We had to pass through this Immigration Checkpoint after returing from the U.S/Mexico border. We were asked where we held our citizenship, and of course we said United State of America. We did however, notice, that some were being detained. The canine dog was used to sniff every vehicle for drugs. This is the closest I had ever been to Mexico, so it was an education for me. 
Columbus has the unique distinction having New Mexico's only international port of entry open 24 hours daily. At this border crossing between Columbus and Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico, a quaint Mexican border town, you will pass through the U.S. Port of Entry headquarters, and award-winning $2.6 million building. We didn't drive into Mexico, we just took pictures from the parking lot. On the way back to Deming, NM we had to pass through the border control checkout. I asked how high the fence was and what it was made of, which we found out. The fence is 20' high and is made of steel.
Columbus is designated a National Historic Site. The Columbus Historical Society restored the old Southern Pacific Railroad Depot that now accomodates the Colubmus Historical Museum open daily. Within its walls the raid of Francisco (Pancho) Villa upon Columbus on March 9, 1916 comes alive. Several structures suvised the raid that left eighteen residents and U.S. soldiers and more than 100 of Villa's men dead amind the burning ruin.
