When entering the US by land from Mexico does a U.S. citizen have to have a passport to come back?

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MSC

Not yet. Details below:

The new rule requiring U.S. airline passengers to show a passport upon their return from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean took effect today, Jan 23. The new regulations were adopted by Congress in 2004 to secure the borders against terrorists.

The only valid substitutes for a passport will be a NEXUS Air card, used by some American and Canadian frequent fliers; identification as a U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner; and the green card carried by legal permanent residents. Active members of the U.S. military are exempt.

For now, the rules affect only air travelers. Land and sea travelers will not have to show passports until at least January 2008.

albert_noodles

I believe that the new rule only applies to reentry by air with all reentries to have a passport later in the year. That will apply to both the Canadian and Mexican Borders. What a money making deal the United States Government has come up with. There are many people that live along the border with Mexico that travel over the border frequently to spend a day. Eventually those people will have to have passports.

lpaganus

Not until January 2008, now, only air and sea travelers. Hurry up, its going to take a while.

Mexico Traveler

The answer to your question is NO! Not yet. But begining on January 1, 2008 you will need a passport to re-enter the USA.

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.

GuyNextDoor

The new law requires you to have a valid US passport when coming back to the US by land but the date is not effective yet. However it is already in effect when you are coming by air.

patrickmcc55

As of today, you need a passport

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