US to tighten controls on borders with Canada, Mexico News
US to tighten controls on borders with Canada, Mexico

[JURIST] The US will phase in by 2008 tighter border controls requiring US citizens re-entering the country from Canada, Mexico, Panama and Bermuda to have passports, US officials announced Tuesday. Under the new rules made public by the State Department [official website], Canadians will also have to show passports to enter the US. Currently, US citizens returning from Canada only need a driver's license, while citizens returning from the other countries only need a government issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the changes were made to increase security and were made after consultation with other governments. CTV News has coverage from Canada. AP has more.

3:15 PM ET – A State Department press release is now available. The Bureau of Consular Affairs has more on the new requirements.

THIS DAY @ LAW

International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

November 9 is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism [UNITED factsheet]. On November 9, 1924, American gay activist Henry Gerber and several associates formed the Society for Human Rights, the first gay rights organization in the United States. The Society received a charter from the State of Illinois in December but was disbanded in July 1925 after a police raid which led to Gerber's arrest and trial (albeit not conviction). Pay a virtual visit to Henry Gerber House, now a registered Chicago landmark.

Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts anti-draft law

On November 9, 1970, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Massachusetts v. Laird not to hear the case of the state's anti-draft law. Massachusetts had passed a law, which allowed its citizens to decline to fight in any undeclared war, even if the person was drafted. The law was passed in opposition to the draft and the war in Vietnam. The First Circuit found the war constitutional and thus struck down the law.