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Post: Updated passport information

Posted by March 27, 2008 on 3/27/08

    Homeland Security delays border crossing rules
    Citizens returning to America won't need passport until June
    2009
    FACT FILE
    Passport rule changes

    What travelers need to know about new regulations

    American citizens won't need a passport to cross the land
    borders until the middle of next year, delaying that
    requirement by more than a year.

    New identification document requirements, the Department of
    Homeland Security and Department of State announced
    Thursday, will take effect June 1, 2009. By that date, U.S.
    travelers will need to present documents that show both
    identification and citizenship to cross back from Mexico and
    Canada. For most travelers, that will mean a passport.

    The policy shift is the final step of the Western Hemisphere
    Travel Initiative (WHTI), which changes document
    requirements for travelers who were previously exempt —
    including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.
    Story continues below ↓advertisement

    “We are on course to implement and enforce the Western
    Hemisphere Travel Initiative which is an important step
    forward in securing the homeland,” Homeland Security
    Secretary Michael Chertoff said. “Limiting and standardizing
    the types of documents presented will result in a more
    secure and efficient border. We will continue to encourage
    cross-border travel and trade while at the same time
    decreasing identity theft and fraud.”

    Residents of border states who frequently cross the border
    have specialized ID cards for that purpose, called trusted
    traveler cards, and they will continue to be honored.

    Two months ago, the government stopped allowing returning
    citizens to simply give an oral declaration of citizenship.
    Proof is now required, but a broad range of identification
    is acceptable. The rule set to go into effect in June of
    2009 will greatly restrict the forms of acceptable
    documentation.

    Leaving time to prepare
    The rule was announced 14 months in advance so the public
    has enough notice and time to obtain documents, Homeland
    Security said in a press release.

    Between now and June 1, 2009, the two federal agencies will
    conduct campaigns to inform U.S. and Canadian citizens about
    the new requirements. Their efforts will include, the press
    release said, will include special outreach to members of
    border communities who could be affected most by the changes.

    Thursday’s announcement comes nearly two months after
    Homeland Security said it would no longer accept oral
    declarations of identity and citizenship.

    Border security at a glance

    To cross the U.S.-Canadian border, citizens now must have a
    passport or similarly secure document, or a combination of
    two other documents.

    Single document option:
    — U.S. or Canadian passport.
    — U.S. passcard
    — So-called "trusted traveler card," which includes NEXUS,
    SENTRI or FAST cards (These are typically used only by
    people who cross the border frequently, often for work).
    — State or province issued "enhanced" driver's license
    (states are only beginning to produce these, so they are not
    available in most places).
    — U.S. military ID with travel orders.
    — U.S. merchant mariner document.
    — Native American Tribal Photo ID card.
    — Form I-872 American Indian Card.
    — Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card.

    If you don't have a passport or one of these other IDs,
    there is a two-document option, the most likely combination
    being a driver's license and a birth certificate.

    Border crossers can present a driver's license or ID card,
    or a U.S. or Canadian ID card, along with one of the following:
    — Birth certificate.
    — U.S. Consular report of birth abroad.
    — U.S. Certificate of Naturalization.
    — U.S. Certificate of Citizenship.
    — U.S. Citizen Identification Card.
    — Canadian citizenship card.
    — Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo.
    — 18 and under: U.S. and Canadian citizens 18 and younger
    need a birth certificate issued by a federal, state,
    provincial, county, or municipal authority.
    Source: U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security

    The changes that took place in January were early steps to
    prepare the public for WHTI changes and allow travelers time
    to obtain passports or other relevant documents, Homeland
    Security said.

    Prior to that, more than 8,000 different documents have been
    used to enter the United States, including library cards and
    student IDs. Proof-of-citizenship requirements greatly
    reduce the ability to sneak by border agents with fake
    papers, Chertoff said earlier this year. Border agents will
    now only accept about two dozen types of ID. However, under
    the new system agents will likely be examining many more
    birth certificates, which pose their own counterfeit risks.

    Backlogs feared
    The law's requirements for air travelers in 2007 was quickly
    followed by a massive backlog in passport applications, and
    some fear that will happen again this year as Homeland
    Security tries to go forward with the land and sea crossings.

Link to article

Posts on this thread, including this one

  • Updated passport information, 3/27/08, by March 27, 2008.

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