Proof of Citizenship now Required at Border Crossings

On January 31, 2008, crossing the border into the United States forever changed. Up until now, when crossing either the Mexican border or the Canadian border back into the United States, citizens were required to simply state their citizenship. This is no longer true. Now, all U.S. citizens as well as citizens of other nations must show proof of citizenship documents at all border crossings before being allowed to cross into the United States.

Because of the recent increase in terrorist threat (9/11) as well as the ever-growing problem of illegal aliens in the U.S., Homeland Security has taken the steps necessary to tighten border security. So what does this mean for everyday citizens? Over the past few years, discussions have taken place as to what citizen documents will be acceptable for border crossings. At one point during negotiations, Homeland Security was pushing for the approval of all US citizens being required to show passport identification at border crossings. Eventually this idea was turned down because of the ramifications it would have caused.

Currently in the U.S., citizens will have to wait in upwards of 4 - 6 months to get a passport; not to mention the cost for applying for one has increased. If every citizen had to pay for a passport and then wait for it to arrive, this would drastically change the way many citizens live their lives. For example, living close to Canada, many U.S. citizens have jobs or go to school in the Canadian provinces; would citizens not be allowed to go to work or school if they didn't have a passport?

So many are asking, if a passport isn't required, what are the acceptable citizenship documents for border crossing? In order to cross from Canada into the United States, one of the following documents is required in order to make your way into the country: (please remember that this is land border crossing only, this does not include air travel) The following documents are accepted proof of citizenship for citizens who are 19 years of age and older. Proof of citizenship must contain your name, photograph and birth date.

- State or Provincial Issued Enhanced Driver's License
- U.S. or Canadian Passport
- U.S. Passport Card (will be available in spring 2008)
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
- U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Card

Children 18 years of age and younger will be expected to present a birth certificate that has been issued by issued by a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal authority. Mexican citizens, including children, who wish to cross the U.S. border are required to present a valid passport and a B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa or a Border Crossing Card. No other forms of identification or citizenship will be accepted.

Now I am a resident of Buffalo, NY, my house is actually about 10 minutes away from the American/Canadian border so over the years I have made frequent trips to the shops and beaches in Canada. Buffalo is also less than two hours from Toronto so I've made many jaunts up to see shows or baseball games, etc. In short, I am very familiar with border crossing, both into Canada as well as into the United States. Ever since the Canadian dollar became worth more than the American dollar, our borders have been swamped with Canadian shoppers (which is great for the Buffalo economy but bad for travel), so I've made it a point to stay away from the border. However, for sake of research (and for the sake of Nintendo Wii - which can't be found in Buffalo but can be found in Canada) I made the journey over the border to see if the new laws were being enforced (and to get Wii).

There are three ways to get from Buffalo into Canada: The Peace Bridge- which takes you to Fort Erie, Ontario, the Rainbow Bridge- which takes you to Niagara Falls, Ontario and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge- which is instant access to the QEW and the shortest way to get to Hamilton and Toronto from the U.S. (There is also the Whirlpool Bridge which connects from Niagara Falls, NY to Niagara Falls, ONT but it does not allow commercial vehicles and the only passengers allowed to use this bridge are NEXUS holders)

On this particular trip I took the Lewiston-Queenston bridge because I received a tip that there were some Wii's available near Hamilton, ONT. I decided to make the trip in the middle of the day because I thought it might cut down on border traffic. My boyfriend and I waited about 45 minutes to cross into Canada. When crossing into Canada they asked for our photo identification so I gave them our driver's licenses. They asked where we were from where we were going and how long we planned on staying. I answered all of the questions and easily crossed into Canada.

My boyfriend and I spent the afternoon in Hamilton. We went to the store to get the Wii, we ate some lunch and did some other shopping (I heart IKEA). All in all we spent about 4 hours in Canada. On our way back into the U.S. the traffic was a bit worse but that was probably due to the fact that workers were out of work and on their way home. Crossing back into the U.S. over the Lewiston-Queenston took almost 2 hours.

When it was our turn we pulled up to be questioned. The first thing they asked for was our identification. I handed over our licenses. She then asked us to roll down the back windows (they are tinted) to see if there was anyone else in the car. She asked where we had been, we told her shopping so she asked if we had anything to declare. We gave her the receipts for all of our purchases. After looking them over she gave them back and told us to have a nice day. So as far as border crossings go it wasn't all that bad and it wasn't any different from any other time I've crossed the border, but hey...maybe I'm just not a suspicious looking character!

I have to be honest and say that, the border crossing points from Canada into the U.S., in Buffalo, NY anyway, have had these heightened security measures in place since 9/11. So when getting close to the border I already automatically take my license out of my wallet. I'd say that before Jan 31, 2008, about 9 out of 10 times, when crossing into the United States, the border officers would ask for identification, but there were those rare times when they didn't. So I guess the only difference we will see now is that they'll ask for it every time.

Personally I think that heightened security at all U.S. border points is a very good thing. I don't think showing identification at the border is a hassle for normal travelers because you should carry identification with you anyway. All parents really need to do is make copies of their kids birth certificates and stick them in the car. That way, you'll always be prepared when crossing the border. Obviously this is the first day that the new laws are in effect, so as of right now it is hard to say what sort of impact they'll have on persons crossing the border. My hope is that in time, it will cut down on both illegal immigrants and terrorist threats. I think it is a smart way to protect our country and our homes.

Sources:

US Department of Homeland Security. "International Land and Sea Travel Document Procedures". U.S. Customs and Border Protection.