I accidentally* drove past the US southern border into Tijuana from San Diego without passport control, there was only an automated plate reader managed by US CBP. I also did not have my passport or passport card on me.
Coming back the same day, there was a line to drive back into the US that took several hours. Luckily, I was allowed back in with a driver’s license by the agent.
*I was dropping off 2 American friends who were taking a day trip to visit Tijuana, but the road signs were terribly marked and I crossed over unintentionally.
I've always wondered how re-entering the US is without a passport. You should be able to do it, and you should be scrutinized about it heavily.(Sounds suspicious)
I can testify to the process for something similar since I had a passport stolen when I was traveling in Spain. I went into the consulate, told them what happened and they asked me a few questions about my hometown (high school I went to, favorite restaurant, previous address). They noted my answers and had me fill out the normal passport form (including new photos) and assured me it would be ready in just under a week so I wouldn't miss my flight home. It was pretty painless, though I'd bet that just appearing American (accent, skin color, etc) might've helped.
Well, it's the same authentication problem of validating US citizenship without documentation. And the passport I was issued was in no way a backup, it was valid for the normal 10-year period and, apart from the note that said it was issued at the US embassy in Madrid, identical to one I would have been issued through the normal process inside the US.
Coming back the same day, there was a line to drive back into the US that took several hours. Luckily, I was allowed back in with a driver’s license by the agent.
*I was dropping off 2 American friends who were taking a day trip to visit Tijuana, but the road signs were terribly marked and I crossed over unintentionally.