Brazilian with AP traveling through Mexico City Airport *WARNING*

[Dias Melhores 0]

My wife and I had to take an emergency trip to Brazil two weeks ago. She has Advance Parole. I returned before she did, so I could go back to work. She is now traveling back to Los Angeles as I type this post.

On our way down to Brazil we had to connect through Mexico City Airport. Even though our connecting flight was in the same terminal, we were required to go through Mexican Customs as "transmigrants". They gave us no hassle going down; they took a photo copy of her AP and our marriage certificate and we went to our gate.

On my wife's return, she needed to go through Mexico City Airport by herself. Customs was not so friendly to her this time. They kept her AP, Brazilian Passport and marriage certificate. They made her wait in an immigrations room. They did not allow her to go out of the room to get bottled water or food. She had a FIVE HOUR layover. Although my wife can understand Spanish, she is not fluent. The immigrations officers did not speak English nor Portuguese.

From what she could understand, they told her that they would take her to her plane before it would leave. My wife called me on a pre-paid cell phone that I gave her for any emergencies. She was very upset and scared as it was about an 1 1/2 hours before her plane would leave. I called the Airline (Aero Mexico) and begged them to help. They could not help me. They gave me the phone numbers to Aero Mexico in Mexico City as well as the Immigrations office. I called and the phone just kept ringing without anyone answering it.

Literally 10 minutes before the plane departed, they gave back her documents and escorted her to the gate. She made her flight. Dealing with this, my stomach was in knots. I can only imagine how stressed out she was.

I know that the Mexican Government requires Brazilian citizens to obtain a visas to travel to Mexico. However, she was traveling as a "transmigrant". Not only that, she had Advance Parole and EAD from the US Government. It was obvious that she was simply changing planes to make a connecting flight. Why would the Mexican Immigrations treat her in this manner?

One things for sure... We will scratch Mexico off our list of places to vacation (or change planes matter). Thanks, Mexico, for your hospitality...

Edited September 24, 2008 by Dias Melhores

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Oh man, that totally sux - I am so sorry. Perhaps it was because she doesn't have her green card yet?

I've heard that happens not only in Mexico --- some countries have "passengers in transit with no visa" lounges like the one you described.

[Dias Melhores 0]

Oh man, that totally sux - I am so sorry. Perhaps it was because she doesn't have her green card yet?

I've heard that happens not only in Mexico --- some countries have "passengers in transit with no visa" lounges like the one you described.

Thanks for the feedback. From the way she described it to me, the room was very uncomfortable and dirty. No bottled water or food available. Add a five hour layover to the equation and it makes a pretty God awful place to be stuck...

[Maad 0]

Oh man, that totally sux - I am so sorry. Perhaps it was because she doesn't have her green card yet?

I've heard that happens not only in Mexico --- some countries have "passengers in transit with no visa" lounges like the one you described.

Thanks for the feedback. From the way she described it to me, the room was very uncomfortable and dirty. No bottled water or food available. Add a five hour layover to the equation and it makes a pretty God awful place to be stuck...

Some countries do require a transit visa for citizens of some other countries...

E.g for me if I'd like to go somewhere changing planes in China I must have a transit visa. Otherwise I most certainly experience some of the "hospitality".

Apparently that's the issue for Brasilians in Mexico

[Dias Melhores 0]

Oh man, that totally sux - I am so sorry. Perhaps it was because she doesn't have her green card yet?

I've heard that happens not only in Mexico --- some countries have "passengers in transit with no visa" lounges like the one you described.

Thanks for the feedback. From the way she described it to me, the room was very uncomfortable and dirty. No bottled water or food available. Add a five hour layover to the equation and it makes a pretty God awful place to be stuck...

Some countries do require a transit visa for citizens of some other countries...

E.g for me if I'd like to go somewhere changing planes in China I must have a transit visa. Otherwise I most certainly experience some of the "hospitality".

Apparently that's the issue for Brasilians in Mexico

I can understand the transit visa requirement. However, my wife had her Employment Authorization Card as well as her Advance Parole Certificate. Why in the world would they detain her? Do they think she is going to flee into Mexico when she has a connecting flight and all the permission necessary to go to re-enter the United States?

[Maad 0]

I can understand the transit visa requirement. However, my wife had her Employment Authorization Card as well as her Advance Parole Certificate. Why in the world would they detain her? Do they think she is going to flee into Mexico when she has a connecting flight and all the permission necessary to go to re-enter the United States?

well... to work for gov agency... you know, one must poses some abilities... like recognizing certain stamps...

no stamp - no go... as simple as it is..

one upon a time I made a mistake to have a pasport photo with a beard... nice short, but was there (the law allowed it)

couple years later I get rid of it... hmmmm... totally forgot about the passport

I did not have a problem going to some friendly country, staying there for 10 days..

then I had to come back....

11 hours detention at own border.. despite three other documents with proper foto..

guards changed, day shift went home, new BPO, I was free to enter my motherland

[Johnnie J 0]

Oh man, that totally sux - I am so sorry. Perhaps it was because she doesn't have her green card yet?

I've heard that happens not only in Mexico --- some countries have "passengers in transit with no visa" lounges like the one you described.

Thanks for the feedback. From the way she described it to me, the room was very uncomfortable and dirty. No bottled water or food available. Add a five hour layover to the equation and it makes a pretty God awful place to be stuck...

Alot of countries require transit visas or normal tourist visas in order to be allowed into the country. Mexico and Brazil both countries require transit visas for certain countries. The US does not allow transit passengers without a valid US visa as of 2003. So, she was lucky she was not deported back to Brazil (its generally the correct thing to do). If she was allowed to pass the first time, that must have been an error by the inmigrations officer.

So please have in mind that when you travel it is your responsability to find out what visas are required where. (gral msg)

I know about visas, because my father is a diplomat.

I'm glad your wife is back home safe and sound.

[Dias Melhores 0]

I can understand the transit visa requirement. However, my wife had her Employment Authorization Card as well as her Advance Parole Certificate. Why in the world would they detain her? Do they think she is going to flee into Mexico when she has a connecting flight and all the permission necessary to go to re-enter the United States?

well... to work for gov agency... you know, one must poses some abilities... like recognizing certain stamps...

no stamp - no go... as simple as it is..

one upon a time I made a mistake to have a pasport photo with a beard... nice short, but was there (the law allowed it)

couple years later I get rid of it... hmmmm... totally forgot about the passport

I did not have a problem going to some friendly country, staying there for 10 days..

then I had to come back....

11 hours detention at own border.. despite three other documents with proper foto..

guards changed, day shift went home, new BPO, I was free to enter my motherland

Wow. What an awful experience!!!

[Dias Melhores 0]

Oh man, that totally sux - I am so sorry. Perhaps it was because she doesn't have her green card yet?

I've heard that happens not only in Mexico --- some countries have "passengers in transit with no visa" lounges like the one you described.

Thanks for the feedback. From the way she described it to me, the room was very uncomfortable and dirty. No bottled water or food available. Add a five hour layover to the equation and it makes a pretty God awful place to be stuck...

Alot of countries require transit visas or normal tourist visas in order to be allowed into the country. Mexico and Brazil both countries require transit visas for certain countries. The US does not allow transit passengers without a valid US visa as of 2003. So, she was lucky she was not deported back to Brazil (its generally the correct thing to do). If she was allowed to pass the first time, that must have been an error by the inmigrations officer.

So please have in mind that when you travel it is your responsability to find out what visas are required where. (gral msg)

I know about visas, because my father is a diplomat.

I'm glad your wife is back home safe and sound.

Thanks for the information and feedback. I'm glad they let her get on the plane to go back to the US. The next time we will try to avoid passing through other countries. Thanks again!

Edited September 25, 2008 by Dias Melhores

[ScottnCati 0]

My wife and I had to take an emergency trip to Brazil two weeks ago. She has Advance Parole. I returned before she did, so I could go back to work. She is now traveling back to Los Angeles as I type this post.

On our way down to Brazil we had to connect through Mexico City Airport. Even though our connecting flight was in the same terminal, we were required to go through Mexican Customs as "transmigrants". They gave us no hassle going down; they took a photo copy of her AP and our marriage certificate and we went to our gate.

On my wife's return, she needed to go through Mexico City Airport by herself. Customs was not so friendly to her this time. They kept her AP, Brazilian Passport and marriage certificate. They made her wait in an immigrations room. They did not allow her to go out of the room to get bottled water or food. She had a FIVE HOUR layover. Although my wife can understand Spanish, she is not fluent. The immigrations officers did not speak English nor Portuguese.

From what she could understand, they told her that they would take her to her plane before it would leave. My wife called me on a pre-paid cell phone that I gave her for any emergencies. She was very upset and scared as it was about an 1 1/2 hours before her plane would leave. I called the Airline (Aero Mexico) and begged them to help. They could not help me. They gave me the phone numbers to Aero Mexico in Mexico City as well as the Immigrations office. I called and the phone just kept ringing without anyone answering it.

Literally 10 minutes before the plane departed, they gave back her documents and escorted her to the gate. She made her flight. Dealing with this, my stomach was in knots. I can only imagine how stressed out she was.

I know that the Mexican Government requires Brazilian citizens to obtain a visas to travel to Mexico. However, she was traveling as a "transmigrant". Not only that, she had Advance Parole and EAD from the US Government. It was obvious that she was simply changing planes to make a connecting flight. Why would the Mexican Immigrations treat her in this manner?

One things for sure... We will scratch Mexico off our list of places to vacation (or change planes matter). Thanks, Mexico, for your hospitality...

Same here, We'll take Mexico off our places to visit list too...We dont need the hassles from them either.

At least she is home safe now....