Border checkpoints to consider in trip planning

[sheridany]

A good friend called me yesterday about visiting Sierra Blanca, TX, heading to the East Coast. Coming out of El Paso, you run right into this checkpoint, and he said to be sure you have your firearms adequately secured, and if they decided to have you pull over so they can inspect, you could be there for a long time, some as long as five hours while they search. He said they also have drug-sniffing dogs often, and if you have something illegal, you could be in for a world of hurt for that violation. It is a famous place for celebrities like Snoop Dog and Willie Nelson, who both got hammered at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint.

Ironically, there is a list of known border checkpoints.

Routes to Avoid - Border Patrol Checkpoints - Google My Maps

These are known locations of known border patrol checkpoints some are permanent and some are temporary; these can be placed along stretches of highway near the border zone.

www.google.com

 

[LMHS]

There's also a border patrol checkpoint north of Las Cruces (NM) on I-25. I thought it was a bit far inland for a "border" checkpoint. Not that NM gives a flying fig about borders. The more illegals they have to sell, the happier they are. At least the local gangs have slacked off kidnapping young boys and girls for sex trafficking. Still happens but not quite as often.

 

[Neal]

If you have to avoid a border control checkpoint....jus'sayin...

 

[AbdRahim]

I just avoid crossing borders. If I have to, I will get a rental.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

There are border checkpoints on almost all the major highways coming out of Big Bend and they always have dogs walk around the motorhome. I've always been asked how many passengers and where are we going. Great bunch of men and women trying to do a thankless job. Oh, several years ago I learned quickly to not tell them my dog is better than their dog. Nothing happened he just didn't think it was funny. Also, I know they aren't profiling, yeah sure, but I always take my sunglasses off.

 

[TheLooks]

I just avoid crossing borders. If I have to, I will get a rental.

They are not set up on borders. They are completely within the US and on major routes. Your papers citizen......

 

[rv4travlin]

We drove through the Las Cruces check point last spring. He just waved us through.

 

[J&JD]

We drove through the Las Cruces check point last spring. He just waved us through.

We went through that one last year too. No issues, just asked where we were coming from. I had never been through one before. Crazy to see all the cameras, dogs, etc. Judy D

 

[TheLooks]

Why bother when they are just flying and bussing them all over the country?

 

[Kevin D Pem]

One more thing!!!
They want to get in my rig they better get a warrant!!!! Just saying they are required to follow the law of the land, or their criminals!!!

 

[sheridany]

I don’t believe that is correct according to lawyer I asked today. I am not a lawyer but customs and border protection operate somewhat differently than others I am told.

In United States criminal law, the border search exception is a doctrine that allows searches and seizures at international borders and their functional equivalent without a warrant or probable cause.[1] Generally speaking, searches within 100 miles of the border are more permissible without a warrant than those conducted elsewhere in the U.S. The doctrine also allows federal agents to search people at border crossings without a warrant or probable cause. The government is allowed to use scanning devices and to search personal electronics. Invasive bodily searches, however, require reasonable suspicion.

 

[Rich W.]

Last winter I traveled through Southern Arizona, Southern New Mexico and along the Texas/Mexico border on my way to the Gulf, all the while staying as close to the border as possible just for the cultural experience. It was both interesting and educational. I had to stop for many CBP inspection stations and at every one I was treated with courtesy and respect and was impressed by the professionalism of the folks trying against all odds to enforce the law on our southern border.

I was never delayed more than was necessary to have a very brief conversation about the occupants on board, and was always wished a safe journey. Had anyone asked, I would have been happy to have them come aboard, but I think all the high tech scanning gear that you drive passed gives them a pretty good idea whether or not there are more folks on board than the driver claims.

Anyway I was impressed and pleased (and honored to have lunch with some CBP agents at the Cafe Borderland on Rt 9 in New Mexico) and glad that people still want to do that job, because I imagine in addition to varying between tedious and dangerous, its also fairly thankless.

At my present location on the eastern side of the Salton Sea, I occasionally ride my bike through a CBP inspection on my way down to the shore, but they don’t seem to see much need to ask any questions and just wave me through.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

So putting a few human shaped water bags heated to ~97° in the basement of your class A might not be found too funny?

 

[Rich W.]

So putting a few human shaped water bags heated to ~97° in the basement of your class A might not be found too funny?

Well probably not for anyone in a hurry stuck behind you….

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

Rich mentioned all the sophisticated monitoring equipment and if you've not seen it it looks like something out of Star Wars. There must be at least half a dozen cameras pointed in multiple directions and angles plus several different sensors. I'm not sure what we run over but it's almost like they are getting the vehicle weight. One day I'll remember to ask and maybe, they can share that info.

I also agree with Rich, I've always been treated with respect and courtesy.