Mexican citizens have formed long lines at their consulates in the U.S., a day before a new federal law takes effect requiring passports for air travel between the United States and its neighbors.
The line of people applying for passports at the Mexican consulate in San Francisco was curled around the block, with some waiting in line since 5:00 a.m. Canadian consulate officials in the U.S. are also seeing an increase in passport applications from the approximately 70,000 Canadians who spend the winter in the U.S.
Until now, travelers were able to use birth certificates, Social Security cards, drivers licenses or other documents to fly between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada and Bermuda.
The new rule was recommended by the 9/11 Commission and adopted by Congress because passports are more difficult to forge than the other documents.
New passport requirement leads to long lines
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Mexican citizens have formed long lines at their consulates in the U.S., a day before a new federal law takes effect requiring passports for air travel between the United States and its neighbors.
/ Source: The Associated Press
