(Washington, DC)—Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II was notified this morning that the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security will allow U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, temporarily to enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport. The new policy will be in effect through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand. 

“Both the Departments of State and Homeland Security have badly mishandled this transition to requiring passports to travel to Mexico and Canada. They knew the demand would be overwhelming and frankly, did not prepare. We have been working on behalf of hundreds of constituents who have called my office looking for assistance. While we have been able to help many, others have had to cancel their honeymoons, tell children they were not going on vacation and lost thousands of dollars in airfare. There are many problems our government cannot plan for; this was a problem of our own making. The government simply failed to plan,” said Congressman Cleaver.

“Let me be clear, you still must apply for a passport to be able to travel. Without proof of application, you cannot leave the country,” said Cleaver. “It is my great concern that, while this change will help ease the backlog, it makes the policy very confusing.”

Adults, who have applied for but not received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child's proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application by printing out an “online status check” at http://travel.state.gov/passport. This is proof, showing an application has been received by the Department of State, is to be presented in lieu of an official passport.

This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to another country that requires passports must still present those documents.

“This rule change does pose some threat. Congress enacted the requirement for a passport to travel in this hemisphere to increase security. Absolutely there is a risk for fraud and abuse. However, I am not sure the passport agency has a choice at this point. The Department of Homeland Security will have to be more vigilant this summer,” said Cleaver.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

Until September 30, 2007, in order to travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda citizens will need:

-  A United States Passport or;

-  A valid government issued photo ID (example: State Issued Drivers License) and

-  Proof that the State Department has received your passport application.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Regional Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Second Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.