1/31/2008
TUCSON, Ariz.— New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn't cause significant delays and won't be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said.
Under the rules going into effect Thursday, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens, said Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Instead, those 19 and older will have to show proof of citizenship — a passport, trusted traveler card or a birth certificate and government-issued ID such as a driver's license.

"We'll be asking those who cross our borders to present to us secure, more reliable documents to prove citizenship and to confirm their identity," said Ahern, who is heading a national effort to call attention to the changes.

"Those who do not present those documents ... may be delayed in entering the country as we try to verify the identity as well as determine the citizenship of the individual," he said.

But Ahern also said officers at the ports will have latitude to admit people who are unaware of the changes once their identities are confirmed. Thetrucker>>>>>>