JSR - Travel rules change for crossing the border

Johnston Sun Rise

Travel rules change for crossing the border

May 07, 2009 251 views 0 0

On June 1, travel regulations will change and American citizens crossing U.S. land and sea borders must have documents that comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) rules. This means that U.S. citizens will be required to present a government-approved document, one that proves both citizenship and identity, when entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda.

Read the whole article here.

SDR - U.S. passport rules changing

Spencer Daily Reporter

U.S. passport rules changing

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

By Kris Todd

Daily Reporter Staff

Planning to cross a U.S. border this summer?

As of June 1, 2009, anyone traveling out of the country will need to have a valid passport or passport card to re-enter the United States.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"This requirement marks the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative's second phase. The first phase of this initiative, which went into effect in January 2008, required all air travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted form of documentation to enter or depart the U.S. The upcoming phase, set to take effect in 26 days, will also target travelers entering or departing via land and sea border crossings."

USA-T - It's time to prepare for new border crossing rules

From my archive of press clippings:

USA Today

It's time to prepare for new border crossing rules

By Bill McGee, special for USA TODAY

All borders are created equal. It may sound overly simplistic to point this out, but every day Americans who would never forget to bring proper documentation when traveling outside the country on a commercial airline flight or cruise ship attempt to drive or walk from Canada or Mexico without making the same provisions.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"And starting on June 1, visiting some of our closest neighbors—including Bermuda and most Caribbean countries, as well as Canada and Mexico—will become much more complex with the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. In fact, if you haven't applied for a passport yet, it may be time you give it serious thought."

"The new rules that kick in on June 1 will affect travel from 19 countries in all (see box at left), and many are nations that millions of Americans have been traveling to and from for years without carrying valid passports. But two months from now, new rules mandate that "most" U.S. citizens entering the country by land, sea, or air must establish both identity and citizenship and therefore must possess one of the following:
• passport
• passport card
• other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security
Those "other travel documents" include Lawful Permanent Resident Cards; certain Native American tribe member cards; North American trusted traveler program cards, such as NEXUS (Northern Border program), SENTRI (Southern Border program), or FAST (Free and Secure Trade program); military ID with official travel orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner Documents; or enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs). Currently, four border states—Arizona, New York, Vermont, and Washington—have announced EDL programs, which issue driver's licenses imbedded with security chips that will expedite crossings. "

&

" NEVER give attitude to federal employees. Whether they represent Customs and Border Protection, Immigration, Agriculture, or any of the other agencies you may encounter at a border crossing, these folks should command the same respect as when you're trapped behind those heavy doors at an international airport's arrivals hall. (And consider for a moment how angry you'd be if they allowed a terrorist into the United States through a "side door" such as Canada or Mexico.)"

_____

Bill McGee, a contributing editor to Consumer Reports and the former editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, is an FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher who worked in airline operations and management for several years. Tell him what you think of his latest column by sending him an e-mail at USATODAY.com at travel@usatoday. Include your name, hometown and daytime phone number, and he may use your feedback in a future column.

BDC - New travel regs looming

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

New travel regs looming


published on Monday, April 13, 2009 10:05 PM MDT

By Chronicle Staff

Getting in and out of the country, even just over the border into Canada, is about to get more complicated.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Beginning June 1, border-crossing requirements will change for travelers age 16 and older and a birth certificate and driver's license will no longer be sufficient to get back into the United States.

Instead, travelers will have to have a document approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to cross the border.The so-called “passport cards” will only be valid for land or sea crossings between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region and Bermuda.

Old-fashioned passports will still be valid for travel by land, air or sea and for all destinations.

U.S. citizens under 16 will still be able to cross the borders by land or sea with their birth certificate, naturalization certificate or citizenship card, but they must have a passport to travel by air."

StTS - State Department Promotes Passport Cards

From my archive of press clippings:

St. Thomas Source

State Department Promotes Passport Cards

by Pamela Reid


Florence Fultz of the U.S. State Department presents Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis with a new, wallet-sized passport.

Feb 26, 2009 – It's small, but it opens the world to anyone who has one.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The U.S. Department of State is promoting the use of a new, wallet-sized passport card to take the place - in some cases - of the larger, traditional passport book."

"While the State Department is working hard to promote the new cards, they haven't yet become commonplace in this area."

&

"According to the passport application,

"The passport card is a U. S. Passport issued in card format.

Like the traditional passport book, it reflects the bearer's origin, identity and nationality and is subject to existing passport laws and regulations.

Unlike the passport book, the passport card is valid only for international travel by land or sea between the United States, Canada, Mexico the Caribbean and Bermuda.

It is not globally interoperable and is not valid for travel by air to or from any foreign destination."

State Department officials were unclear on the implications for seaplanes but said they would seek clarification. The card can also be used as proof of identity and citizenship. Requirements for the passport card are the same as for a passport book."

WCCO.COM - Passport Applications Up In Mankato, Elsewhere

WCCO.COM

Passport Applications Up In Mankato, Elsewhere


Mar 29, 2009 12:52 pm US/Central


MANKATO, Minn. (AP) ― The law will require U.S. citizens to present a passport or other government-issued document to enter the country from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"(A) new federal law takes effect June 1.

The law will require U.S. citizens to present a passport or other government-issued document to enter the country from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

The previous law required passports only for people traveling by air."

GFH - North Dakota to use federal passport alternative for border crossings

Grand Forks Herald



North Dakota to use federal passport alternative for border crossings

Published March 05 2009


North Dakotans traveling to Canada and Mexico after June 1 will have a less expensive option than a passport to ease Canadian border crossings. The state had been looking to issue its own enhanced driver's license, but instead opted for the U.S. State Department-issued passport cards, or "passcards" that are available now.

By: Kevin Bonham, Grand Forks Herald

North Dakotans traveling to Canada and Mexico after June 1 will have a less expensive option than a passport to ease Canadian border crossings.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The state had been looking to issue its own enhanced driver's license, but instead opted for the U.S. State Department-issued passport cards, or "passcards" that are available now.
They cost $45 for adults, compared with $100 for passports. And they fit in a wallet, just like a driver’s license."

"(T)he provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario have developed an enhanced identification card that meets U.S. federal guidelines."

"The U.S. passport card differs from a passport in that it easily fits into a wallet and may be used as a border crossing document when returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea.

But residents traveling by air must use a passport."

&

"A passport costs $100 for those 16 and older and $85 for those younger (renewals are less).

A passcard costs $45 for those 16 and older ($25 if you have a passport) and $35 for those younger.

The passcard is valid for 10 years for those 16 and older and valid for 5 years for those younger."

TDN - Passport office opens in Detroit ahead of new ID requirements. Officials tout quicker application processing with outlet in Michigan.

The Detroit News

Passport office opens in Detroit ahead of new ID requirements. Officials tout quicker application processing with outlet in Michigan.


Monday, March 16, 2009


Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- The U.S. State Department is opening a passport office today in advance of new identification requirements that take effect June 1.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The Detroit Passport Agency, 211 W. Fort, on the second floor, is one of four new locations across the country.

On June 1, Americans will be required to have passports or similar documents when returning to the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda."

&

"The U.S. State Department is offering a passport card to be used as a stand-in for a passport book. In October, plans for an enhanced driver's license were approved, providing Michigan residents who are U.S. citizens a cheaper alternative to a passport. The IDs are expected to be available by the end of spring."

TIFDJ - Passport Fair set for March 24 at RRCC

The International Falls Daily Journal

Passport Fair set for March 24 at RRCC


Submitted by Journal Staff on March 11, 2009 - 11:38am


Effective June 1, United States citizens must present a valid U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other approved travel document

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Effective June 1, United States citizens must present a valid U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security, when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.

All foreign air travel already requires U.S. Citizens to present a valid U.S. Passport Book."

WIBC - Lugar Hosts Events to Educate on Upcoming Passport Changes

WIBC

Lugar Hosts Events to Educate on Upcoming Passport Changes


By Network Indiana 3/4/2009


U.S. Senator Dick Lugar is hosting passport fairs across the state this week.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Currently, all U.S. citizens must present a passport book when traveling by air to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

But starting June 1, it will also be necessary to have a passport book or card to enter the U.S. from land borders or sea ports."

&

"A passport book costs $100, but a passport card is available for $45. The card is good only for land and sea border crossings to Canada or Mexico."

ST - New Re-Entry Requirements Start in June

Smart Travel



New Re-Entry Requirements Start in June

Ed Perkins on Travel
by Ed Perkins - March 5, 2009

If you're heading out of the country and expect to return after June 1, it's time now to make sure your documents comply with the tightened requirements that will apply. Those tightened requirements focus on re-entry by land or sea from countries participating in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) program (Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, and Mexico).

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"(I)f you think you'll need a passport, apply now: I'm sure that a short-staffed State Department will again be slow in filling applications."

PJ - Western Hemisphere visits will soon require a passport

Poughkeepsie Journal

Western Hemisphere visits will soon require a passport


By Brad Kendall • March 3, 2009


In three months, on June 1, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect.


The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service program will affect those Americans entering the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. (Those entering by air are required to use a U.S. Passport now and in the future.)

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Currently, Americans crossing these borders can do so using photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate. After June 1, Americans crossing these borders will be required to use either a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a New York state enhanced driver's license, or an enhanced photo identification card."

&

"The New York state enhan-ced driver's license, the en-hanced non-driver's ID card or an enhanced learner's permit are valid for land and sea crossings from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. These are not valid for international air travel. To upgrade a valid license, permit or non-driver ID, the cost is $40. If you upgrade your document at time of renewal, there is an additional $30 fee on top of the license or ID fee."

TAR - Border passport deadline looming

From my archive of press clippings:

The Arizona Republic

Border passport deadline looming

by Dennis Wagner - Feb. 12, 2009 12:00 AM


The State Department is trying to prevent a public-relations mess, not to mention chaos at U.S. border checkpoints, by warning Americans that they won't be allowed to enter the country from Mexico after June 1 without a passport.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"Those who are turned away will have to seek emergency documents through a U.S. consular office - a process that may take 24 hours or more.

During an Arizona tour this week, Brenda Sprague, deputy assistant secretary of State for passport services, said her office is prepared to handle an onslaught of up to 30 million applications as the deadline nears."

"The State Department issued a record 18.5 million passports in 2007. Despite the looming deadline,Sprague said the 2009 fiscal year is on track for only 12 million applications."

&

"The government approved the wallet-size cards as a cheap and convenient alternative to passport books. They may be used only by citizens returning to the United States through land or seaports from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Air travelers must carry full passports."

DDD - New passport guidelines in effect for vacationers

From my archive of press clippings:

The Durant Daily Democrat

New passport guidelines in effect for vacationers

By Jamie Carrick

Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:27 AM CDT

Staff writer

As temperatures increase and summer nears, some people are preparing for vacations. However, for those planning to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean, new guidelines are in effect.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The cost for first-time applicants for passports cards is $45 for adults and $35 for minors.

The cost for first-time applicants for passport books is $100 for adults and $85 for minors.

Both types of passports are valid 10 years for adults and five years for minors.

Fees for applying for both at the same time is $120 for adults and $95 for minors."

&

"Another change in policy is minors — anyone under age 16 — must have both parents’ signatures when they apply for a passport."