BajaNomad - Tighter Rules for Returning U.S. Citizens Starts June 1st

Tighter Rules for Returning U.S. Citizens Starts June 1st

BajaNews - 5-17-2009 at 01:35 PM

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/17/1m17passp...

Many hurry to get travel documents; Tighter rules for returning U.S. citizens start June 1

By Leslie Berestein
May 17, 2009

Filling out an application at the post office on Midway Drive in San Diego last week, Fernando De Santiago was among the last-minute customers who have been lining up there to obtain a passport or passport card by June.

Though travel to the United States has been subject to stricter rules for some time, a new regulation that kicks in June 1 will once and for all make the days of casual, document-free travel to and from Mexico a distant memory for U.S. citizens.

When returning through land or sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean, U.S. citizens will be required to present a passport or one of a handful of accepted documents: a passport card, a “trusted traveler” card such as a SENTRI pass, or a driver's license enhanced with radio-frequency technology, issued in some states but not California.

The change, part of what's called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, is an outgrowth of national security legislation enacted five years ago. Passports were required for air travelers returning from within the region in January 2007.

Beginning in January of last year, travelers 19 and older re-entering by land or sea had to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth or naturalization certificate, along with their state-issued identification. Oral declarations of citizenship, long the norm for day-trippers returning from Baja California, became a thing of the past.

With the final implementation of the travel initiative, state-issued driver's licenses, identification cards and birth certificates won't be acceptable documents for travelers 16 and older, although birth and naturalization certificates are still acceptable for minors under 16. The new rule won't affect legal, permanent residents.

At the Midway Drive post office, which takes walk-in passport applicants, lines have been longer than usual for about a month, said Susana Valenton, a passport acceptance clerk.

“By around 8:45, we have a long line already,” Valenton said.

De Santiago, 42, a U.S. citizen for 15 years, said he had waited until the last minute because he hadn't had an urgent need for a passport – until he realized that the new rule would affect his planned vacation in June to the Mexican city of Zacatecas, where he was born.

“I didn't have any trips planned,” De Santiago said as he scribbled his personal information on an application for a passport card. “Otherwise, I wouldn't have done this.”

De Santiago, who plans to fly to Zacatecas from Tijuana, doesn't travel much, so he chose the less-expensive passport card, a newer option that can be used only at land and sea ports of entry upon returning from nations covered by the initiative. The card costs $45, while a traditional passport book costs $100. The card can't be used for international air travel.

According to the U.S. State Department, there are more U.S. passport holders now than in 2002, when only about 19 percent of U.S. citizens had them. Today, 30 percent of U.S. citizens hold passports. Meanwhile, more than 1 million passport cards have been issued since production began last summer.

When the new travel regulations were announced in 2005, there was concern from business interests on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border about long lines heading to the north side and depressed tourism on the south side.

Tijuana residents, U.S. citizens among them, commute to jobs in San Diego County, while Baja California has long been a travel destination for visitors from throughout Southern California and beyond.

More than a year after the initial proof-of-citizenship requirement went into effect, there have been fewer problems than had been feared, said Angelika Villagrana, executive director of public policy for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“There has been a lot of awareness, I think,” she said. “Because they started it a little bit gradually, going from nothing to birth certificates, people that cross a lot are getting used to it.”

Villagrana said the travel industry has done successful outreach, though there are still tourists who can't cross into Mexico because they lack the proper documents to return.

This continues to worry merchants in Baja California, where the tourism industry has been hammered by drug-cartel violence, the global recession and most recently the swine flu, which slowed Mexico's economy to a near halt this month as the government moved to contain the virus.

The proof-of-citizenship rule hasn't helped, said Antonio Tapia Hernandez, director of the Tijuana Chamber of Commerce.

“It generated uncertainty,” Tapia said. “ 'Do I need it or not? Will I be detained or have problems upon returning?' The more documents are required, the less people want to cross.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said last week that they weren't expecting longer lines than usual leading into San Diego County on June 1.

“The more people have WHTI-compliant documents, the faster the lines will go,” said Vince Bond, a spokesman for the agency. “It speeds up the whole process.”

Bond said that travelers who don't immediately have the right documents but who aren't suspected of fraud won't be turned away. Customs officers have been and will continue handing out fliers listing which documents are acceptable.

This year, equipment was installed at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to read traveler information on radio-frequency chips embedded in passport cards, SENTRI and other trusted-traveler passes, and the “enhanced” driver's licenses being issued in Washington, Michigan, Vermont and New York.

---------------
PASSPORT FACTS

Passport book cost for people 16 and older, $100; under 16, $85.

Passport card cost for people 16 and older, $45; under 16, $35.

Cost of passport card if requested with new or renewed passport book, $20.

Passport cards are not valid for international air travel.

Online: For more passport information, go to:
http://travel.state.gov or
http://getyouhome.gov

CaboRon - 5-21-2009 at 02:10 PM

This really cracks me up,

People have been warned for at least two years that this was an upcomming event ....

And now they are still whining about having to get a passport ....

Get it together already and get the dam passport .....

The longer you wait the closer the deadline will be :lol:

And then you can see the many, many beautiful places on our diverse and awesome planet ....

[Edited on 5-21-2009 by CaboRon]

Dave - 5-21-2009 at 02:21 PM

I still have friends who swear that they will postpone, again. Great! Anything that frees up the border is a good thing.

Udo - 5-21-2009 at 02:21 PM

I was informed by US Customs that they will accept a TWIX card.
Google it for more info.

Martyman - 5-21-2009 at 02:25 PM

I love Twix... but Snickers is still my favorite

Bronco - 5-21-2009 at 04:30 PM

Just returned from a biz trip to Chula Vista. The Post Office on Oxford has lines starting at 6:30a.m. and last all day long. Some enterprising “people” have gotten in line-muy temprano-got a number, then sell it to someone at the end of the line.

Udo - 5-21-2009 at 05:30 PM

:lol:

Marty.
Will we see you in San Diego next weekend at the Baja Expo

Waiting for the Curtain to Go UP.

MrBillM - 5-21-2009 at 06:48 PM

On the Big Show.

I hope there's at least a little bit of Chaos. Enough to make entertaining viewing on The News Channels.

Since I won't be crossing Northbound during that time, I'll be disappointed if there aren't some antics to laugh over.

Reminds me of the late 70s Gas "Crisis" when I was going to a company school up in the Big City. I'd pull in early each a.m. to top off my tank in mostly empty Gas Stations and then laugh at the lines snaking around the block in the afternoons.

Panic is the American way.

CaboRon - 5-22-2009 at 09:21 AM

Tags: Front Row Washington, canada, customs border protection, Mexico, passport
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is making a big push to make sure Americans are aware that effective June 1 new document requirements will be in effect for entering the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The promotional material handed out to reporters to show the different acceptable forms of identification all used the name in the example of "Happy Traveler."

Verbal statements of American citizenship, birth certificates, or ordinary driver's licenses will not comply with the new requirements for re-entry after camping in the wilds of Canada, sunning on the beaches of Mexico, or cruising the Caribbean.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, created in response to the Sept. 11 attacks, will require one of the following for Americans: passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license, or one of three trusted traveler program cards.

Except for the passport, they all have a Radio Frequency Identification chip that can be held up to an electronic reader before the traveler encounters the officer at the entry booth.

Entry by Canadians also requires passport, enhanced driver's license, or a trusted traveler program card. There will be no change for Mexicans who will continue to be required to present a passport with visa or a border crossing card.

The government will be flexible for some time after the June 1 start of the program for those who didn't get the memo on the changes, but repeat offenders will be noted.

"We'll get to a point where enough is enough," Jayson Ahern, acting commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told reporters.

Asked whether the identification cards were similar to an EZPass to get through toll booths, Ahern replied: "Similar but different." He said he doesn't expect the changes to increase traffic backup at entry points.

Bajahowodd - 5-22-2009 at 10:03 AM

Does anyone know which states actually issue drivers licenses with the radio chip?

I realize that the passport card and/ or SENTRI is fine for people making frequent cross-border trips. However, anyone contemplating travel anywhere else in the world, needs a passport book.

Drunk bar talk

Dave - 5-23-2009 at 10:31 AM

That's unconstitutional! sez a bar regular.

Passport or no passport, ain't it illegal to refuse a citizen admittance to their own country?

Wouldn't they send you to secondary, hassle you a bit but then eventually let you in?

CaboRon - 5-23-2009 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
That's unconstitutional! sez a bar regular.

Passport or no passport, ain't it illegal to refuse a citizen admittance to their own country?

Wouldn't they send you to secondary, hassle you a bit but then eventually let you in?

My lawyer for many years has admonished me to

"Never argue your constitutional rights with the officer"

"Leave that for me to use in the courtroom"

Good advice if you ask me ....

Just get the dam passport :lol:

Getting IN

MrBillM - 5-23-2009 at 04:10 PM

When the question comes up, you're already IN the USA.

IF you CLAIM U.S. citizenship, legally, the worst they can do is detain you until your status is verified.

Hell, they have Salvadorans and others show up and claim asylum and they can't shuffle them back.

LEGALLY.

bajaguy - 5-23-2009 at 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Does anyone know which states actually issue drivers licenses with the radio chip?

Mainly border states such as Arizona, California, Michigan, Texas, Vermont and Washington....more may be on line soon

bajabound2005 - 5-23-2009 at 05:45 PM

California is not yet issuing RFID driver's licenses...

bajalou - 5-24-2009 at 07:34 AM

The only states that have issued them so far are Washington, Michigan, Vermont and New York. None of the states bordering Mexico are issuing them yet.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_edl.html

fishingmako - 5-26-2009 at 06:38 PM

Coming real soon.