Bush to seek ‘flexibility’ to new passport rules
President Bush said on Thursday he hoped to find flexibility in a new policy that will require all Mexicans and Canadians to show passports when traveling to the United States.
Americans visiting those countries would also need passports for reentry, under a new initiative unveiled last week by the Department of Homeland Security.
Most travelers now only need a drivers’ license for such cross-border trips within North America.
Bush, who was asked about the policy during an appearance before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, said he was sympathetic to businesspeople and tourists who have expressed concern about the policy, reported Reuters.
“When I first read that in the newspaper, about the need to have passports … I said, ‘What’s going on here?”‘ Bush said.
He said the policy is “evidently” based on what is required in the laws. But said he has asked to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and senior aides at the Department of Homeland Security to see “if there’s some flexibility in the law.”
“You’re right, … if people have to have a passport, it’s going to disrupt honest flow of traffic,” Bush said. “I think there’s some flexibility in the law. And that’s what we’re checking out right now.”
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports