New border crossing rules

New border rules create 'invisible Berlin Wall': mayor

Article said:

New U.S. rules on cross-border travel that take effect Monday represent a "heightened militarization" that will hurt the traditionally close relationship between border communities, the mayor of Sarnia, Ont., said Sunday.

"That longest and friendliest border in the world is now an invisible Berlin Wall," Mike Bradley told CBC News, responding to the new requirement that travellers carry a secure document to enter the U.S. by land. It is the latest in a series of security measures implemented since the terror attacks on New York and Washington D.C. on Sept. 11, 2001.

The border city mayor predicted a "dramatic" decrease in traffic flowing between the two countries — that Americans won't spend the money on documents now needed for a single-day trip.

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One of the following will be needed to enter the USA:

* Passport.
* NEXUS card.
* Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card.
* Enhanced driver's licence (EDL) or an enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province where a U.S.-approved EDL/EIC program has been implemented.
* Secure Certificate of Indian Status (when this certificate is available and approved by the United States).

I consider this to be a mild form of protectionism. Fewer people will enter Canada to buy goods and will instead buy American. I also think this damages relations and perpetuates the idea that the Canadian border is a security threat. The idea was started around 9-11 and now it is coming full circle, even though Canada had nothing to do with America's security problems.

It's worthwhile to note that Canada does not hold the same policy towards American visitors at this time.

Never have had to use a passport before because when I went oversesas I just used my military orders and ID.

Have a question, do passports expire when you get them now and if they do how long are they good for?

TheNextEra said:

Never have had to use a passport before because when I went oversesas I just used my military orders and ID.

Have a question, do passports expire when you get them now and if they do how long are they good for?

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Yes they expire. Canadian ones expire after 5 years, but I heard the government is considering lengthening that to 10 years because they are such a hassle to get. Also, if you travel overseas, most countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months or more beyond your planned stay, otherwise they will not issue you a visa.

Passports are a pain to get. You need a guarantor's signature and that person needs to be in a certain profession (in the listed criteria) and you must know them personally for 2 years or more; you have to show a birth certificate, various ID (and if you don't have this ID, you must go elsewhere and apply for it first before starting the passport process), and of course pay the fee.

The biggest pain, IMO, is showing up at the passport office at 9am when it opens, and waiting in line all day with the hope you'll get seen before 4pm. At least, that is the Canadian system.