POE by bus/car Mexico/US border

[E&K 0]

I'm still in the process of getting my K1 visa, so I don't know how they would react to it. My experience is from applying for regular I-94's to travel beyond the border area. I did ask a few agents about it some months ago while crossing the bridge with my laser visa for a few hours visit, and they had no clue of what it was. They even told me it was a multiple entry visa

[VivaMexico 0]

We crossed by car in Nogales, Arizona, and they knew what the K1 was, even though they see very, very few of them. We crossed at about 10p.m., so it was not busy at all, and we had a very good experience. The agent was a little confused about where to send the packet, but after he figured it out we were on our way. They didn't even check what we had in the car! they were very kind and professional. Suerte

[karakmitchell 0]

Thanks for the border crossing info. If anyone has experiences specific to Reynosa, feel free to share! Gracias...

[Iowaguy 0]

In addition to information about the Hildalgo/Reynosa crossing, are there other nearby crossings that are better? (Pharr/Reynosa, Brownsville/Matamoros, Roma or Laredo?) Or is it just better to fly in to the US? I would be with my fiancee if we crossed at the border but I may not be able to fly in with her? What would be best?

[TBoneTX 45,469]

In addition to information about the Hildalgo/Reynosa crossing, are there other nearby crossings that are better? (Pharr/Reynosa, Brownsville/Matamoros, Roma or Laredo?) Or is it just better to fly in to the US? I would be with my fiancee if we crossed at the border but I may not be able to fly in with her? What would be best?

I can't speak to any knowledge of K-1 visas at any of the crossings, but I have gone across each border-crossing at least once in collection of material for a tourist book (being written). These are my experiences as a solo crosser (almost always by foot, because I parked on the U.S. side and walked across & back... and these are not totally in geographical order and they are from memory):

Ojinaga/Presidio: Tough, and too far from anything. Agents admitted to me "we see a lot of weird stuff here." Traffic backs up from the Mexican side for a 60- to 90-minute wait, except perhaps as evening approaches.

Cd. Acuna/Del Rio: A LOT of traffic from Mexico, but the best-run, most respectful crossing in Texas. Go midweek, perhaps wait awhile in traffic, and you should be in great shape.

Piedras Negras/Eagle Pass: One ugly city into another, with agents' attitudes to match. The local sheriff's deputies do not recognize the U.S. Constitution in any manner or form. Avoid like the plague.

Nuevo Laredo/Laredo: Large, fully staffed U.S. post; they should know their stuff. Traffic may be terrible from the Mexican side, because Nuevo Laredo is back in business after two years of horrible economic suffering. Go through here on a midweek day, if possible.

Cd. Miguel Aleman/Roma: Mean, jaded agents; cramped, ugly border facilities. Average traffic for a smaller crossing.

Cd. Camargo/Rio Grande City: Agents seem sharp; good border facility for interviewing; NEVER any traffic. (Definitely visit Camargo -- charming town.)

Gustavo Diaz Ordaz/Los Ebanos: The last hand-drawn ferry on the border! Closed during floods. Two cars & 10 pedestrians fit on each ferry. This would be a unique place to cross (you'd have great stories for your grandkids!), although the U.S. facility is tiny. The agents rotate among other posts (Roma, RGC) and should know their stuff, though. Caution: This crossing is CLOSED when the river floods, so call ahead if you plan to try it.

Pharr/Reynosa: I hate it -- dreary treatment from bored agents who may be in a "mood." Also, traffic from the Mexican side is typically backed up for MILES.

Hidalgo/Reynosa: Decent treatment, but traffic can really back up. You can do far better.

Los Indios Free-Trade Bridge: I've never experienced it; try a town-to-town crossing instead.

Nuevo Progreso/Progreso: Nuevo Progreso is the best tourist town (shopping, pharmacies, dentists, et al.) over the Texas/Mexico border. Expect at least moderate traffic on the Mexican side if on a weekend. Very well-run, polite, thorough border station.

Matamoros/Brownsville: Big, and certainly prepared to deal with K-1s, but the traffic from Mexico (you'd take the Gateway Bridge, if I recall) would be daunting.

Apologies if I've forgotten any Rio Grande Valley crossings. I would try one of the smaller ones. See this link, where you can click for phone numbers and (important!) hours of operation of the various POEs: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/tx/

Call ahead (especially to any of the smaller POEs) to let them know that you're coming; they'll appreciate it, because they can prepare and you're not blindsiding them.

Let me know if this helps.

[Iowaguy 0]

Thanks for the border crossing information. That is very useful.

[TBoneTX 45,469]

Thanks for the border crossing information. That is very useful.

Welcome, si man. Be sure to let me (us) know which you tried, and how things went!

[J & N 0]

I'm planning on using the Pharr/Reynosa POE. My fiancee will be going through at night and on a weekday so there's less traffic, but before 10PM since they close at that time. I chose this POE over Hidalgo/Reynosa since the office at Pharr is far less busy. Being such a long bridge, there are virtually no pedestrians. I'll be sure to give them a head's up though, since we'll be going through so close to closing time.

[TBoneTX 45,469]

I'm planning on using the Pharr/Reynosa POE. My fiancee will be going through at night and on a weekday so there's less traffic, but before 10PM since they close at that time. I chose this POE over Hidalgo/Reynosa since the office at Pharr is far less busy. Being such a long bridge, there are virtually no pedestrians. I'll be sure to give them a head's up though, since we'll be going through so close to closing time.

Sounds like a decent plan, if you can be sure about the traffic! What I observed was probably the worst anywhere along the Mex-Tex border, except perhaps in Cd. Juarez. It's a great idea to call ahead to them, and your presence will likely mean a lot. Let us know what happens!