Story ID: 
Passport Requirements To Be Expanded 
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Flight crews and their passengers will be affected by a proposal from the Departments of State and Homeland Security to require a U.S.
Word Count: 160
Flight crews and their passengers will be affected by a proposal from the Departments of State and Homeland Security to require a U.S. or foreign passport or other “accepted secure document” when traveling between the U.S. and other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Currently, U.S. citizens in most cases need to show only drivers’ licenses to reenter the U.S. from Mexico, Canada and other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Specifically, starting Dec. 31, 2006, a passport or other accepted document would be required when entering the U.S. by air or sea from any country. By Dec. 31, 2007, all individuals entering the U.S. by land from any country would also be included in the required new documentation. Those who have never held a U.S. passport before must apply in person at one of the 6,000 facilities located around the nation. Comments on the proposal are due October 31. For more information contact the Department of Homeland Security at (202) 344-3022.