Good word won't cut it at Canada border

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Americans returning to the United States from Canada soon will face more stringent identification requirements in order to cross the border.

"For the safety of the American people, the United States cannot have an honor system at the border," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in making the announcement yesterday. Under the current system, those crossing the border from Canada into the United States can claim U.S. citizenship and be allowed into the country.

The new system, which takes effect Jan. 31, will require those crossing the border to show a passport, military identification, trusted travelers cards such as FAST or NEXUS and SENTRI, or American Indian tribal cards.

Current driver's licenses can be used but must be accompanied by one other form of identification, such as a birth certificate or naturalization card.

Youths ages 18 and younger must present a birth certificate.

"Requiring secure and reliable documentation at our borders will drastically reduce security vulnerabilities posed by permitting entry based on oral declarations alone," Mr. Chertoff said.

Customs and Border Patrol reported that in the last three months of 2007, more than 1,500 people falsely claimed to be U.S. citizens while trying to cross the U.S.-Canada border.

"As travelers become accustomed to carrying documents to cross the border, and as we move to more stringent documentation requirements, our border officers will be able to more quickly and confidently identify cross-border travelers," Mr. Chertoff said.

The announcement drew protests from Congress, where critics on both sides of the aisle fear it will cause long lines and border-crossing delays.

Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said she "urged the secretary to reconsider this approach."

"I reminded Secretary Chertoff that DHS caused unacceptable delays at the border crossings last year when it implemented license checks without having the necessary staff in place," Miss Collins said.

"For the department to impose an additional requirement of a birth certificate, which many residents do not have at hand, and to no longer accept common documents such as baptismal certificates and student ID cards as a supplement to license checks could well cause considerable difficulties and back-ups at the border," she added.

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont Democrat, called the new procedures a "heavy-handed, ill-timed and misguided government mandate."

"The looming requirement for birth certificates at the northern border is poorly planned, and with concerns about a recession on the way, the timing for clamping down on billions of dollars in trade and travel could not be worse," Mr. Leahy said.

Sen. Norm Coleman, Minnesota Republican, said the department is acting within its legal authority to impose the identification requirements but should make sure that changes pose as little inconvenience to the public as possible.