I'm a 19 year old U.S. Citizen that lives in Mexico and crosses every day to go to college. Last time I crossed I had my jar of painkillers because of a back injury I experienced recently. They were very mad about this and sent me to secondary for about an hour and a half and gave me my pills back but told me I will from now on be sent to secondary most of the time.

I crossed the border again yesterday and the border patrol agent asked me if I had ever gotten into any trouble with them. I told him about the situation that happened 2 months ago and he sent me to secondary. I didn't mind because I crossed walking and it was very quick.

The thing I am worried about is crossing with my parents. They're going to be seriously pissed that I crossed with my painkillers and I will never hear the end of it. Besides I don't want them being sent to secondary because of me.

I am thinking I can just cross with my birth certificate - will this still send me to secondary?

My question is, Can I fix this by having my passport renewed? Will whatever that shows up that sends me to secondary still show up if I just give them my birth certificate? My extended knowledge is that they flag your passport, but only that. I'm not sure if any other documents are affected when you cross. I don't think they have a record of you, the only thing that they see if whatever pops up in your card or whatever you're giving them. Thats basically the only knowledge I have.