Concurrent I-94s?

Question

I am a Mexican BCC Card holder. Back at the end of November I crossed via the Laredo land border to visit San Antonio, TX and got issued an I-94 six-month permit that expires at the end of May 2025. Visited SATX for 5 days and returned to Mexico.

Since now all I-94 forms are done via CBP One (now CBP GO) there is no paper ticket to return at the border as in the past, tried to use the "report departure" function in the app but it says: "coming soon".

My current I-94 is still active since it got issued but I have been in Mexico this whole time, I have been told there is no need to report land departures nowadays and just let it expire. However I have a trip to SFO the first week of May 2025 and since I have an active I-94 will I get a new one issued? Will they use the active one? Or do I have concurrent I-94s? I supposed if they issue me a new one, as soon as I depart it will be registered then?

Should I make a quick trip to the border before the current I-94 expires so I have a new entry recorded on that same form and make clear that I have been out of the US all this time? I don't want CBP to mistakenly think I have been staying in the US all this time and risk my BCC/Visa and Global Entry.

Answer 1

When you enter the US, either at the land border or flying into SFO (or elsewhere) they will record you entering, whether on a new I-94 or not. You won't end up with multiple I-94s.

If your new trip will take you past the expiry of your current I-94 you should apply for a new one (if entering by land), or ask they issue one if entering the US by air.

Since land departures are generally not recorded automatically, the CBP might not have a record of your exit. However, your new entry in May will establish your travel history. In the unlikely event that you're asked, you can explain that you reside in Mexico and provide supporting documents (receipts, bills, etc.) to confirm your time outside the US.

FWIW - I have 26 entries recorded in CBP's Travel History page since my last recorded exit, on two I-94s (second one issued when the first one expired). I live in the border zone and typically enter the US by land.