New border crossing ID regulations start

New border crossing ID regulations start Business leaders are predicting a loss of tourism dollars and increased waits at border crossings with Mexico and Canada as a new federal law requiring U.S. travelers to provide proof of citizenship to reenter the United States takes effect today.
   The new law, adopted in 2004 on the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, requires returning U.S. citizens 19 years or older to present a valid passport or other proof of citizenship, plus a government-issued photo ID. Those under the age of 18 are exempt from the change and can continue to be waved through after declaring their citizenship.
   Business groups on both side of the U.S.-Mexico border are concerned that the regulation is a dramatic shift in the way people cross the border and the U.S. government has not sufficiently promoted the new system.
   U.S. border officials said a new passport card, that provides proof of citizenship and cost less than a regular passport, would be available starting Friday. The card, however, can only be used for entry via land and sea ports-of-entry, not at airports.
   A similar change in airport identification regulations last year led to massive backlogs in passport applications, a scenario some believe will repeat itself after Thursday's land and sea requirements kick in. According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, which processes passport applications, staffing has been increased to meet the potential demand. However wait time for a full passport are still four to six weeks.
   A portion of the new regulation requiring non-air travelers between the United States, Mexico and/or Canada to have a full valid passport was postponed by Congress last summer. The new deadline is June 2009.
   More details on current cross-border travel requirements can be found at the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Web site atwww.cbp.gov.