Important Laws About Border Entry
Due to issues of national security, border patrol agents have become much more vigilant in checking passports and other identification. Previously, United States citizens were not required to utilize a passport to gain reentry into the country from certain locations. Border entry laws allowed Americans to reenter the country from Canada and Mexico without a passport.
Border entry had been allowed for Americans, by simply showing a valid United States Drivers license and other acceptable identification. However, border entry can no longer be utilized anywhere in the United States, unless the individual is carrying a valid passport.
Beginning in January 23, 2007, border entry laws became more stringent for both United States citizens and non citizens. Due to the new regulations, there was a large backup in passport applications. For several months, until the passport agencies were able to catch up, citizens were allowed to gain border entry as long as they had a receipt that they applied for a passport.
Border entry laws were meant to be more strict, but also to be accommodating for allowing Americans to travel freely. Border entry laws also allow individuals to utilize a special passport card which allows border entry from specific locals. Border entry laws allow citizens to utilizing the passport card, rather than a full passport, but only when crossing specific borders, such as Mexico.
Border entry laws are in place to prevent people from illegally crossing the United States border. The increased border security measures are in place to protect National security and to contribute to International security. The United States, and other countries, have begun to enact stricter border entry laws to prevent abuse of the system and to prevent falsified documents from being utilized.
Every country also works to prevent people from entering the country and staying longer than they are legally allowed, even when they have a valid Visa and passport. While border entry may have been legal, some people chose to stay past their allowable duration. Passports allow border entry laws to be effective due to the use of information systems that track when individuals enter or leave the country.
Border entry in any country, usually requires a valid passport. While people can freely cross many borders in the European Union, that is not the case in many places. The United States will not allow individuals to enter the country in the absence of a valid passport, even if they are United Sates citizens.
Passport laws are meant to prevent individuals from gaining illegal entry into the United States. The laws are also meant to prevent individuals from falsifying passports or from using them for illegal purposes. Passport laws have become more strict then they were in the past, because of an increased need for effective National security and the frequency of passports being used for illegal activity.
The terrorists attacks on 9-11 prompted increased vigilance and stricter laws, which are meant to prevent individuals from gaining unauthorized entry into the country. There are also passport laws that protect minors from being taken out of the country by a non custodial parent, or by those involved in child trafficking and related crimes. According to the applicable passport law, minors can only be issued a passport if the applicable form is signed by each individual that has any custodial rights to the minor.
Requirements for Travel
In order to receive valid United States passport, Americans must be citizens and must also be able to prove that fact. Proof required includes, original birth certificates, Social Security cards and drivers licenses. Individuals may also utilize old passports as long as they are not damaged. There may also be cases in which court orders prevent the issuance of United States passports to certain individuals. For example, a citizen may be under court order not to leave the country because they are suspected in a crime. In addition, some minor children may not be legally allowed to have passports, due to court restrictions on travel with that child.
Border Entry Laws
Border entry laws have become more strict than they were prior to 9-11. Previously, Americans were able to cross into the United States with minimal proof of identity, but only when they were returning from Mexico, Canada and several other locals. The laws have become more prohibitive in order to increase national security. Pre 9-11, border entry laws were lax and both citizens and non citizens could often cross United States borders at will. However, it has become increasingly necessary for United States border entry to be continuously monitored.
