By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – New security measures at the region's border crossings go into effect next Thursday.
As of January 31st, you will no longer be allowed to orally state citizenship. The border crossing requirement is the first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that will require passports by June of 2009. A top U-S Customs official appeared in Buffalo Thursday to talk about the changes. Robert Jacksta is with the U-S Customs and Border Protection.
Jacksta says these changes are necessary to prevent terrorists from entering U-S borders.
If you do not have a passport, passport card or NEXUS, then you will need to present a drivers license or government issued photo I-D, along with a birth certificate. Children under 18 will also need a birth certificate. But Jacksta says U-S citizens who fail to present proper I-D may not necessarily be denied access.
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