Crossing back across the border

[Kebo]

Here is a link that talks about passports and pass cards. I believe it's correct when they say a new passport land travel change by January 2008 is probably a ludicrous fantasy, and the PASS card is also not going to happen by then.( it's suppose to be required by June 2009, as 2008 is just a target date?)

I been reading on this site and others that DHS hasn't even asked for money to fund new passport/pass cards which will cost millions. Others like Sampson are saying the new pass cards are imminent, but I for one aren't so sure, due to the cost and the political nature of immigration subjects.( do we really want a tamper proof card?) However, what we do know for sure is Congress will visit this topic again this summer.

Those asking what's the big deal about a $100 passport? It's a big deal as lot of Mexican-American families that have three or more kids. That's $500 dollars just for the family, and besides these families rarely if ever travel to Europe on a family vacation, as buying a passport is just a waste of money to them when they are only going to use to for TJ.


http://studenttravel.about.com/od/uspassports/a/passports.htm...READ LINK:

And don't forget in case you want to ask again? Yes the only thing you need to visit Tijuana to at least the end of this year is a drivers license only if you are a US citizen.( I don't want to give any advice to non US citizens, but I believe you'll green card or passport will work fine.)

Don't forget Drivers license only if your driving or walking in Tijuana till at least 2007.

 

[liya79]

It actulally has nothing to do with Mexico as if it were up to the Mexican people the border would be open. I have studied this issue a great deal and all accounts have been that the passport will not be the only acceptable document...for the first few years, there was talk about the driver's license being acceptable, but the last two years the "powers that be" have mentioned border passes with or border cards....

I think of it as a compromise for those people who say it will kill tourism. Not that it won't kill tourism, but the politicians say the pass will be quicker and less expensive. Some how I picture border pass business around the border similar to insurance places and casas de cambio.

 

[Thebringeroftruth]

Okay, dude. I will assume you know more about Mexico than I do...all things considered.

 

[Kratnoff]

I wouldn't hesitate to say it, but I generally just say I live in Mexico and I am making a quick US run.

Yes I have seen the name of the "alternative document" listed as both a border pass and pass card...might even have a new name if they ever develop it.

 

[kirst is back!!]

Apparently it is going to be called a Passcard......
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cdpmc/cdpmc_225.html
the law will most likely be pushed back due to
politics and the backup of passports being isssued,
they are already backed up by millions, I wonder
how much they are going to charge for a Passcard
and how long it will last? Even if you don't have a
Passport by then, if you are a US citizen they will
just take you into the back room until they find
out you are a citizen, no word as to if you will
be fined? Which brings up an interesting question
when they ask you your purpose of visiting Mexico
do you say Mongering?

 

[Jazmyne]

plan to tighten U.S. borders by requiring passports or tamper-resistant identification cards from everyone entering the country has been delayed.
House and Senate lawmakers agreed to push back the program by 17 months, saying they want to make sure new ID cards being developed by the Bush administration will better secure borders against terrorists without slowing legitimate travelers from Canada and Mexico. The new ID's will be required for Americans and all others entering the U.S.


Notice the plan to require a passport or border pass has been pushed back 17months...yes because the border pass will not be ready....but the requirement is currrently being delayed for 17 months...I feel strongly that it will be delayed way past that as well.

 

[coral]

If you read your own article it states the ID program is being delayed ... that has no bearing on the passport requirement. That will indeed start come Jan 2008 ... if not then soon .. .I mean very soon after.

 

[diamonds24]

I cannot believe that I provide a story, that shows it has been delayed and people ignore it....Maybe we should wager on weather or not passports will be required in 2008

I actually don't care, as I believe a passport/border pass requirement will shorten lines and make it easier to cross. The merchants think it will kill tourism, and they are already blaming confusion that some people think it is needed now.

 

[Beastly]

Starting jan 2008 ... everyone crossing the border will be required to have a passport ... whats the big deal with getting a passport. I doubt if there will be a border pass created because where would they get the manpower or monies to setup such a pass system.. and for what reason when a passport system is already in affect. It would only start another bureaucratic headache and another document that could be forged to get into the country.

 

[sublime]

Actually that is why passports won't be needed in 2008 as the border pass will not be available and that law will not be in effect until the border pass is available for everyone. Earliest enforcement of the border pass/passport requirement is June of 2009 and I bet it won't go into effect then either.

 

[Jesss]

Passports are required by 2008. As of now all you
need is a Drivers License. If you are active military
and have your military ID you can ignore all of the
above. It is only a rumor that there will be a Border
Pass, and I seriously doubt it will happen,the US
is cracking down on immigration issues that is the
whole reason for everyone to have Passports by
2008.

 

[Final Dexter]

Well then I think you don't understand. The law if it ever will take effect, will not take effect until the border pass is available. The border pass will be easier to get than a passport and it will be less expensive. When I said it would be easier, I meant it will be easier to get than a passport.

 

[Falco19 HELL YA!]

I am agreeing that a timeline on the border pass is hard to determine. I personally think it is not likely to happen at all for the reasons specified. And I disagree that it would make things easier. Many of us would go to TJ much less often, if at all, if there was more red tape involved.

 

[ATHEIST IS TRUTH!]

I am not sure what you are agreeing with....the border pass will make it easier for tourism and traveling...instead of requiring a passport you can you the border pass, which will be less expensive and easier to get.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Gotta agree. I doubt that there will ever be a border pass for day trips across the borders by foot or car. The impact on local tourism in border areas like Vancouver and Tijuana/Rosarito/Ensenada would be drastic while the added national security would be minimal.

 

[NotInsaneINC]

I will put money on when or if this law takes effect, that a border pass will be available and acceptable to cross. They will not pass this law with the passport being the only acceptable form of ID.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Sampson wrote:

I would not put any money on 'border passes' in 2008 or 2009. This is a political situation, some people just don't like the idea of border pass, just like they don't like the idea of passports or building fences between Mexican and the US. In 2009 will have a new President, hopefully a Democrat President, with a new Homeland security director. Who knows what there plans will be in 2009? Or what will happen if there is another major terrorist attack in the US? A simple Border pass will not be enough for the hardliners. Or we might get a Democratic, President, Congress, and Senate, and they decide to keep everything like it is now. Read the article again, it's a 'PLAN' and they are quoting Republicans who are no longer in power, and the Democrat is saying this whole thing is a 'train wreck.' ( I would think the business community in the US would be against tamper proof border passes, and the business community gets listened to not the Minutemen)

 

[gringa]

BTW a few months ago, when driving across the border, the agent told me the same thing about 2008....I told him that the earliest would be June of 2009, and then he confessed to me that they are instructed to say 2008 so that people will get their passports early. As you know they were also saying the same thing in early 2006 saying the date was January of 2007.

 

[Crow]

Did you read the article I copied and posted????

Until the border pass is available you will be able to cross with your ID. The earliest will be June of 2009, as the article is saying they cannot get the border pass to be available that soon.

 

[legionfalls]

As of now there is no Border Pass, Passports are going
to be required for everyone in 2008, not 2009. Right
now all you need is a DL. Also, if you are in active
duty military you do not need a passport to cross the
border, just your military ID, and you wont have to
get a passport like everyone else by 2008.