TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 31, 2008
Want To Cross The Border? Bring ID
New Rules For Crossing Border From Canada And Mexico; Officials Downplay Travel Delays
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Photo
U.S. Customs officer Nick Ligerakis hands back a Michigan drivers license and information pamphlet to a driver arriving from Canada at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. U.S. officials begin what amounts to a test run of new identification requirements for people entering the country from Canada and Mexico Thursday. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Under the new rules, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens, said Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Instead, those 19 and older will have to show proof of citizenship - a passport, trusted traveler card or a birth certificate and government-issued ID such as a driver's license.
"We'll be asking those who cross our borders to present to us secure, more reliable documents to prove citizenship and to confirm their identity," said Ahern, who is heading a national effort to call attention to the changes.
There were no additional delays during the morning rush hour in Detroit, which has the busiest northern border crossing, said Ron Smith, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Detroit. The bridge and tunnel crossings between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, typically can see wait times of about 30 minutes to enter the United States.
An estimated 20.3 million vehicles crossed the Ambassador and Blue Water bridges and went through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in 2007, reports the Detroit Free Press.
Officers at the ports will have latitude to admit people who are unaware of the changes once their identities are confirmed, Ahern said. In Detroit, authorities will provide a grace period for travelers without the extra ID, and will hand out fliers explaining the changes, Smith said.
"The first couple of days, weeks maybe, could add a few seconds to the inspection process. But once people become aware of these requirements, and we're getting the word out to them ... those minor delays should disappear," Smith said.
Casino Windsor, across the Detroit River from the United States, is buying radio ads to inform its American customers that they can still visit without passports. Casino spokeswoman Holly Ward said any changes to border requirements risk driving away business.
Smith said few people have crossed the northern border by just declaring their nationality since the 2001 terrorist attacks, because officers have always had the discretion to request documents.
Congress approved the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in 2004, which requires verified citizenship and identification of all those entering the country from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The passport requirement for land and sea crossings has been delayed until June 2009.
Mexican citizens will continue to have to present valid passports and visas. Canadian citizens previously were not required to show a passport, but will need one after next year.
Last week, Mexican tourism officials in Tijuana introduced a "Get Your Passport" campaign that gives U.S. passport holders discounts at restaurants and shops.
Quincy Epperson of San Diego said he will stop going to Mexico until he replaces his birth certificate. He has an old photocopy but worries it won't pass muster with inspectors.
"I don't want to take the chance," said Epperson, 31, as he returned Tuesday from one of his weekly visits to Tijuana's sports betting parlors. If he wins his Super Bowl bet on the Giants, Epperson will send a friend to Tijuana collect his money.
Over the last two fiscal years, 31,000 people who claimed at the borders to be U.S. citizens were not, Ahern said.
Critics, particularly in northern border states, have assailed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff over the changes. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., accused him of not understanding "the practical effects of DHS policies on the everyday lives of border community residents."
Some businesses and lawmakers are worried about the effects of new identification requirements that go into effect tomorrow at the borders with Canada and Mexico.
But Ahern said new passport cards the size of credit cards will allow citizens to cross the U.S.-Mexican border effectively and efficiently. Applications should be available starting Friday, although processing will take three to four months. Cards without previously issued passports will cost $45 for adults and $35 for children; they will cost $20 and $10, respectively, for those with passports.
Drivers' licenses enhanced with proof of citizenship and a radio frequency identification chip also will be accepted, Ahern added. Four states including Arizona have signed up for a federal program to offer the licenses. British Columbia also is experimenting with similar new high-tech licenses.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 90 CommentsIf they keep this up, I would have no sympathy for them when their federal money finally dries up.
Dan9111111, you need all of the help that you can find. Please see someone soon.
Peace and Love
Bring you''re visa cause they don''t take american express.
Posted by ilikecats1 at 01:15 PM
Are you serious?
You really think most criminals drive into the U.S.?
Get real.
By the way I like cats too.
I like make fried, how about you?
We look at this video, to see and prove that it''s really happening, and so that we can act upon such cruelty.
Have you every seen the movie "The Hard Truth"! Yes you actually view the cruelty of murdering an unborn child in the third trimester of pregnancy. But the sham of it is that no one views that as cruel torture or murder. They want to call it CHOICE, and protect that CHOICE, under the cloak of Feminist movement!
I say let''s prod the fork lift driver with his own fork lift! And hey, those who kill innocent unborn, you should have been yanked out of your mother''s womb! Oh! That would meen you would not be living today!?????
The life of an animal should never be placed above the life of a HUMAN!
BOTH abuses are sickening!
This story needs to also be printed in Mexican
--- In Arizona Mexico''s army conducts maneuvers at will, locked & loaded against our Border Patrol
Republican Boogeyman = Terrorism
They will not stop until you are broke and freedom is long dead.
There''s a centuries old saying that says, " Strong fences make good neighbors. Your paranoia is unfounded.
He sucked,,, He stood idle while Bush caused "Exceptionally Grave Damage to our National Security"
This is NEW???
When crossing into the U.S. and back into Canada, we have always had to show our birth certificates and for a number of years now we have had to show both birth certificates and drivers licenses.
Only 150 miles of fence is built, the virtual security is just that totally virtural & the agencies on the border are undermanned & under supported.
It is too funny for words! A checkpoint consisting of Americans to defend us from other Americans entering the country without their RFID tag. And these guys are supposed to be on OUR SIDE?
You are an idiot. Abdoul is a man and I am a woman.
"you two homoos should get a room" posted by rushlimpdrug
You are an idiot. Abdoul is a man and I am a woman.
Posted by erasmus6 at 03:11 PM
I don''t care I still want to see your passports.
And we don''t allow flaming homoos into the country.
And we don''''t allow flaming homoos into the country." posted by rushlimpdrug
Like I said, you are an idiot.
Too much limp drug?
Where I am it has warmed up a bit, it is 5 degrees celsius. We have been getting snow off and on. One day it snows and the next it rains. It is supposed to be like this for a week or more.
And the libs who think global warming will kill us all, they alone should pay the bill to stop this doomsday event. These patriot-act crackpots need to put THEIR OWN money where their mouth is.
Is it normal for you to get much snow?
I want to see your passport as well as your documents allowing you to leave the comfort of the insane asylum you live in. Doctors not treating you well?
So then you are not used to seeing snow.
Here it usually will snow a few times during the winter and not a lot at a time. This year we are seeing it more often. The most we have had is about 15 cm. We usually get a really big snowfall about every 7 years.
Abdoul_Pasha
Is it normal for you to get much snow?
Posted by erasmus6 at 03:47 PM
You two need to get back to the weather channel.
What a couple of boring immi''s.
But before that since no one showed me their passports willingly, everyone out of the car and walk slowly to the back of the car.
That includes you Abababadul.
And so how come you are still there?
That includes you Abababadul." posted by rushlimpdrug
"I want to see your passport as well as your documents allowing you to leave the comfort of the insane asylum you live in." posted by rudy654
You are right, rudy. The insane asylum is rushlimpdrugs place of residence.
Here where I live and in almost the whole world..there is one thing called Instant Messaging and it personal..get to it, you will love it...
PLease your conversations are not our concerns here or anywhere in the world...I hate being rude and cutting your conversations/messages "but really" do it on your own personal email/I''M
Posted by denn034
I respect your opinion. But surely it is immoral to force others to pay financially for your opinion.
I might have an opinion about blenders, but I do not force you to pay for my blender.
Patsy dear, the rules are that you are only supposed to leave a comment. You are not supposed to address anyone personally, at all. You are also not supposed to swear or slander. But as you can see EVERYONE does it. If you don''t like a comment or whatever, there is nothing saying that you have to read it, so my advice to you is to skip over it.:)
Also you are only supposed to comment on the article and if you take note, usually by the second page people are talking about anything but the topic.
Posted by erasmus6 at 04:27 PM
Please refrain from personally addressing patsy2007 as this is a violation of the rules.
Oops! Too late!
Please return your passport.
Thank you.
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