Western Hemispheres Travel Initiative puts a brake on many travel plans

Western Hemispheres Travel Initiative puts a brake on travel plans of many.

As many of you already know, especially if you have plans for a future trip to one of our neighboring countries such as Canada or Mexico, their travel plans could be at risk. “The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention or 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreigners to present a passport or other document or combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the plan proposed by the Administration implement this mandate. “So what does this mean? Well, for starters, if you travel to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean, which is now required to obtain a passport for your travel outside the United States.

It is possible, not long ago, travel to Canada or Mexico, as easy as traveling to visit his parents five states away. Neither. The goal of the federal government to “strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors” now requires all passengers to the bottom “check in” to obtain of a passport for identification and proof of citizenship. It is an absolute necessity to protect our borders against unauthorized access, hoping above all to prevent terrorist acts of individuals abroad. Unfortunately, policy and enforcement in border security have an impact on travelers entering and Canadian travelers abroad. In January 2007, traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean is now considered as “overseas” where once you could travel to these countries with little or no documentation at all.

So how does this affect trip to Canada? Or Mexico? Or Bermuda? Or the Caribbean? Well, the short answer to you is not much. But if you’re like me and take a family holiday every year in Mexico, which could cost a bit more this year. Take for example a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children under 16 years). The cost of our journey has just exploded, because by law, I am now obliged to obtain a passport for every person who goes inside and outside the United States. So to do not only have to pay the monetary costs associated with obtaining a passport, four passport in this example, but now I’m taking my time to know where I can take days to four requests passport after filling, and then find a site that has my passport photo must be attached to the passport application. I have not finished … I take my family to go to concerts of this passport. I take my children to school for this? Do not fault the band after school or sports? I lose an hour and combat trafficking with my family just found our passports and a place that will be our passport photo? Unfortunately, this scenario will be very common in 2007 and beyond, the federal government continues to strengthen the security of our country. My advice is to get your passport in the first and Beat the Rush. And if you’re lucky, find someone who comes to your workplace or home and provide all the needs of your passport, application forms, passport photos, photo cell.