Spring breakers beware: Traveling the Americas to require proper paperwork

Spring break begins March 23.

New passport regulations take effect Jan. 8, 2007.

Plan accordingly.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. citizens traveling by air between Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to show a valid U.S. passport, Air NEXUS card or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, said Linda Copley, Kent clerk of council.

“The changes are all part of the Homeland Security Act,” Copley said, adding that the main goal is to strengthen border security.

The second phase of the initiative, beginning as early as Jan. 1, 2008, will require passports for travel by land or sea to the same regions.

With the new regulations, Copley said she expects to see an increase in the demand for passports.

Kent State students account for about 75 percent of the total amount of passports issued in Kent for a variety of reasons, including study abroad programs and vacation destinations for New Year’s Eve and spring break, Copley said.

Ted McKown, director of international recruitment and admissions, said he does not think the new regulations will have a large impact on students deciding to study abroad, but will likely impact students considering short-term trips.

“Traveling to different countries is worth it for students,” McKown said, because it allows students to learn about cultures and customs outside the normal Kent State classroom.

Freshman architecture major Matt Hildebrandt has been to Toronto with friends, but said he will most likely stay in the United States now.

“Why do you have to have a passport to go to Canada?” Hildebrandt said. “Canada is just a good place to go. They’re our friends from the north.”

Senior communications major Michelle Meiser felt the same way.

“In theory, yes, I support it (changes), but not to actually pay for a passport,” Meiser said.

The changes will impact sophomore education major Chris Guerrieri firsthand next year when his family travels to Puerto Rico.

“A lot of my family is in Puerto Rico, so that kind of sucks,” Guerrieri said.

Guerrieri, who has previously met his relatives form Puerto Rico in Florida, said the changes will cause his family to spend unplanned extra money on their first trip to Puerto Rico.

Passports cost $97 for people 16 years and older and $82 for people younger than 16.

Copley said it takes about six to eight weeks to process a passport, but she recommended getting them as soon as possible because of the new regulations.

Passports can be obtained at the Kent Clerk of Council on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Individuals must present a valid birth certificate, a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and two passport photos that can be obtained at any discount drug store.

Payments must be in the form of checks or money orders, Copley said.

Contact news correspondent Jackie Valley at [email protected] breakers beware: Traveling the Americas to require proper paperwork

Jackie Valley

Daily Kent Stater

Spring break begins March 23.

New passport regulations take effect

Jan. 8, 2007.

Plan accordingly.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. citizens traveling by air between Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to show a valid U.S. passport, Air NEXUS card or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, said Linda Copley, Kent clerk of council.

“The changes are all part of the Homeland Security Act,” Copley said, adding that the main goal is to strengthen border security.

The second phase of the initiative, beginning as early as Jan. 1, 2008, will require passports for travel by land or sea to the same regions.

With the new regulations, Copley said she expects to see an increase in the demand for passports.

Kent State students account for about 75 percent of the total amount of passports issued in Kent for a variety of reasons, including study abroad programs and vacation destinations for New Year’s Eve and spring break, Copley said.

Ted McKown, director of international recruitment and admissions, said he does not think the new regulations will have a large impact on students deciding to study abroad, but will likely impact students considering short-term trips.

“Traveling to different countries is worth it for students,” McKown said, because it allows students to learn about cultures and customs outside the normal Kent State classroom.

Freshman architecture major Matt Hildebrandt has been to Toronto with friends, but said he will most likely stay in the United States now.

“Why do you have to have a passport to go to Canada?” Hildebrandt said. “Canada is just a good place to go. They’re our friends from the north.”

Senior communications major Michelle Meiser felt the same way.

“In theory, yes, I support it (changes), but not to actually pay for a passport,” Meiser said.

The changes will impact sophomore education major Chris Guerrieri firsthand next year when his family travels to Puerto Rico.

“A lot of my family is in Puerto Rico, so that kind of sucks,” Guerrieri said.

Guerrieri, who has previously met his relatives form Puerto Rico in Florida, said the changes will cause his family to spend unplanned extra money on their first trip to Puerto Rico.

Passports cost $97 for people 16 years and older and $82 for people younger than 16.

Copley said it takes about six to eight weeks to process a passport, but she recommended getting them as soon as possible because of the new regulations.

Passports can be obtained at the Kent Clerk of Council on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Individuals must present a valid birth certificate, a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and two passport photos that can be obtained at any discount drug store.

Payments must be in the form of checks or money orders, Copley said.

Contact news correspondent Jackie Valley at [email protected].