JumanesisIt seems like a no-brainer—everyone needs a passport to travel. After all, who wouldn’t want to be able to cross borders easily and without hassle? But unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
In fact, as of 2017, the United States was the only developed country in the world that didn’t require citizens to have passports. And while some may argue that this is for our own safety, it really doesn’t make much sense when you take a look at the numbers. So what’s going on here? Why do Americans don’t have passports and why are other countries forcing their citizens to have them? Let’s take a look and see if we can figure it out.
Why Don’t Americans Have Passports
America’s Changing Demographics
Since the late 1800s, the vast majority of immigrants to America have come from Europe. But that’s changing. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010 more than one-third of all immigrants living in the United States were from Asia and Latin America. This shift is due in part to global economic conditions, which have caused many people in these regions to leave their homes and seek a better life elsewhere. Additionally, restrictions on immigration from some countries have made it difficult for people from those areas to come to America. For example, in 2006 Iraq was designated a country unable to send citizens to the United States because of concerns about terrorism. As a result, many Iraqis settled in neighboring countries such as Iran and Syria instead.
Another factor contributing to the growth of immigrant populations in America is naturalization rates. In general, people become citizens of the United States by completing an application process and passing a test known as the naturalization exam. However, because immigration has been increasing so rapidly over the past few years, there are now more eligible applicants than there are spots available on the naturalization exam waiting list. This means that many immigrants are able to become American citizens without having to go through the application process or take the test.
Rising Immigration Rates
One of the biggest concerns that people have when it comes to immigration is the potential of a sudden influx of illegal aliens, which could result in increased rates of crime or other negative consequences. However, the recent trend of increasing immigration rates indicates that the United States is not facing an imminent crisis. According to data from Pew Research Center, between 1990 and 2014, the number of immigrants coming to the United States increased by more than 350%, from just over 1 million to nearly 11 million. In fact, during this period, the number of undocumented immigrants decreased by almost half – from 5.9 million in 1990 to 3.8 million in 2014. This decrease can likely be attributed to major changes in U.S. law enforcement that made it much harder for undocumented immigrants to remain in the country.
However, despite these decreases, there are still far too many people coming into the country illegally – and this problem is only going to increase in the future. The Obama administration has proposed building a wall along America’s southern border and increasing enforcement efforts against businesses that hire undocumented workers – both measures are likely to make it much more difficult for people who want to come into the country legally. In addition, countries such as Mexico are increasingly turning away their citizens trying to immigrate to the United States, raising questions about whether we will ever reach our current levels of immigration again.
Americans Are Choosing to Live Overseas
Americans are increasingly choosing to live overseas, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The study found that between 2000 and 2013, the number of Americans living abroad increased by 116 percent, while the number of passports issued to American citizens during that same time period only grew by about 20 percent.
While some may argue that this trend is due to budget constraints or a lack of faith in the United States economy, the truth is that many Americans are simply choosing to live where they think they can have more fun and make more money. According to one recent survey, 58 percent of Americans believe that living in another country will make them smarter and better-rounded; meanwhile, 43 percent believe that they will learn new skills and knowledge while living abroad.
So why are so many Americans opting to leave their home country? For one thing, there are now plenty of opportunities for foreigners to live and work in the United States – something that wasn’t always the case back when most Americans lived overseas. Additionally, many people now see overseas living as a way to expand their personal networks and build relationships with people from all over the world – something that can be incredibly beneficial when it comes time to finding a job or starting your own business.
The Cost of a Passport
The cost of a passport can vary depending on the type of passport you need and where you are applying from. A standard passport costs $110, while an expedited passport costs $140. If you are applying from within the United States, your passport will be issued for free. However, if you are applying from abroad, your passport will cost you $60.
The Cost of a Passport
In order to travel outside of the United States, citizens must possess a passport. The cost of obtaining a passport varies depending on the type of passport you need and your location. For example, a U.S. passport costs $110 for an adult and $85 for a child. Foreign passports also vary in price, but typically cost more than U.S. passports. Passport applications can also be costly, with fees ranging from $25 to $100. Finally, renewing a passport can be expensive as well – expect to pay around $60 per application.
The Benefits of Having a Passport
Having a passport not only protects you from possible legal hassles when traveling internationally, but can also come in handy for things like boarding a plane or entering a country. Here are some of the benefits of having a passport:
1. Allows You to Travel Internationally: If you have a valid passport, you can travel to any country in the world without having to obtain a visa first. Not only that, but if you lose your passport, you can still travelprovided you have the appropriate travel documents (like an international ticket) in advance.
2. Protects You from Potential Legal Hassles: If something bad happens while you’re traveling and the police need to speak with you about it, having your passport will prove helpful in getting them to believe that you are who you say you are and that what happened actually took place while abroad. Without a passport, it can be much more difficult for law enforcement officials to prove your case.
3. Helps Keep You Safe While Travelling: Having your passport helps ensure that if something bad does happen while travelling – like a robbery – at least you’ll be able to get back home safely. Not having one could put your safety at risk and leave you stranded overseas without any means of return.
4. Can Be Useful When Visiting Countries: Even if you don’t plan on touring every country on Earth, having a passport can still come in handy for visits to places like Russia or China where strict visa requirements
The Lack of Americans Having Passports
Americans have passports because America is a country that requires its citizens to have passports to travel. However, as of January 2016, the United States had the lowest number of passport holders out of all the countries in the world. The number of Americans who hold passports has decreased by about 10% since 2007 and there are now just over 66 million Americans who possess passports. This decline in passport holders can be attributed to a variety of factors including cost, lack of necessity, and security concerns.
Cost: Passports can be expensive to purchase and maintain. It costs $135 to purchase a passport and an additional $40 per year to renew it. This adds up quickly if you plan on travelling frequently.
Lack of Necessity: There are many occasions where you don’t need a passport to travel. For example, if you’re traveling within the United States or Canada, you don’t need a passport.
Security Concerns: Many people feel that having a passport is unnecessary because of the increased security concerns that come with travelling abroad these days. For example, there have been numerous terrorist attacks across Europe over the past few years that have caused many people to rethink their need for passports.
Americans don’t have passports because the United States does not recognize the citizenship of countries other than America. The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to regulate immigration, and it has never granted citizenship to any country outside of America. This means that all nationals of countries that do not have a treaty with the United States and do not allow American citizens into their country are not allowed to come in, no matter how long they’ve been living there or what kind of work they may be doing.
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