Do you think the new passport rules are a good idea?

It is very simple, if you cross any Non US border and want to return you should need a passport. Govenment at its best has decided to offer a selection of options at a huge cost.

If you can not understand this do not bother coming back.

Passports, always a good idea, although it's kind of sad that the world's longest undefended border (Canada and U.S.A.) now needs it. Even sadder that the terrorists both homegrown and abroad , on Fox News and Rush Limbaugh radio have driven us to this kind of fear based world..

I hope everyone realizes that this is essential to increase the governments ability to keep track of all the movements of private (?) citizens. Combine this with a engineered pandemic, add FEMA control, and it's almost over.

Anybody that thinks this would stop terrorism or terrorists is an idiot. They can just walk across the border anytime they want. Millions of undocumented illegal aliens have already done so. The European Union's borders are now open, no documentation needed. This is merely governmental scare tactics from a government that has troops in over 130 countries throughout the world yet can't protect their own borders.

Really sad, and totally unnecessary.

If you don't have anything to hide then get the passport. It's just another form of ID. If you don't want the passport then don't travel to a foreign country. Just because Canada and Mexico are closer doen't mean that they aren't foreign countries.

If they are required then they should be as easy to get as a drivers license and as cheap.  It's ridiculous the hassel you much go through to get one and if you lose it right before a trip you might as well forget it....  You can't go.  Period...  Unless you want to fly to one of the few passport agencies in the country or pay $500+ to get a passport expeditor to walk in an apply for you...

It appears  easier and less expensive for a foreigner to cross our border than an American citizen. Mexicans on the Southern Border only need to show their visitor pass whereas American's need expensive documents (Passport, etc). Who are we trying to protect the borders from? Americans or foreigners? Does this make sense just to spend a few hours on a day trip crossing the border ?  Federal Gov't sure brought in a lot of extra income though with the costs.

Baaaaaaaa BAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa like sheep to slaughter.

Big Brother is SO proud of you all. Who needs baby steps when you can clamp down on citizens so eager to give up anything he asks.

Full tilt boogie into fascism go man go!

Someone mentioned paying $500 for an expediter service? Mmm if one's personal responsibility is lacking to the point of needing an expediter then one has personal problems I can't help with. As a former airline employee, the general publics lack of preparedness was mind boggling. My passport and visas are well used. When I needed a new passport I made sure the application was sent in a full 6 months before the expiration date. I don't feel sorry for people who wait till the last minute (and then blame it on someone else).

security in this country is a wet paper sack. I agree with this policy, but it's way too little and way too late. Canada is cool (we don't seem to have the imigration issues with Canuckistan that we have with Mexico). I am in support of a far more permanent solution. 10 foot tall concrete walls with moats in front of them. Automated gun implacements every 100 feet or so, with a 50 yard minefield in front of it. If it moves, it dies.

Sorry, thats just how I think it should be.

More rules, less freedom. As a pilot it is now a very hard process to visit the USSA. I've always enjoyed visit the friendly states. But now without Internet access it is pretty much impossible. And I only live just a few miles from 'Check Pint Charlie' aka the Pacific border crossing. And I thought we were all friends...

Government required documents should be paid for by the agency requiring them. Otherwise it is blatant taxation without representation, which is unconstitutional despite what intellectually challenged judges and lawmakers may think.

Just imagine, a thumb drive CV, biological data base, psychological profile data base, multi-picture photo display (clothed and nude), serial number tattooed on your heal, state and national drivers license, work verification documentation from your employer, right to work card and number, ss card, birth certificate, print files (fingers, palms, and feet digital scans), DNA sample and storage... and that will be just to apply for the travel tickets. Cavity search to board.... It is coming. AND YOU WILL PAY FOR IT ALL. Either reject it now or wait for your dorm room in the internment camp...

For those who seek to do us harm, this change (and others similar) will mean nothing and have no effect. For those who abide by the law it will further burden them and complicate their traveling. It will affect them greatly, but do naught for a safer US. (These are law abiding citizens who are already complying.) Hint: If you want cheap $100's or great passports, contact North Korea. Better quality than government issued. ;-)

The black market booms with such superfluous law and regulation. Which means IRS, FBI and local gestapo will get increased budgets to deal with new associated criminal activity. Taxpayers will pay for new passports, new inspectors, new detectives, new investigations, new data bases, new court cases, new prisons, and on and on and on. Just direct deposit your paycheck in the US Treasury. Clearly, the wrong direction for problem solving at any level.

The struggling airline industry gets another blow: more reasons for people to stay home. My associates have already said they won't fly anywhere anymore. They'll drive no matter how far it is. Wait 'til you have to produce your papers to travel interstate, use public transportation, get into the courthouse, into state buildings, into city buildings and public libraries; how about a scan of your ID to access the Internet? After all, terrorists do these things, not working people. You should earning tax dollars, not surfing the net.

All this bueraucy results in only the polticial royalty having access to those things we called "freedoms and rights". Lemmings, you are reaping what you sowed... you elected these draconian overlords who appoint czars and wage war on everything. They can not legislate Eden.

Another step down the path to US isolationism--the final chapter in the Second Empire to fall. © 2009

More rules, less freedom. As a pilot it is now a very hard process to visit the USSA. I've always enjoyed visit the friendly states. But now without Internet access it is pretty much impossible. And I only live just a few miles from 'Check Pint Charlie' aka the Pacific border crossing. And I thought we were all friends...

it is not enough what about the people sneeking across? that is the real problem

Our U.S. Supreme Court has upheld every legal challenge against Customs and Immgration made by multiple organizations (like the ACLU) individuals. Why? Because without safe and secure borders, our freedoms within our country will be degraded and eventually destroyed. Threats against our borders are multiple (disease-carrying organisms, unsafe cars, dangerous chemicals, tainted and poisonous food, as well as the most obvious--illegal individuals who would endanger our live and infrastructure, as well as undermine our economy through underground economies and other nefarious methods. Tightening the borders will not only make us safer, it will enhance our freedoms. Think about it.

Now can we get ride of all the people that got in USA without any papers and are being considered for SS when they say it is going busted. Bust them back accross the border.

Again, the US government thinks that putting additional obligation on the law-abiding will stop CRIMINAL activity!
How insane is that?!

I cross the border into Canada one and two times per week, I have been crossing that border all of my life. The new rules are worthless, absolutely worthless. They constitute just more papers, more expense and more obsfucation without improving our security one stitch.

Nineteen High jackers had how many passports between them? Lots more than twenty and NOT ONE of them came in through Canada.

On the other side when I have witnessed smuggling and illegal crossings and REPORTED them, those reports have been ignored. Michgan shares 943 MILES of water border with Canada. So what these BOOBS are proposing and have implemented makes a criminal or suspect of EVERY boater on the Great Lakes. Where what should have been done is make evry boater their friend, their eyes and ears. You could put a million border patrol on that 943 miles and a kid in an inflatable could still get through easily. Cannot be done, Foolish to try.

Guess what, kiddies, this isn't just about Canada and Mexico. It also carries over to the 200+ other sovereign nations in the world. They ALL have a Passport system in place.

If you want to fly to France or Fiji, Australia or Azerbaijan, you need to be able to prove who you are to the Customs folks in those sovereign nations. And, it's not rocket science that the customs folks here want to know who you are as well.

No, the rules and regulations aren't perfect and I hate "Press "1" for English" with a purple passion, and yes, there are too darn many illegals taking over the USA, but, until someone (you??) comes up with a better plan to protect our borders, just "get over it!!"

We all mouth off a lot about what we don't like but do precious little to change the system (even POTUS has done little to change the system FOR THE BETTER (CAPS intentional)).

So, get your Passport, travel the world, and be quiet unless you can change the system!! OK?? Thank you!!

This is just the next step in tracking American movements.  Want to go to Nevada from California?  Better have that passport!

Want to leave San Francisco and visit your cousin in Sacremento?

Same thing - have your travel papers ready - i.e. Passport.