In the few days that the new federal Border ID rules have gone in affect along the nation’s borders, there appears to be little delay for travelers unprepared for the change.  The Associated Press reports that Customs officials said that most motorists had the documentation they needed, and in many cases where they didn’t, most were allowed to cross with a warning. 

Officers both at the border roadways and ports had latitude to admit people who are unaware of the changes once their identities were confirmed, and many points were offering a grace period and handing out fliers explaining the changes.  “It’s been a very smooth transition,” said Thomas Winkowski, asst. commissioner of the Border Patrol’s Office of Field Operations.  “There have been no issues with wait times.”

The rules eventually will get tougher for U.S. citizens entering the country from Canada , Mexico and the Caribbean because of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).  The driver’s license-birth certificate combination will not be allowed when the WHTI is fully implemented in June 2009. 

*****

In response to a duo of anti-immigration laws passed in both Arizona and Oklahoma, a rush of undocumented immigrants have begun entering Texas to obtain employment, The Houston Chronicle reports.  Though few estimates are available because undocumented immigrants are difficult to track, community activists say immigrants have arrived in Houston and Dallas in recent months, and expect hundreds more families soon.  “They’re really tightening the screws,” said Mario Ortiz, an undocumented Mexican worker who came to Houston after leaving Phoenix last year.  “There have been a lot coming – it could be 100 a day.” 

The massive influx into the Lonestar State is a result of both the Oklahoma statute, which took effect in November, and makes it a crime to hire or transport undocumented immigrants; and the Arizona statute, effective Jan. 1, which suspends the business licenses of employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers.  Conversely, Texas has yet to pass any statewide laws targeting the employment of undocumented immigrants. 

The exodus of immigrants has caused a sharp decline in both businesses and real estate in Tulsa and Oklahoma City .  “I think we swung the pendulum too far; we’re hurting people, the immigrant families, and we’re going to hurt the economy,” said Mike Means, executive vice president of the Oklahoma State Homebuilders Association.  David Castillo, executive director of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce also notes the effect the migration has had on rental property, newly vacated by fleeing immigrants.  “There’s been a tremendous impact in Oklahoma City ,” Castillo said.  “We’ve had several companies close shop and leave the state.  Banks have called us and say they’re closing 30 accounts per week.”

****

During a recent press conference, Texas Governor Rick Perry did an about face from his previous stance on the issue, saying that he now favors border fences in some areas, The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports. Perry suggested to those immigrants looking to obtain U.S. citizenship “There’s a line.  Get in it just like everybody else.”  The press conference came just one day after Rudolph Giuliani dropped out of the campaign and would be endorsing Arizona senator John McCain.  Perry said he too is endorsing McCain and said that the senator would visit Texas to see the state’s border security initiative in action.

Perry’s enthusiasm for border fencing contradicts statements he made a few months ago when he met with Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Mexico City .  Perry railed against what he considered “mean rhetoric” sparked by the immigration debate in Washington, declaring that border fences absolutely won’t work,”  adding that when dealing with border security, “you don’t do it by building a fence.”