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Pack papers to cross border
Associated Press
Published January 18, 2008
To cross the U.S.-Canadian border, a driver's license alone won't cut it anymore. Starting Jan. 31, you will need to have a passport or similarly secure document, or a combination of two other documents. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warned Thursday that the new rules will mean longer lines. The biggest effect of the change will be at the Canadian border, as it applies to both Canadians and Americans. Non-Americans coming in through Mexico already need extra documentation. More than 800,000 people enter the United States through land and sea ports each day, and more than 8,000 types of documents have been used to enter the United States, in some cases even library cards. The proof-of-citizenship requirement will greatly reduce the ability to sneak by border agents with fake papers, Chertoff said. The Bush administration envisions an eventual passport requirement for everyone crossing the border into the United States. Congress passed a travel requirements law in 2004, but is having second thoughts, particularly as Northern-state lawmakers argue the passport requirement will hurt tourism and trade. Single document option: -U.S. or Canadian passport. -U.S. passcard (these won't be available until spring). -So-called trusted traveler card, which includes NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST cards (These are typically used only by people who cross the border frequently, often for work). -State or province issued "enhanced" driver's license (states are only beginning to produce these, so they are not available in most places). -U.S. military ID with travel orders. -U.S. merchant mariner document. -Native American Tribal Photo ID card. -Form I-872 American Indian Card. -Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card. Two documents If you don't have a passport or one of these other IDs, there is a two-document option, the most likely combination being a driver's license and a birth certificate. Border crossers can present a driver's license or ID card, or a U.S. or Canadian ID card, along with one of the following: -Birth certificate. -U.S. Consular report of birth abroad. -U.S. Certificate of Naturalization. -U.S. Certificate of Citizenship. -U.S. Citizen Identification Card. -Canadian citizenship card. -Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo. 18 and under: U.S. and Canadian citizens 18 and younger need a birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, or municipal authority. Source: U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
[Last modified January 18, 2008, 01:33:33]
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