Why is it easy for Americans to come up here but we can't go down there without passports?

Answer 1

I'm guessing by "up here" you mean Canada.

I know that this is something that has changed gradually since 9/11, but I don't know the details as to "why," but I'm sure it has something to do with "national security." Americans actually *do* need passports now to go to Canada (and Mexico), but it's something that's being phased in, so I think they are still letting people over the border with other forms of identification for the time being.

Answer 2

This is changing as we type. Here is some info about the new changes. As usual the US is paranoid about the security situation, (with some cause) but I hope that this will show you that things are changing.

On October 4, 2006, the U.S. Government extended the deadline for Guests to obtain passports for sea travel to the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Mexico. The deadline is now expected to be as early as January 2008. Please note, however, that recent legislative changes may permit an even later deadline depending on whether certain requirements are in place by January 1, 2008.

For air travel, however, the deadline is January 23, 2007. This means that all travelers, including U.S. Citizens* and all foreign nationals, traveling to the United States by air on or after January 23, 2007, such as Guests flying to Orlando, Florida from Canada, are still required to carry a valid passport after the effective date.

Despite these new requirements, we encourage you to obtain your passport as soon as possible. Having a passport allows you to always be prepared to travel wherever you wish, and offers an added measure of security when you're traveling. For more information on the benefits of acquiring a passport, visit our FAQ.

So, Basically, Americans are going to be required to have passports to re-enter the country. SOONER Or LATER! They keep extending the deadline. what can you do?

Answer 3

My Canadian friend, the real reason is that somewhere in time the "national identity card" concept was associated with "ve vant to see your papers!" Nazi Germany. There is an absolute freak-out reaction to anything resembling a mandatory national ID.

And somehow, the right to visit our near neighbors with nothing but a driver's license and birth certificate was also determined to be a "right".

Which is great, because it created a great loophole for anyone not here legally who spoke passable English... like Canadians. Lots of my Mexican friends, too. All you had to say was "Dooooode, I was born here" and show a driver's license or school ID (neither of which established legal residency). Amazing but true, "passing" as American worked as well as a green card.

But who knows. Requiring passports for travel, discussions of single payer healthcare... eventually someone will have the bright idea to make it all one card.

Multi-Pass! (The 5th Element)

Answer 4

It isn't easy. Living in Washington state, my daughter has been refused entry to Canada several times...usually because of the boy she was with. (She never has trouble when with me) Only a month ago, the Canadian border guards interrogated her for several hours. Then they said the driver's insurance wasn't in order, and she and her date had to return to the USA! And she had a passport! There are jerks on both sides.