BajaNomad - Baja Officials Are Crossed Over New Rule Requiring U.S. Passports

Baja Officials Are Crossed Over New Rule Requiring U.S. Passports

BajaNews - 1-22-2007 at 05:31 PM

http://www.sdbj.com/article.asp?aID=109342&link=perm

By MIKE ALLEN
1/22/2007

A change in rules covering documents required for air travelers to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda is causing confusion — and lost business — for the tourist industry in Baja California.

“A number of hotels have had cancellations from people who called and said they’ve delayed their trips because they didn’t want to go down without the necessary documents,” said Ron Raposa, public relations representative for the Rosarito Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The change, which takes effect Jan. 23, affects only air travelers, not those visiting via land or sea crossings.

The new passport rule was mandated by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, new federal regulations that closely follow the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The intent is to better secure the border and implement a standard system for entry back into the United States.

The first phase, handled by the Department of Homeland Security, requires air travelers who are U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to carry a passport.

Second Phase Delayed

The second phase applies to travelers returning by land or sea to carry either a passport or passport card. Originally this phase was to take effect in January 2008, but officials have delayed implementation until June 2009.

Previously, U.S. citizens traveling to Bermuda, Canada or Mexico did not have to carry a passport or special documents.

The looming deadline on air travel has discouraged some travelers from going into Mexico, especially potential buyers of condominiums under construction around Rosarito Beach and Ensenada, said a key resort official.

“There’s been a drop-off, and mostly it’s based on this confusion,” said Gabriel Robles, president of the Resort Developers Association of Baja California. “People don’t know if they need a passport and in most cases, they just don’t go.”

The travel industry has been aware of the changes regarding passports and has been letting customers know about it, but many recreational travelers are still unaware, said John Cruse, vice president of corporate travel for Balboa Travel, the area’s largest travel agency.

“The only impact we’ve seen is that there’s been a lot more questions about the policy,” Cruse said. “Most corporate travelers already have a passport.

“We started advising people about the changes about six to nine months ago, and have been telling them through our agents about it. We are also putting the requirement on every single one of the itineraries that we send out, both on domestic and international flights,” Cruse said.

Passports Needed

The rule could be problematic for travelers who decide on the spur of the moment to do a weekend jaunt to Cabo San Lucas or Cancun in Mexico.

“It’s going to happen where people are caught off guard, and they need to get a passport and may not have time to get it,” Cruse said.

To accommodate the surge in passport applications, the U.S. Postal Service has increased the number of application offices in the San Diego district to 120 from 14. The San Diego postal district includes Imperial, Inyo and most of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

There are currently 69 locations within San Diego County.

Mike Cannone, USPS spokesman, said applications for passports in this district have increased 375 percent in 2004 over the number issued in 2003. In 2004, there were 94,647 passports issued. Last year, the number jumped to 167,890.

The basic cost for a passport is $97. Generally, the process takes six weeks, but can be shortened to two weeks by paying an additional $89.

Travelers who cannot wait two weeks can get a passport on the same day by waiting in line in Los Angeles at a special application office. Applicants must show proof that their overseas travel is less than two weeks away. The cost is $127.

Mexican and U.S. tourist officials say they are worried what impact the new passport rule will have on casual, day trips south of the border.

“On paper this sounds like a great idea, but when you look at the reality of it, it may not be so great,” said Angelika Villagrana, spokeswoman for the San Diego Alliance for Border Efficiency, comprised of businesses and business organizations, as well as local cities concerned about delays encountered in crossing the border. The group worries about how the passport rule could worsen an already serious logjam at both the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa crossings.

“How are you going to move people (across the border) if you don’t have the people and the technology in place?” Villagrana asked.

Because of lobbying efforts by the alliance and other business groups, U.S. officials pushed ahead the date to implement the passport requirement to June 2009.

Raposa said because of the confusion about the new rules, the Baja State Secretariat of Tourism is planning an educational campaign aimed at the Southern California region, informing would-be visitors that passports aren’t required for those driving into Mexico.

The big concern for many resorts, hotels and businesses in Baja is that many visitors who come to San Diego for a few days and incorporate a day trip to Tijuana will no longer do so because they don’t have a passport.

“The great majority of the visitors who go to Rosarito, Puerto Nuevo and Ensenada probably don’t have a passport,” Robles said. “By telling them they will have to have to get one is basically killing the business.”

Raposa said business groups support improved security at the borders, but want the program implemented so as not to disrupt travel and commerce.

“We understand this is being done for better border security, but you want it to be done in a way that makes it clear the we aren’t damaging the travel and trade between the countries as well,” he said.

vgabndo - 1-22-2007 at 05:48 PM

Relative to passports...I read recently that less than a third of all Americans had the basic paperwork to go abroad. (a passport) IMHO we as a people have very little interest in how or why the rest of the world is doing what it is doing.

Also recently read of an international survey that concluded that of the major "civilized" nations, only Turkey had fewer people than the US who accepted the reality of evolution!

Correlation? :?:

Good!

Dave - 1-23-2007 at 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
Relative to passports...I read recently that less than a third of all Americans had the basic paperwork to go abroad. (a passport) IMHO we as a people have very little interest in how or why the rest of the world is doing what it is doing.

More than 2/3rd's of all Americans need to stay home.

David K - 1-23-2007 at 09:27 AM

AMEN!

Clueless

MrBillM - 1-23-2007 at 11:04 AM

The Passport Requirement has been well-publicized and discussed for quite awhile now, but millions of clueless people have ignored the upcoming deadline and are now whining.

These same clueless Adults are, no doubt, represented in all manner of public opinion surveys that are held up to represent what the American People "THINK".

Who Cares ?

Bajalover - 1-23-2007 at 11:04 AM

Agree :!:

burro bob - 1-24-2007 at 03:26 PM

I've had a passport for close to 20 years. It was pretty painless. At least no blood was drawn. What is the big deal?
vgabndo;
Please list your sources, otherwise I will be forced to conclude that you are a prevaricator.
Dave:
If 2/3rds of US of A tourists stayed home Mexico would be bankrupt.
David K:
What makes you think you should be part of the one third that are allowed to travel?
My whole concept of who and what I am and where I fit in the grand scheme of things is partly due to the fact that I have been lucky enough to travel a little in Europe and now live in Mexico. Every racist red neck Billy Joe-Bob should be forced to live abroad for awhile.
burro bob

Passport card- an easy alternative

thebajarunner - 1-24-2007 at 07:05 PM

I am not quite sure why folks are so lathered up over the passport rules, but here, from the DOS, is a simple alternative.

This is their press release:

Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

To meet the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), today announced and submitted for public comment a federal rule proposing the development of a card-format passport for international travel by U.S. citizens through land and sea ports of entry between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

The limited-use passport card will be adjudicated to the same standards as a traditional passport book. The rule published today proposes a wallet-sized card that would cost $10 for children and $20 for adults, plus a $25 execution fee.

To facilitate the frequent travel of those living in U.S. border communities and those traveling on commercial maritime vessels, the Department of State has committed to producing a passport card that incorporates cutting-edge technology. The technology incorporated in the proposed card was designed in coordination with DHS specifically to address the operational needs of land border-crossings. The proposed passport card would use long-range, or vicinity, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to link the card to a secure U.S. government database containing biographical data and a photograph. The card itself will not contain any personal information, and DHS will implement protections to keep the database secure.

The passport card is the core element of the PASS (People Access Security Service) System announced by Secretaries Rice and Chertoff in January 2006, and will secure and expedite travel to and from the United States.

David K - 1-24-2007 at 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by burro bob
I've had a passport for close to 20 years. It was pretty painless. At least no blood was drawn. What is the big deal?
vgabndo;
Please list your sources, otherwise I will be forced to conclude that you are a prevaricator.
Dave:
If 2/3rds of US of A tourists stayed home Mexico would be bankrupt.
David K:
What makes you think you should be part of the one third that are allowed to travel?
My whole concept of who and what I am and where I fit in the grand scheme of things is partly due to the fact that I have been lucky enough to travel a little in Europe and now live in Mexico. Every racist red neck Billy Joe-Bob should be forced to live abroad for awhile.
burro bob

Let be clarify my "Amen", Bob...

If people are so stupid they can't read or learn the travel requirements that have been announced for over 2 years, then I think they will be just a unwelcomed burden to any country they travel to.

I like people who have been traveling to Baja, because they can handle the details, they don't let the bandito rumors scare them away, and they appreciate that Mexico IS different and that's why they go!

ElGato - 1-25-2007 at 04:46 PM

:rolleyes:

I would like to point out that anyone who presently travels to Baja has the required paperwork to obtain a passport. Now the question is if those same documents(drivers lic &birth cert) are the same documents required to obtain a passport what is gained by requiring a passport??

David K - 1-25-2007 at 05:29 PM

U.S. Passports are all the same...

Birth certificates and photo IDs (driver's licenses) are different (50 states in the U.S.)...

If taking the time to examine TWO IDs (for each passenger) and being a counterfit expert is what you want to wait for at the border VS. the speed of looking at just one, good ID by the border gaurd, then let's not change.

I prefer a faster border crossing and no terrorists sneaking in with forged IDs.

Passports

ElGato - 1-25-2007 at 05:53 PM

So the question is valid but the ID's are questionable but since 911 was 5 1/2 yrs ago it seems security was not the pressing issue. And the '08 land crossing requirement has been backed up another year. Remarkable!

Bob and Susan - 1-25-2007 at 05:59 PM

no it hasn't

June 1, 2009

David K - 1-25-2007 at 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
no it hasn't

Have a look: http://www.bajatimes.com/art3.html

Bob and Susan - 1-25-2007 at 06:54 PM

well this is news....

i'll call the passport office tomorrow

just because it printed on the internet doesn't mean it's true :tumble:

Bob and Susan - 1-25-2007 at 06:59 PM

here is the latest from the Los Angeles Regional Passport News...

back side...

As early as Jan1st 2008 but no later than June 1st 2009 US citizens traveling between USA and Canada Mexico Central and South America Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea may be required to present ...passport....etc

get it by jan1st 2008!!!

backninedan - 1-25-2007 at 07:03 PM

Saw on the news last night that it had been moved to 2009, but you know how reliable that is.

09 land crossing

ElGato - 1-25-2007 at 07:07 PM

:saint:

http://www.state.gov
Click on about Passports and then it will admit recent legislation discussing this. I will post the discussion itself as soon as I relocate. "Recent legislative changes permit later date".

DanO - 1-25-2007 at 07:07 PM

That'll be around the same time they finish the carpool lane on the 405 freeway in L.A. Coincidence?

Bob and Susan - 1-25-2007 at 07:08 PM

call Passport Agency at:

1-877-487-2778

7AM to Midnite Eastern time

for a customer service Rep

woody with a view - 1-25-2007 at 07:15 PM

so what happens when you arrive at the port of entry w/o pasaporte? do they refuse you entry or just do a double cavity search????

it'll be YEARS before they require pasaportes from every person driving across....

Passports June '09

ElGato - 1-25-2007 at 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
so what happens when you arrive at the port of entry w/o pasaporte? do they refuse you entry or just do a double cavity search????

it'll be YEARS before they require pasaportes from every person driving across....

I agree Woody! Think of all the ex-pats living there. This Jun.'09 will probably be backed up again as Jan.'08 was. If the same docs are used to cross now as to get a Passport why spend the money until you need to?

Any idea?

The Gull - 1-26-2007 at 09:38 AM

Does anyone have an idea about what the lower age limits would be? Used to be common practive that parents could take their children back to US without ID.

Anyone know the practice these days?

Any ideas of what it would be with the 2008-2009 ground crossing passport rules?

Cypress - 1-26-2007 at 10:54 AM

If the law says a passport is required to enter, I'd suggest having a passport handy if you intend to enter. :tumble:

You gonna argue with the guards, convince 'em "you" don't need a passport.? :spingrin:

June'09 Passport req'd by Land

ElGato - 1-26-2007 at 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
If the law says a passport is required to enter, I'd suggest having a passport handy if you intend to enter. :tumble:

You gonna argue with the guards, convince 'em "you" don't need a passport.? :spingrin:

The irony is that a passport is not required to enter Mexico but to return to the U.S.

David K - 1-26-2007 at 03:24 PM

"The irony is that a passport is not required to enter Mexico but to return to the U.S."

There aren't any terrorist killing thousands of Mexicans (yet)...

How soon we forget... the media has done a grand job of whitewashing 9-11. They need to show those jets slamming into the towers over and over on TV and those innocent thousands kiilled that day... You won't see the people jumping to their deaths to avoid burning alive on TV anymore either.

America needs a severe wakeup call as to why we are fighting the terrorists, where ever they are and not waiting for them to do it to us again, here.

God bless the volunteers who are fighting for us all!

terrorists

ElGato - 1-26-2007 at 04:03 PM

Quote:

Somehow I doubt the people in Tijuana don't think terrorists are killing people. It may not be thousands but it is in the hundreds. And the people in the bar who witnessed the 6 heads tossed on the floor surely think there are terrorists there. The rest of your statement I will agree with.

There aren't any terrorist killing thousands of Mexicans (yet)...

How soon we forget... the media has done a grand job of whitewashing 9-11. They need to show those jets slamming into the towers over and over on TV and those innocent thousands kiilled that day... You won't see the people jumping to their deaths to avoid burning alive on TV anymore either.

America needs a severe wakeup call as to why we are fighting the terrorists, where ever they are and not waiting for them to do it to us again, here.

God bless the volunteers who are fighting for us all!

Bob and Susan - 1-26-2007 at 04:08 PM

no matter what you "WISH" the reality is....

a passport may be required on Jan 2008 period
there is a flashing sign everytime i cross at tj that reminds me of this.

there is NO excuse for letting our citizens get killed for ANY reason.
and even NO excuse for the ones that are mamed for no reason
you don't hear too much about those guys

remember we are at war only to generate income for big corporations
NOT for "freedom"

now i sound like my parents...sorry

DENNIS - 1-26-2007 at 05:37 PM

Jeezo, Bob -----

Are you OK ? Sound a bit agitated. Not that that's a problem

war

ElGato - 1-26-2007 at 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
no matter what you "WISH" the reality is....

a passport may be required on Jan 2008 period
there is a flashing sign everytime i cross at tj that reminds me of this.

there is NO excuse for letting our citizens get killed for ANY reason.
and even NO excuse for the ones that are mamed for no reason
you don't hear too much about those guys

remember we are at war only to generate income for big corporations
NOT for "freedom"

now i sound like my parents...sorry

war

ElGato - 1-26-2007 at 08:51 PM

Quote:

I am glad to find there are people with similar opinions about the war. It may go beyond corporations as there is one mideast country that wants the war expanded. As for the Passport issue if I am around in Feb'08 I plan to test it.

a passport may be required on Jan 2008 period
there is a flashing sign everytime i cross at tj that reminds me of this.

there is NO excuse for letting our citizens get killed for ANY reason.
and even NO excuse for the ones that are mamed for no reason
you don't hear too much about those guys

remember we are at war only to generate income for big corporations
NOT for "freedom"

now i sound like my parents...sorry

"Wishin and Hopin"

MrBillM - 1-27-2007 at 11:19 AM

Personally, I hope that the Passport Regulation DOES go into effect in Jan 2008 AND that the Border Officers make it a point to at least Detain Significantly ALL of those who can't produce the required Docs. It will serve them Right and make for great News Coverage. I look forward to the Whining.

Discussion

ElGato - 1-28-2007 at 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ElGato
:saint:

Here is the article:
http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200605/051706b.html