U.S. has postponed new passport rules for at least six months. The Bush administration deferred the implementation of a new security rule that requires Americans to show a passport while crossing U.S. borders by land or sea.
The new rule also requires travelers returning from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to present government-issued photo identity card such as driver’s license or any trusted traveler cards, and a birth certificate for proof of citizenship upon entry. Teenage children under 16 need to show certified copies of their birth certificates.
The Homeland Security and State departments and House Senate committee passed a legislation deferring the requirement at land and sea crossings until June 2009 amidst escalating controversies over the economic cost and disruption of security changes to residents and border trade.
Meanwhile, 3 million applications for new passports are pending with the Security department. Officials relinquished idea of implication of the new rule until Sept. 30 for travelers who can show proof they had already applied.
But the department maintains that the reforms that form a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, was a vital recommendation of the commission that investigated the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The department has passed strict warning that those who continue to allow 8,000 documents and oral declarations of citizenship, are gambling with the security of this country.
While few opine that the two-tiered approach for land and sea, as per new rule, will only make things more confusing for travelers.
Via: Washingtonpost
