Tougher ID rules to require proof of citizenship at border

ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN

Published: 01.31.2008

New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn't cause significant delays and won't be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said.

Under the rules going into effect Thursday, 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.

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Passports required to re-enter U.S.

Driver's license with birth certificate also accepted today

By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 01/31/2008 12:00:00 AM MST

If you come back from Juárez into El Paso today, it won't be enough to declare "U.S. citizen."

Today is the first day of new, stricter requirements for U.S. citizens at the land ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders. U.S. citizens need to show a passport to Customs and Border Protection officers. If they don't have a passport, they need to show a birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization, together with a picture ID, such as a driver's license. Original documents are preferred, but CBP officers will accept copies, agency officials said.

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Border crossers reminded of new ID requirements

UNION-TRIBUNE
6:42 a.m. January 30, 2008

SAN YSIDRO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials reminded travelers yesterday that as of tomorrow, U.S. citizens returning by land or sea must present proof of citizenship.

Oral declarations of citizenship will no longer be accepted. Travelers 19 and older must now present government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, and some proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or naturalization certificate. Trusted-traveler program cards, such as SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST, military identification cards and tribal identification cards will also be accepted, according to federal officials.

Those 18 and younger need only show proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

I keep posting the info about the change in ID requirements at the border because it has been know for over two years and yet people are whining to their congressmen about needing more time to apply for passports, etc. The security of our borders far outweighs the laziness and whining of the few! -mm