U.S.-TO-MEXICO CROSSING NOT SO EASY DURING HOLIDAYS.

Byline: Susana Hayward San Antonio Express-News 

When Juan Ruiz drove to Mexico on Thanksgiving, he stood in line in the rain for what seemed like hours as throngs, mired in red tape, waited to cross the border by car.

Cold and angry, Ruiz finally did what works: He paid a bribe and was on his way.

``It was horrible: long lines of people in the rain,'' a fuming Ruiz said.

``It's not the way to treat people who send millions of dollars into Mexico every year,'' said Ruiz, a San Antonio businessman and rancher who travels to Coahuila.

Thousands of Mexican-Americans, as well as Mexican citizens who live in the United States or Canada, drive to Mexico loaded with gifts to see their families for the holidays.

For many, it's a confusing, time-consuming experience, especially around Christmas when paisanos, or countrymen, return home in cars bearing license plates from the United States.

``The bridge is bumper to bumper for car permits, much more than last year,'' Olivia Bravo, owner of Sanborn's Insurance in Laredo, said Friday. She said Sanborn's is selling about 200 insurance policies a week, not counting phone orders.

To bring a car into Mexico beyond the checkpoint 16 miles below the border - the point where a car permit is needed - motorists must have a valid driver's license and title to the car they are driving.

They must also pay $10 with a major credit card. Proof of citizenship is required for an immigration visa.

The Mexican government says the requirements are necessary to curb the contraband of American-made cars sold in Mexico, whether stolen or bought, that hurts the Mexican car industry.

Eventually, in about 15 years, the restrictions will be lifted under the North American Free Trade Agreement. But until then, car permits are the rule.

Since Thanksgiving, about 2,000 people have inquired with the Mexican consulate in San Antonio about entering Mexico in a vehicle.

``Ignorance is the worst thing that happens to paisanos in Mexico,'' said Julio Bastarrachea, spokesman for the consulate here. ``It's not knowing what they are allowed to do and not allowed to do.''

Ignorance makes motorists easy prey to extortion by a border official who will invent a requirement or overlook discrepancies for a mordida, or bribe.

This year, Mexico's government has stepped up its ``Programa Paisano'' to thwart corruption and ease the hassle. Ads have been running on the Spanish-language television networks Univision and Telemundo to educate the public on travel to Mexico.

Agents from Mexico's comptroller's office, wearing green shirts, have been posted at immigration offices along the 2,000-mile border to discourage bribes and take complaints.

``They will be dressed in green so people can identify them, and if there are abuses on the part of Mexican officials or extortion or charging fines when there aren't any, people can report directly to them,'' said Felipe Soria, who is in charge of documentation at the consulate.

In addition, motorists can join a caravan with a police escort for the 150-mile drive from Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey. The caravans will leave at 11 a.m. daily. ``The caravans can help in getting information, first aid, a mechanic, and they will also smooth the way for the paperwork,'' said Soria.