Problems At The Paso Canoas Border – Follow Up
Jan 14th, 2008 by Don Ray
I went to the Immigration office in David this morning to see if I could get more information on the problem, I described HERE.
Here is the official requirements for traveling into Costa Rica and returning to Panama as told to me by the David office of Immigration.
You need to have a Pensionado card that says “INDEFINIDAMENTE”. You also need to have a valid Multi-Visa stamp in your Passport.
I specifically asked if there was any reason for the Paso Canoas office to retain the Pensionado Card and the answer was “NO”.
Since I have lived here for a while, I know that policy vs. what happens, is not always the same thing. Until I drive over the next time and experience it myself, I don’t feel comfortable that the information I received today holds water. What I was told today, certainly makes more sense than the report I got the other day.
Anyone that has more information related to this is invited to comment.
My Laywer is talking to the folks here in David. If they don’t require you to leave your card, Why do they have 300 or more on their desk?
They suppose I lost my card and just blaming it on Paso Canoa Migration.
We will see what happens.
Charlie
Thanks for the feedback Charlie. Let us know what they tell your lawyer.
Up Date,
Tuesday 15th,
Laywer to Migration, head man Jose said I have to have police report and return with 100.00 dollars, re do Pensanata Card.
So much for Lawyers.
I went to the Police station, Was given a note to take back to Migration saying I need a Certified statement from Migration that I need a Police report.
Returning to Migration I gave the info to Jose, He told me to wait. After 2 hours of waiting, a lady came out and said I need to come back tomorrow after 2pm.
Its obvious that the Migration official at Paso Canoa who stamped my passport and took my card should be responsible for replacing it.
The Police can’t say its stolen if migration has it.
So far I have 3 visits to Migration 1 visit to police station 2 visits with Lawyer.
This is like a hot potato, no one wants to catch it.
Jose said the man at the border should not have taken my card. But they know who he is. Ask him.
Charlie
The saga continues.
Thanks for filling us in. Did you ask Jose why they had all the other pensionado cards being held that you looked through?
Is this also happening to those of us gringos that actually have a permanent residency cedula or only pensionados?
A Pensionado card that says “INDEFINIDAMENTE” is a permanent card. It is not renewed. I can’t answer for other residency cedulas, but from what I was told, if your passport has a valid multi-visa stamp in it, no card should be held.
What a mess. Wouldn’t waste my money with lawyers,… they’ll probably give Jose down in imagration half of what you give them and call it good. Tell you to come tommorow and charge you again.
Next and I hope final Saga, 01/17/08
Today was a long day. I met with a host of wheels at the David Migration. office. 2 ladies of stature were in charge. Later I found out that these are the internal investigators. The poor Migration officer was fired, Had to put his badge, and ID on the table. Was orally reprimanded in front of everyone.
The good part.
I loaded into a police van with migration officials and went to Paso Canoa. I had to secretly point out the helpers that molested me at the border. I selected 2.
These guys were taken to the police station(jail) right across the street. they were questioned in front of me for over an hour. I think they kept them in Jail.
I was promised a new Cardnet asap. No charge
I was lucky enough to be talking to a gringo in the office and was over herd by one of these ladies. That started the ball rolling.
Its who you know that counts.
I was told to avoid all people who try to assist at border crossings, mainly because they make too many mistakes. some know very little English.
Its been a long week.
thanks
Charlie
I spent most of the day with Jose, He was a perfect gentleman. He was buttering up these wheels like crazy. He seem to know more than most and he speaks good English.
Happy to see things worked out the way they did for you Charlie. I recommend that all Americans planning on making Panama their permanent home, learn spanish an assimilate into the culture. I’m tired of hearing stories like this, the innocent Gringo being fleeced or taken advantage of. Back in the states you complain that the poor Mexicans don’t want to assimilate then you come here and do the same (not everyone, Don Ray). Become “Panamanian” and things like this will stop, if you keep wearing your “Gringo Coat” it will just happen again. If someone ask you to give them your Pensionado card to cross the border, be smart and realize that this makes no sense, don’t give it to them!
Charlie, Thanks for providing the update.
It sounds like that chapter is closed. I am happy that it turned out as it should and you didn’t have to shell out $100 for another card.
Oni, thanks for your comment. You are very correct when you say that people who move to Panama, need to assimilate into the culture. I have found that Panama treats you well, when you treat it well.