It is incredible that it has taken this long to tighten up the border-crossing rules of indentifying ourselves at the border!
I have traveled to Europe and had to show my passport at every-single border I crossed over………and I can tell you; it was scrutinized, not just glanced at.
I don’t care if the lines at the border take longer to cross! I still want tight security! Frequent travelers better get their ID up to date if they don’t want to wait forever in long lines!
I also think the REAL ID should have been up and running by now, it’s taking way too long.
January 17, 2008 6:13 PM
Anonymous said...
The DHS should not be allowing any time extension to states to start using the REAL ID! It was supposed to start fully in 2008! THIS YEAR!
We need it; we have been waiting much too long already! We need it to keep illegal aliens OUT and we need it to keep Terrorists OUT. We need it to keep multiple-types of criminals OUT of our country!
The delay is unacceptable. WHY ARE YOU PUTING US AT RISK FOR A 13-YEAR DELAY? You have to get tough! You have followed through!
If you do not get tough and stick to the law; such as starting this REAL ID plan and enforcing our borders; we are just going to have to listen to the whining of special interest groups for years………
I say NO to the Real ID act. I'm fine with strict border control for people ENTERING our country. If the Federal government was doing their job rather than advocating globalism and open borders we wouldn't be overrun with illegal aliens and an increased risk of terrorism.
But making us all carry our "papers" is reminiscent of fascist dictatorship. Show us you can do you job on the borders and on immigration before asking us to give up more liberties.
January 20, 2008 9:35 PM
Anonymous said...
I hope the DHS/Border Crossings will not and do not accept any Embassay "consulant-cards" at the border as vaild ID!?
Everyone knows that Mexico hands those out to illegal aliens like chicklets! Invaild & illegal to use as actual ID! So that had better not be on your list!
Where was the vote taken which allowed this change in law to be enacted?
I don't remember getting to vote for this change.
Funny how you, Mr. Chertoff, all by yourself seem to be able to tell Americans what they can and can't do.
Somewhere in the mists of my memory there's thing old book, or parchment, or something . . .
Oh wait! Now I remember! It's the Constitution.
Go read it.
February 2, 2008 2:00 PM
[Photo] Currently, American and Canadian citizens wishing to enter the U.S. through land or sea ports of entry may use over 8,000 different documents to establish their identity. Or, in some cases, they are allowed to simply declare their citizenship to a Customs and Border Protection officer. Barring any red flags, that’s all they need to cross the border.
Amazingly, this means that baptismal certificates, student ID cards, and thousands of other easily-forged documents can be used to enter our country – hardly an efficient or secure process. The current system puts an onerous burden on our CBP officers while allowing too much opportunity for criminals, illegal aliens, and potential terrorists to slip into our country.
That’s why starting on January 31st of this year, we will end the practice of accepting oral declarations alone at land and sea ports of entry. U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years of age and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID--such as a driver’s license--along with proof of citizenship--such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate--to enter the country. Children 18 and under will only be required to show proof of citizenship.
We first announced this change months ago. The acceptable documents are all readily available and widely held. We are reminding travelers again so they will remember to carry the necessary documents, and grow accustomed to the new procedures at the border.
Ending oral declarations reduces a major vulnerability. So does decreasing the number of documents our CBP officers must assess from more than 8,000 to about two dozen. These measures are critical to securing the border – something which the American people rightly demand.
We will continue our vigorous education and outreach efforts to ensure that everyone is aware of these changes. We will also continue to work with the traveling public, our international partners, the private sector, and border communities as we implement these important security measures.
5 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formIt is incredible that it has taken this long to tighten up the border-crossing rules of indentifying ourselves at the border!
I have traveled to Europe and had to show my passport at every-single border I crossed over………and I can tell you; it was scrutinized, not just glanced at.
I don’t care if the lines at the border take longer to cross! I still want tight security! Frequent travelers better get their ID up to date if they don’t want to wait forever in long lines!
I also think the REAL ID should have been up and running by now, it’s taking way too long.
January 17, 2008 6:13 PM
The DHS should not be allowing any time extension to states to start using the REAL ID! It was supposed to start fully in 2008! THIS YEAR!
We need it; we have been waiting much too long already! We need it to keep illegal aliens OUT and we need it to keep Terrorists OUT. We need it to keep multiple-types of criminals OUT of our country!
The delay is unacceptable. WHY ARE YOU PUTING US AT RISK FOR A 13-YEAR DELAY? You have to get tough! You have followed through!
If you do not get tough and stick to the law; such as starting this REAL ID plan and enforcing our borders; we are just going to have to listen to the whining of special interest groups for years………
January 18, 2008 10:42 AM
I say NO to the Real ID act. I'm fine with strict border control for people ENTERING our country. If the Federal government was doing their job rather than advocating globalism and open borders we wouldn't be overrun with illegal aliens and an increased risk of terrorism.
But making us all carry our "papers" is reminiscent of fascist dictatorship. Show us you can do you job on the borders and on immigration before asking us to give up more liberties.
January 20, 2008 9:35 PM
I hope the DHS/Border Crossings will not and do not accept any Embassay "consulant-cards" at the border as vaild ID!?
Everyone knows that Mexico hands those out to illegal aliens like chicklets! Invaild & illegal to use as actual ID! So that had better not be on your list!
January 21, 2008 4:51 PM
Where was the vote taken which allowed this change in law to be enacted?
I don't remember getting to vote for this change.
Funny how you, Mr. Chertoff, all by yourself seem to be able to tell Americans what they can and can't do.
Somewhere in the mists of my memory there's thing old book, or parchment, or something . . .
Oh wait! Now I remember! It's the Constitution.
Go read it.
February 2, 2008 2:00 PM