does anybody know about having a passport to travel by land??

Question

we usually travel to mexico every year for christmas, but i heard that now we need to use a passport even to travel by land. Some in my family are us citizens and others are permanent residents, and that they also need another type of id like a "matricula" or a mexican passport.......

i really appreciate the help, and i'm sure a lot of others will too.!!

Answer 1

I don't know the 'by land' route, but at my work they just sent out an email stating travel to canada and mexico requires a passport, the email states:

New 2007 Passport Requirements:



U.S. citizens planning for their travel in the new year should be aware that effective 8-Jan, 2007 passports will be required for air or cruise travel to Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America and Bermuda. All children regardless of age (including newborns and infants) must have their own passport.



http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Answer 2

http://travel.state.gov/

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/documentary_requirements.xml

U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) must provide one of the following in addition to a valid passport:

I-551, Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”)
Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa endorsed with a CBP Admission Stamp
Temporary Residence Stamp (ADIT stamp) contained in a passport or on Form I-94
Valid Reentry Permit
Unexpired Immigrant Visa
From:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documents_needed.xml

Answer 3

yes, they are requiring it to return to the US, I suggest that you get one. A permanent resident would just need his Mexican passport (or whatever country he is from) with his visa stamp on it. Also he will need his greencard (since it is required to be on you at all times and can be swiped to re-enter the country.

Answer 4

They put off the deadline yet again... One of the last acts of Congress...

Answer 5

current requirements:

MEXICO - *Passport, or proof of citizenship (such as original birth certificate or naturalization certificate) and photo ID. Tourist card is required. Tourist card valid 3 months for single entry up to 180 days, $20 fee, requires proof of U.S. citizenship, photo ID, and proof of sufficient funds. Visa not required of U.S. citizens for tourist/transit stay of up to 30 days. Obtain tourist cards in advance from Consulate, Tourism Office, and most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival. Departure tax $10 is paid at airport when not included in the cost of the airline ticket. Notarized consent from parent(s) required for children under age 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone else’s custody. For additional information, check with the Embassy of Mexico, 1911 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202/736-1000) or nearest Consulate General: AZ (602/242-7398), CA (213/351-6800, 415/392-5554 and 619/231-8414), CO (303/331-1110), FL (305/716-4977), GA (404/266-1913), IL (312/855-1380), LA (504/522-3596), NY (212/217-6400), PR (809/764-0258) or TX (210/227-1085, 214/630-7341, 713/542-2300, 512/478-9031 and 915/533-4082). Internet: http://www.embassyofmexico.org/



New Requirements for Travelers


Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

On January 8, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.
Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Media Note - Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)

Other Relevant Links

Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Customs and Border Protection