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Washington, DC (June 8, 2007) – Rep. Ruben Hinojosa applauded the announcement today  by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to allow U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports to temporarily enter and exit the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and a State Department official proof of application for a passport. The federal government is making this accommodation through September 30, 2007 for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

“I am happy to hear that the Department of State and Homeland Security have finally recognized the immense problems and frustrations our citizens are encountering in their efforts to obtain a passport,” said Hinojosa. “"These backlogs indicate that the Departments were far from ready to implement these restrictions and I only hope that this announcement is a first step toward fixing what currently is a nightmarish process."

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child's proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov.

This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.

To read the State Department’s FAQs on travel please visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3254.html