Travel to Mexico from US about to change

Here are some pertinent excerpts from an article in USA Today:

...the U.S. government is on the verge of implementing security-inspired changes to passports that will affect millions of international travelers.

On Jan. 23, air travelers to and from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean will for the first time need a passport to cross the U.S. border. Starting in the spring, all U.S citizens applying for a passport will get an electronic version that's embedded with a "smart" chip designed to thwart forgery.
...
Many people heading to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean now travel with just a driver's license for identification. Under the new rule, U.S. citizens traveling by air need a passport. Though a driver's license will no longer suffice, the government does leave some wiggle room. The Nexus Air card, issued under a USA-Canada cooperative program to prescreened travelers, is acceptable. The passport rule will apply to land and sea travelers no later than June 1, 2009.

For Americans who don't want to pay $97 for a passport, the State Department also plans by the end of 2007 to introduce a "passport card" that would work like a passport. The card, which costs $20 for adults, is good only for those traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
...
The new passport looks like the traditional type, but its smart chip stores the traveler's photo and personal information. If the chip is broken or malfunctions, the holder can continue to use the document as a non-electronic passport or buy a new one. Traditional passports will remain valid until they expire.

Get chipped now before the rush!