New Border Travel Card

January 18, 2006

The Bush administration, bowing to grumbling from U.S. border communities, announced plans Tuesday to enable U.S. citizens to crisscross U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico with a $50 “travel card” similar to a driver’s license rather than requiring a $97 U.S. passport.

Canada and Mexico, as well as U.S. border states and communities, have complained about administration plans to require U.S. citizens and foreigners crossing U.S. borders to carry passports or similarly secure documents by Dec. 31, 2007.

Currently, Americans present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to return home from quick visits to Canada or Mexico.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the Bush administration would begin issuing the border-crossing cards by the end of the year.

Each card eventually may include an electronic chip with individually identifying biometric information such as fingerprints, retinal scans or digitally measured facial features.

Could this be the precursor to a national identity card?

Source: Hearst Newspapers, Jan. 18, 2006