Homeland Security Locks Horns With Congress: Get Ready for Tighter Border Crossings

Last month the US Congress passed legislation that was thought to put off tighter identification requirements for folks crossing the US borders by land. Now the Department of Homeland Security has fired a shot back at Congress: Expect tighter identification requirements by the end of the month when making land crossings.

In a terse statement, apparently aimed at congressional leaders, Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff said it was, "Time to grow up and recognize that if we're serious about this threat [that of terrorist activity], we've got to take reasonable, measured, but nevertheless determined steps to getting better security." It didn't take long to get a response from Congress.

Noting that Chertoff's department was forced to temporarily suspend a similar requirement for air travelers last summer when the rule caused a massive U.S. passport backlog, Representative Thomas M. Reynolds (R-N.Y.) said that Chertoff, "frankly has as much credibility on telling people to grow up as Geoffrey the giraffe." Geoffrey is the advertising mascot of America's largest toy retailer, Toys R Us.

What's the bottom line? At this stage of the "chess game" between Homeland Security and Congress, it looks as though Congress is on the losing end. Chertoff says travelers entering the US will need to do more than just declare their citizenship verbally, they'll need to prove it. If they don't have a passport, an "enhanced driver license," or border pass card, then a photo identification plus proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) will be required.

It would appear similar documentation will be required to enter the US from Mexico.

For more information, visit The Washington Post.