It's time to prepare for new border crossing rules
— -- All borders are created equal. It may sound overly simplistic to point this out, but every day Americans who would never forget to bring proper documentation when traveling outside the country on a commercial airline flight or cruise ship attempt to drive or walk from Canada or Mexico without making the same provisions.
And starting on June 1, visiting some of our closest neighbors—including Bermuda and most Caribbean countries, as well as Canada and Mexico—will become much more complex with the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. In fact, if you haven't applied for a passport yet, it may be time you give it serious thought.
Not so friendly anymore
After 9/11, all U.S. border entrances were tightened, leading to severe disruptions at certain crossings. Subsequently, over the last seven years there has been a severe drop-off in cross-border traffic, on both the Canadian and Mexican fronts. And congestion has gotten critical in many locations. This has probably had a greater impact on the northern side, on what was once termed "The Friendliest Border in the World," since some may recall a more innocent era when you could cross back into certain states from Canada without even being stopped at times.
But statistics underscore a dramatic shift: In 2000 more than 90 million passengers in private vehicles crossed over from Canada; by 2007 that number had dropped to 58 million. Pedestrian traffic on the northern border also fell off, though not as dramatically. As for Mexico, 240 million people entered the U.S. by car in 2000, but by 2007 that figure had fallen to 165 million. However, pedestrian traffic increased from 47 million to 50 million during that seven-year span.
Obviously there are specific issues related to immigration that differentiate the Mexican and Canadian borders. But one factor remains the same, whether you're in Maine or New Mexico: Border crossings by car and on foot—let alone by bus or train—are being treated much more seriously now, and regulations are tightening.
A new era
The new rules that kick in on June 1 will affect travel from 19 countries in all (see box at left), and many are nations that millions of Americans have been traveling to and from for years without carrying valid passports. But two months from now, new rules mandate that "most" U.S. citizens entering the country by land, sea, or air must establish both identity and citizenship and therefore must possess one of the following:
• passport
• passport card
• other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security
Those "other travel documents" include Lawful Permanent Resident Cards; certain Native American tribe member cards; North American trusted traveler program cards, such as NEXUS (Northern Border program), SENTRI (Southern Border program), or FAST (Free and Secure Trade program); military ID with official travel orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner Documents; or enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs). Currently, four border states—Arizona, New York, Vermont, and Washington—have announced EDL programs, which issue driver's licenses imbedded with security chips that will expedite crossings.
As for passport cards, they're a new initiative and are issued by the State Department. Each costs $45 for those over 16 and $35 for those under 16 (as opposed to $100 and $85, respectively, for a U.S. passport). Although passport cards are valid for ten years for adults and five years for kids, they are not valid for international air travel. So passport cards will not prove to be much of a bargain for many Americans who are planning on vacationing outside the U.S. in coming years.
Some friendly advice
I recently spent some time watching those who work on one of our borders, and a few observations came to light. Please consider the following:
• Treat all border crossings the same. The simple fact is that federal authorities do this, but many otherwise savvy travelers do not. It doesn't matter if you're in an airport, a cruise terminal, your own car, or on a footbridge: If you're leaving the United States, you're leaving the United States. And if you don't have the right documentation, you might encounter a real headache upon your return.
• Check before you go. Determine what paperwork you'll need BEFORE you travel. Don't wait until you're outside the U.S., knocking to get back in.
• Time and distance don't matter. Again, if you step foot outside the U.S., you've crossed over and getting back in has the potential to turn into a big deal. This applies even if you're just having lunch in Vancouver, taking photos in Tijuana, snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands, or shopping on the other side of Niagara Falls.
• Compare the wait times. Border crossings are notorious for long queues. It's a must for anyone traveling across a U.S. border to first check the CBP's Border Wait Times page. For example, one day last week there was a 20-minute delay at Detroit's Windsor Tunnel, yet a 40-minute delay at Detroit's Ambassador Bridge. At the same time, there was a 5-minute delay at Laredo's Colombia Solidarity crossing but a much longer 30-minute delay at Laredo's World Trade Bridge. Obviously such delay times can be much more significant based on dozens of factors, so it pays to know in advance.
• Some paperwork can be better than none. Here's another helpful hint: If for any reason you've applied for a passport and haven't received it yet, visit this page on the U.S. State Department's site. You can check on the status of your application online, and then print out the results and carry them with you. Unofficially, I've been told that while it won't replace a passport, this confirmation can go a long way toward easing an unpleasant situation at the border.
• Don't forget about the kids. Children have special requirements, and often need paperwork of their own. In addition, kids traveling without both parents and/or kids who have a different last name than their accompanying parent may be detained to prevent a custody violation or abduction. In certain circumstances, it makes sense to consult an attorney before taking a child out of the country.
• NEVER give attitude to federal employees. Whether they represent Customs and Border Protection, Immigration, Agriculture, or any of the other agencies you may encounter at a border crossing, these folks should command the same respect as when you're trapped behind those heavy doors at an international airport's arrivals hall. (And consider for a moment how angry you'd be if they allowed a terrorist into the United States through a "side door" such as Canada or Mexico.)
Attitude comes in many forms. It's not just about rude remarks. If you want to move painlessly through a border crossing, then remember this:
• Keep your documents with you, not packed in a bag in the trunk or strapped onto the luggage rack. Would you tell a federal officer at an airport that your passport is locked in your bag and you don't want to bother getting it out?
• Turn off all electronic gear. Federal agents are trained to be suspicious of Improvised Explosive Devices, so that one extra cellphone call could ruin your afternoon.
• Even if you're on foot, remember that pedestrians are subject to the same rules as those arriving on a Boeing 747 or a 150,000-ton cruise ship.
Dive into the details
The new rules contain a lot of caveats, so it makes sense to learn more about your specific status. Here are some key links to help you understand the current and pending regulations for traveling outside the United States:
• The State Department site contains an overview of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) site also provides key information.
• The CBP's Travel page provides details about the requirements for U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents traveling outside our borders.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) site also provides detailed information on its Crossing U.S. Borders page.
• For those traveling into or out of Canada, information on that country's regulations is available at the Canada Border Services Agency site.
Bill McGee, a contributing editor to Consumer Reports and the former editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, is an FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher who worked in airline operations and management for several years. Tell him what you think of his latest column by sending him an e-mail at USATODAY.com at travel@usatoday. Include your name, hometown and daytime phone number, and he may use your feedback in a future column.