Do I have to have a passport to travel from the US to Mexico and back for Thanksgiving this year?

Lost my passport and don't really have time to get a new one w/o paying for a rush. I'm getting mixed info from different web sites on whether I need a passport to travel by air to Mexico this year.
According to travel.state.gov : "On January 8, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid U.S. passport." - That seems to suggest that until that time, you don't need a passport.

0I think you need one if you are going past the border towns.

Was just in Mexico and you definately need a passport. You won't be allowed out of the USA without one.

If you make plans on leavingthe country at any time you need to have your passport. If you go anywhere without it you are more likely to get arrested.

It is always best to have a passport although until Jan 2007 you will probably only need a drivers license and certified copy of a birth certificate for air travel. Err on the side of caution and get a passport.

NO PASSPORT REQUIRED FOR MEXICO UNTIL 1/7/07. Until that time all you need is your birth certificate (original with raised seal) and a "government issued photo ID" - such as a state issued driver's license - NOT an ID from work.

Go and enjoy!

any time you leave the soil of the usa ? you must have a passport !! it is the law ...........
try to get a new passport !i would be very surprised if you left the usa without one