NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 23, 2007 FOR TRAVELERS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN HEMISPHERE COUNTRIES THAT PREVIOUSLY REQUIRED ONLY A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

This is the Western Hemisphere Initiative Act of the United States Congress.  It affects Canada, Mexico, etc.

See complete information at my TRAVEL website at:

https://eqagent.tripod.com/travel

or at the United States State Department at:

www.state.gov

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New Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and the Western Hemisphere

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.  In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports.   This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States.  Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)

Press Release: New Passport Initiative Announced to Better Secure Americas Borders

THIS IS A COPY OF THE CHANGE IN LAW AS POSTED ON THE United States State Department website--www.state.gov