I read you don't need a passport to travel to Juarez, Mexico for the day. Is this true?

From the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau website:

"U.S. Canadian citizens are not required to show papers when crossing the international boundary into Juarez, provided their stay is less than 72 hours and they do not travel beyond the 18-mile limit. Non-citizens must carry a valid passport or alien registration card."

http://www.elpasocvb.com/experience.sstg

well why dont you just get a passport to be sure its nopt that expencive.

what the convention bureau did not tell you is that you must prove US citizenship. You accomplish this with a state drivers license. No, you don't need a passport. To be on the safe side carry your drivers license with you.

I've lived in El Paso since 1990 and every time I've gone to Ciudad Juarez, I have always carried my passport; the reason being not for travel into Mexico but for the return back.

Mexican customs officials next to the Rio Grade don't care about anyone having a passport. But if you do travel along Mexico Route 45 south to the so-called "Garita 10kms" or the 10 kilometer perimiter, the officials there will then need to see that you either have a passport with a valid Mexican visa or you will need to apply for a tourist card on the spot.

Please note that starting January 1 2008, everyone entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico will need to carry a passport to re-enter the U.S., so carrying a passport will then become a must. No longer then can one say "U.S." when an I.C.E. official asks about your citizenship.

Also, note that a driver license issued by any U.S. state or the U.S. military has NEVER nor will ever be considered as proof of citizenship (it can only be used a proof of place of residence, as foreign nationals can take up residency too). I happen to know this personally as one of my friends works as an I.C.E. agent and he told me of this fact.

ive been to mexico so many times and the only thing you need is a valid drivers license or any kind of i.d. , but its best if its a license.

Indeed... but as for January 2007 you will need a passport:

http://travel.state.gov