Friday, 08 June 2007 01:58
Waiting For A Passport For Summer Vacation? You May Be In Luck
Officials say the Bush administration may suspend a major post-9/11 security initiative to cope with complaints from Americans whose summer vacations are threatened by new passport rules.
A proposal under consideration would temporarily
waive a requirement that U.S. passports be used for air travel to and from
Canada and Mexico, provided the traveler can prove he or she has applied for a
passport. The officials say the proposed six-month suspension in the rules is
aimed at clearing a massive backlog of passport applications at the State
Department, however the plan has run into opposition from the Homeland Security
Department, which fears the move could make it easier for terrorists or other
undesirables to enter the country. Some officials say an announcement of the change
could come as early as today.