Remember, this is a U.S. rule. You still don't need a passport to get into Mexico but you need one to get back into the U.S. if entering by lando or sea. -------------------- U.S. Embassy Press Release For Immediate Release Land and Sea Phase of WHTI Takes Effect June 1 Mexico City, May 19, 2009 - The U.S. Embassy would like to remind the public that the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will enter in effect on June 1, 2009. WHTI requires all travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI applies to all who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. The U.S. Embassy strongly urges all U.S. citizens currently in Mexico who do not have a passport or WHTI-compliant documents such as a passport card or a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST) or Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) to apply for a passport in the near future as they will need one to enter or re-enter the United States after June 1. Standardized, secure and reliable documentation will enable Customs and Border Protection officers to quickly and accurately identify travelers at land and sea ports of entry, resulting in a more secure and efficient border. WHTI went into effect for air travel in 2007. Document requirements for Mexican citizens are not impacted by WHTI. All Mexican nationals, including children, are currently required to present a passport with a nonimmigrant visa or a laser visa Border Crossing Card to cross the U.S. border. This requirement applies to SENTRI program members as well. For more information on WHTI and the types of documents for land, air and sea travel, please visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/ <http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/> . For general information on WHTI or other travel-related programs, please visit www.travel.state.gov <http://www.travel.state.gov> . Press Office Tel 5080-2253, 5080-2000, Fax 5080-2892 http://mexico.usembassy.gov <http://mexico.usembassy.gov> If you would like to receive information from us via e-mail, please request it at: emlistmx@state.gov
I think it's funny how the US is telling people you need a US passport to get back into the US. What they really mean is that they really, really WANT you to have a passport and if you don't have one they are gonna be obnoxious to you when you re-enter the US. The US cannot legally refuse entry to its own citizens!!! That's a ridiculous concept. They can make your re-entry a thoroughly unpleasant experience (they've been practicing for years on people of other nationalities). But if you are a US citizen they have to let you in the country, passport or not.
Is really, truly true? I'm guessing if they would somehow let you back in, there would be a monumental fine for not having the right ID?
Re: New U.S. Passport Rules for Land and Sea travel Begin Ju Yeah, I'm sure that the terrorists and drug smugglers will wait patiently in line to have their documents reviewed at the border... :roll:
The whole passport requirement thing is really about getting better data on the movement of US citizens. I don't think anyone is any more secure because of it. Passports can be scanned so the computer can capture that data on them and the immigration agent doesn't have to do anything except hit the Save button. Whereas if you enter using a birth certificate then the agent has to actually type, which means lots of mistakes in the data collection. Big brother just wants to watch us more closely.
OMG here goes my BFF Rivergirl again. How novel to be able to prove your citizenship with a passport, where it must be scanned or with key entry. Birth certificates can be easily forged and while you can get a forged passport, it is nearly impossible to get one that will scan in. And just maybe we can keep a terrorist out of the US with more, but acceptable worldwide, standards for entry.
