WASHINGTON, (April 5, 2005) — New rules requiring Canadians, U.S. citizens, and foreign nationals entering the U.S. to show Customs a passport will not apply to truck drivers crossing the border until December 31, 2007.

Currently, U.S. citizens, and citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere like Canada are not required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the U. S.

Today the U.S. announced a plan to phase in more stringent travel document requirements over the next three years. US officials said the passport should be the document of choice because of security features. For land border crossings, other documents the US officials anticipate will be acceptable under will be SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST program cards.

Some news agencies have incorrectly reported the new requirements would take effect December 31, 2005 for Canadians, including truck drivers.

The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State (DOS) are issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the plan to the public and requesting input and/or comment on the suggested documents and possible alternative documents that can meet the statutory requirements. A more formal rulemaking will be issued later this year following review of those comments to implement the first phase of the initiative. This rulemaking will take into account comments received from the ANPRM as well as soliciting further comments on the rulemaking itself.

“We recognize the implications this might have for industry, business and the general public, as well as our neighboring countries, and they are important partners in this initiative. The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking will allow these affected publics to voice concern and provide ideas for alternate documents acceptable under the law,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Maura Harty. “The overarching need is to implement this legal requirement in a way that strengthens security while facilitating the movement of persons and goods.”