The government is considering a temporary waiver of new anti-terrorism rules that require U.S. citizens to show passports when flying to and from Mexico and Canada, because of a backlog in passport applications, according to a Bush administration official.Citizens would be able to fly without passports through Sept. 30 if they can show a receipt verifying they have applied, according to the official, who is not authorized to speak publicly about the issue. An announcement is expected today.
Applicants could get receipts by going to the State Department's website, the official said. Travelers without passports also would:
• Be required to show another form of government-issued ID, such as a driver's license.
• Face more scrutiny, possibly including questioning by border-security agents.
• Likely have their bags more thoroughly examined.
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