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| Passports to be required for US Entry at borders https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5919 |
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| Author: | Witling [ Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Passports to be required for US Entry at borders |
Passport needed for U.S. borders By Mimi Hall, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — U.S. citizens will be required to show a passport to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Panama, Bermuda and the Caribbean by 2008, the departments of State and Homeland Security announced Tuesday. The change, which will be phased in over the next three years, is part of an ongoing effort to tighten border security after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Canadians, who now are the only foreigners allowed to enter the United States with only driver's licenses, also will need passports to head south across the border. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in an interview with the Associated Press, said the United States has to take every precaution to screen out "people who want to come to hurt us." Border agents must look at scores of different state driver's licenses and try to determine if they are real or fake. With passports as the main form of identification, "it's going to take a lot of the mystery out" of the process, said the State Department's Maura Harty. One in five Americans — more than 60 million — have passports, the State Department says. Because the government doesn't know how many cross the borders without passports, officials don't know how many more people will need them. Nearly 1 million enter the United States from Canada and Mexico each day by car, truck, bus, train or on foot. The State Department is hiring 500 more workers to process applications, a nearly 50% increase. It expects to handle about 2 million more applications each year. The new system will begin at the end of this year in the Caribbean and Bermuda, then Mexico and Canada. It will be put in place at airports and seaports first, then spread to land crossings. Some U.S. citizens, Canadians and Mexicans will be able to use other government travel documents that require a background check. That could apply to people who commute to work across the border or deliver goods. But most would need passports, instead of a driver's license or other photo ID now used by many to re-enter the United States. Ch*ldren now need only a birth certificate. "Are they going to supply us with a grant?" said Lisa Monarez, an El Paso sales executive with a husband and three Ch*ldren. Her family travels to Mexico for occasional family gatherings. Monarez said she'll have to weigh her family obligations against the $440 in passport fees. Cost is also a concern for Milwaukee-based Mark Travel Corporation, which sends 1 million Americans to Mexico every year. "Many of our passengers are cost-conscious budget travelers, and people may decide to go somewhere like Orlando instead," said spokeswoman Tammy Lee. Some business travelers said the new rules won't affect them. Many who travel to the affected countries by air and sea already carry passports. Although the governments don't require them, some airlines and cruise ship lines do. "Having only a birth certificate invites additional scrutiny," said frequent flier Betsy Roach of New York, who traveled back and forth between Mexico and Canada three times last month. Sandra Stott of Middletown, Conn., flies to Canada several times a year for work and drives to vacation in the summer on Dotty Lake in Ontario. "The process definitely seems to go more smoothly in the airport where people have passports," she said. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/200 ... sits_x.htm |
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| Author: | Tman [ Thu Apr 07, 2005 10:46 am ] |
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Sounds like a "big Brother" ploy if you ask me. 85% of americans dont have passports...so this will enable the feds to track you anywhere...especially with the new passport technology that will make them traceable to your location. I will try and find and pass on the article about the new passport technology. While I understand it's application for "terrorists", it is also a ploy for tracking citizens anywhere, anytime. As a good libertarian, I fear and deplore that objective. |
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| Author: | PacoLoco [ Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:39 pm ] |
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Tman wrote: While I understand it's application for "terrorists", it is also a ploy for tracking citizens anywhere, anytime. If I'm not mistaken every one of the 9/11 terrorists had a passport, so what good will this do?  What a crock of you-know-what.
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| Author: | Bing [ Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Sheesh... living in Los Angeles , I'm gonna need my passport to just go across town.. 
Bing 
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| Author: | Gringotim [ Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Tman wrote: Sounds like a "big Brother" ploy if you ask me. 85% of americans dont have passports...so this will enable the feds to track you anywhere...especially with the new passport technology that will make them traceable to your location. I will try and find and pass on the article about the new passport technology. While I understand it's application for "terrorists", it is also a ploy for tracking citizens anywhere, anytime. As a good libertarian, I fear and deplore that objective.
We can scream all we want , but the American people don't give a sh*t. They're so apathetic it makes me sick. We deserve the government we have. The general populace of the US are clueless. If anyone believes we still have any semblence of privacy left in the US, they're fools. You think it's bad now, as the saying goes "you ain't seen nothing yet"! Databases, implanted microchips, GSP, facial recognition software (doesn't work now, but it is improving), it goes on and on. Judges out of control, whore politicians under the control of lobbyists and other sundry influence peddlers. Indeed, the best government money can buy. F*ck the people. No more references to God. No more Christmas, no more Easter. Can't take the risk of offending anyone...must be politically correct. Hey...listen to the ACLU...they know what's right for us(?). Heaven help us. Methinks Hamilton, Jefferson, Adams et. al. are doing cartwheels. |
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| Author: | Irish Drifter [ Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Gringotim wrote: Quote: We can scream all we want , but the American people don't give
a sh*t. They're so apathetic it makes me sick. We deserve the government we have. The general populace of the US are clueless. If anyone believes we still have any semblence of privacy left in the US, they're fools. You think it's bad now, as the saying goes "you ain't seen nothing yet"! Databases, implanted microchips, GSP, facial recognition software (doesn't work now, but it is improving), it goes on and on. Judges out of control, whore politicians under the control of lobbyists and other sundry influence peddlers. Indeed, the best government money can buy. F*ck the people. No more references to God. No more Christmas, no more Easter. Can't take the risk of offending anyone...must be politically correct. Hey...listen to the ACLU...they know what's right for us(?). Heaven help us. Any more questions why I live in Costa Rica  
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| Author: | Witling [ Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:12 pm ] |
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Tim, Having a bad day? I've found that it causes me way too much unneeded stress worrying about all the outside influences I have no control over. I pay my taxes and occasionally vote but the government will do what it wants. I show up for work but management will still do what they want. I've loved a number of women but regardless of my will or intentions they still did what they wanted. I just try to make the best of my little world. It may be naive but it works for me. Hugs, Wit |
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| Author: | Tman [ Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:03 am ] |
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For anyone interested in a "different" little world :
Quote: Panama Actively Promotes Residency For Foreigners
Panama offers a broad residency program as part of its campaign to attract and keep foreign investment. Two popular options for foreigners are the Retired Annuitant Visa and the Immigrant Investor Visa. Briefly, both visas require at least… • Proof of solvency (retirees must prove a monthly income of $750, investors a minimum investment of $100,000 or $40,000 for reforestation status). • Power of Attorney through a Panamanian legal entity. • A Medical Certificate of Good Health. • A Certificate of Good Standing from the police authorities in the applicants last place of residence. • Various other applications and documentation. Visas are valid for one year initially and must be renewed over a two- to five-year period depending on the visa category. After this, permanent residency can be awarded. This serves as a second residency and does not require the applicant to renounce citizenship in their own country. Visa holders may however apply for naturalization if they desire it. (..and thereby gain a Panamanian passport for their efforts. Both Retiree and Investment Visa holders are offered an extensive incentive package, which includes (among others)… • Property tax exemptions for periods on 10-25 years. • Tax exemptions on income and repatriated capital. • Exemption from customs duties and the ability to import a vehicle every two years. |
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| Author: | Dapanz1 [ Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:23 am ] |
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Damn, Tman, that sure does look enticing. As for Gringotim's post. I don't think he was having a bad day. Just telling it like it is. dapanz1 |
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