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May 7, 2009 Travelling Soon? Don't Leave Home Without Your Passport |
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Washington, D.C.— As you begin to make your summer travel plans, there will be several things that you need to add to your checklist before heading to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean. On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The proposed rules under the WHTI will require U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport.
Currently, all U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S. citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea. All persons travelling by air are required to show a passport to enter or re-enter the U.S. However, on June 1, all air, land, and sea passengers will be required to show a passport or other approved document. For a list of documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security, please visit http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/index.html.
The State Department is encouraging people to seek passports now to avoid a backlog of applications, and the Department of Homeland Security is stepping up publicity along U.S. border towns about the new policy. The policy aims to keep terrorists out of the country and our borders safe. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to apply or renew your passport soon and, as always, contact my office or visit http://travel.state.gov/passport for more information about obtaining a passport.
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