do i need a passport to walk across the border into Mexico being a US citizen?

Question

i know you definitely need one to fly or boat in.. but if i walked across is it legal to get in and out without a passport being born in the US?

there was a law passed for this year that you at least need it for flying and boating but i don't know what they said about walking in. i have my US ID but i just want to know the LEGAL status of walking in and out of the border

Answer 1

New Requirements for Travelers

* Media Notes
* Flyers & Fact Sheet
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Federal Regulations

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

* Beginning January 23, 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, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
* 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.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

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 Notes

* 11/22/2006 Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007
* 10/17/2006 Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Flyers & Fact Sheet

* Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (pdfPDF)
* Flyer on Passport Requirement for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007 (pdfPDF)
* Hoja de Informacion (pdfPDF)
* WHTI Information Sheet - French (pdfPDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Federal Regulations

*
Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)
*
Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)
*
Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

Other Relevant Links

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

Answer 2

"For now, the new rules apply only to air travel. Land and sea travelers to the region have until Jan. 1, 2008, to obtain a passport or a new form of identification called a passport card."

You should always have a passport anyway, if you ever lose your license it makes it easier to get another one. I can't believe how many people only have 1 ID and not copies of it for a back-up! I had to have my license and a passport when I got hired at my last job.

The first link is from the Department of State, the second a newspaper article.

Answer 3

If you're just walking into Tijuana, you only need a U.S. government-issued photo ID - such as your driver's license. I used to live in San Diego and made the border crossing many, many times. I never needed more than that.

Answer 4

Yes you can walk in and out and you can even drive in and out up to a certain distance. Make sure you have a driver license with you though.

Answer 5

you'd need it to get back in dummy

i checked with the embassy, this is what they say:

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.

Answer 6

No you do not but make sure you carry your California or other I.D. across. You will need it to come back. I've seen people from cal. refused passage when attempting to come home as they didn't have their id. Believe me you don't want to have to stay in Mexico!

Answer 7

You only need a license to get into Mexico (i think)

I don't think anyone has ever needed a passport to get into Mexico, but you sure need one to get into Canada! (walking into Canada or boating or flying)

Answer 8

Yes customs is cracking down on things like that and you need a valid way to get back...don't risk anything

Answer 9

You don't need it to walk out, or to walk in -- yet. In a year, you will need it to walk in.

Answer 10

not if you do it at night and dont let neone see you. it might not b as easy though, depending on where on the border you are.