Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said the U.S. must balance national security with economic and diplomatic considerations. "After all, for years the United States has been a beacon for foreign tourists," Dodd said. "This tourism has helped to drive our economy, even in the worst of times. It's also left an impression for tourists of what America's all about."



Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said the U.S. must balance national security with economic and diplomatic considerations. "After all, for years the United States has been a beacon for foreign tourists," Dodd said. "This tourism has helped to drive our economy, even in the worst of times. It's also left an impression for tourists of what America's all about."

Senators Concerned About Passport Rules

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER
The Associated Press
Thursday, June 9, 2005; 6:49 PM

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration should act cautiously on a proposal that Americans, by 2008, show a passport when they re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Panama and the Caribbean, two senators said Thursday.

"We need to be vigilant of terrorists, but we cannot give them the victory of making us twist ourselves into a pretzel in the name of security," said Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said the U.S. must balance national security with economic and diplomatic considerations.

"After all, for years the United States has been a beacon for foreign tourists," Dodd said. "This tourism has helped to drive our economy, even in the worst of times. It's also left an impression for tourists of what America's all about."

Coleman is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee that deals with the Western Hemisphere. Dodd is the panel's top Democrat.

President Bush said he was surprised by the proposal, which was announced in April. He has ordered a review.

The plan calls for passports or some other secure form of citizenship identification to re-enter the U.S. from those countries.

The proposal stems from the post-Sept. 11 intelligence overhaul law that called for tighter border security.

At a hearing of Coleman's subcommittee, Deputy Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Elaine K. Dezenski said, "We certainly agree with the president that we have to be flexible in terms of how we move forward."

Dezenski cited the possibility of using alternative documents, including SENTRI and NEXUS cards, which can be obtained after meeting documentation requirements such as background checks.

But she stressed that change is necessary.

"There are vulnerabilities, particularly at the land border," Dezenski said.

When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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June 5, 2005: Special Events Vote in the NPCA Election for new board before June 15 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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May 28, 2005: This Week's Top Stories The Coyne Column: Love and War in Afghanistan 28 May Sam Farr supports Coffee Growers in Colombia 28 May Elaine Chao wins Woman of Valor award 27 May Nebraska has strong ties with Afghanistan 27 May Arthur Orr to seek Alabama State Senate seat 26 May Murder of John Auffrey remembered in Liberia 26 May Bill Moyers says journalists should be filters for readers 26 May Linda Seyler spent two years in Thailand digging latrines 25 May Chris Shays blasts Bush on stem cell research 25 May George Wolfe to head Loudoun Academy of Science 25 May David Rudenstine heads Cardozo School of Law 24 May Mark Schneider says declaration is "pretty thin gruel" 24 May Robert Blackwill supports seat for India on Security Council 24 May Chris Matthews weighs Thomas Jefferson nomination 24 May Jim Knopf is expert on xeriscape gardening 23 May Mae Jemison receives honorary degree at Wilson 23 May Kenneth Proudfoot says dreams come true 22 May

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Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong 170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

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