Stricter Border Crossings after Jan.31

[CdnTink]

I work in Windsor and AM800, our local news radio station was announcing that the American Border will be increasing it's security after Jan.31, 2008, which will more than likely result in increased wait times. Just thought I'd give everyone who plans on crossing a heads up.

Wait times have been longer lately, about an hour or longer on the American side, coming home on the Canadian side is still relatively smooth sailing, about 20 min max.

 

[happydvcmember]

Thanks for the heads up we will be crossing in June and i was wondering what was gonna happen at the border this year there is still no word yet on passports for people who drive over if you by chance here anything on that please let us all know.

Mike

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Thanks for the info, will that be all crossings or just by Windsor??

 

[CdnTink]

I'm assuming all crossings. I know that land and sea travel will not require passports until June, but air requires them now. For now you can cross at the border in a vehicle and fly anwhere from a US airport to another US airport without it. There has been a lot of talk of an enhanced DL for Ontarians. Not sure what is going on with that.

 

[Northstar]

I'm hearing there's going to be a lot more checking for proof of citizenship at land border crossings. That means two things:

1. Driver's license isn't proof of citizenship (though I guess that's where we're going... new drivers' licenses will likely have some indication of whether you're a citizen-driver or non-citizen-driver) so you need to dig out your BC if you don't have a passport to make sure you don't get turned back at the border.

2. If they start checking documents more to determine citizenship, that means longer wait times for everybody. More checking = longer time per car going through. Whether you have your passport or not, you'll be waiting longer.

Hope it works out.

 

[OntFamily]

This new policy by the USA has caused the Government of Canada to place ads on a frequent basis in many newspapers.

For land crossings, essentially, the US will no longer allow you to just state you are a Canadian without providing proof of citizenship (previously many people gave their drivers license for proof of ID, and gave an oral declaration of citizenship). Passports will not be required (yet) only birth certificates.


For most people, this new policy will have little effect.

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html