WASHINGTON, D. C. –US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now requires Canadians to carry a passport or an approved alternative if they plan to cross into the US by land. Since the June 1 implemention, no major back-ups have materialized, but border guards have reportedly been showing some leniency. FAST cards and enhanced drivers licences (when and where available) will suffice under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). However, a conventional driver’s licence and birth certificate are no longer be enough to get you across the border, the agency warns.

“Obtaining a WHTI-approved document and complying with the law will help make our borders more secure,” said CBP acting commissioner Jayson P. Ahern. For more details, visit www.getyouhome.gov.