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| We don't need no stinking papers Amigo. But you ... |
| 2005-04-05 |
| WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans will need passports to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Panama and Bermuda by 2008, part of a tightening of U.S. border controls in an era of terrorist threat, three administration officials said Tuesday. Similarly, Canadians will also have to present a passport to enter the United States, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Canadians have been the only foreigners allowed to enter the United States with just a driver's license. An announcement, expected later Tuesday at the State Department, will specify that a passport or another valid travel document will have to be shown by U.S. citizens, the officials said. |
| Posted by:Slomorong Chang5391 |
| #15 It should be simple: enter another country or come back to your own---have your passport ready. A terrorist entering by plane or car or ferry is still entering. When I fly my plane into the Yukon, they want my passport, even when I land in Beaver Creek, Yukon (across from Alaska on the Alcan highway), and WALK over to the highway customs post. If you are too stupid to get a passport, then who wants you in their country in the first place. Problems can be overcome. My ex-wife needed a passport, but she had a delayed birth certificate at age 7 (not good enough for the Dept of State). She was born upriver and settled in a village to attend school. We got 4 people to make affidavits stamped by the postmaster (only notary) stating that she was born at this certain place on such and such a day to, blah blah blah. The passport came through a few weeks later. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-04-05 11:53:19 PM |
| #14 jackal, in that case, why do we need passport controls at all at airports, with fingerprinting and photography? What's the point for biometric passports? For Christ sakes, when you show a highway cop your driver's license, you prove that you are fit to drive. If you show an immigration officer your passport, you prove that you are American. Jeez, I had a valid US driver's license for years! |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-04-05 11:48:34 PM |
| #13 Why should it be different when crossing a land border? There might have been arrangements with the named countries for previously not needing full documentation. If you don't want a passport, stay home. *Ding ding ding* Jackpot! Jackpot! Jackpot!!!! |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-04-05 11:42:53 PM |
| #12 To a point, I agree with you, TGA, but how likely is it for terrorists to use false documentation to come through a border checkpoint vs. get a coyote to sneak them across (and kill him afterwards)? If the only way to cross were through checkpoints, this would be helpful to security. But since you can simply walk or swim across 3000 miles of uncontrolled terrain, what good would it do? |
| Posted by: jackal 2005-04-05 8:52:30 PM |
| #11 OK this time I really don't get it. If you fly into the U.S. you need a passport. Why should it be different when crossing a land border? If you don't want a passport, stay home. It's a big enough country. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-04-05 8:01:23 PM |
| #10 Or, the State Department has figured a way to make a profit on passport processing fees and is now looking to make as many Americans as possible pay. Well, a passport now costs around eighty bucks or so, but there's no law that says each U.S. citizen must buy one. At least not yet... |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-04-05 7:48:37 PM |
| #9 Anonymoose: Overall, its effect is the same as a police officer who sees two big guys fighting, and doesn't want to get involved, so he hits an innocent bystander with his nightstick over and over again to show that he still has authority. It is unjust, unfair, and irrational. Asking to see someone's passport at the border is not the same as hitting someone over the head with a nightstick. I understand that to some people, having to get a passport is (to use a Carterism) the moral equivalent of war. But the reality is that the simplest of all security measures is to ask people for their passports at the border. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-04-05 6:19:42 PM |
| #8 Zhang Fei: I have to disagree. Since government is unable and unwilling to enforce its existing law against those that violate it, it applies that law increasignly savagely against those who obey the law. Overall, its effect is the same as a police officer who sees two big guys fighting, and doesn't want to get involved, so he hits an innocent bystander with his nightstick over and over again to show that he still has authority. It is unjust, unfair, and irrational. It makes no more sense than pat searches at the entrance to supermarkets to prevent "supermarket terrorism"--a terrible thing, were some terrorist to ever do it. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-04-05 5:43:26 PM |
| #7 GJ8212: This is classical government behavior. Its a repeat of gun control. I disagree. Gun control is about disarming citizens. This is about verifying that someone actually is an American citizen. Big difference. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-04-05 4:05:30 PM |
| #6 This is classical government behavior. Its a repeat of gun control. Making the law abiding citizen go through paperwork and process while making no dent into those operating unlawfully. With an open border to the south, this is one big joke. Or, the State Department has figured a way to make a profit on passport processing fees and is now looking to make as many Americans as possible pay. |
| Posted by: Groluck Jutle8212 2005-04-05 3:36:49 PM |
| #5 Hey what about Californian driver's licenses? They're as good as gold I was told. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-04-05 3:01:48 PM |
| #4 Empirical tests: kick a sensor and see how long it takes for La Migra to show up... |
| Posted by: mojo 2005-04-05 2:57:10 PM |
| #3 Well, spegum, given the laxity of the Canadians about passports this was inevitable. What was it, 20,000 blank ones unaccounted for? and just how many people with close ties to jihadi groups granted citizenship and protection there? As far as returning into the US, that is an outgrowth of the situation in Canada. I wonder why you would object to the idea that everyone entering the US should show a serious ID. Or do you think we should just take peoples' word for it that they are Americans and like us .... |
| Posted by: too true 2005-04-05 2:55:21 PM |
| #2 I like the headline on the piece itself: U.S. to Tighten Border Controls by 2008 The guvernment is requiring passports for returning U.S. citizens and Canucks, but WHAT ABOUT THE PROBLEM ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER? WHAT ABOUT ALL THE ILLEGALS ALREADY ON U.S. SOIL??? The Minuteman Project is set up and running, and officials complain that sensors are being set off by volunteers. Well since certain areas are now being patrolled by volunteers, HOW ABOUT IGNORING ALERTS THAT ORIGINATE FROM SENSORS IN THOSE AFFECTED AREAS? Sometimes I wonder just what the deal is with government employees and politicians. It's almost as if they're incapable of reasoning and tailoring their actions accordingly. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-04-05 2:52:54 PM |
| #1 ...please notify me when "my" government revokes my citizen status altogether. |
| Posted by: Spegum Wholump3884 2005-04-05 2:35:29 PM |