Now there are official new rules for crossing the border, and because it involves a price which may be considered hefty, a less expensive alternative has been created.
Roger Maier, Public Affairs Specialist from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said that effective January 31, oral declaration of citizenship will not be accepted on ports of entry.
Citizens must prove their legal status with appropriate documentation, such as a U.S. or Canadian passport, a U.S. passport card or Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST), according to Maier. 
Military members and Native Americans need to present their identification card, and citizens who do not have any one of these documents, must present both an identification card and a citizenship document.
Acceptable identification cards include a driver’s license or other card with a photo, name and date of birth.
Citizenship documents include a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. certificate of naturalization or
citizenship.
“Travelers who do not present one of the documents required may be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify their citizenship and identity,” said CBP officer Salas, who is stationed at the Ysleta bridge.
“I won’t pay $100 for a passport, and I won’t be travelling anywhere. I just go to Juarez every weekend, and I will use my I.D. and my birth certificate,” said Jorge Zamarripa, EPCC freshman.
The El Paso-Juarez community, like other border cities, has people that commute everyday between both cities.
Marisela Flores, child development major, lives in Juarez and attends EPCC. “I have my passport since last year, and I don’t want problems for coming to school, but I didn’t know about it [the new passport card]. I already paid $97 for the passport, plus $15 for the pictures. It’s not fair!”
According to the Department of State, the cost of a passport is $97 for an adult, which is effective for 10 years and $82 for a child, which is good for five years.
To ease the cost, the Department of State developed a less expensive alternative. The passport card will carry the same rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book, except for when travelling by air.
First-time users pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children. Applications are available on Feb. 1 at post offices and other public government offices.
Adults with the traditional passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal by paying only $20.
