Passport Requirements Send Chill Across North America

Under changes to the US Immigration and Nationality Act passed by Congress in 2004, anyone entering the US will soon require a secure, fraud-resistant travel document, confirming both identity and citizenship. Only 25 per cent of Americans own a passport, which is the only document that meets the legislation’s criteria. The new rules, known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), are part of the Bush administration’s drive to tighten border security since the September 11 attacks. They are due to take effect next January for travellers entering the US by sea and air, and will be extended to motorists from January 1 2008. Detailed regulations for air and sea travellers are expected to be published within the next week or two. The initiative has sent a chill through businesses across north America, from Caribbean cruise-ship operators and Mexican resorts to casinos and theme parks in Canada. The WHTI has become the most pressing issue in US-Canada relations. The big concern is that the requirement covers Americans, as well as foreigners. For decades, travellers returning to the US from other parts of north America have been required to show only some form of picture identification, usually a driving licence. Canadians have also been able to enter the US with a driving licence or government health card. Businesses that depend on American travellers wonder how many will go to the trouble and expense of acquiring a new travel document. US officials acknowledge that the first year or two may be difficult. Still, “if we do it right, it’s not going to cause the sky to fall,” says Keith Powell, the US consul-general in Ottawa. US authorities aim to encourage applicants by issuing a passport in card form, known as a PASS card. The fee will be about half the $97 (€76, £52) cost of a traditional passport. Applicants can hand in the forms at post offices and local courthouses. Ottawa had hoped that the US would compromise by accepting other documents, such as an “enhanced” driving licence, for US and Canadian citizens. Supported by members of Congress from border states, the Canadians also pressed for the implementation dates to be pushed back. Questions have been raised on whether document-screening technology will be ready in time. Find this article at: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/108bd806-dfa1-11da-afe4-0000779e2340,s01=1.html [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on May 11, 2006]

Note: http://news.ft.com/cms/...