Passports required as soon as January 1, 2008

Although the U.S. government had delayed the implementation date of a new rule requiring U.S., Canadian, and Mexican citizens entering or re-entering the U.S. to show passports, a recent notice in the Federal Register states that the target date is “as early as January 1, 2008.”

There had been requests by some in the transportation industry that the U.S. Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) be accepted in lieu of a passport, however, they were denied since the TWIC does not establish citizenship.

Air travelers will be required to show passports beginning January 23, 2007.