2008 Woodie Awards
Passport changes hit students
By Matt Pavelek
Rocket Copy Editor
Issue date: 12/2/05 Section: News
Many students plan to go somewhere exotic on vacation or spring break. Perhaps they desire to spend some time escaping the cold western Pennsylvania winter and soak up some tropical sunlight. Maybe a group of friends plan to drive to Canada and party for the weekend. There is one crucial step to the planning that must not be overlooked: acquiring a passport.
Last year Congress passed a law that is bringing about major changes in international travel. The new law is called the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The law now requires a passport for people traveling to places that, until recently, hadn't required one.
Donna Harp, who works for the Prothonotary office at the Butler County Courthouse, said some people may not even be aware of the new law.
"People need to make sure that they have a passport to go to places like Canada and Mexico soon," Harp said.
According to the U.S. Department of State Web site, the full compliment of all the changes that the law will bring about will unfold over two distinct phases. Both phases will not be complete until Dec. 31, 2007.
The first phase will be applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Travelers must be in compliance by Dec. 31, 2006. Pam Frigot, the director for international services at Slippery Rock University, said students who don't plan to travel by air or sea have more time to prepare.
"The law doesn't require a passport for people driving across the border until the first of the year in 2008," Frigot said.
The second phase will be implemented by Dec. 31, 2007. This will require a passport for all border crossings including land, air and sea. But, many students may not be aware of the process of getting a passport.
First, the applicant must have two photos taken. These photos can be taken at various locations including the AAA office. Non-AAA members can have the photos taken for $16.
Last year Congress passed a law that is bringing about major changes in international travel. The new law is called the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The law now requires a passport for people traveling to places that, until recently, hadn't required one.
Donna Harp, who works for the Prothonotary office at the Butler County Courthouse, said some people may not even be aware of the new law.
"People need to make sure that they have a passport to go to places like Canada and Mexico soon," Harp said.
According to the U.S. Department of State Web site, the full compliment of all the changes that the law will bring about will unfold over two distinct phases. Both phases will not be complete until Dec. 31, 2007.
The first phase will be applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Travelers must be in compliance by Dec. 31, 2006. Pam Frigot, the director for international services at Slippery Rock University, said students who don't plan to travel by air or sea have more time to prepare.
"The law doesn't require a passport for people driving across the border until the first of the year in 2008," Frigot said.
The second phase will be implemented by Dec. 31, 2007. This will require a passport for all border crossings including land, air and sea. But, many students may not be aware of the process of getting a passport.
First, the applicant must have two photos taken. These photos can be taken at various locations including the AAA office. Non-AAA members can have the photos taken for $16.
