Steff Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20060905...DlpBHNlYwMyNjgz Under new government regulations, by Dec. 31, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada — plus Bermuda and Panama — will be required to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 It's going to be a pain in the backside for people living on the border, especially those working in Mexico. Imagine if everyone travelling on 94 into Wisconsin had to stop and show a passport. http://themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Te...p;Section=Local McALLEN — For the first time in nearly 60 years, international traveler Bill Summers has inquired about getting a passport. He makes frequent trips to Mexico for business and everyday chores but Summers, president of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, shows his driver’s license to re-enter the United States, sometimes several times in a week. Thousands of Rio Grande Valley residents, like Summers, cross south into another country for work, entertainment, shopping or to visit family and friends. Along the northern and southern borders of the United States, crossing and simply showing a driver’s license to get home has always been routine. However, that routine could change. By 2008, the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security will require all U.S. citizens who leave the country — even if it is just to buy avocados in Nuevo Progreso — to have a passport. Even Canadians —who have long enjoyed crossing into the United States with just a driver’s license — would need a passport. The thousands of Canadians who call the Valley their winter home and often travel into Mexico would all need passports to re-enter the United States. The State Department announced the idea, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, on April 5. Although the exact requirements are not final, some Valley folks, including Summers, are unhappy about the idea. "It’s becoming harder and harder being an American in our own country," Summers said. "We have a lot of business over there … once a week going over to (Nuevo) Progreso at least. It’s going to be different. I don’t know. (The government) sure makes it hard, but if that’s what the law is, that’s what the law." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartslasher Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Wow, I'm an idiot I didn't no you didn't have to show your passport in the past. Well I guess it will be inconvienient for people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 6, 2006 -> 01:42 PM) It's going to be a pain in the backside for people living on the border, especially those working in Mexico. Imagine if everyone travelling on 94 into Wisconsin had to stop and show a passport. http://themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Te...p;Section=Local Well, those with Wisconsin plates (actually any plates) have to stop and pay a toll to get in,and those with non-Wisconsin plates have to pay a ticket once they cross the border from the over zealous state police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Actually, to cross over to Canada, you do need to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency now. A Drivers License or Social Security card is not enough. You currently are supposed to have a birth certificate with you when you cross over. Passports aren't that hard to get and everyone should have one anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Sep 6, 2006 -> 04:14 PM) Actually, to cross over to Canada, you do need to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency now. A Drivers License or Social Security card is not enough. You currently are supposed to have a birth certificate with you when you cross over. Passports aren't that hard to get and everyone should have one anyway. They do cost about $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Sep 6, 2006 -> 06:30 PM) They do cost about $100. Yes, and they are not as easy to get as you'd think. A gun permit is easier. Crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I'm looking all over for mine. Since I stopped working in Mexico and needing a FM3, I haven't used it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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