Mexican citizens left confused after being denied entry when returning to Mexico
LAREDO, Texas. (KGNS/Gray News) - Two Mexican citizens say they were trying to return to Mexico but were denied entry.
Sergio Gabriel Lopez Silva, a Mexican citizen, says he was traveling with another Mexican resident when they faced an unexpected detour on their way home on April 15.
“We were coming back home to San Miguel de Allende, a city in Guanajuato, Mexico. We were trying to cross the border around 5:30 a.m., and we got detained by the National Guard, who handle immigration here at the Laredo bridge,” Silva said.
Authorities reportedly had an issue with Silva’s truck, which he says has never been an issue for the last five years.
“They were trying to argue that we couldn’t go into Mexico with our truck. We have a Colorado pickup truck, but it was nationalized in Mexico. So, it’s a Mexican car now. It has all the paperwork, and it should be able to go in without problems,” Silva said.
The Consul for the Protection of Mexicans in Laredo, Horacio Mungia Valencia, did not comment on Silva’s specific case but noted that issues with Mexican citizens returning to Mexico are uncommon. However, such issues could come up if vehicles are not properly naturalized.
Valencia also highlighted former Mexican President Lopez Obrador’s attempt to regulate U.S. cars in Mexico.
“That executive order lets the owners get Mexican plates and do all the paperwork,” he said.
Valencia recommends individuals consult with Mexican customs or a customs broker before traveling, noting, “Be careful, if you bought a car, double-check all the paperwork and documentation of that car. Because if it were a Mexican car, and it has Mexican plates, through that executive order, you cannot travel outside of Mexico with that car.”
Silva was able to cross back into Mexico on April 16, though he remained confused about the situation.
Once again, the Mexican Consulate in Laredo advises individuals with questions about traveling to Mexico in an American car to consult with Mexican customs or the consulate for the necessary information.
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