Dear fellow citizen:

This guide tries to provide you with some practical advice that may be useful to you in case you have made the difficult decision to seek new work opportunities outside of your own country.

The safe way of entering another country is by first obtaining your passport, which is issued by the Delegations of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations, and your visa, which you request at the Embassy or Consulate of the country to where you wish to travel.

However, we actually see many cases of Mexicans who try to cross the northern border without the necessary documentation, crossing high-risk zones that are very dangerous, especially in desert areas or rivers with strong and not always noticeable currents.

INTRODUCTION, PAGES 2 – 3

As you read this guide you can also learn some basic questions about legal consequences of your stay in the United States of America without appropriate immigration documents, as well as the rights you have in that country once you are there, independently of your immigration status.

Always keep in mind that there are mechanisms for you to enter the United States of America legally.

In any case, if you encounter problems or difficulties, remember that Mexico has 45 Consulates at its disposal in that country, whose contact information you also can find in this publication.

Identify your Consulate and go to it.

RISKS, PAGES 4 – 5

DANGERS OF CROSSING IN HIGH-RISK ZONES

Crossing the river can be very risky, especially if you cross alone and at night.

Thick clothing increases your weight when wet and makes it hard to swim or float.

RISKS, PAGES 6 – 7

If you cross in the desert, try to travel when the heat is not so intense.

Highways and towns are very far apart, so that it could take you several days to find roads and you will not be able to carry food or water for that long; you could even get lost.

Salted water helps you retain body fluids. Although you get more thirsty, if you drink salted water the risk of dehydration is lessened.

Dehydration symptoms are:

•Little or no perspiration
•Dryness of eyes and mouth
•Headache
•Fatigue and exhaustion
•Difficulty in walking and reasoning
•Hallucinations and mirages
If you get lost follow utility poles, railroad tracks or furrows.

BE CAREFUL OF ALIEN SMUGGLERS, PAGES 8 – 9

BE CAREFUL OF “POLLEROS”, “COYOTES” OR “PATEROS” [Various names for alien smugglers)

They can deceive you by assuring you they'll cross you [smuggle you across the border] at certain times over mountains or through deserts. This is not true! They can put your life in danger leading you through rivers, irrigation canals, desert areas, along railroad tracks or freeways. This has caused the death of hundreds of people.

If you decide to use the services of “polleros”, “coyotes” or “pateros” to cross the border, consider the following precautions to take:

Don’t let him out of your sight; remember that he’s the only one that knows the terrain and therefore is the one that can get you out.

Do not trust anyone who offers to cross you over to the “other side” and asks you to drive a vehicle or carry a package for him. Regularly those…

BE CAREFUL OF ALIEN SMUGGLERS, PAGES 10 – 11

…packages contain drugs or other prohibited substances. For that reason many people have ended up in jail.

If you transport other people you can be confused with an alien smuggler and be accused of alien smuggling yourself or even vehicle theft.

Don’t hand over your minor children to strangers that offer to cross them to the United States.

DO NOT USE FALSE DOCUMENTS, PAGES 12 – 13

DO NOT USE FALSE DOCUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS OF OTHER PEOPLE, NOR DECLARE A FALSE NATIONALITY

If you try to cross with documents that are false or that belong to someone else, keep the following in mind:

The use of documents that are false or that belong to someone else is a Federal crime in the United States, for which you can be criminally prosecuted and end up in jail; the same as if you give a false name or say you are a U.S. citizen when you are not.

Do not lie to U.S. border crossing or inspection booth agents.

IF YOU ARE DETAINED, PAGES 14 – 15

•Do not resist arrest.
•Do not assault or insult the officer.
•Do not throw stones or other objects at the officers nor at the patrol cars, because this is considered a form of provocation.
•If the officers feel they’ve been assaulted they will probably use force to detain you.
•Raise your hands slowly for them to see you’re unarmed.
•Do not carry or hold any objects that could be construed as weapons, such as: lanterns, screwdrivers, blades, knives or stones.
IF YOU ARE DETAINED, PAGE 16 / YOUR RIGHTS, PAGE 17

IF YOU ARE DETAINED

•Don’t run or try to escape.
•Don’t hide in dangero