.
2007-08-15 20:39:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Crossing the border at any point other than an authorized border entry is illegal, regardless of whether you are a citizen or not.
While you would not be held for deportation, you could be held for breaking the law. I don't imagine that the Border Patrol or the Federal Court would very happy with you for wasting their precious time and taxpayer money.
2007-08-15 20:05:25 · answer #5 · answered by Big Jon 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sergio, please just be joking about that. I would think that it would be illegal for you to do that because you didn't cross at a proper place and have your documents checked. Also, if you were caught, I would hope to God that it was by a US patrol and not Mexican. If not, you probably would be robbed, and worse.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, in to America. Well, probably still illegal because you didn't have your papers checked, and there was a record of your leaving the country for Mexico, but nothing stating you came back. Thanks for the interesting question.
2007-08-15 22:53:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are breaking the law regardless.
Try crossing the border close to a checkpoint...scale the fence "just for fun" in full view of officials...and see what happens...You wouldn't be deported, but what you did was still a crime and you would face the consequences. Try this in some countries and you will be shot. "just for fun" you know.
2007-08-15 20:05:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
i think its illegal because you bypass border control and US customs. you are still a citizen and all, you just might get in trouble and they might arrest you thinking you are trying to smuggle something over the border.
2007-08-15 22:14:36 · answer #8 · answered by jessica39 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it would be illegal. You need to go through the checkpoint. What you are proposing is equal to landing at an airport and walking straight past customs without going through the line and answering their questions.
2007-08-15 20:08:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Your problem would be with the Mexican government and they have a zero tolerance policy towards Illegal Immigration!
2007-08-15 20:05:40 · answer #10 · answered by Stormchaser 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋