American land border requirements delayed

The United States Department of Homeland Security continues to tighten security measures when it comes to Americans and other North Americans identifying themselves at US borders, whether land, sea or airport. The Western Hemisphere Travel Act means Americans will need a passport to travel to neighbouring countries like Canada and Mexico.

Last year, an unprecedented and extreme backlog of passport processing was experienced when rules saying Americans needed a passport to fly to other North American countries that before asked for only birth certificate of a driver’s licence was put in place.

The next step is to make requirements stricter for Americans returning home by land, but earlier implementation dates have been pushed back to June 1st, 2009.
Homeland Secrity Secretary Michael Chertoff says, “We are on course to implement and enforce the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which is an important step forward in securing the homeland. Limiting and standardizing the types of documents presented will result in a more secure and efficient border. We will continue to encourage cross-border travel and trade while at the same time decreasing identity theft and fraud.”