The requirement for having a passport to cross into/out of Mexico, Canada and the Carribean Islands which are (or are controlled by) foreign nations, did not go in to effect until just a very few years ago. 2006, maybe?
The US passport is required for re entrance into the US by US nationals, not for entrance to e.g. Canada, since Canada recognizes alternative forms of identification such as birth certificates. It’s the TSA of (now) Janet Incompetano that requires it and only within its jurisdiction. We really have ceased to be citizens and have become subjects...
“The requirement for having a passport to cross into/out of Mexico, Canada and the Carribean Islands which are (or are controlled by) foreign nations, did not go in to effect until just a very few years ago. 2006, maybe?”
I have no idea. I did not have a passport until the 90s.
Prior to that, I never needed a passport anywhere in North America or the Caribbean.
I am now on my second passport. My first one was so full, I had to have pages A to X added before it expired.