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Ryan Updates Constituents on Latest Federal Passport Policies
Travelers
Encouraged to Apply Early for Passports to Avoid Problems
WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today shared the latest information released by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security about a temporary policy change regarding passport requirements for travelers to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The change was sparked by current delays in processing passport applications.
Since January 23, 2007, all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean have been required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport. Now, faced with record demand that has led to longer processing times for passport applications, the federal government is making an accommodation for air travel.
According to the State and Homeland Security Departments, U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, who have already applied for – but not yet received – passports, can temporarily enter and leave the U.S. by air with a government-issued photo identification and official proof of application for a passport from the Department of State. Children under 16, who are traveling with their parents or legal guardian, will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of passport application. This policy is in effect through September 30, 2007.
U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at the Department of State’s
web site at http://www.travel.state.gov.
It’s important to note that this policy change does not affect entry requirements to other countries. In other words, Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents. Currently, it takes about 14 weeks or more to get a passport from the federal government, so Congressman Ryan urges prospective overseas travelers to apply early for passports – well in advance of any trip – to avoid problems caused by processing delays.
To
hear an audio message from Congressman Ryan on this issue, please click here.
Constituents who have questions or are experiencing difficulty getting a response from the State Department about their passport application can contact Ryan’s Constituent Services Center via the toll-free constituent line:
1-888-909-7926, and should also visit his emergency
passport assistance web page.
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Contact: Kate
Matus (202) 226-7326
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