PVCC Puma Press: April 2006

As early as Jan. 1, 2008, spur of the moment trips to Rocky Point, Mexico will not be possible for students unless they have obtained the required citizenship documentation, per a new law set forth by the United States Department of Homeland Security. Passports will be required upon re-entry only across U.S. borders.

Brian Levin, public affairs officer within the Office of Field Operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection bureau, explains the details for this upcoming change. Levin explains that the “Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative” will require travelers from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or an approved alternate identification card when crossing U.S. Borders.

The first part of this initiative, according to Levin was the requirement of passports for air travel, implemented on Jan. 23, 2007. The second part of the initiative will require travelers by land and sea to present a passport or passport card, also known as a PASS Card, upon re-entry to the U.S.

Although inevitable, Levin explains, a set date for implementation has not been finalized. The window for implementation can be as early as Jan. 1, 2008. However, no later than June 1, 2009. The factors remaining for discussion between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are related to the finalization of the PASS Card, as well as equipping borders with the proper technology to scan and validate these cards, says Levin.

What will the new process entail exactly? Upon implementation officers will run each PASS Card through a machine to validate citizenship, explains Levin. The benefit from a security standpoint is that the officer will be able to review the individuals crossing the border for immigration issues, warrant for arrests, terrorist watch list, etc. The mission is to prevent terrorists from coming into the country and exploiting the loophole currently in place, in which proper citizenship documents are not required to cross U.S. borders, explains Levin.

Regardless of age, everyone attempting to cross over the U.S. border must have the proper citizenship identification present. Interesting enough, you are not required to present a PASS Card when leaving the U.S. however, you will be required upon return, explains Levin. This means, if you forget your PASS Card at home or lose it in Mexico you had better have a buddy waiting for you at the border with either your card or birth certificate to prove your U.S. citizenship. Otherwise, you will not be permitted to cross.

Wait! Don’t order you’re passport just yet. Levin explains the benefits of obtaining a PASS Card in lieu of a passport is related to price and size. The PASS Card will be the approximate size of your driver’s license and the price significantly lower than that of a passport. Although the specifics relating to the PASS Card have not been finalized, the current fee for obtaining a passport within their eight-week window is $97. If you wish to expedite the order to obtain in an approximate two week time frame the price is $157. One final comment; please keep in mind that if you plan on traveling out of the country via air, you should obtain a passport instead of a PASS Card. The PASS Card is for land and sea travel only.