According to Boarder Patrol, starting next year you'll need a passport to cross the border.

Is that coming back or going over there? Just curious since I go to Mexico this year want to be prepared..

Thanks, Looks like I will finally have to be forced to get a passport.

As you exit Mexico, Border Patrol are telling folks going back into California that you'll need a passport in 2006. But no matter what way you look at it, you'll need a passport. Cause if you get into Mexico, you'll want to come out, right?

Michelle, I'm with you. Maybe if we get passports we'll actually use them one day (other than for Mexico.) Mexico doesn't even count as another country to me since I can drive there in a couple hours. It doesn't feel official.

Thank goodness you've got a year to get in shape for that passport picture!!!!

I have a passport but the picture doesn't look like me anymore. SIGH!! Guess it is time for a new one. Or not. LOL!!! Might wait the 10 years for it to expire and then get a new pic. LOL!!

Wonder if that's for all the border towns into MX? Or just the CA/MX border? I live a few hours from the MX border in San Antonio, TX and I haven't heard that yet. I'm going for a fill this Sat. and I'll be sure to ask the border patrol then. Thanks for the info.

Becki :beard

I was under the impression it had to do with September 11, so it would probably affect all borders. Becki, let us know what the border patrol says when you get back, and have a nice fill

Proposed Timeline for Implementation for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Requirements

The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

* December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

* December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

* December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

I thought I would post the latest update from http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2224.html

for those of us who travel to Mexico, from what it says we will not need a passport to cross the border until December of 2007.

I specifically asked the border patrol and there answer to me was

"If the President signs this into law then Yes we you will need a passport" and he directed me to this web-site for the lastest info

Just thought I would share it with all of you

My passport will expire next year. Hopefully, I will look like my picture again when it expires - it was new in 1997, the time of Phen-fen. A couple of years later, when I was traveling somewhere, an individual asked me if it was depressing to have a passport photo that looked that nice - considering my size then. Thankfully, there was no cup of hot coffee in my hands...