Traveling to US on tourist visa during coronavirus

[Nataly222 0]

Hi all I’m not sure if this has been answered before, has anyone noticed any exceptions to the ban on non essential travel? Specifically Mexico- USA 

 

my husband and his uncle are bringing back his grandmother from Mexico this week. Her husband passed away about a week and a half ago and due to obvious reasons she is not emotionally stable, they do not want to leave her in Mexico right now they believe she needs to be in the USA with her extended family over here. she has a valid tourist visa and will be taking a note from her doctor I’m assuming her husbands death certificate etc anything that might help her case. She will be crossing at the CBX in Tijuana to fly from the San Diego airport 

 

my question is has anyone heard of a CBP officer making an exception like this, travel northbound is currently only for citizens and residents due to coronavirus travel bans. I feel like they USUALLY have discretion to all that but I’m not sure in this case. Looking for a little glimmer of hope 

[Crazy Cat 41,888]

Unless I am missing something, I see no exemption in which she would be allowed to enter......

 

https://mx.usembassy.gov/travel-restrictions-fact-sheet/

 

COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions across the U.S. Borders with Canada and Mexico

• The United States will temporarily limit inbound land border crossings from Canada and Mexico to “essential travel”. 
• This action does not prevent U.S. citizens from returning home. 
• These restrictions are temporary and went into effect on March 21, 2020. They will remain in effect through 11:59 pm on June 22, 2020.  This decision has been coordinated with the Governments of Mexico and Canada.

 

• The following categories do not fall within the definition of “essential travel:” 
  • Individuals traveling for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events in the United States.

 

• Who is considered an “essential” traveler? 
  • Citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States.
  • Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States).
  • Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions.
  • Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada or Mexico in furtherance of such work).
  • Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies).
  • Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada and Mexico).
  • Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel.
  • Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

 

• The United States is coordinating closely with Canada and Mexico to protect our citizens while minimizing adverse economic impacts.

Edited May 25, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Just Paul 4,595]

25 minutes ago, Nataly222 said:

She will be crossing at the CBX in Tijuana to fly from the San Diego airport 

CBX is considered a land crossing.  It isn't funded via the airline fees.

 

For northbound travel you have to be flying into Tijuana.  The best way would be for her to fly into the US from the first or a connecting airport.

 

 

[NikLR 13,227]

But to be honest she may be denied entry as there may be intent to immigrate. Im so sorry for her loss. It must be heartbreaking for your family. 

Edited May 25, 2020 by NikLR

[NikLR 13,227]

Duplicate

Edited May 25, 2020 by NikLR