Civic groups in locales most affected by this change were provided a briefing on the change, discussing what will be asked of them and why it is deemed important. Media events were held in 22 locations, including Alaska and Hawaii and northern and southern border cities. CBP also participated in a Chamber of Commerce event in Ottawa, Canada.

Today starts the beginning of a transition where U.S. and Canadian citizens crossing into the U.S. from either Canada or Mexico, via land or sea, will be asked to provide proof of identity and citizenship. This can be as simple as a driver’s license and a birth certificate.

As early as June, 2009, all who enter the U.S. will be required to present secure documents. Today’s change is a precursor to the 2009 implementation. Both are designed to help make the border crossing process secure and more efficient.

"Anyone from drug and human traffickers to homicide suspects to potential terrorists can show up at our border and tell us they are someone they’re not," CBP Deputy Commissioner Jayson Ahern told the media in Tucson, Ariz. "Not making sure we know who we’re letting into our country is just too big a risk."

CBP officials from headquarters and local ports emphasized that standardizing documents travelers use will have the added benefit of making the inspection process at the border more efficient.

"Currently, CBP officers are presented 8,000 different documents, from baptismal certificates to student library cards," said Thomas Winkowski, CBP’s assistant commissioner in charge of port operations. "It is incredibly difficult for CBP officers to recognize all of these documents in a matter of seconds."

These events and other outreach efforts have led to hundreds of stories being reported on this change each week over the passed month.

"We’ve done a lot of work to make sure travelers are aware of how best to speed the inspection process when crossing the borders," said Jeffrey Robertson, assistant commissioner for public affairs.

Recently travelers entering the U.S. via land or sea, specifically by ferry or pleasure boat, began receiving a printed reminder of the change and details on how to comply.