Posted on 01/02/2007 9:34:18 AM PST by calcowgirl
bump
I thought they were *reducing* the need for passports across these borders? Is this a new development?
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1703767/posts?page=2#2
Yep--the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative--a brand new development starting 2007. You can read more at the link below--I just snipped a snall portion:
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164210249468.shtm
Why is the U.S. government implementing the travel initiative?
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) mandated that the U.S. secretaries of Homeland Security and State develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate identity and citizenship documentation when entering the United States.
For many years, U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere including Canadians and Mexicans with Border Crossing Cards (BCCs or “Laser Visas”), have not been required to present a passport to enter the United States. Currently, a traveler may make a verbal declaration of citizenship, or present other forms of documents to enter the country that cannot currently be validated or verified in a timely manner, such as birth certificates and driver’s licenses.
This change in travel document requirements is also the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
In light of the new security efforts, the United States proposal would require all travelers to present a passport or other accepted document for entry into the United States by air to determine the eligibility for entry of legitimate travelers without disrupting their movement.
Okay, I've been sleeping. I missed that provision of the Act.
Still, it's welcome news. Now I can hope that we'll stop waiving visas from every country on Earth.
Its "funny" that for all the screamingh about the CFR and the Bush administyration trying to make Mexico, Canada and the U.S. one country, the real problems go on - its now harder for Americans to have have free traval within and in and out of their own country while illegal immigration is unchecked.
Don't worry--it will all be solved with the National ID Act. /s
And internal passports when?
Suppose you had to flee the country in a hurry?
How does my showing a passport stop the invaders who simply bypass the entry points?
An excellent question. One worth asking, and why I consider this to be an excellent start but by no means the end of our security reforms.
Something like this is probably a good idea on national security grounds.
BUT:
It seems to me that there are serious constitutional problems involved when a citizen is not allowed to enter his own country merely because he lacks one particular piece of paper. So I doubt this policy will stand constitutional muster.
> How does my showing a passport stop the invaders who simply bypass the entry points? <
The same way that gun control prevents criminals from committing crimes with guns.
Actually that is one possible solution.
The other is to secure the border so that anyone here can be assumed to be here legally.
The first won't sit well with the "your papers please" paranoids.
The 2nd solution isn't liked by the invasion supporters in Congress and the White House.
The first won't sit well with the "your papers please" paranoids.
You don't have to be a "paranoid" to distrust the government.
A national ID card gives too much power to the federal government. Why should we have to justify our movements to the feds? And is there any evidence that they would use this new power to actually improve national security if they had it?
No expectation of legitimate benefit, and too much potential for abuse. That makes the national ID card a loser in my eyes.
Seems to me I remember some border agents going to jail for just this recently.
Shot an illegal in the butt and he was carrying drugs too I think.
I notice you didn't comment on the other solution.
I'd have to steal some gas.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.