Passport changes for traveling in Baja

Until recently, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) was saying that full implementation of the Westerrn Hemisphere Travel Initiative (also known as WHTI or the pasport law) could be as early as summer of this year. CPB now has posted on its website that full implementation will not take place before June of 2009.

That means that land travelers to Baja will not need to show a passport (or similar document) upon their return to to U.S. before that time. As of this past Jan. 31, a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) were required for U.S. citizens older than 18. On Feb. 1, applications for the less expensive passport card opened.

Additional details are available on www.cbp.gov

Ron Raposa,
Public Relations
Rosarito Beach