Congressman Salazar encourages travelers to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region to review new passport requirements

As of June 1, travelers from these countries will need a passport, passport card or other form of government approved identification to re-enter the United States

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar encouraged travelers in Colorado’s Third Congressional District to familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes to passport requirements for those hoping to travel by land or sea to and from either Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. It is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). The U.S. Passport Book and the U.S. Passport Card are the premiere documents that denote both citizenship and identity. For a list of other government approved documents, please visit http://www.getyouhome.gov

The goal of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is to facilitate entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors, while strengthening U.S. border security. Standard documents will enable the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.

On the need to research the changes to travel documentation, Congressman Salazar offered the following remarks:

“I want to make sure constituents in the Third Congressional district know that if they’re planning to travel outside of the United States by land or by sea they need to make sure they have the appropriate documentation to return without issue to the United States. When the air travel component of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative kicked in back in 2007 there was a backlog. I encourage everyone to consult the State Department or the Department of Homeland Security so they have the documentation they need.”

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will go into effect June 1, 2009 for land and sea travel into the U.S. The initiative went into effect for air travelers on January 23, 2007 which resulted in a backlog of passport requests. To avoid delays in passport processing, visit http://travel.state.gov/travel and click on the passport link or call (877) 487-2778 for more information.

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	For immediate release: June 1, 2009
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director Contact: (202) 536-6190 Edward Stern, Deputy Press Secretary
	Congressman Salazar encourages travelers to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region to review new passport requirements
	As of June 1, travelers from these countries will need a passport, passport card or other form of government approved identification to re-enter the United States WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar encouraged travelers in Colorado’s Third Congressional District to familiarize themselves with the upcoming changes to passport requirements for those hoping to travel by land or sea to and from either Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean Region The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. It is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). The U.S. Passport Book and the U.S. Passport Card are the premiere documents that denote both citizenship and identity. For a list of other government approved documents, please visit http://www.getyouhome.gov The goal of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is to facilitate entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors, while strengthening U.S. border security. Standard documents will enable the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler. On the need to research the changes to travel documentation, Congressman Salazar offered the following remarks: “I want to make sure constituents in the Third Congressional district know that if they’re planning to travel outside of the United States by land or by sea they need to make sure they have the appropriate documentation to return without issue to the United States. When the air travel component of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative kicked in back in 2007 there was a backlog. I encourage everyone to consult the State Department or the Department of Homeland Security so they have the documentation they need.” The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will go into effect June 1, 2009 for land and sea travel into the U.S. The initiative went into effect for air travelers on January 23, 2007 which resulted in a backlog of passport requests. To avoid delays in passport processing, visit http://travel.state.gov/travel and click on the passport link or call (877) 487-2778 for more information. ###
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