Canadians new border law

New rules for the types of identification U.S. or Canadian citizens must present to cross into the country shouldn't cause significant delays and won't be strictly enforced at first, a senior federal official said.
Under the rules going into effect Thursday, people will no longer be allowed to simply declare to immigration officers at border crossings that they are citizens
Thousands of Canadians visit the Grand Strand each year and a driver's license is the only ID they've ever needed to cross the border.
They say, after September 11th, crossing the border became a little more of a hassle than it was before and now, the US government is adding another wrinkle.
Starting Thursday, Canadians will be required to show proof of citizenship, like a passport or birth certificate, along with their photo ID.
But the Travel Industry Association of America isn't convinced that it's no problem.
The association says the new law could hinder border travel and they say just a 5% decline in Canadian visits could cost the US economy nearly $700-million, without really improving security.
The visitors from Canada say if the new border requirements cause any problem at all, it might be a slightly longer time getting across the border and those wait times are already long enough.
Longer waits or not a passport will be required for all travel outside the US starting in June, 2009.
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