Here's What You Need to Know About Traveling to Mexico Over the Memorial Day Weekend

LAREDO — As Memorial Day weekend approaches and the public begins to embark on summer travel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Laredo Field Office is recommending that travelers apply for tourist permits online and consult Border Wait Times on www.cbp.gov to minimize trip delays.

“Good preparation is key to a successful summer travel plan and applying for I-94 tourist permits online using the CBP One mobile app and consulting border wait times on www.cbp.gov  to pick the international bridge with the least amount of wait time makes perfect sense,” said Director of Field Operations Randy J. Howe, Laredo Field Office.  “We strongly encourage travelers to avail themselves of these time-saving tips to make the most out of their summer travel experience.”

The South Texas ports of entry implement a variety of effective measures to facilitate a smooth, orderly traffic flow, including encouragement to file tourist permit applications electronically via CBP One and expanded processing hours where possible.

Travel by noncitizens with valid entry documents for nonessential reasons at land border ports of entry resumed on Nov. 8, 2021. At the time, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminded these travelers to be prepared to (1) provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website; and (2) verbally attest to their reason for travel and COVID-19 vaccination status during a border inspection.

Returning U.S. citizens and lawful permanent U.S. residents are exempted from this requirement.

U.S. citizens are reminded to bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid U.S. passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, Enhanced Driver’s License, or Enhanced Tribal Card, when re-entering the United States and should be prepared to present a WHTI-compliant document if requested by a CBP Officer during a border inspection. Any non-citizen attempting to enter the United States through illegal means or without appropriate documentation may be subject to expulsion or removal.

CBP encourages all travelers to have their WHTI-compliant entry documents in hand as they approach primary inspection booths and to declare all agricultural items, liquor, and currency or monetary instruments in excess of $10,000.

To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of facial biometrics and the CBP One™, which is a single portal for CBP mobile applications and services.

Members of the traveling public can monitor Border Wait Times via this link or also obtain the BWT app on their smartphone via Apple App Store and Google Play  so that they can observe the wait times and make an informed decision on which bridge to use. These wait times are updated on an hourly basis.

Also to avoid any potential delays or fines due to travelers bringing prohibited/restricted agricultural items, CBP encourages travelers to declare all agricultural items to a CBP officer upon arrival and before making their journey to consult the Know Before You Go guide at the following link.