1:53 p.m.
Americans flying to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean will not need a passport this summer to return to the United States.
The Departments of State and Homeland Security reversed the passport requirement — which went into effect in January — because of extraordinary waits for passports. The requirement will go back into effect Sept. 30.
Travelers will need proof of identification, such as a driver’s license, and proof that they have applied for a passport to get back into the United States.
The travel industry lobbied hard for a reprieve from the requirement, saying travel plans were being delayed or canceled because the State Department couldn’t keep up with the increased demand for passports.
The wait for a passport spiked to 12 weeks this spring, according to the State Department.
“Common sense prevails,” said Roger J. Dow, president and chief executive officer of the Travel Industry Association, a Washington trade group.
“This will allow travelers to make summer plans and enter the United States while our passport officials have time to address the backlog of passport applications in an effective way. Its an important timeout that allows the machinery of government to catch up with the new laws.”
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