Is it true US citizens will need passports to leave the country in 07'?

I heard that December 31st 2006 will be the last day to travel out of the US without a passport to surrounding countries and after that everyone will need a passport even to go to canadA, MEXICO, puerto rico and the islands.....is tat true?Is it true US citizens will need passports to leave the country in 07'?
Yup. My husband to be is a trucker and he will need to get a passport to haul between the US and Canada.Is it true US citizens will need passports to leave the country in 07'?
Yes, as of today, the date is December 31st, 2006. After that date if you leave the United States (by the way-Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands are considered as the States for travel and many other issues) and you wish to return, you, as an American Citizen whether you are naturalized or born in the USA, must have a valid passport. Those that are residents of the USA (not born here or yet a citizen, but legally here) may wish to check with the Immigration dept -Homeland Security_ as to if their documentation permits them to leave and re-enter this country. Right now it is very easy to come into this country if you know English and have a driver's lic from any state. Suggest anyone that travels out to Canada, etc. start the process soon to get a passport or they may find themselves with a 6 to 12 month wait since we all tend to leave things until the last moment.





Here is latest info from the Govmt.:





New Requirements for Travelers








The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.





In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:





December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.


December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.


This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.





New Requirements for Travelers








The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.





In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:





December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.


December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.


This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.
Yes,as far as I know
Absolutely, beginning Jan. 1, 2007.


Welcome to the furthur adventures of post 9/11.
Yes that is what is suppose to happen.
Yes, welcome to bush world.
Yes that is correct. My daughter went on a tour from US to Canada and the tour company told us this.





However, there is some controversy with this because of the close economic ties between certain US/Canada cities (Windsor/Detroit for instance) and I understand we are trying to work something to streamline the process.
Yes it is true.
YES.
they are so expensive!
Woa, I didn't know that. I always took mines even when I went into Mexico. I just thought we always needed our passports when outside of american soil.
As of December 2006, you will need a passport to REENTER the united states any time you are traveling by air and by boat... However, you can go to Mexico and Canada in your own car at that time and return without a passport.. However, in December 2007, any time you cross the border, whether in your car, plane or boat, you WILL need a passport to reenter.





They wont be that high dollar though.. 94 bucks.. I just happened to research this last night, cuz hubby and I are going to Sandals in Jamaica..