US says Canadian man didn't gain entry on iPad

Martin Reisch holds up his iPad displaying his passport in Montreal, Tuesday, Jan 3, 2012. Reisch was allowed entry into the United States using a scanned copy of his passport on his iPad. -- PHOTO: AP

TORONTO (AP) - The US Customs and Border Protection agency is disputing the assertion that a Canadian man gained entry into the US by only using a scanned photo of his passport on his iPad.

Mr Martin Reisch says a slightly annoyed border officer let him cross into the US from Quebec after he told the officer he forgot his passport and he presented a scanned copy. He says that and his driver's licenve helped him get through last week.

But agency spokesman Jenny Burke said on Wednesday scanned documents are not accepted. She says if an individual does not have a passport, an enhanced driver's licence or an expedited travel pass the border officer must determine identity and citizenship using a variety of other means, or deny entry. Ms Burke says Mr Reisch had both a driver's licence and birth certificate.