U.S. Sticks with Passport Plan for Allied Countries

The U.S. government said Thursday it will go ahead with plans to require travelers from Canada, Mexico and other allied nations to show a passport or other secure document to enter the country.

The departments of State and Homeland Security said they expect to officially adopt the new policy, which drew complaints from travelers, the affected nations and even President Bush, by the end of the year. But they pushed back by a year the date when the requirements would begin to affect travelers.

Under the new timeline, all who travel by air or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and South and Central America will have to show a passport or one of four other secure documents by December 31, 2006.

Travelers crossing land borders, namely from Mexico and Canada, will have to comply with the rules by December 31, 2007.