Bush cheered for intervening on passports
By: Administrative Account | Source: UPI
April 19, 2005 6:23AM EST
DALLAS, April 18 (UPI) -- South Texas officials are cheering President George W. Bush for ordering a review of a proposed new border-crossing policy.
The proposal would require Americans to have a passport to re-enter the country after being in Mexico, Canada, Panama or the Caribbean. Currently, only a driver's license or other government photo identification is required.
Officials in South Texas have been critical of the new policy, scheduled to take effect in 2008. They say it would negatively impact tourism and everyday border life. Thousands cross the border each day to work, shop and conduct trade.
Bush, a former Texas governor familiar with border issues, said last week the policy would "disrupt the honest flow of traffic" at the border. He ordered the Departments of Homeland Security and State to take another look at the rule.
Officials who proposed the rule said it would increase security at ports of entry, but South Texas officials say a would-be terrorist is more likely to illegally enter the country at some remote desert location than take a chance at a official border crossing.
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