Proof of Citizenship now Required at Border Crossings

Heightened Security at the Border Requires All Travelers Crossing to Show Proof of Citizenship

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.