I assumed the birth certificate tweet was an error. You are not going to get across the border without a valid Passport or enhanced Drivers License.
Just catching up so bouncing off your post

I have gone across the border recently ( 6 months ) and my husband on 2 occassions did NOT have his passport and only the generic drivers licence on him ( not the enhanced ) with a bit of talking and explainging my husbands a idiot we have been allowed across INTO the states and Back into Canada ..
Now i dont know if it had to do with me having one and his wife and records show him or whatever but we have done it.