Emily wrote:
Don't condescend.

I'm not following. How was I condescending? You didn't post your age so
I wouldn't know how old you are. As a California native I know that
high school kids often sneak down to Mexico to buy beer. Nothing in
your post indicated that that wasn't possible.

The fact is, INS doesn't always do what's "required". Are you going to
argue that they should let you in? Sorry, I can tell you who'd win that
one. It's a better idea to carry your passport and not get hassled.

A birth certificate should have worked as well. The INS doesn't really
have a lot of choice. They can't deny an American entry back into the
country, they can only delay or arrest you. But to arrest you they
would have to tell you what crime you commited. Not having a passport
is not only not a crime, but by far the norm for those of us in
California who frequent Mexico.

-Robert