November 02, 2004

The US Government has made a last minute U-turn on plans to impose new passport rules on visitors.

Britons booked to travel Stateside have been warned repeatedly that, from today, everyone must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) or visa to enter the country.

But late on Friday the US Department for Homeland Security retreated from a total enforcement of the rule.

Instead of being put on the next flight home, US immigration officials will now be allowed to grant a "one-time exemption" to holidaymakers from 22 countries arriving without an MRP.

The decision effectively undermines the aggressive stance taken by the US in attempting to rush in "Fortress America" and is believed to follow pressure from airlines and foreign governments.

Rena Bitter, the US Consul at the American Embassy in London, said: "It is a push by the Custom and Border Protection department. What they are trying to do is devolve some discretion to the frontline people in dealing with those who are clearly no threat - the kids on Mum and Dad's passport.

"I know there is tremendous relief from British Airways who didn't want crying children at the check-in counter being told they can't go to Disneyland."

Asked why the U-turn has come so late in the day, she added: "I don't know. It has been talked about for some months but the decision has only now been taken."

Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, described the new development as a transition period.

"This is a prudent step to ease travellers into the new documentation requirements. The US is a welcoming nation and we do not want to turn people away because they do not possess the newly required passport or a valid non-immigrant visa."

He added: "When granting the exemption, immigration officials will inform visitors of the MRP requirement and let visitors know they must obtain a visa or a MRP for subsequent visits."

Practically all UK travellers already have an MRP, but the new measures particularly affect the 400,000 children who are currently on a parent's passport.

MRP feature two lines of coded data at the bottom of the photo page that can be swiped at check-in. If passengers do not have this type of passport then they must go through the time-consuming visa application process.

The U-turn is the latest setback in US plans to force through new security measures. The new MRP rules were originally designed to come into force a year ago, but the US extended the implementation date until today.

Source : http://www.timesonline.co.uk