WASHINGTON - Millions of visitors from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and much of Europe are getting a temporary reprieve from a new U.S. requirement that they carry passports that can be read by scanning machines.
All were supposed to have the passports starting Tuesday. But the Homeland Security Department announced Friday that visitors from those countries who haven't gotten the new passports will be granted a one-time exemption.
Anyone granted an exemption will be notified that if they don't have a new passport the next time they visit they may be refused entry.
Border and Transportation Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson said the new policy will help make sure that people's first experience in the United States is positive. He said the rule will be reviewed after six months.
more:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=693&e=10&u=/ap/20041022/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/border_security_passportsLooks like no bad folks ever come from these countries?? :eyes: