Boozman: Apply now for a passport
Calls for applications after travel rules reinstated
October 1, 2007
Congressman John Boozman is urging all Arkansans to apply for passports far ahead of the dates they need to travel, as regulations temporarily suspended to require all U.S. Citizens to have passports to fly to Mexico, Canada, and other popular locations went back into effect on October 1, 2007.
"The temporary suspension is now over, and it is important that Arkansans who are planning travel within the next year be as proactive as possible and put in their applications for a passport,” Boozman said. “This past summer, we had people who planned their vacations months ahead of time run into the headache of a nationwide backlog which threatened their trips.”
The reinstated regulations require all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will to present a valid passport upon their return as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. While the current regulations apply only to airline travel, it is expected passports will eventually be required for all other travel, but a firm deadline has yet to be set.
“I encourage all Arkansans to apply now for a passport,” Boozman reiterated. “Many in the Third District will be planning school trips, spring break vacations, and honeymoons that could be affected by not applying for a passport in a timely manner. I would suggest that, after you call your parents, the next thing you do after getting engaged is apply for a passport.
“The sooner you apply, the sooner you get your passport,” Boozman added.
Over 70 million U.S. citizens hold valid passports, an estimated quarter of the eligible population. The number of passport applications and issuances continues to grow. In fiscal year 2006, the U.S. Department of State issued over 12.1 million passports.
The latest information on passports is available from the U.S. Department of State at: www.travel.state.gov. People that need to travel immediately, but have not yet applied for their passports may want to make an appointment with a major passport center and apply in person. The closest centers to our area are located in New Orleans and Houston. Contact information is available on the State Department website, along with all of the basic forms and fees.
Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.
As early as January 2008, the departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.
Check the Status of Your Application
Click here, to learn more about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
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