New I.D. rules at U.S. border begin Thursday

By Ken Johnston
Editor

If you are planning to travel to the United States by land after this Wednesday you will need more identification.
Prior to Jan. 31, 2008 a driver’s licence was adequate to get a person into the U.S.
Now U.S. law will require a person to present a government issued photo ID such as a driver’s licence AND a birth certificate or citizenship card.
After several delays in the new laws, this is the first step to more secure ID requirements by the United States. The initial push was for Canadians and Americans to have to present a passport when entering the U.S. by land or sea. That is already required when flying into the U.S. However, that requirement has been delayed several times with the latest delay pushing it to June of 2009.
A person who has a valid passport will speed things up at the border by using it rather than the driver’s licence and birth certificate.
Another acceptable form of ID for travellers is the NEXUS and the FAST cards, usually issued to frequent travellers applying for them.
Canadians under 18 may show just their birth certificate to gain entry.
Work on high tech new driver’s licences in Ontario and other jurisdictions is still ongoing but have not been accepted by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security as secure alternatives to Passports.