From my travel agent:
"PASSPORT CARD" IN THE WORKS
A new "passport card" is in development as the State Department, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, works to find an affordable alternative to traditional passports for U.S. citizens crossing to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea. The first phase of the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative goes into effect on Jan. 31, 2008. Starting then, U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present specific forms of identification. The limited passport card would expand the use of vicinity radio frequency identification at America's ports of entry, allowing the card to be read from several feet away as a car approaches an inspection site. As proposed, the card would be wallet size and less than half the cost of a traditional passport. Along with a $25 execution fee, it would cost $20 for ages 16 and older and $10 for children. (New York Times)
What is the point of requiring an ID card that can 1) be read from several feet away 2) replicates an existing form of ID?
Why can't they just get a regular passport?
Replies
28
beats on hood
Gives new meaning to having a chip on your shoulder.
They should call it the Chip Ahoy.
Banned
that's really interesting the govt is hoping to process "guest worker" visas for 20 million people when the same agency can't manage the passport applications and visas it's currently reponsible for. sounds like a bit 'o chaos to me.
i'll keep my uk and eu passports thanks...sounds like this country's going to have a revolving door...so much for "national security"
i'll keep my uk and eu passports thanks...sounds like this country's going to have a revolving door...so much for "national security"
Beach Fanatic
Do NOT do this! Severe and far reaching consequences if you're caught!!!
These are some of the charges you could be facing:
? 18 USC 1542 False Statement in Application and Use of Passport
? 18 USC 1543 Forgery or False Use of Passport
? 18 USC 1544 Misuse of Passport
? 18 USC 1546 Fraud and Misuse of Visas, Permits, and Other Documents
? 18 USC 371 Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States
? 18 USC 1028 Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Identification Documents and Information
You are right -I would NEVER do this but it worked for some I knew who were in a tight tight jam (they destroyed their passports!).
In so far as I can control it, I have always had a passport (US and UK actually - still legal btw), will always have one and will plan WAY ahead before it expires!
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