U.S. to Require Passports for Nearly All

[hb06]

"Nearly all air travelers entering the U.S. will be required to show passports beginning Jan. 23, including returning Americans and people from Canada and other nations in the Western Hemisphere."

"The date was disclosed Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in an interview with The Associated Press."

"The requirement marks a change for Americans, Canadians, Bermudans and some Mexicans."
(See also FHOP post on new passport requirements for international travelers and embedded chip)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=6521543

[nicoss]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HBO6 @ Nov 21 2006, 04:14 PM) [snapback]352785[/snapback]</div>

"Nearly all air travelers entering the U.S. will be required to show passports beginning Jan. 23, including returning Americans and people from Canada and other nations in the Western Hemisphere."

"The date was disclosed Tuesday by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in an interview with The Associated Press."

"The requirement marks a change for Americans, Canadians, Bermudans and some Mexicans."
(See also FHOP post on new passport requirements for international travelers and embedded chip)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=6521543
[/b]

Under a separate program, Homeland Security plans to require all travelers, including Americans, entering the U.S. by land or sea to show a passport or an alternative security identification card starting as early as January 2008.[/b]

January 2008? It should have happened Sept. 12 2001

[NuShrike]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nicos @ Nov 21 2006, 06:31 PM) [snapback]352839[/snapback]</div>

January 2008? It should have happened Sept. 12 2001[/b]

Same thing for this "fluids" junk. Just follow the other countries with much better, refined, and mature policies and we'll be up-to-date. But no.. we're America with a pride stick stuck up ...

[daniel]

This marks a significant loss of rights for Americans. Previously, although a passport is the best ID for travelling, an American citizen could not be prevented from returning home. What will they do now if an American citizen returns without a passport? Deport him?

Also, this amounts to a $100 travel tax. No problem for most of us, but a further barrier to travel for those less well off.

And finally, the requirement for travellers to get passports is one more way for Big Brother to keep track of anyone who wants to leave the country.

"A nation that is willing to give up freedom for security deserves neither."

[nicoss]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 21 2006, 10:07 PM) [snapback]352910[/snapback]</div>

This marks a significant loss of rights for Americans. Previously, although a passport is the best ID for travelling, an American citizen could not be prevented from returning home. What will they do now if an American citizen returns without a passport? Deport him?

Also, this amounts to a $100 travel tax. No problem for most of us, but a further barrier to travel for those less well off.

And finally, the requirement for travellers to get passports is one more way for Big Brother to keep track of anyone who wants to leave the country.

"A nation that is willing to give up freedom for security deserves neither."
[/b]

What they did before - with some additional paperwork.

$10 a year ? (passports are valid for 10 years)

Nobody cares about who leaves the country (except, maybe, the IRS) - but we should damn well know who is coming in.

In 1759 Benjamin Franklin actually stated,
"Those willing to give up a little liberty for a little security deserve neither security nor liberty."

That was before religious fanatics started strapping explosives around their waist and blowing themselves up. (along with the “free” around him/her)

[viking31]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 22 2006, 01:07 AM) [snapback]352910[/snapback]</div>

Also, this amounts to a $100 travel tax. No problem for most of us, but a further barrier to travel for those less well off.[/b]

Very true. And yes the "$100 tax" will not be a problem for most of us, but all in all that is $100 less you will spend on your children, restaurants, new appliances, etc. And because of 9/11 this new passport requirement is only the tip of the iceberg of the money we have spent all in the name of increased security since 9/11. Money that could have gone to an even better economy than we are experiencing at the present.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 22 2006, 01:07 AM) [snapback]352910[/snapback]</div>

And finally, the requirement for travellers to get passports is one more way for Big Brother to keep track of anyone who wants to leave the country.[/b]

Yes, but even before 9/11 it didn't take much sleuthing to track your travels by air either domestically or internationally. It is just another tool which the government can use to keep track of suspicious characters with little personal intrusion.

Rick
#4 2006

[dbermanmd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nicos @ Nov 21 2006, 09:31 PM) [snapback]352839[/snapback]</div>

January 2008? It should have happened Sept. 12 2001
[/b]

There should be a National ID Card too with biometrics.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 22 2006, 01:07 AM) [snapback]352910[/snapback]</div>

Also, this amounts to a $100 travel tax. No problem for most of us, but a further barrier to travel for those less well off.


[/b]

How do the less well off travel abroad?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 22 2006, 01:07 AM) [snapback]352910[/snapback]</div>

This marks a significant loss of rights for Americans.
[/b]

What "rights" do you lose with this? The right to security? The right not to be slaughtered by those wishing you harm? Are there not rights for Americans who do not wish to be murdered by terrorists?