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Krueger
Director
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Thu Aug 14th, 2008 06:11 pm |
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For those AGG members and their families thinking about attending the 2009 conference in Buffalo, it is HIGHLY suggested you apply for a passport NOW. With Niagara Falls less than 30 minutes away, and the most spectacular views being in Canada, you WILL NEED a passport to get into Canada and back into the US. There will be additional reminders on this issue. Thanks.
Barbara Krueger, Michigan
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bbates
Non AGG Members
| Joined: | Fri Sep 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 46 |
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Offline
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 12:13 pm |
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Really, my sister in law (and Fam) just went to Canada last week, and they didn't need passports. I think you only need passport if you fly into Canada...
Unless going through NY is different than going through MI...
Could you post a link as to when this law will take effect, they have pushed it back for several years now...
-ben
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Rona
Non AGG Members
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Fri Aug 15th, 2008 01:13 pm |
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This is from a US State Department web site:
"Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law, see http://www.cbsa.gc.ca for details. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada must carry both proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not have a passport or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under sixteen need only present proof of U.S. citizenship. " The same things get you back in IF you are not traveliling by air or sea.
As a Resident Alien (from the planet Zargon), I need to have my passport and visa to get back in to USA, but "a visa is not required for U.S. citizens to visit Canada for up to 180 days. Anyone with a criminal record (including even misdemeanors or Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be barred from entering Canada and must qualify for a special waiver well in advance of any planned travel for further processing, which may take some time". Can't believe any member of AGG would not be of the most upright character, so please ignore the last sentence.
Then again, why on earth wouldn't you get a passport and travel round the world to see all the glass???
Last edited on Fri Aug 15th, 2008 01:14 pm by Rona
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Krueger
Director
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 03:05 pm |
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According to the web site I just looked at, on June 1, 2009 ALL people entering the US need to have a valid passport, even from Canada. Yes, the deadlines have been changing, but why take a chance. If your vehicle is the one in a hundred that is searched, if you don't have a passport.......you will be at the border for hours!!
Barbara in Michigan
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Sean D
AGG member
| Joined: | Wed Mar 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 4 |
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Offline
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Fri Aug 15th, 2008 05:09 pm |
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Hello all,
It makes sense to have a passport. No one wants to be detained and possibly finger printed and photographed to be identified. Sometimes the FBI system isnt very fast.
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David Crane
AGG member
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Posted: Fri Aug 15th, 2008 06:04 pm |
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Geez, Rona, I didn't know you were from Zargon. No wonder you think I have an accent!
Something like only 25% of Americans have a passport.
This is good and bad.
It reveals some folks insularity and lack of world view on one hand. (75%?)
But then maybe I don't want them kinda people traipsing the world representing me and my country anyway.
My government is already doing enough damage.
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Rona
Non AGG Members
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Fri Aug 15th, 2008 08:09 pm |
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I didn't know I was from Zargon, either, but when I first came here I didn't exist (no American driving licence - my International-accepted-throughout-the -world one wasn't acceptable in places where they ask for such things - and no social security number) and when I complained to a colleague of my husband's that I couldn't even join Blockbuster video shop or get a store loyalty card, he explained to me that, as far as US government was concerned, I came from the planet Zargon. Once I got the social security number (it was all I could do to stop myself leaping over the counter, grabbing the jobsworth man by the throat and yelling "Listen to me, you fool, I'm a L2 Alien Spouse, this US visa says so! You haven't heard of it because you're insular and probably don't even have a passport!") everything got better. Oh, and a driving licence - in UK, you only show your licence if you're hiring a car, here I get asked for it all the time. Luckily the test was easy peasy. I'm now allowed to pay taxes and everything - well, not everything, the old no-taxation-without-representation thing doesn't apply to aliens - mebbe they're worried we'll elect a dalek.
Did I say you had an accent? I hope I said it was a nice one!
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Adam
AGG member
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 01:40 am |
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AIR TRAVEL
ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.
- CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (scheduled to be in full production beginning in July 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
- LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT DOCUMENTS:
- U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.
- The Passport Card: Passport card applications are currently being accepted in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. Based on current projections, we expect the passport card to be in full production beginning in July 2008. We will provide additional updates as available. Once in production, the passport card it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.
- WHTI-Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land or sea, as of January 31, 2008:
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when available)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
- U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
For further information see U.S. Customs and Border protection.
ABOUT WHTI
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.
The goal of the initiative is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.
ired to present a U.S. Passport to reenter the U.S..
This is straight from the United States State dept. website. The date for required passports was pushed back from Jan. this year till June next year. I made sure I got my Passport January2007. That was very interesting. Since I am an American Living in Canada I got to go to the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. Talk about High security. I received My passport within 2 weeks. My parents, who live in the Pittsburgh area, went to the local post office and sent for theirs the normal way, it took over a month to receive theirs. Imagine that, you get better service from your own country in another country.
I know that a lot of Canadians that applied for theirs last summer had to face extremely long lines at Canadian passport offices. I'm talking hours long. I wouldn't wait to get a passport if your planning to do any international travel. I was patting myself on the back for having ours ahead of schedule but it looks like we will have to go through the passport hassle this winter with both the U.s. and Canada because our first child will be coming a long in November. Dual Citizenship is a whole other can of worms in terms of passports and when to use them.
Even just between the U.s. and Canada a passport makes discussions with customs officials extremely smooth. Has Barbara said , the best views of the falls are in Canada, and there is a whole lot to do on the Canadian side besides the falls, if you follow the Niagara parkway down stream you can see the Botanical Gardens, (Highly recommend), The butterfly conservancy (highly recommend), and Niagara on the Lake. One of the most beautiful little Victorian towns on the shores of Lake Ontario and the mouth of the Niagara river. Its chalk full of B&B's and Victorian Hotels and its the Home to the Shaw theatre festival. Buffalo should be an excellent conference and a great vacation for a lot of AGG members. Don't worry about the border, its worth coming for a visit ,Americans need to get to know their siblings to the North.
Hope that helps
Adam
P.s. I would be willing to bet that if Obama gets in the passport issue will be pushed back again or cancelled all together. But why take a chance.
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Rona
Non AGG Members
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Sat Aug 16th, 2008 03:15 pm |
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Was speaking to an American friend last night.
She applied for her passport in May and has heard nothing so assumes her application is lost... just as well she doesn't need it till November.
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artfem
Administrator
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Posted: Sat Aug 16th, 2008 09:39 pm |
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I have a number of projects in Canada and croos the border quite often. I am in a suspect bunch, because I travel frequently but for only a few days at a time. I have never been questioned when I have shown my passport. Once, I forgot it. I spent 2 wasted hours in an office with my driver's license and other documents until I was released.
If you plan to go to Canada, and I fully encourage you to do so, bring a passport.
Art Femenella
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Ardbeg
AGG member
| Joined: | Tue Oct 24th, 2006 |
| Location: | United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 67 |
| Status: |
Offline
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Sat Aug 16th, 2008 11:57 pm |
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Replying to Sean D...
last time I came over, to Albany, I had my fingerprints taken, my photograph taken, and my eyballs scanned, and I'm a friendly alien - God knows what US security does to unfriendly ones nowadays!
Linda
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