New rules requiring passports or new high-tech documents to cross the United States northern and southern borders are taking effect Monday as some rue the tightening of security and others hail it as long overdue.
The rules are being implemented nearly eight years after the Sept. 11 attacks and long after the 9/11 Commission recommended the changes.
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 drivers license and an oral declaration of citizenship were enough to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders; Mondays changes are the last step in a gradual ratcheting up of the rules. Now thousands of Americans are preparing by applying for passports or obtaining special drivers licenses that can also be used to cross the border.
Its sad said Steve Saltzman a 60-year-old dual Canadian-American citizen as he entered the U.S. at the Peace Arch crossing in Blaine Wash. on Thursday. This was the longest undefended border in the world. Now all of the sudden it is defended and not nearly as friendly.
Near the border crossing local Blaine resident Mike Williams disagreed.
This concept was past due said Williams. Because its not a safe world and its becoming more dangerous all the time.
In one Texas border community long lines were reported at a local courthouse as people rushed to apply for the required documents. But it remains to be seen if the new requirement will cause traffic backups at points of entry and headaches for people unaware of the looming change.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say theyre 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.
Were 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.
Its part of a gradual boost in security along the northern border that has featured millions of dollars in upgrades and the hiring of hundreds of more customs officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Before the new rule travelers only needed to show identification such as a drivers license and orally declare their citizenship. In 2008 the federal government changed that rule to require proof of citizenship such as a births certificate or a passport.
Winkowski said people expected delays at points of entry in 2008 after proof of citizenship became a requirement but no serious backlogs appeared.
He said U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue its outreach campaign through the summer to inform Americans of the new passport requirement.
Under the new rule travelers also can use a passport card issued by the U.S. State Department to cross land borders. The card does not work for air travel. At $45 for first-time applicants its a more affordable alternative to the traditional passport which costs $100. More than 1 million passport cards have been issued since last year.
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 drivers licenses which use a microchip to store a persons information also can be used to cross the northern and southern borders. 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. Also travelers in cruises that depart from a U.S. port sail only within the Western Hemisphere and return the same port do not have to comply.
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.
The number of U.S. passport card applications however has increased as June 1 approaches said Brenda Sprague head of the passport division of the departments Bureau of Consular Affairs.
For states along the vast northern border which for decades enjoyed fewer restrictions than the southern border the changes sparked a wave of opposition when they were first proposed.
Concerns appear to have died down however. In Washington state for instance the governors office said it was pleased with the federal governments progress.
In the border town of Weslaco Texas Jesus Gonzalez said he crosses into Mexico about three times a month for medical needs but he had not yet applied for any of the documents.
Asked if the new requirement would affect him Gonzalez pointed back across the bridge toward Nuevo Progreso Mexico: Its going to affect them more he said. Businesses are going to hurt a tad bit and I feel sorry for them.
New rules requiring passports or new high-tech documents to cross the United States northern and southern borders are taking effect Monday as some rue the tightening of security and others hail it as long overdue.
The rules are being implemented nearly eight years after the Sept. 11 attacks and long after the 9/11 Commission recommended the changes.
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 drivers license and an oral declaration of citizenship were enough to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders; Mondays changes are the last step in a gradual ratcheting up of the rules. Now thousands of Americans are preparing by applying for passports or obtaining special drivers licenses that can also be used to cross the border.
Its sad said Steve Saltzman a 60-year-old dual Canadian-American citizen as he entered the U.S. at the Peace Arch crossing in Blaine Wash. on Thursday. This was the longest undefended border in the world. Now all of the sudden it is defended and not nearly as friendly.
Near the border crossing local Blaine resident Mike Williams disagreed.
This concept was past due said Williams. Because its not a safe world and its becoming more dangerous all the time.
In one Texas border community long lines were reported at a local courthouse as people rushed to apply for the required documents. But it remains to be seen if the new requirement will cause traffic backups at points of entry and headaches for people unaware of the looming change.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say theyre 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.
Were 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.
Its part of a gradual boost in security along the northern border that has featured millions of dollars in upgrades and the hiring of hundreds of more customs officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Before the new rule travelers only needed to show identification such as a drivers license and orally declare their citizenship. In 2008 the federal government changed that rule to require proof of citizenship such as a births certificate or a passport.
Winkowski said people expected delays at points of entry in 2008 after proof of citizenship became a requirement but no serious backlogs appeared.
He said U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue its outreach campaign through the summer to inform Americans of the new passport requirement.
Under the new rule travelers also can use a passport card issued by the U.S. State Department to cross land borders. The card does not work for air travel. At $45 for first-time applicants its a more affordable alternative to the traditional passport which costs $100. More than 1 million passport cards have been issued since last year.
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 drivers licenses which use a microchip to store a persons information also can be used to cross the northern and southern borders. 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. Also travelers in cruises that depart from a U.S. port sail only within the Western Hemisphere and return the same port do not have to comply.
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.
The number of U.S. passport card applications however has increased as June 1 approaches said Brenda Sprague head of the passport division of the departments Bureau of Consular Affairs.
For states along the vast northern border which for decades enjoyed fewer restrictions than the southern border the changes sparked a wave of opposition when they were first proposed.
Concerns appear to have died down however. In Washington state for instance the governors office said it was pleased with the federal governments progress.
In the border town of Weslaco Texas Jesus Gonzalez said he crosses into Mexico about three times a month for medical needs but he had not yet applied for any of the documents.
Asked if the new requirement would affect him Gonzalez pointed back across the bridge toward Nuevo Progreso Mexico: Its going to affect them more he said. Businesses are going to hurt a tad bit and I feel sorry for them.
