Passport Law Could Threaten Border Business

The law -- called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative -- was passed in 2004 to tighten border security by limiting the number of documents U.S. Customs agents can accept. But many in both the Detroit and Windsor business communities are calling for a compromise, saying they can't afford for people to be turned away. Members of Congress are responding by crafting amendments that would delay implementation of the law until at least June 2009, allow travelers to use a cheaper, high-tech version of a passport under development called a PASS card, and waive requirements for minors. Otherwise, by 2008 an American family of four would have to spend $358 on passports, good for five or 10 years depending on the applicant's age, to cross the border. "People don't want to spend more money out of pocket, especially when they're used to crossing for free," says Lisa Katz, the Detroit Regional Chamber's director of government relations. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/BIZ/608150310/1001

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