N.Y. to issue enhanced border licenses

[dnoblett]

For those living in NY state and travel often into Canada.

N.Y. to issue enhanced border licenses

Published: May 28, 2008 at 1:07 PM

 

ALBANY, N.Y., May 28 (UPI) -- New York state is offering motorists an "enhanced" driver's license that will contain the information needed to cross into Canada.

 

The higher-security licenses will cost an extra $30 and will be available this summer, Gov. David Paterson said in a written statement.

 

"The development of this license will help to ease long lines at our New York-Canada border crossings, allowing commerce to flow more freely and securely in and out of the state," Paterson said.

 

The Buffalo (N.Y.) News said Wednesday the state estimates that 1.6 million state residents will opt for the new licenses, which will be used instead of a passport for people returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

 

The licenses are the result of an agreement between Albany and Washington struck last year. The News said a myriad of details, including security checks on the people who will be issuing the licenses, had to be worked out in the meantime.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008..._licenses/2362/

[IllinoisDave]

Hmmm...I wonder if other border states,with Canada anyway, will follow suit.

[jim_julian]

This just sounds like a bad idea to me ... maybe I'm too skeptical. What's wrong with everyone having a passport and keeping documentation under federal government control?

[dnoblett]

Hmmm...I wonder if other border states,with Canada anyway, will follow suit.

Washington State was the first to be approved by homeland security for enhanced DL.

 

I see this as not a problem, when DHS anounced this a few years ago it caused many residents of NY state who travel to and from Canada to complain, they never travel overseas and never bothered with the high cost of a passport just to visit Canada, this will save US citizens living in NY the big pain of applying for a passport or passport-card, just to visit Canada.

[Randy W]

Hmmm...I wonder if other border states,with Canada anyway, will follow suit.

Washington State was the first to be approved by homeland security for enhanced DL.

 

I see this as not a problem, when DHS anounced this a few years ago it caused many residents of NY state who travel to and from Canada to complain, they never travel overseas and never bothered with the high cost of a passport just to visit Canada, this will save US citizens living in NY the big pain of applying for a passport or passport-card, just to visit Canada.

 

If that is the case, then we're only making it easier for anyone to cross our borders. The state of New York would basically take over some of the functions of the DHS.

 

Interestingly enough, the new driver's license is part of Eliot Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants to drive in New York. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/31..._license-1.html

[dnoblett]

Interestingly enough, the new driver's license is part of Eliot Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants to drive in New York. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/10/31..._license-1.html

The license for illegals plan is dead, just the enhanced DL part remains, proof of US citizenship is required, and DHS and Dept of State are satisfied with the plan.