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WASHINGTON, D.C. - As of today, October 1, 2007, the
State Department will reinstate the requirement that U.S. travelers
bound for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda carry a passport.
That requirement was temporarily lifted in early June.
In preparation, local Congresswoman Gillibrand issued the following statement:
"Even
with the lifted restriction my offices repeatedly heard from scores of
frustrated travelers this summer in need of help. Despite turning their
paperwork in on time, these travelers were left scrambling to keep
their travel plans intact.
"It was particularly
disturbing that the State Department appeared to be caught flat footed
at the expected summer spike in requests.
"Given the
problems of the past I continue to be concerned, now that the waiver
rule has been lifted and all travelers will need their passport in hand.
"My
office stands prepared to continue to help travelers in need of
assistance in acquiring a passport and I will encourage folks who are
even contemplating travel in the coming months to apply for a passport
today."
Individuals in need of assistance should contact one of the Congresswoman's district offices.
In
addition to alerting constituents to the passport requirement change
today, Congresswoman Gillibrand also alerted folks that the Department
of State is refunding expedited passport fees for those who paid for
the service and did not receive the benefit. To learn if you qualify
for the refund, individuals can visit the Department of State's website
at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_3259.html
To find out how to apply for a passport individuals can view all the needed requirements on-line at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Earlier
this year, Congresswoman Gillibrand voted to pass the bipartisan
Passport Backlog Reduction Act [S. 966]. This legislation allowed the
State Department to temporarily rehire retired employees who have
already been trained to process passport applications.
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