Proof of citizenship to be required at border

BY JUANA GYEK, STAFF WRITER

January 29, 2008 - 10:54PM

As of Thursday, you'll be asked to prove your claims of being an American citizen when you return for a visit to Mexico.

New, stricter border crossing rules take effect at U.S. ports of entry at San Luis, Ariz., Andrade, Calif., and elsewhere along the nation's borders with Mexico and Canada.

Border crossers 19 and older will be required to produce proof of citizenship - either a U.S. or Canadian passport, or a birth certificate and government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or military ID.

Those 18 and under will be asked to provide a proof of citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate.

People who are unable to provide the requested documents will be advised of the requirements and given a written advisory detailing what is required for the next crossing, said Brian Levin, Arizona spokesman for CBP.

"We will not automatically send people in for an inspection if the only issue is lack of documents, unless we suspect an attempt to gain entry by falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, which is what we already do," Levin said.