9 January 2008

Canada-U.S. border security

The following article was written by John Nay, the US Consul General, in response to the article “Passport Insecurity” published in the 3 January 2008 “globeandmail.com”.

The passport card will be an inexpensive, convenient, secure alternative to carrying a passport book for land-border travellers (Passport Insecurity - editorial, Jan. 3).

People approaching the border would show the card to a reader that could scan the card's radio frequency identification signal. The card transmits a reference number only that links to the bearer's file maintained in a secure government database. To provide additional security, the cards will be issued with a protective sleeve that prevents unauthorized reading of the number.

…  The Jan. 31 requirement that all travellers entering the U.S. present government-issued ID is not far away, and the passport card will make a significant contribution to more efficient, secure borders.