Border crossing rules change Thursday
Daniel Collins
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: News
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Beginning Thursday, new travel requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative take effect, meaning oral citizenship declarations and driver's licenses will no longer be acceptable to cross by land into the United States from Mexico or Canada.
Instead, the WHTI requires crossers to show an identifying document, such as a driver's license or a military identification card and citizenship documents, including a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a passport. Children under age 18 must also show citizenship documents starting Thursday.
"It's a transitional period," Roger Maier, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in El Paso, said of the change in document requirements. "It's driven by national security, but we believe it will expedite the crossing process down the horizon once everyone is equipped with the documents that will be acceptable."
Maier said dedicated commuter lane passes can be used instead of passports. Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, or SENTRI, cards cost about $120 to enroll and are good for five years of expedited entry. They also, however, carry an annual toll fee that could be more than $200.
Some residents have complained that new crossing requirements may cause longer lines at the bridges. El Paso, the largest Texas land port of entry, has between 30 and 35,000 north-bound entries each year and about 100,000 to 110,000 people cross the border a day, Maier said.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said residents may just have to get used to long lines in order to ensure security at border crossings. In a interview published by the Associated Press, Jan. 17, Chertoff was quoted as saying, "It's time to grow up and recognize that if we're serious about this threat, we've got to take a reasonable, measured but nonetheless determined steps to get better security."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Thalia
posted 1/31/08 @ 2:51 PM MST
I knew this was a DC piece after reading the lead.
Mike D.
posted 2/05/08 @ 7:51 AM MST
Considering the financial impact on the El Paso area by those who cross the border every day (students, shoppers, workers), why isn't there more discussion about increasing the crossing capacity or creating another entry point?
I am sure that if the crossing congestion started to impact area businesses in a negative manner, businesses would be willing to partially finance increased capacity and streamlined processes. (Continued…)
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