http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20060905...DlpBHNlYwMyNjgz

 

 

 

Under new government regulations, by Dec. 31, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada — plus Bermuda and Panama — will be required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

It's going to be a pain in the backside for people living on the border, especially those working in Mexico. Imagine if everyone travelling on 94 into Wisconsin had to stop and show a passport.

 

http://themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Te...p;Section=Local

McALLEN — For the first time in nearly 60 years, international traveler Bill Summers has inquired about getting a passport.

 

He makes frequent trips to Mexico for business and everyday chores but Summers, president of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, shows his driver’s license to re-enter the United States, sometimes several times in a week.

 

Thousands of Rio Grande Valley residents, like Summers, cross south into another country for work, entertainment, shopping or to visit family and friends. Along the northern and southern borders of the United States, crossing and simply showing a driver’s license to get home has always been routine.

 

However, that routine could change. By 2008, the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security will require all U.S. citizens who leave the country — even if it is just to buy avocados in Nuevo Progreso — to have a passport. Even Canadians —who have long enjoyed crossing into the United States with just a driver’s license — would need a passport. The thousands of Canadians who call the Valley their winter home and often travel into Mexico would all need passports to re-enter the United States. The State Department announced the idea, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, on April 5. Although the exact requirements are not final, some Valley folks, including Summers, are unhappy about the idea.

 

"It’s becoming harder and harder being an American in our own country," Summers said. "We have a lot of business over there … once a week going over to (Nuevo) Progreso at least. It’s going to be different. I don’t know. (The government) sure makes it hard, but if that’s what the law is, that’s what the law."

 

 

Wow, I'm an idiot I didn't no you didn't have to show your passport in the past. Well I guess it will be inconvienient for people.

It's going to be a pain in the backside for people living on the border, especially those working in Mexico. Imagine if everyone travelling on 94 into Wisconsin had to stop and show a passport.

 

http://themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Te...p;Section=Local

 

Well, those with Wisconsin plates (actually any plates) have to stop and pay a toll to get in,and those with non-Wisconsin plates have to pay a ticket once they cross the border from the over zealous state police.

Actually, to cross over to Canada, you do need to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency now. A Drivers License or Social Security card is not enough. You currently are supposed to have a birth certificate with you when you cross over. Passports aren't that hard to get and everyone should have one anyway.

Actually, to cross over to Canada, you do need to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency now. A Drivers License or Social Security card is not enough. You currently are supposed to have a birth certificate with you when you cross over. Passports aren't that hard to get and everyone should have one anyway.

They do cost about $100.

They do cost about $100.

 

 

Yes, and they are not as easy to get as you'd think. A gun permit is easier. Crazy.

I'm looking all over for mine. Since I stopped working in Mexico and needing a FM3, I haven't used it.