Texans Beware: Plan Ahead Before Popping Across The Border
The Department of Homeland Security is in the process of implementing a new travel policy that will require U.S.citizens to carry a passport when returning from Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean. This is a big change from the current situation, where citizens with little more than a drivers license can come and go across borders with ease.
The new rules will go into effect at the beginning of 2007. The current proposal is that as of January 8, 2007, the rules will apply to air and sea travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. Passports will be required for overland crossings by January 1, 2008.
So no more spur-of-the-moment shopping trips to Mexico for Texans in border communities, and perhaps substantial decreases in tourists taking cruises to Mexico or the Caribbean. The expense and waiting time to acquire a U.S. Passport may deter tourists and shoppers alike.
Estimates are that only 27% of U.S. Citizens have passports. My advice is to apply for a passport now, if you don't already have one. You never know when you might need one in a hurry.
