More New Passport Rules

I've been recommending people just break down and get a regular full featured passport for a while now.

New rules requiring passports or other new documents to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders take effect Monday, June 1st.

The rules are part of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. They were delayed by complaints from state officials who worried the restrictions would hinder the flow of people and commerce and affect border towns dependent on international crossings.

In 2001 a driver's license and an oral declaration of citizenship were enough to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders.

Now thousands of Americans are preparing by applying for passports or obtaining special driver's licenses that can also be used to cross the border.

In one Texas border community, long lines were reported at a local courthouse as people rushed to apply for the proper documents.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say they're confident the transition will be smooth.

"Our research indicates approximately 80 percent of the individuals coming in now, U.S. and Canadians, are compliant," and are crossing with proof of citizenship, said Thomas Winkowski, assistant commissioner for field operations at Customs and Border Protection.

The higher noncompliance areas, he said, are primarily U.S. citizens in the southern border region.

Travelers who do not comply with the new requirements will get a warning and be allowed to enter the U.S. after a background check, said Michele James, director of field operations for the northern border that covers Washington state.

"We're going to be very practical and flexible on June 1 and thereafter," James said.

The new rule, which also affects sea crossings, is the final implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a security measure crafted from recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

Before the new rule, travelers only needed to show identification, such as a driver's license, and orally declare their citizenship. In 2008, the federal government changed that rule to require proof of citizenship, such as a birth's certificate or a passport.

Under the new rule, travelers also can use a passport card issued by the U.S. State Department to cross land borders, But since the card does not work for air travel this author doesn't recommend it for general travel since for air travel a Passport is still required.

Identification documents available under the "Trusted Traveler" programs are also accepted. Those require fees ranging from $50 to more than $100. These programs, developed by the U.S, Canadian and Mexican governments, allow vetted travelers faster access to the border. In some cases, members in these programs have their own lanes at border crossings.

Enhanced driver's licenses, which use a microchip to store a person's information, also can be used to cross the northern and southern borders, but Washington state, Vermont, New York, and Michigan are the only states that offer them so far. An application process and interview are required for these licenses.

There will be some exceptions:

- Children under 16 traveling with family,

- People under 19 traveling in youth groups,

- "Native Americans"

and

- members of the military will be able to use different forms of identification.

Travelers on cruises that depart from a U.S. port, sail only within the Western Hemisphere and return the same port do not have to comply yet.

The U.S. State Department said there has been no spike in passport applications because of the June 1 deadline. The increase came in 2007 when it became required to show a passport for air travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. That year a backlog of applications accumulated, affecting travelers nationwide.

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