FYI / Jan 31st passport requirements

[Beckie]

On 1/31/08, the government will no longer accept US citizens to enter the country without proof of citizenship. A passport satisfies this new requirement, or for those without a passport, they can use their birth certificate to prove citizenship. However, they'll need to see a driver's license or other state ID to prove your identity.

I don't doubt the BPE can and will ask for your driver's license in addition to your passport for DRIVERS entering the country.

Since almost all of the occasional visitors to the zona walk into TJ and back, I believe F-ball's comment was correct. You need only a passport or driver's license/state ID AND a birth certificate starting on 1/31.

Starting on 2/1/08, the State Department will start accepting applications for a "Passport Card" which can be used instead of the standard passport book or driver's license/birth certificate combo. This might be a good option for those of us who cross back and forth a lot. The card won't be actually sent out until "later this spring".

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

 

[Abby A]

F-ball, don't have any idea how many crossing you have made over any given period of time. Only can speak of my experience ; minimun 8 per month for 11 years ( you do the math ). What I can say is the " border collies " at any location have the authority at entry or anywhere they stop you in States to inforce state or federal laws if they choose to. If you are the driver of a vehicle entering the U S the minute you cross over the international border " markings " you had better be ready to present a drivers license if asked ; makes sense to me ... like you would if a Mayberry PD asked for a drivers license . Hell, they selectively ask to see the registration but that's a whole different can of worms. The federal authorities have just PROFILED you as a possible drug runner if they do , naturally they vehemently deny profiling . That choice piece of info is from the mouth of a customs agent at entry back in 1999 who lost his composure. Yes, they still " selectively " do it !
The profiling is an interesting subject wonder if it's ever been discussed here/

Back in the late 90's many a time I was asked for a drivers license ( when driving ) after presenting only a passport...at re-entry. Then they were not swiping it and tracking with computers. Given all the unlicensed or just plain junk cars ( insurance, what's that ) with Baja/Mex/expired Cal plates it never seemed appropriate to me but not much one can do. As a thought...; Big Brother has in place all the mechanizims to track U S citizens with passports, drivers license and vehicle plates. It is a shame they don't spend equal time inforcing State or Federal law on non-trackable , non-citizens. You know, doing their job of protecting the Homeland not harrassing citizens.

Don't think anyone knows at this seforum.xxxe exactly what is going to happen ( or when ) on this entry matter. With all sincerity can not imagine the border authority freely disposing of a very valuable tool like a driver license simply because it's not specifically stated in the law. After all, the first rule of getting behind the wheel anywhere is a valid drivers license. Wonder how many arrest warrants they would give up in a month if they trashed the drivers license as a supplement if one is a driver.

 

[Ary Jan]

Rodger that Sir...

 

[Amanda C]

Yes check out this thread we covered this area:

http://www.worldsexguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36015

The requirement on Jan 31 2008 is suppose to be either driver license, and Birth certificate together or just passports by itself. There is no law about passports and driver licenses together, but if you don't have a passport then you'll need both a drivers license and birth certiicate . Right now till the end of Jan you only need a drivers license.( two days ago I used only my drivers license to visit TJ)

The passport requirement has been posponed to the summer of 2009.

Look for more changes and delays in the furture,

 

[ginalynnacp]

Haven't seen anything on this subject so thought some first hand info might be usefull to some....

Drove across this past Monday and decided to test what I thought to be the new law going into effect Jan 31st ( passport , drivers license or birth cert and lic ). Just handed my passport to CBP at drive thru seeing if he would pass me without the drivers license ; the license is all I have used in the past. He swiped my passport , said have a happy day and made no request for CDL.

After clearing me through ask him if the new requirements were in fact going to be implimented on the 31st. His reply was " No, been extended to Jan 31, 2009 "
Anyone else hear anything on this ?