Rep. Boozman Issues Passport Deadline Reminder

Rep. Boozman Issues Passport Deadline Reminder

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) Monday issued a reminder to 3rd District residents who travel to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to obtain passports by January 23, 2007.

The date is a new deadline announced last week by the Departments of State and Homeland Security for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.

The new travel document requirements stem from the recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and make up the Departments' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

A separate proposed rule addressing land and sea travel will be published at a later date proposing specific requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible.

Over 70 million U.S. citizens hold valid passports, an estimated quarter of the eligible population. The number of passport applications and issuances continues to grow. In fiscal year 2006, the U.S. Department of State issued over 12.1 million passports.

To find the closest facility where you can obtain a passport, visit the State Department's "Where to Apply" page at: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

http://www.boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=53120