Changes in border crossing rules starting in 2008

[breadman]

Ran across this in the paper today.....big question is how much will this cut into the tourism dollar?? Family of four now will have to pay 400 dollars just to get passports made for a weekend trip across the border. And what about the guys going across the border heading to the sundowner and seductions....what if one doesnt have a passport? Im betting alot of these Casino charters that cater to the retired crowd will get hit hard.

the total number of valid passports to an estimated 59 million or about 21 percent of Americans .....so lets say 75% visiting Canada do so without a passport.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans will need passports to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Panama and Bermuda by 2008...Similarly, Canadians will also have to present a passport to enter the United States

An announcement, expected later Tuesday at the State Department, will specify that a passport or another valid travel document will have to be shown by U.S. citizens, the officials said.

Until now, Americans returning home from Canada have needed only to show a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification card.

Americans returning from Mexico, Panama or Bermuda currently need only a government-issued photo identification card plus proof of U.S. citizenship like an original birth or naturalization certificate, according to the State Department's Web site

The new rules, to be phased in by Jan. 1, 2008, were called for in intelligence legislation approved last year by Congress"

 

[phelan]

doesn't surprise me

 

[booboobear]

doesn't surprise me

Me neither like this will stop terrorists , they can get phony passports.
I used to go to the U.S. on short visits but I WILL BE DAMNED IF i AM GOING TO SPEND about $ 150 to get a passport I will stay home and spend money here. This will really hurt U.S. tourism.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Better to have too much security then not enough IMO.

 

[homonger]

Doesn't effect me... and a passport is not a bad thing to have anyway.

 

[booboobear]

Better to have too much security then not enough IMO.

I believe in security but I don't think requiring a passport will stop terrorist.
What it will do is inconvenience millions of innocent tourists. I've been going to the U.S. for 40 yrs , actually lived there for 2 and I won't get a passport , rather not go

 

[raydeon]

Border Crossing

Where are we going?

In the world of universalization that we live in, why is it that the US are making things so difficult? Why do we need a border between the US and Canada? What is the meaning of the North American Treaty Association?

With the creation of the European Union, one can travel freely to any of the 25 countries of the union. Borders posts don't even exist anymore, or if they are still there, they are not manned and there are no gates. As a regular traveller to Europe I remember the times where border controls were used, and I sure appreciate the changes. I never have to show my passport or to answer questions like " Where are you going? What is the purpose of your trip?..." Do they have more terrorists there than in the US? I don't think so. Anyway terrorists will find ways to obtain passports, as they always done in the past.

It is another sign of paranoid insecurity, and money grabbing at the same time.

 

[Quest4Less]

Paranoia?

Another thing that passports do, aside from MAYBE helping security... is allowing the government to track peoples movement.

So - is it for "security", or are there more "orwellian" reasons?

 

[Keebler Elf]

It's for security. Don't look for conspiracies where there aren't any.

 

[homonger]

What's the big deal? So you have to get a passport. It's not like they're asking you to register your guns or something.

But seriously folks, as a frequent traveler to Canada, I have once or twice forgotten my passport, and have been admitted into Canada and then back into the U.S., no problem. I got a bit of a scolding from U.S. Customs, but it was no biggie. I admit I miss the old days of air travel, when you could show up at the airport 15 minutes before your flight, you didn't have to take off your shoes, and it was basically a breeze. But those days are gone, and I, for one, accept it.

 

[great bear]

The Bush governnment have made two significant strides in stopping world terrorisim. The mandatory use of passports and the anti ballastic missle defence plan.

 

[phelan]

Yes I'd like to point out that the missile defense shield can be easily fooled by shooting up chaff with the missile, in otherwords, a 5.8 billion dollar project *or something astronomically high* can be thrown off by a few pieces of metal garbage

 

[lickrolaine]

Well the world's longest undefended border takes another turn,not for the better.Been crossing the border for 30 or so years,own property there,but they are slowly grinding me down.Canada is the best bar none!

 

[papasmerf]

Positive ID is never a bad idea. Although I would think photo voters regestration cards would be a good idea too. After all only US citizens are allowed to vote here; as it should be.

 

[great bear]

Positive ID is never a bad idea. Although I would think photo voters regestration cards would be a good idea too. After all only US citizens are allowed to vote here; as it should be.

Shit, and here along I've been blaming Mexican immigrants for putting Bush into office.

 

[JoyfulC]

I dunno -- it seems to me like they don't have the manpower to police the policies they already have.

I believe that the passport requirement (for Americans re-entering the US from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, incidentally) will drive a further nail in the coffin of casual cross-border business -- those people who hop over for a few hours at the casino, at a favourite restaurant, or for a visit to their favourite Canadian escort.

Over the years, Cellucci has wagged his finger at Canada and threatened "consequences" for a variety of Canadian choices. Is this a manifestation of that? I'm thinking maybe.

..c..

 

[breadman]

Its really going to hurt Windsor, Niagara Falls...and possible Vancouver and Montreal the greatest since they are close to the border and depend alot on visitors traveling by car.

 

[mrpolarbear]

After the passport laws take affect, how long will it be till we try the tatoo on the arm thing .

 

[papasmerf]

After the passport laws take affect, how long will it be till we try the tatoo on the arm thing .

Get real. Did you know that Canada refuses entry to Americans with a DWI conviction????? Did you knowthat America does not do the same to Canadians with DWI's? Did you know that Canadian Citizens living in Canada are allowed to work in the US??? can you say the same?

 

[Asterix]

How the world changes. I remember all the times crossing the border into Canada as a kid with my parents, and the biggest concern seemed to be if we had too many oranges or bananas in the car.