2008 Woodie Awards
Passport requirement pushed back once again
Raeann Halley
Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: News
Originally published: 10/9/08 at 7:11 PM EST
Last update: 10/9/08 at 7:09 PM EST
American citizens were recently granted an extra six months to obtain passports before it becomes a requirement for those crossing into Canada and Mexico by land.
According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, one of the reasons for requiring passports is to increase border security, thus lowering the risk of terrorism.
Student travel advocates have argued that the new passport rules will negatively affect the travel industry, with passport requirements becoming potential deterrents to cross-border travel.
Regardless of the controversy, Americans were previously told they would need a passport to cross into Canadian territory by land by Jan. 1, 2009. This date itself had been pushed back several times; Congress was supposed to begin enforcing this rule Jan. 1, 2008. That date was set back to the summer of 2008. Finally, Congress agreed the law would go into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Once again, however, the deadline has been extended. This time, Congress said American citizens will not need a passport to cross into Canada until June 1, 2009.
The constant pushing back of this deadline has raised some questions about the seriousness of the law.
"I remember when they first said we'd need a passport to drive over to Canada. It's been about two years since then, and I still don't need a passport to get to Canada," Annie Bentley, a sophomore at Plattsburgh State said.
The reasons for the continual extension of this deadline remain vague to some students.
"It is my understanding Congress passed this extension to give our travelers more time to obtain a passport," Joanne Siperreia, spokesperson for the U.S. Border Patrol said.
Siperreia also pointed out that it is now acceptable to carry an "enhanced driver's license" with you across the border in place of a passport. An enhanced license essentially combines a regular driver's license with the specifications of a passport. Thus, in addition to proving driving privileges, the enhanced license is proof of U.S. citizenship.
According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, one of the reasons for requiring passports is to increase border security, thus lowering the risk of terrorism.
Student travel advocates have argued that the new passport rules will negatively affect the travel industry, with passport requirements becoming potential deterrents to cross-border travel.
Regardless of the controversy, Americans were previously told they would need a passport to cross into Canadian territory by land by Jan. 1, 2009. This date itself had been pushed back several times; Congress was supposed to begin enforcing this rule Jan. 1, 2008. That date was set back to the summer of 2008. Finally, Congress agreed the law would go into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Once again, however, the deadline has been extended. This time, Congress said American citizens will not need a passport to cross into Canada until June 1, 2009.
The constant pushing back of this deadline has raised some questions about the seriousness of the law.
"I remember when they first said we'd need a passport to drive over to Canada. It's been about two years since then, and I still don't need a passport to get to Canada," Annie Bentley, a sophomore at Plattsburgh State said.
The reasons for the continual extension of this deadline remain vague to some students.
"It is my understanding Congress passed this extension to give our travelers more time to obtain a passport," Joanne Siperreia, spokesperson for the U.S. Border Patrol said.
Siperreia also pointed out that it is now acceptable to carry an "enhanced driver's license" with you across the border in place of a passport. An enhanced license essentially combines a regular driver's license with the specifications of a passport. Thus, in addition to proving driving privileges, the enhanced license is proof of U.S. citizenship.
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