TUCSON — A man recently tried to enter the United States through a port of entry in California using a counterfeit identification card and claimed to be a U.S. citizen.

Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, talks during a press conference Tuesday in Tucson regarding the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. David Higgerson, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Tucson, is in the background. (Jonathon Shacat-Wick News Service)

That individual turned out to be a Mexican citizen who was wanted for committing homicide.

Customs and Border Protection officers come across incidents like that one on a regular basis. But, officials say, changes in procedures for international land and sea travel documents should help secure the country.

“Starting January 31, we will be asking those who cross our borders to present more secure and more reliable documents to prove citizenship and confirm their identity,” Jayson Ahern, deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said during a press conference Tuesday at the Tucson Convention Center.

More than 8,000 different types of documents are currently accepted at the ports of entry, he said.

Starting Thursday, only about two dozen types of documents will be accepted.

U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will no longer be able to use an oral declaration of citizenship alone to enter the United States at land or sea ports of entry. They will need to present certain documents.

People will have the option of showing one document or two documents. For example, a person could simply present a passport. Or a person could present the combination of a driver’s license and birth certificate.

Children 18 and younger will only need to show proof of citizenship. Travelers who do not have the necessary documents may undergo inspection and may be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers try to verify their information.

Ahern said the changes in the document procedures are key to help combat terrorism, crime and other illegal activity. He said right now drug and human traffickers, homicide suspects and potential terrorists can try to pass through a port of entry claiming they are U.S. citizens without showing proof. “In the post-Sept. 11 world, oral declarations are simply not enough to secure the country’s borders,” he said. Travelers other than U.S. and Canadian citizens will not be affected by the changes implemented on Thursday. All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect.

U.S. lawful permanent residents must present a permanent resident card or other valid evidence of lawful permanent residence. Mexican citizens, including children, must present a valid passport and a B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa or a Border Crossing Card.

Over the next 18 months, U.S Customs and Border Protection will conduct the transition to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative secure document requirements. As early as June 1, 2009, people will need to show a passport or equivalent document in order to pass through a port of entry.