Old Mexican Border Crossing Cards Valid Until October 2002
Posted Jul 26, 2002

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) announced on July 18, 2002 that validity of the older Mexican Border Crossing Card (BCC) will be extended until October 1, 2002. The new card is machine-readable and contains biometric information.

The move toward the biometric cards is part of the Enhanced Border Security Act. Previously, the INS had stipulated that the new biometric BCC be in use by October 1, 2001, as required by the law in place at that time. The Enhanced Border Security Act extends the deadline to October 1, 2002. The new form is Form DSP-150. The older border crossing cards are designated as Forms I-186 or I-586.

In order to obtain the new BCC, applicants must call a toll-free number in Mexico <01.900.849.4949> to schedule an appointment. The U.S. Department of State has been issuing the new BCCs since April 1, 1998, so many people already have obtained the new card. Those who are still holding the old cards should make arrangements to acquire the new card without delay in order to bypass a last-minute rush and to avoid being denied entry into the U.S. after October 1, 2002.