Note to self, remember passport. You might want to jot that down right now if you’re planning that long awaited dream vacation. As of January 23, 2007, all citizens of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Central and South America and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. The new procedure is aimed at reducing and streamlining the array of documents, Customs and Border Patrol agents must scrutinize before allowing travelers legal entry into the United States. The new passport requirements are also expected to reduce fraud and security threats, according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff,

© Houston Airport System As of January 23, 2007, all citizens of the United States will need present a passport

“The ability to misuse travel documents to enter this country opens the door for a terrorist to carry out an attack. We can not continue to allow loopholes that could facilitate access to the United States through false claims of citizenship or fake identities."

The busiest period for passport processing runs from January to July. An estimated 70 million citizens hold U.S. passports, which is roughly 25 percent of the overall population in the country. Getting a passport can take between 6 and 8 weeks, according to the U.S. National Passport Information Center, however arrangements can be made for emergency passports.

If you are a U.S. citizen, and your passport is lost or stolen, the U.S. State Department is available to help. You might want to check their website at www.travel.state.gov. Now what happens if you don’t have a passport and the proper documentation when you return from that glorious, relaxing time away?

It may not be pretty and it definitely won’t be fast however, be prepared for more intense, secondary screening and if you are a U.S. citizen, CBP agents will evaluate your documents and verify them against a list of databases. Without the proper documentation, foreign nationals may be denied entry on the spot.

The change in travel document requirements is part of the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), being implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State. The changes are a result of recommendations by the 9/11 Commission, which were incorporated into the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004 and passed by Congress.

So make a note of it, turn off the oven, hold the mail, board the pets, and remember that passport.

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