Border Crossing Card
Encyclopedia
A Border Crossing Card is a document that allows limited entry into the United States
by visitors. The cards authorize visits to the border areas of the United States for a set amount of time. Section 104 of the United States Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
(IIRIRA) serves as the legal basis for the issuance of Border Crossing Cards (BCC).
BCC's, known as "laser visas", was produced from April 1, 1998, until September 30, 2008. The laminate
d, credit card
-size document is both a BCC and a B1/B2 visitor’s visa. The cards are valid for travel until the expiration date on the front of the card, usually ten years after issuance.
October 1, 2008, marked the beginning of production of a second generation B1/B2 visa/BCC. The new card is similar in size to the old BCC, but contains enhanced graphics
and technology
. The original BCC was produced by the now defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service but the current card is produced by the Department of State. It is virtually identical to the Passport Card
, which is issued to citizens and nationals of the United States for the purposes of land and sea border crossings, in its general design layout. The card includes an RFID chip and Integrated Contactless Circuit and is part of the same PASS System that the Passport Card belongs to.
Border Crossing Cards are used exclusively by Mexicans
. Use of them accounts for the vast majority of non-immigration entry into the United States; in 2006 the Pew Hispanic Center noted that of 179 million "non-immigrant admissions" into the country, fully 148 million were Mexicans using Border Crossing Cards.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by visitors. The cards authorize visits to the border areas of the United States for a set amount of time. Section 104 of the United States Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, Division C of vastly changed the immigration laws of the United States.This act states that if an immigrant has been unlawfully present in the United States for 180 days but less than 365 days...
(IIRIRA) serves as the legal basis for the issuance of Border Crossing Cards (BCC).
Description
The first generation of machine readableMachine-readable medium
In telecommunication, a machine-readable medium is a medium capable of storing data in a machine-readable format that can be accessed by an automated sensing device and capable of being turned into some form of binary.Examples of machine-readable media include magnetic disks, cards, tapes, and...
BCC's, known as "laser visas", was produced from April 1, 1998, until September 30, 2008. The laminate
Laminate
A laminate is a material that can be constructed by uniting two or more layers of material together. The process of creating a laminate is lamination, which in common parlance refers to the placing of something between layers of plastic and gluing them with heat and/or pressure, usually with an...
d, credit card
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
-size document is both a BCC and a B1/B2 visitor’s visa. The cards are valid for travel until the expiration date on the front of the card, usually ten years after issuance.
October 1, 2008, marked the beginning of production of a second generation B1/B2 visa/BCC. The new card is similar in size to the old BCC, but contains enhanced graphics
Graphics
Graphics are visual presentations on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper, or stone to brand, inform, illustrate, or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, typography, numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings,or...
and technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
. The original BCC was produced by the now defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service but the current card is produced by the Department of State. It is virtually identical to the Passport Card
Passport card
The passport card is an alternative to a passport produced in the United States to meet the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The U.S. Passport Card is a wallet-size travel document, issued to U.S...
, which is issued to citizens and nationals of the United States for the purposes of land and sea border crossings, in its general design layout. The card includes an RFID chip and Integrated Contactless Circuit and is part of the same PASS System that the Passport Card belongs to.
Border Crossing Cards are used exclusively by Mexicans
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Use of them accounts for the vast majority of non-immigration entry into the United States; in 2006 the Pew Hispanic Center noted that of 179 million "non-immigrant admissions" into the country, fully 148 million were Mexicans using Border Crossing Cards.
Border Crossing Card issuance
- BCC applicants at the consular sections in Mexico CityMexico CityMexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, GuadalajaraGuadalajaraGuadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
and MéridaMérida, YucatánMérida is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Yucatán and the Yucatán Peninsula. It is located in the northwest part of the state, about from the Gulf of Mexico coast...
receive a B1/B2 visa/Border Crossing foil that is affixed in the applicant’s passportPassportA passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
instead of a card. - BCC applicants at all other Consulates receive the new Border Crossing Card.