By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-836762.mp3
Dallas, TX – Beginning June first, all U.S. citizens - 16 and older -- must have a valid passport to travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda - and return to the U.S.. KERA's BJ Austin reports.
Andres Rodriguez, with the State Department, says because of the huge demand, and for border convenience, a new passport "card" is being issued for land and sea travel. It's radio frequency equipped.
Rodriguez: So as you're crossing over the border, the Customs computers will be able to read the information on the card as you're approaching the agent. You're information's going to appear on the screen. They'll be able to verify your picture, your information. So they'll be able to walk you through faster.
Rodriguez says it's a kind of "toll-tag" for Customs, and at about 45 dollars, it's half the cost of the current passport "book" - which is still required for air travel.