We have never had to stop at one of these checkpoints.....have always been waved through before I even get a chance to stop. Maybe its my Canadian license plates....dunno.

As a native of Southern New Mexico and West Texas, I've been transiting these checkpoints for almost 50 years (I'm older than that, but didn't start driving at birth...). I have NEVER had to come to a full stop - even when pulling the RV. They just ask for citizenship and wave us on. In the '70s when I was stationed in Texas and traveled to Las Cruces for holidays, etc, I always had my .45 revolver in the car. Heading back east, I would just put it up on the dashboard when approaching the BP checkpoint so they could see it... was still just asked for citizenship and waved on. The firearms thing may have changed a bit since 9/11 (and I didn't have a CCP in those days).

The only time I was ever hassled a little at a border crossing was going into Canada when a birth certificate was all that was required. The Canadian customs official didn't know what to make of my antique New Mexico birth certificate (white on black like an old blueprint) with all locations being Spanish names. He got kinda mean when I informed him that NM was part of the U.S... On the way back, the USBP agent was a Mexican-American from the Rio Grande valley. He'd been sent up there TDY and was homesick. He wanted to hold up traffic and talk about home!

Rob

Howdy,

We had an "interesting" experience with a fixed CBP checkpoint a few years ago, when driving in South Arizona (between Ajo and Organ Pipes National Park, if memory serves).

We slowed to a crawl right next to the officer who was doing the checking, but as he didn't sign for us to stop or anything, we just kept going through. He yelled "STOP!" and slapped the side of the motorhome, and we immediately stopped, and got a lecture on "you must always stop, never run through a checkpoint". We apologized and answered some questions, provided him with our passports, waited while he went somewhere to check them, then answered a few more questions and were sent on our way.

So, the lesson is to always stop by the officer, don't wait for him to sign for you to stop.

Cheers,

--

Vall.

At times there is confusion along the AZ-CA border as to which entity they are stopping for - California inspections or Border Patrol. You always stop for the Border Patrol, but often one is just waved through the CA inspection station, we've even been through when no one is there. But just assume you are going to stop and unless obviously waved through, come to a stop, then move forward if no one is there.

Barb

I have found it much easier if I'm the one who initiates the conversation. I've come to the conclusion that they really don't care where you've been. They just ask that question to get you talking. They want to ascertain your command of the english language.

Jim

i read a lot here where people say do worry about your rights.

dont care about your birth rights, then they will be taken from you.

there is a differnce betwen a birth right and a privlage.

as for the dogs.  a border agent can just say the dog "hit" on something, even when it did not.

the probal cause search is way over used.

we do have the freedom to travel unmolested within this country.

sure say yes/no but answer NO other questions. give non direct answers.

not saying be like those posting on the web. but you are not required to answer the intergations.

You resurrected a 4 month old post to give that lousy advice? Wow.  

  On 1/14/2018 at 10:58 PM, Big5er said:

Wow. 

I read the post 3 times but am still not sure what he was saying........

  On 1/14/2018 at 11:03 PM, Kirk Wood said:

I read the post 3 times but am still not sure what he was saying........

LOL  I almost spewed my Dr. Pepper on the screen. Thanks for the laugh Kirk.

I used this term in a PM recently.  I think he may be getting some of his legal advice from the "3rd toilet from the left"  or maybe youtube.  I applaud that he is at least considering things but hope he keeps and open mind and not be blinded by retoric.

I remember when there were check points go into Ark from Texas to check for plants mostly cotten I think. Used to be common in a lot of places.