Chamber Commends Administration Decision

Chamber Commends Administration Decision-To Delay New Passport Regulations for One Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce today commended the Bush Administration for postponing the enforcement of new regulations requiring machine-readable, computer-coded passports for all incoming visitors from Western Europe and other developed nations under the Visa Waiver Program. The passport rules will now be implemented starting in October of 2004.

"Rushing into regulations that could adversely affect legitimate trade, immigration and commerce is not the best way to ensure comprehensive homeland security," said Randel Johnson, Chamber vice president for labor, immigration and employee benefits. "This decision widely recognizes that reality by not forcing an unrealistic timetable for passport requirements that would cause chaos at our ports of entry."

The Chamber also commended the House Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA.), for bringing national attention to the issue with hearings in July that highlighted the important factors that need to be weighed before implementing any sweeping security measures. The Chamber testified at those hearings, outlining its concerns about the potential negative impacts to the economy of changes that could impact thousands of visitors and businesses.

Congress originally intended the requirement for machine-readable passports, which deter fraud and counterfeiting, to be effective in 2007. However, following the September 11th tragedy, Congress accelerated the deadline to October 1, 2003, catching many governments unprepared, and many prospective travelers without the required new document. While the provision was well intentioned, it became clear that the prospect of turning away tens of thousands of legitimate travelers at our borders for lack of the new passports was unacceptable. The new deadline will allow countries the time they need to meet not only this requirement but also additional requirements to include biometrics, which will further enhance our national security.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region.

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