what is the new passport rule that went into effect this week?

Answer 1

The new regulations for passports is if you are traveling into Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean (places before that only a birth certificate worked) if you are traveling via air to those destinations you will need a passport - if you are traveling to those destinations via land or sea you will not need a passport.
You can go to the DHS website http://www.dhs.gov/ they will have the more detailed information.

Answer 2

If you are in the USA then I presume you are referring to the new rule that went into effect on January 23rd that everyone entering the US by air or sea has to have a valid passport (that includes US citizens). A passport is the only document that proves citizenship and has a current picture that shows you are who you say you are. Prior to that US Citizens and Canadians could cross the border with just a birth certificate and government issued photo id (like a drivers licence). For the rest of this year you can still drive across from Canada with just the aforementioned documents, however, effective January 2008, even driving across the border will require a passport for everyone in the vehicle.

Answer 3

If traveling to and from the country by air you need a passport. If by land you still need a valid I.d. and birth certificate. That will also be changing at the end of the year when the passport will be required.

Answer 4

Starting on January 23rd everyone travelling to and from the United States must have a passport.

Answer 5

Yes, you must have a passport (like the first person said), even to places that didn't require them in the past, like Canada and the Caribbean Islands.

Answer 6

To fly out of the U.S. you have to have a passport. However, if you drive over the border you can just have proper ID

Answer 7

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.
Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.



http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html