U.S. temporarily eases passport restrictions

[alkemical]

U.S. temporarily eases passport restrictions (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-06-07-us-passports_N.htm)

WASHINGTON — The government, hoping to placate angry travelers, on Friday temporarily waived its new anti-terrorism rules and lifted the requirment that U.S. passports be used for citizens flying to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
The change should ease a long backlog of applications, triggered by the new rules, that had disrupted many summer vacations.

Under the new rules, citizens will be able to fly without passports to and from those areas through Sept. 30 if they can show a receipt verifying they have applied, according to U.S. officials.

Applicants could get receipts by going to the State Department's website, the officials said. Travelers without passports also would:

• Be required to show another form of government-issued ID, such as a driver's license.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Bush administration | Mexico | Canada | Department of State
• Face more scrutiny, possibly including questioning by border-security agents.

• Likely have their bags more thoroughly examined.

The passport rules, which took effect in January as part of a broad post-9/11 effort to tighten security along the nation's borders and at airports, have contributed to longer-than-expected backlogs at State Department processing centers.

Typically, passports are processed in less than six weeks. In recent months, it has taken 12 weeks or more, leaving anxious travelers worried about having to cancel summer vacations or lose money on non-refundable airline tickets.

Lawmakers, under pressure from irate travelers, had been pushing for a change for weeks. "To say people must have a passport to travel and not give people a passport is right up there in the stupid column," said Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who urged the State Department to lift the rule last month.

The passport rules require all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Central and South American countries, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Rick Webster of the Travel Industry Association said it's impossible to know exactly how many people with airline reservations have been impacted by the backlogs. But he said the number is likely in the hundreds of thousands.

"It's a challenge but certainly not a crisis," Webster said.

However, the backlog for the air travel requirement may only be a fraction of the backlog that occurs when citizens are required to show passports or other documents to travel by land and sea.

That requirement is set to take effect in January 2008.

"This is a small taste of what we could see when land and sea come on line," he said.

Contributing: Mimi Hall in Washington; the Associated Press

[Garcia Bronco]

The problem here is the passport office/State department sitting on their ass. And a perfect example of how state run services are garbage.

[alkemical]

Ah well, we can sell it to dubai.

[Garcia Bronco]

Ah well, we can sell it to dubai.

perhaps. :)

But really...they make this change is procedure...yet they don't acknowledge that a process change will have to occur from passport procurement. This is big government at it's finest. Which is why we need less government...we can get to less government by starving the tax system.

[Rascal]

The problem here is the passport office/State department sitting on their ass. And a perfect example of how state run services are garbage.

I think it's a better example of politicians making a policy change without analyzing, or at least allocating, the resources such that the policy change can go forward without screwing everything up.

[smalltowngrll]

Yup, awaiting mine at the moment. Applied for a renewal 11 weeks ago and was told 8-10 weeks. From what I'm hearing, people are now being told 14-16 weeks to get one.

Then there are those that are just waiting until the last minute to get one. With the requirements that are at hand, I belive most everyone should have one. They are good for 10 years...why not!?

[DenverBrit]

What's the point of a passport if you don't need one when traveling abroad?
A classic case of incompetence at a time when passports are essential.

[atomicbloke]

What's the point of a passport if you don't need one when traveling abroad?
A classic case of incompetence at a time when passports are essential.

Well its not needed only for certain countries.

It's ofcourse needed for travel to China, for example.

[DenverBrit]

Well its not needed only for certain countries.

It's ofcourse needed for travel to China, for example.

It should be required for all countries.

Re-entry becomes a security nightmare when easily forged driving licenses and social security cards are used instead of passports. JMO

[smalltowngrll]

Well its not needed only for certain countries.

It's ofcourse needed for travel to China, for example.

Nope, it's now needed if you fly or travel on land to ANY country, including Canada and Mexico. (with the exception of US territories) That became effective this year. By sea, you can still get away with a birth cert for Mexico and such. But, that is supposed to change as of 2008.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

The problem here is the passport office/State department sitting on their ass. And a perfect example of how state run services are garbage.There you go again spouting off about sh*t you have no idea about.
I think it's a better example of politicians making a policy change without analyzing, or at least allocating, the resources such that the policy change can go forward without screwing everything up.Pretty much it. HS demanded it so it was passed without the due consideration it merited for the millions of people that would overwhelm the system.

[alkemical]

perhaps. :)

But really...they make this change is procedure...yet they don't acknowledge that a process change will have to occur from passport procurement. This is big government at it's finest. Which is why we need less government...we can get to less government by starving the tax system.

Hold on here Garcia - How do we starve the system?

Explain.....

[chadta]

Nope, it's now needed if you fly or travel on land to ANY country, including Canada and Mexico. (with the exception of US territories) That became effective this year. By sea, you can still get away with a birth cert for Mexico and such. But, that is supposed to change as of 2008.

sorry girl your wrong, i go across the border to buffalo all the time by land, i wont need a passport till june of next year to do so, its only air travellers that need a passport right now.

this should make you guys really happy, usually i only give my drivers permit, but if im on my motorcycle most times they dont even check that, they just wave me through.

[smalltowngrll]

sorry girl your wrong, i go across the border to buffalo all the time by land, i wont need a passport till june of next year to do so, its only air travellers that need a passport right now.

this should make you guys really happy, usually i only give my drivers permit, but if im on my motorcycle most times they dont even check that, they just wave me through.

My mistake...land crossings begin as early as Jan 2008. It's only for air travel.

[elsid13]

Nope, it's now needed if you fly or travel on land to ANY country, including Canada and Mexico. (with the exception of US territories) That became effective this year. By sea, you can still get away with a birth cert for Mexico and such. But, that is supposed to change as of 2008.


You can expect about 2 weeks after the State Dept cashes your check. I was pissed that mine ran out at the beginning of the DHS ruling and every freak in world decide they need one.

[wolf754life]

you can get one in 5 business days at the emergency passport office in aurora!

[Dedhed]

I need to get a passport.

[Jason7730]

This is really starting to piss me off! Three months ago, my son and I applied for a passport. A week from today, we are scheduled to fly to Costa Rica. I can't get a real person on the phone to save my life. Even with the government easing travel restrictions in the Western Hemisphere, I don't think they will allow me into Costa Rica without that passport. I sure hope I get this taken care of, otherwise a two-week dream vacation will be going down the toilet.

[Drunk Monkey]

I need to get a passport.

If you need it in a pinch go through a broker. They employ people to physicaly carry your passport to the right people, wait for it to get processed, stamped made ect and then returnm it to you. It costs but is worth it depending on the urgency

[Sassy]

My mistake...land crossings begin as early as Jan 2008. It's only for air travel.

I was going to say...if that's the case, I'm screwed!
(1 month, 1 week , 5 days ;D )

Mexico didn't even check our birth certificates...just driver's license.

I just filled out an app online. I think I will take it in and apply...although, I won't get it in time for my trip to Niagara.

[Sassy]

More Info...

U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility


WITHIN WESTERN HEMISPHERE

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June 8, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html .

This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.

Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.

As early as January 2008, the departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.

Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.

If you would like to request the status of your application by email, please go to the National Passport Information Center - Passport Status Inquiry. .

[shakenbake]

This is really starting to piss me off! Three months ago, my son and I applied for a passport. A week from today, we are scheduled to fly to Costa Rica. I can't get a real person on the phone to save my life. Even with the government easing travel restrictions in the Western Hemisphere, I don't think they will allow me into Costa Rica without that passport. I sure hope I get this taken care of, otherwise a two-week dream vacation will be going down the toilet.

I found them to be really corporative. I had a change of address while waiting for my passport. I was able to get someone on the phone, who not only changed my address but also expedited it for me. I think this is the #
1-877-487-2778

[Sassy]

Checking the Status of Your Application


Currently, it is taking up to 1 week for passport applications to be tracked online. Please allow at least that time before checking the status of your application.

To check the status of your application online you will need:

your last name, including suffixes without punctuations except the hyphen, (for example: Jones III, Patton Jr, Jackson-Smith, Varela Garcia),
date of birth in the following format: MM/DD/YYYY, and
the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
You must follow these instructions to prove the status of your passport application for those Americans traveling by air to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean as part of the recently announced Temporary Travel Flexibility for U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications. You must keep a print out of your passport application status for departure from the U.S. and for re-entry into the U.S. Some countries may still require a passport. Please see the Consular Information Sheet on the country you are traveling to for more information.

To check your passport application status and to print out passport application proof.

Note: For security reasons, we recommend that you close your browser after you have finished accessing your passport application status.

If you can’t find the information you are looking on travel.state.gov or if you have any questions, contact the
National Passport Information Center .

[Sassy]

National Passport Information Center


This is the only official U.S. Government website for passport information. If you have a travel emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center to speak to a Customer Service Representative. Website for Passport Information .

We are currently experiencing a very high volume of calls. Please expect delays if you wish to speak to a customer service representative. You may have to call several times before reaching a representative. However, please note that representatives are available from 6:00 a.m. to 12 midnight, ET, Monday-Friday, except federal holidays. Representatives are also available for limited weekend hours for emergency situations in which travelers are leaving in 7 days or less.

If you are leaving, or you need your passport for a foreign visa, within 14 days and need to make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency: Automated lines to make appointments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best time to call is between 8:30 p.m. and 9 a.m., Eastern Time.

Telephone Number: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)
TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Telephone number for customers with telecommunication devices for the hearing impaired. This telephone number cannot be accessed by a standard touch tone or rotary dial telephone.
Customer Service Representatives and Operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to midnight, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. Representatives are also available for limited weekend hours for emergency situations in which travelers are leaving in 7 days or less.
Automated Information available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have a travel emergency, please call the Center to speak with a customer service representative. Do not e-mail.
If you have already applied for a U.S. passport and would like to check the status of your application online, click here .

We are also experiencing a very high volume of emails. Responses to emails may take 2-4 days.

If you would like to request the status of your application by email, click here .

If you would like to email the National Passport Information Center for a general question regarding passports, click here .

[smalltowngrll]

You can expect about 2 weeks after the State Dept cashes your check. I was pissed that mine ran out at the beginning of the DHS ruling and every freak in world decide they need one.

Nope, they cashed it 8 weeks ago.

From my understanding they seem to be working at the 10 - 16 week range. I'll still be good to go even if mine takes 16 weeks. I planned ahead! ;D And, mine isn't NECESSARY to go on my cruise. But, would be great to have if I 'accidentally' got left behind on one of those islands! What a shame that would be! ;)

[smalltowngrll]

Also, if you are within that 14 day window, you can call your congressman's office and they can intervene for you. That seems to work like a charm.

[Sassy]

Nope, they cashed it 8 weeks ago.

From my understanding they seem to be working at the 10 - 16 week range. I'll still be good to go even if mine takes 16 weeks. I planned ahead! ;D And, mine isn't NECESSARY to go on my cruise. But, would be great to have if I 'accidentally' got left behind on one of those islands! What a shame that would be! ;)

You could just temporarily misplace it ;D

[Hogan11]

sorry girl your wrong, i go across the border to buffalo all the time by land, i wont need a passport till june of next year to do so, its only air travellers that need a passport right now.

this should make you guys really happy, usually i only give my drivers permit, but if im on my motorcycle most times they dont even check that, they just wave me through.

Just came back from Canada via this route.

On the way into Canada..."Where are you from?" & "Where are you going" was all that I was asked....nothing needed to be shown.

On the way into the USA..."Where are you from?", "Where have you been?" and a quick scan of your driver's licence....when the word "casino" was uttered, he was waiving us thru before we even finished saying it.

The biggest hassle is the bumper to bumper wait to get into the USA via the Rainbow Bridge....and that can be avoided if you go up and around to the Lewiston crossing if waiting like that for up to 45 minutes bugs you bad enough.

My personal opinion? As a frequent border crosser (well, up to 2004 anyways) This passport stuff for Canada is complete bullshat. Nothing more than a money grab by the goverment playing off from the 9/11 tragedy and terrorist paranoia that's been in place ever since. They do cost about what? $80 bucks, right? Why am I not feeling all that bad when their idea of a safe, cost effective revenue stream blows up in their collective faces?

The only bad thing about travelling to Canada now is the currencies are about equal in value between the two countries....the days of $1 US = $1.50 - $1.75 CDN are long over, so it's not as attractive economically as it once was.

[Sassy]

$97 bucks...and they are starting to put electronic info chips in them....soon they'll all be that way.

[maven]

$97 bucks...and they are starting to put electronic info chips in them....soon they'll all be that way.


Also, don't people travel? WTF did it take all you so damn long to get one.

[Sassy]

I had one...went to France in 88 but mine's now expired.

[Hogan11]

I had one...went to France in 88 but mine's now expired.

It's not really the sort of thing you'd maintain if you never use it....not at that cost anyways.

[Sassy]

It's not really the sort of thing you'd maintain if you never use it....not at that cost anyways.

In 88 it probably didn't cost me that much either!

[TomServo]

people who watch the news or read a newspaper would know about the new laws and plan accordingly.
BUT, funny how americans have trouble with the new laws and crossing the border. while thousands of illegals simple sneak across the border and in some cities and states are rewarded with drivers liscenses and official id cards.

[Archie]

interesting, just saw this thread.... my wife and I went to England in February (I piggy backed a mini-vacation to a work trip). We sent our Passport renewal's in around the 1st week of January and got them back by the end of January. We must have just hit it before the rush.... Damn, I feel lucky now!

[Needa Pass Rush]

We applied for a passport for my daughters trip to Tanzania almost 3 months ago. It took a call to our congressman to get it. After the call, the passport arrived via Fedex the following day.



From Congressman Davis' website:

Passports
For information regarding how to obtain/renew your passport or how to expedite a passport application, visit the State Department website. For further information, please contact my staff at 703-437-1726.

[TailgateNut]

This quagmire which was created when the new "rules" were implemented not only made it difficult for our citizens to obtain a passport in a reasonable amount of time, but also started a new batch of ads from countries which were affected.
Prior to this year, I can't recall ever seeing a TV ad about Aruba. It didn't need the ads to feed its tourism hunger. When we visited last year, I would guess it receives the majority of its tourism money from Americans.

My wife and I had planned to go to Mexico this year, but when I found my Passport I found out it had expired 3 months before. F-it, we'll go to Hawaii. Mexico can wait until they make it a bit easier/ faster to get my passport re-newed!

[Sassy]

Do you need one for Mexico? We went in Dec. 2005 and all we needed was a license...

[TailgateNut]

Do you need one for Mexico? We went in Dec. 2005 and all we needed was a license...



When we came through customs in Aruba we were told that the new rules would apply as of January 2007 and Mexico was included!

Maui is nicer than mexico anyway and Aruba is too damn hot for my taste.

[Sassy]

When we came through customs in Aruba we were told that the new rules would apply as of January 2007 and Mexico was included!

Maui is nicer than mexico anyway and Aruba is too damn hot for my taste.

Ahh...ok.
When we came back from Mexico...the US customs officials just asked for ID and asked if that was who we were...they also asked if we brought back anything...we said souvenirs and that was it. For all they knew we had drugs in our pockets, a machete under our pants leg and cuban cigars (that would be Hogan...if he had the chance...) They barely looked at us.

[Hogan11]

Ahh...ok.
When we came back from Mexico...the US customs officials just asked for ID and asked if that was who we were...they also asked if we brought back anything...we said souvenirs and that was it. For all they knew we had drugs in our pockets, a machete under our pants leg and cuban cigars (that would be Hogan...if he had the chance...) They barely looked at us.

From my past experiences, the border crossings for both Mexico and Canada and back into the USA are a complete joke.