Crossing back across the border

[Yeshuaman]

Important point to note for Non US citizens that you have to have a passport or a Green Card. The driving licence thing is for US Citizen only at present

 

[thathingg]

What we can say for sure, is that if this new law is passed that it will not take effect until the border pass is available. Looks like the earliest possible enforcment of this would be June of 2009.

By Lara Jakes Jordan
ASSOCIATED PRESS
12:23 p.m. September 26, 2006
WASHINGTON - A plan to tighten U.S. borders by requiring passports or tamper-resistant identification cards from everyone entering the country has been delayed.
House and Senate lawmakers agreed to push back the program by 17 months, saying they want to make sure new ID cards being developed by the Bush administration will better secure borders against terrorists without slowing legitimate travelers from Canada and Mexico. The new ID's will be required for Americans and all others entering the U.S.
The border crackdown was wrapped up in an overall $34.8 billion spending plan for the Homeland Security Department. The House and Senate each aim to approve it later this week, before lawmakers recess for the elections.
The spending bill reflects "a dramatic step forward toward making sure that our borders are secure," Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., who helped negotiate the measure, said Tuesday.
Gregg added: "We still have a long way to go. Nobody is going to argue about that."
The massive spending bill also includes plans to:
Spend $1.2 billion on border fencing, vehicle barriers and technology to prevent illegal immigrants and criminals from sneaking into the country.
Overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give its director a direct line to the president during catastrophes and remerge disaster preparedness planning with response missions.
Give the Homeland Security Department authority to shut down chemical plants that fail to meet security standards.
Buy nuclear detectors to scan shipping cargo and hire more Coast Guard inspectors and Customs agents at seaports.
Allow Americans to legally import a 90-day supply of prescription medications from Canada by carrying them back across the border, while retaining bans on importing drugs by mail or the Internet.
Lawmakers who represent states on the Canadian border have long opposed the tamperproof ID program that was urged by the 9/11 Commission. They fear the plans will slow cross-border commerce with Canada - the largest trading partner of the U.S. - and scare away tourists.
Currently, border crossers need only a picture ID card, like a driver's license, and a birth certificate to get into the United States. Neither document would be accepted under the proposed rules because they can be easily forged.
Instead, the administration is seeking to require border crossers to show passports or a cheaper alternative, dubbed a "PASS" card, that is still being designed. But technology to read the cards, as well as security standards to make sure they work, is not ready. The congressional agreement worked out Monday night would delay the program until June 2009.
"This has been shaping up as a train wreck in slow motion," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Tuesday. "Poor planning and premature implementation of this system could clog our borders while making us even less secure."
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told Congress Tuesday he would consider permitting travelers to use alternative forms of ID, such as driver's licenses, if they are improved to prevent tampering or other forgeries.
"Our interest here is in an efficient and inexpensive, but nevertheless reliable, form of identification that achieves the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission," Chertoff told the House Homeland Security Committee.
Democrats said the spending plan doesn't go far enough, and called for more money for emergency responders and ports, as well as stronger protections at chemical plants.
"We need to do all that we can to protect this country, and I don't think this bill does that," said Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark.

 

[Cherry Blossom Tree]

We can't say for sure what's going to happen in 2008 or 2009 if we need passports or just border passes to cross into Mexico. I'm sure at 2008 comes upon us there is going to be political pressure to delay the passport requirements another year.

But what we do know for sure is right now till the end of the year a US driver license is all you need to cross into Mexico, Tijuana that's if your driving in or walking in Tijuana. I do it all the time, I park on the US side and walk in, and after I have my fun, I just present my drivers license, and they let me back in the US.( I'm talking US Citizens only)

If your flying into places like Cancun, Cabo, etc etc. you need a passport right now in 2007, but once again if your visiting Southern California, and just want to drive or walk into Tijuana, you only need a driver license if your a US citizen.

 

[flower2008]

True, the passports are required by land and sea currently. I think the "border pass" will be more appealing to the young visitors. I have read somewhere that you can apply and get it the same day.....of course they are not even available yet.

 

[Crazy Baboon!]

to be more accurate Passports are now required for all air and sea crossing, not land crossing. This has been delayed several times and I would imagine it will be delayed again. This would inconvenience a lot of people and Mexican businesses, especially the tourism industry would are against it.

I wonder how many teenagers who go to Revo to drink have passports? It will be interesting to see what effect it has on this. As far as Adults about 20% have passports, although this figure is often estimated to be much lower.

 

[? Surfer ? Sarah]

Actually if they ever do pass that law, a "border pass" or a passport will be accepted for crossing into the States from Mexico or Canada. The border pass will be easier to get and less expensive.

 

[GaWgEsS xx]

its true that you need your passport to cross the border, but not unitl 2009.

you are fine with just a Driver License. For now.

 

[Sandy Bullot]

Hi Guys,

It has been about a year since I have been and am planning to go soon. I know all I ever had to have before was my license; but I recently heard that
Americans had to have their passports now when crossing the border into the US. I somehow don't believe this and just want to verify with some of the regulars.

Can anyone comment please?

Thanks.