Secretary of State Antony Blinken has a crisis on his hands. But it’s not technically one that involves anything diplomatic. The problem is actually a giant backlog of passport applications that is creating summer travel nightmares for thousands of Americans. Politicians from both parties have called him out on it, and a resolution seems difficult.
The State Department, which issues and renews passports for American citizens, has said it is still recovering from disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. They say they are receiving 430,000 applications a week, which is down from a peak of 560,000 per week in March but still very high. The department is on pace to issue 25 million passports this year, an increase from last year’s 22 million.
The problem with this demand during a popular travel time in late August is the processing time, estimated at 10 to 13 weeks—or seven to nine for a $60 fee. This has blindsided Americans who normally expect shorter turnarounds and have scheduled trips before that lag.
The State Department says making an in-person appointment versus a mail-in can make things go faster, but demand for those is high, and the nearest location might be far. The State Department also offers “life-or-death emergency” appointments, but those are fittingly reserved for dire situations.
Recognizing the issue, Blinken paid a June visit to his department’s largest passport processing office in New York City. He said that “we’re trying to do our best.”
