Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 1/10/07 Section: Headlines

Canada offers many appealing features that make Western Oregon students want to visit our "northern neighbor." From Whistler Ski Resort to a lower drinking age, this nation provides many students with motivation to head for the border. This year, however, people wanting to travel out of the country will be faced with a new obstacle. A new law going into effect Jan. 23, 2007 requires everyone traveling into the United States by air from any other country to provide a valid passport as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or WHTI. Currently, people coming into America are allowed entry by presenting other documents, such as a birth certificate and driver's license. This new law states that the only acceptable forms of identification are valid passports, Merchant Mariner's Documents, U.S. military identification and orders or a NEXUS Air membership. Currently, the new law only affects air travel. Government officials hope that regulations for sea and land travel will be in order by 2008, but they will likely be pushed back even later. Until then, people driving north can use other forms of identification. For those Western students who wish to fly to another country, but lack a passport, it is crucial to get one before leaving. The creation of the WHTI is credited to government officials both in Canada and the U.S. who are "ensuring that our borders are kept open to legitimate trade and travel but closed to terrorists, criminals and other threats to our health and safety," as stated by the Minister of Public Safety in Canada, the Honorable Stockwell Day. Obtaining a passport takes six to eight weeks, costs 97 dollars and is valid for 10 years. There have been reactions from students with varying points-of-view regarding this new policy. "Getting a passport takes forever," said sophomore Brooklynn Craig. She added that she might agree with the policy, "If they found a way to make it take less time- I wanted to go to Canada, but now I don't want to go because I don't want to get a passport." Other Western students expressed support for the new law. "I personally think it is a great law," said sophomore Jayme Keithley. "Passports, to me, do not cost too much. Instead of having to try and find a birth certificat, you could easily prove you are a U.S. citizen by having a passport. It was easy for me to get one-. With every other country we need to have a passport to visit, why should Canada be any different?" Students at Western have expressed different opinions concerning the new passport law, both for and against it, but no matter how people feel about the reason behind the policy, the concept is clear: If you want to leave and regain entry to the U.S, get a passport.

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