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I'm going to America and specifically Texas. However my flight lands in Mexico and I'm crossing the border on foot. My friends are giving me a lift to the border bridge, but they are carrying on in car as they are American citizens and there is less fuss, as I am traveling as a UK citizen, I need to do the full border process and why I'm visiting things.

If I leave my bags in the car with my friends, and they take it to my apartment, and I cross with just the things I need such as passport, wallet, ESTA form, and things like that, will they challenge why I have no bags, and is it okay for my friends to take my bags for me?

Also, is there anything I should be ready for crossing the border? (First time going to Mexico or America)

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  • Why don't you cross with your friends? – Michael Hampton Apr 29 '18 at 0:18
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    They don't want to wait around in the car for me since it will take me longer for me to go through the process, and I need to go pick my car up but where I am going I don't want to be carrying all of my bags – Cam Apr 29 '18 at 0:20
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    Well, I suppose you could do it, but it might not help your friends to be carrying someone's bags who isn't in the car. They could be delayed much longer than they would otherwise if it was just you had to go inside and get fingerprinted and pay $6. – Michael Hampton Apr 29 '18 at 0:26
  • Thank you Michael, just to ask, is it $6 anyway? I thought that was only to pay if you didn't already pay the $14 for ESTA? And would you know roughly how long it will take for me to be green lighted through the border, and if it is much longer than an American citizen to be allowed back in? – Cam Apr 29 '18 at 0:30
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    The first time you've ever visited the US? Unless you set off some alarm bells, it's only really going to be an extra couple of minutes. But having CBP tear your friends' car apart because you weren't in it will take hours. If I were your friends, I'd keep you in the car and wait for you. – Michael Hampton Apr 29 '18 at 3:55

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