Don't they have to show some type of identification now? If so what's one more piece of identification? I think everyone makes a big stink about it now but eventually it will become second hand.
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Don't they have to show some type of identification now? If so what's one more piece of identification? I think everyone makes a big stink about it now but eventually it will become second hand.
At a time when the United States is tightening its borders, how could a man toting what appeared to be a bloody chain saw be allowed into the country?
http://tinyurl.com/brah3
I am so glad I paid to get my passport last month seeing how hard it is to get into America these days!!
I got this information from work and thought I would share it:
New Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and the Western Hemisphere
Travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.
Who does this requirement affect?
All United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports will be affected.
Certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States, namely most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and Mexican citizens will also be affected.
When will the new travel initiative requirement be implemented?
The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline is as follows:
· December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
· December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
· December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.
Last time I went to Vegas, I got my wallet stolen with all my ID in it about a week before our flight. My wife had all hers, passport, and everything, because she's all official like that. I had nothing to declare I was a Canadian citizen, or even that I was who I claimed to be ... except a copy of our marriage certificate. So I took that, and pleaded with the guy at customs to give me a break, and, lo and behold, I was allowed in to your country!
I've actually had more trouble trying to get back home than I have going to the States.
However, I expect I've used up all my luck, and next time I will have more documents than you can shake a stick at!
The main complaint I have about going into Canada is that they always confiscate my firearms. Jerks.
Quote:
Originally posted by Blog
The main complaint I have about going into Canada is that they always confiscate my firearms. Jerks.
Show them that autographed photo of you and Charlton Heston!
That and your NRA sticker by the Gunrack in your rear window
should let them know you're a good American!
Even when this goes through, enforcement of it is still a big factor. As of now, we have signs and whatnot posted all over near the Ambassador Bridge saying how you need your license and all that to gain access into the other country. Maybe 50% of the time do they actually ask for it. The consistency at the borders is a big part of the problem. Those who are going to be annoyed by this new system, are those who have been across the border a million times, and half the time have simply been asked "where have you been" or "where are you headed". Other times, you get these customs people who are quite serious about it and want to see all the ID you can produce on the spot. If every time you crossed over you actually knew you'd have to have license + birth certificate to make it across, carrying a passport would be no biggie whatsoever.
Those who live close enough to consider going over the border just a quick commute......If you're really that close, then you won't mind turning around and spending 5 minutes getting your passport.
One thing I have often hit against is that people use the word "trust" to mean different things, sometimes without realising it, and then get offended at not being "trusted".Quote:
Originally posted by Aristotle
Anyway, back on topic, I still do not see this move as demonstrative of a lack of trust in Canada. I do not think anyone in Canada should see it thusly.
It is just an attempt at securing our border (especially since Canada is exceptionally lax about entry to their country).
(Caveat: I am neither American nor Canadian. This is all theoretical.)
Do you trust Canadians? It seems Ari does, at least. You would trust a Canadian as much as an American - which is reasonable.
Do you trust Canadians to keep out all unsavoury characters? Obviously not. This isn't a reflection on Canada, save perhaps on its border policies (or border policing). But it means you're not going to trust someone simply because he's now standing on Canadian soil.
This seems to me to be a quite reasonable level of trust. You needn't offend a Canadian by mistrusting him, and yet you still maintain checks on the Canada-USA border.
(EDIT: Top half of post moved to new thread per Lokrian's request. -Aristotle)
Back to the thread topic, I have heard hints at a possible magnetic card for frequent border crossers, sort of like how some people prepay and get a pass for toll roads. For towns who are right on the border and have enjoyed open border practices for so long, it really does seem redicuclous to close them down in this manner. I hope they work out the kinks in this system, because the towns themselves sort of count on that cross border openess for their economies.