Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

 

Over the last five months Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s office has assisted hundreds, maybe thousands, of constituents with passport related issues created by the backlog. In response, today, Mr. Cardoza wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.  While thanking her for temporarily easing the regulations, Mr. Cardoza demanded that her department reconcile the backlog of passport applications quickly. 

 

“Having to wait five months in extreme cases for a passport before leaving the country is unacceptable,” said Cardoza. “Even routine applications are expected to take three months or longer. This process must be made more efficient.”

 

On Friday June 8, 2007 the notice below from the State Department was distributed to federal workers and the public regarding the temporary change in passport requirements. Since this change is of critical importance to travelers from all over California your help in notifying the public is crucial and appreciated.

 

Mr. Cardoza’s office will continue to assist constituents with all passport issues. Congressional caseworkers can be contacted at the following locations:

 

 

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The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and a Department of State official proof of application for a passport. This accommodation is in effect through Sept. 30, 2007.

 

Customers who applied for a passport and are traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda only, and their passports are delayed, may be eligible to travel under the temporary accommodations. Please advise these customers to:

 

In addition to the proof of passport application, U.S. citizens over age 16 must also carry a U.S.-government issued identification card.

 

This accommodation only applies to U.S. citizens traveling by air to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. Travelers must continue to meet the entry requirements of the country they are visiting. Americans traveling to a country that requires visitors to have a passport must obtain their passport. Customers should check to determine if the country of their destination requires a passport.