Going on spring break? Planning on traveling to Mexico, Canada, South America, the Caribbean or Bermuda? If you answered yes, don’t book your trips until you have a passport.
As of January 23, 2007, all citizens traveling by air within the Western Hemisphere are required to present either a Passport, Merchant Mariner Document or NEXUS air card, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Although the U.S. Department of State announced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative last year, American citizens were not required to present a passport to return from Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada until last week.
“I just went to Canada in this summer and we did not need a passport then,” said Kayle Harrison ’10.
The passport change only affects those who are flying for now, but it is predicted that the same law will apply to land and sea travel.
With spring break quickly approaching, students have begun adding getting a passport to their to-do-lists.
“I was planning on traveling Cancun for spring break, but I did not know that I would need a passport to get back into the country,” he said, adding that his older brother did not need a passport when he went to Cancun six years ago.
“I did not think that I would need something more then my drivers license to get back into my own country, I do not have one on me here and I need it for when I fly out in March,” he said.
Many students feel pressured to make their plans for Spring Break, but time is limited when obtaining a passport which can take up to six weeks by mail is a factor.
“My friends and I were definitely looking into going to the Bahamas for spring break, but one of my housemates does not have a passport,” said Kristine MacKenzie ’08. “I don’t even know where mine is or if it is expired!”
Despite the passport legislation’s negative affect on Spring Break plans, students applaud Congress’s goal to strengthen U.S. security in the post 9/11 world.
“Increasing our security is definitely a good thing,” said Steve Parker ’10.
Eric San George’10 emphasizes the importance of securing our boarders.
“This will help stop the anxiety amongst American travelers which was caused by terrorist attacks over the last couple of years,” he said.
Luis Ortiz’10 is aware of the drawbacks to the plan, such as changing plans for spring break or the hassle of getting a passport before March, but remained optimistic in terms of the change’s effect on security.
“It’s good because it secures our people, even though some people will fight it,” said Ortiz.
A passport is now necessary for any travel by plane outside the continental United States and for students, this means spring break plans in Cancun, Canada or the Caribbean. The easiest way for students to obtain information regarding passports is at www.travel.state.gov.
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