(We are doing nothing about millions of illegals coming across the border, but we need to have Americans show a passport? Fuggin republiklans...) Nov. 22, 2006, 10:46AM U.S. to implement passport requirement By BEVERLEY LUMPKIN Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON â Virtually all air travelers entering the United States after Jan. 23 will need to show passports _ even U.S. citizens, the Homeland Security Department announced Wednesday. Until now, U.S. citizens, travelers from Canada and Bermuda, and some travelers from Mexico who have special border-crossing cards for frequent visitors were allowed to show other proofs of identification, such as drivers' licenses or birth certificates. "The ability to misuse travel documents to enter this country opens the door for a terrorist to carry out an attack," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement. Chertoff, who disclosed the effective date in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, said the change was a crucial next step to helping ensure the nation's security. The department had been expected to institute the passport requirement for air travelers around the beginning of the year. Setting the date on Jan. 23 pushes the start past the holiday season. "Each of these steps raises the bar to an attack. None of this is perfect. None of them is foolproof. But we're always better off when we build higher levels of security," he said in the interview. "Right now, there are 8,000 different state and local entities in the U.S. issuing birth certificates and driver's licenses," Chertoff said. Having to distinguish phony from real in so many different documents "puts an enormous burden on our Customs and Border inspectors," he said. In a few cases, other documents still may be used for air entry into the U.S. by some frequent travelers between the U.S. and Canada, members of the American military on official business and some U.S. merchant mariners. Under a separate program, Homeland Security plans to require all travelers entering the U.S. by land or sea, including Americans, to show passports or an alternative security identification card when entering the U.S. starting as early as January 2008. The Homeland Security Department estimates that about one in four Americans has a passport. Some people have balked at the $97 price tag. The Sept. 11 Commission said in its report, "For terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons." The commission recommended strengthening security of travel documents. A 2004 law passed by Congress mandated the change to require passports as the only acceptable travel document, with few exceptions, but the exact date had been in question. Canadian officials and some members of Congress from border states have expressed concern that the changes could interfere with travel and commerce. Chertoff said his agency's data revealed that in September 2006, 90 percent of passengers leaving from Canadian airports had passports. The department estimated that 69 percent of U.S. air travelers to Canada, 58 percent of U.S. travelers to Mexico, and 75 percent of U.S. travelers to the Caribbean hold passports. "Could James Bond and Q come up with a fake passport?" Chertoff asked, referring to the fictional British spy and his espionage agency's technical genius. Of course, he replied, because "nothing is completely perfect." Still, he said, with new technology, it is increasingly difficult to forge passports, and having just one document to scrutinize should make inspection easier for both inspectors and travelers.
Somebody remind me what President Clinton did about the invasion of illegals while he was in office? I don't remember him doing anything at all... Then again, he knew they could possibly be "Democratic Meat" in the future...
Did Clinton's administration pass the recent laws that track Americans? Didn't think so... You red herring is noted, though...
You're a clown. How do you know if one is indeed an American without asking for a passport? I know of no state within the U.S. requiring citizenship as a pre-requisite for issuing a driver's license. Thus an easily forgeable local ID has no bearing on one's legitimacy in being allowed to enter the U.S. Australia and the U.K. have similar laws that are even MORE reaching. Have any idea how many people "lose" their passport only to give it to a non-citizen? Quite a few. In Oz if you "lose" your passport twice they can decide to not issue you another. In the U.K. one carries a national ID card! As far as immigration: Border Security bill Other Titles:SAFE for America Act Security and Fairness Enhancement for America Act of 2005 TAKE AIM Act of 2005 Taking Action to Keep Employees Accountable in Immigration Matters Act of 2005 Status: Passed House (92% of Republicans supporting, 82% of Democrats opposing.) This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate. In what universe do you think Democrats who as a party are receiving 68% of the Mexican vote are going to fight Mexican immigration. You're head is totally up your ass.
Pabst in full on spew mode today. Losing more money in the market, again? Anyway, I am not with the dems and their immigration policy, and posts I have made in the past confirm that. Oh, and you mean to tell me you can't tell who is American by your racial profiling techniques? ROTFLMAO...
Of course not. Monica told him that would be really, really mean of him to do such a nasty thing. And it might of hurt Hillary's chances of becoming the first lady President. She also told him to unzip his pants. She was helpfull to his administration...
Americans vote. Illegal mexicans don't. I'm sure the end game is to find out dissenting voters and then intimidate these voters by putting them on a no-travel-list. Once you control the vote, you control the country.
As soon as we attempt to seal up the border or track illegals you and your lying lefties scream and cry racism.