Hi Everyone,
I received this press release from the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) and thought it would be of interest. Stop me if we have heard
of these deadlines before. <:+) If you have missed any of my news'
postings, they are available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Publication of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Land and
Sea Final Rule, Questions and Answers
Release Date: March 27, 2008
What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all
travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who
have historically been exempt from passport requirements, to present a
passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer’s
identity and citizenship in order to enter or re-enter the United
States. WHTI is designed to strengthen border security and facilitate
entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate
international visitors while minimizing the social and commercial
impacts on international travelers and U.S. citizens, particularly
residents living along the border.
Why is the U.S. government implementing the travel initiative?
WHTI is a joint Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department
of State (DOS) plan that implements both a 9/11 Commission
Recommendation and a Congressional mandate that will close a
significant security vulnerability. The Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), as amended, mandates that
DHS and DOS develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and
foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate identity
and citizenship documentation when entering the United States from
within the Western Hemisphere.
For many years, U.S. and Canadian citizens were exempt from the
presentation of a passport or other document to enter the United
States. On January 31, 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),
using its existing authority, ended the practice of accepting oral
declarations of citizenship and identity alone at the land and sea
ports of entry to address a security vulnerability that has existed
for years at the border.
CBP officers have intercepted over 129,000 fraudulent documents since
January 2005 and apprehended over 118,340 individuals at the ports of
entry trying to cross the border with fraudulent claims of citizenship
or documents. The challenge at the borders is how to determine the
admissibility of individual travelers, based on the documents they
present, without significantly slowing the processing time for
admission into the United States. Implementation of WHTI, which will
further narrow the types of documents accepted to prove identity and
citizenship, is a critical step towards meeting this challenge.
When will implementation of the new requirements occur?
Implementation will occur on June 1, 2009. Upon implementation, only a
passport or other WHTI-compliant document will be accepted for entry
into the United States.
If these new requirements won’t go into effect until June 1, 2009, why
is the government announcing them now?
DHS is publishing this rule more than a year in advance of its
implementation to give the public ample notice and time to obtain the
WHTI-compliant documents they will need to enter or re-enter the
United States beginning June 1, 2009. By publishing the rule now,
travelers who don’t already have WHTI-compliant documents (and many do
have them) will know exactly which documents they will need and plenty
of time to obtain them.
Who is affected by this change?
This change affects all U.S. citizens entering or re-entering the
United States by land or sea – including by pleasure vessel or ferry.
It also affects certain foreign nationals, who have been exempt from a
document requirement, namely citizens of Canada and Bermuda. Most
travelers will require one of the following documents:
* U.S. citizens: A passport issued by the U.S. Government, a
passport card, a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or
SENTRI), an enhanced driver’s license (EDL), a Military ID with
official travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document.
* Canadian citizens: A passport issued by the Government of
Canada, a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or
SENTRI), or an EDL.
o U.S. and Canadian children under the age of 16 will be
able to present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. See
the CBP website for more information about children traveling with a
school or religious group, social organization, or sports team.
* Bermudians: A passport issued by the Government of Bermuda or
the United Kingdom.
* Mexican citizens: Mexican citizens, including children, are
currently required to present a passport with visa or a laser visa
border crossing card, and therefore there is little to no expectation
of change under these new requirements.
How will travelers know what documents to get and when to get them?
Over the next 14 months, DHS and DOS will be conducting public
information campaigns to inform travelers about the new document
requirements. These campaigns will include special outreach toward
residents of border communities who may be most impacted by the new
document requirements. DHS and DOS are working with the Canadian
government to ensure widespread and consistent communications on both
sides of our land borders.
What is currently required at land and sea borders?
As of January 31, 2008, oral declarations of citizenship alone are no
longer sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into
the United States. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older are
asked to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s
license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
or naturalization certificate. Children ages 18 and under are
currently asked only to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth
certificate. Passports and trusted traveler cards, such as NEXUS,
SENTRI and FAST, are considered WHTI-compliant documents and are
accepted for cross-border travel.
The period between publication of the final rule and June 1, 2009, is
designed to lessen the impact on individuals and allow time for
travelers to become accustomed to the change and obtain the
appropriate documents. Implementation of WHTI, which will further
narrow the types of accepted documents, will take place on June 1,
2009.
What are the NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST programs?
These cross-border travel programs are voluntary, and members must
meet certain eligibility requirements and pay a 5-year membership fee.
NEXUS (the northern border program) and SENTRI (the southern border
program) are for passengers; FAST (Free and Secure Trade) is the
commercial equivalent for truck drivers.
For a complete list of participating locations, eligibility
requirements, and application information, please visit the “Travel”
link at www.cbp.gov and click “Trusted Traveler Programs.”
Where can I go to obtain a traditional passport?
Visit www.travel.state.gov for a complete list of more than 9,300
passport acceptance locations nationwide, including U.S. Postal
Offices. To apply for your passport, you will need a passport
application, proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth
certificate or Naturalization Certificate), government issued photo ID
(such as a driver’s license) two color 2” x 2”current photographs, and
a check or money order for the passport fee.
What is the cost of obtaining a traditional passport book or the new
passport card?
If you are age 16 or older and applying for the first time, a passport
book costs $100 and is good for ten years. Passport books for children
under age 16 are $85 and are valid for five years. Adults renewing
their passports pay a $75 fee. Expedited processing is available for
an additional $60.
The Department of State is accepting applications for the new passport
card that will be issued later this Spring. For applicants who do not
already have a passport book, the costs for the passport card are $45
for ages 16 and older and $35 for children under age 16. For those
with valid passport books, the passport card fee is $20 for those ages
16 and over. Passport cards carry the same periods of validity as
passport books.
Complete information is available at www.travel.state.gov/passport.
Where can I go to obtain a birth certificate?
You may obtain a birth certificate by contacting your state’s
Department of Vital Records or through the National Center for Health
Statistics at www.cdc.gov/nchs.
Other Acceptable Travel Documents
Will there be other accepted documents?
Several states have agreed to issue enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs)
through a partnership with DHS. Washington State has already begun to
issue EDLs, and Vermont, New York, and Arizona are working with DHS to
develop EDLs for U.S. citizens residing in their states. These
documents will denote both citizenship and identity and will contain
security features to help prevent counterfeiting and facilitate the
entry process at land and sea ports of entry.
Additional documents that will be accepted at land and sea ports of
entry include:
* Lawful Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551);
* Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with
official maritime business;
* U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official
orders; and
* Kickapoo Band Members of the Kickapoo Band of Texas and Tribe of
Oklahoma are permitted to present the Form I-872 American Indian Card
in lieu of a passport, as they do currently.
Mexican citizens, including children, are currently required to
present documents, which include a valid passport and visa or a laser
visa/Border Crossing Card (including SENTRI program members); there is
little to no change expected for these travelers.
What will happen on June 1, 2009?
The Departments of Homeland Security and State will implement the
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, as outlined in the final WHTI
land and sea rule published in the Federal Register. At that time,
only a passport or other WHTI-compliant document will be accepted for
cross-border travel through land and sea ports of entry.
Will I be able to use an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) at locations
outside of my state?
Yes. EDLs will be accepted for entry into the U.S. from Canada,
Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean at any land or sea port of entry.
How do these requirements affect Native Americans?
The Indian and North Affairs Canada Card and Tribal Enrollment Cards
with a photo affixed to the card will be accepted until June 1, 2009.
We expect that, in order to be designated as WHTI-compliant, many
Native American tribes will have to enhance their tribal enrollment
and identification cards. As noted in the final rule, we are open to
such conversations and will continue outreach with interested
federally recognized Native American tribes to develop a
WHTI-compliant enhanced tribal card.
The proposed new Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card, if
designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, may also be
presented as evidence of citizenship and identity by Canadian Indians
when they seek to enter the United States.
Members of the Kickapoo Band of Texas and Tribe of Oklahoma would be
permitted to present the Form I-872 American Indian Card in lieu of a
passport, as they do currently.
I am a (sports coach/group leader/chaperone) that regularly takes
groups of students across the border for events. What should I do to
ensure that all of my students can cross?
Please ensure that all members of the club/team/youth group have birth
certificates or other valid proof of citizenship. U.S. and Canadian
children ages 18 and under who are part of the group will be able to
enter the country with their birth certificate or other proof of
citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.
Additional requirements will take effect for groups of children after
implementation of WHTI on June 1, 2009. See the CBP website for more
information.
Does my birth certificate need to be a certified, original copy?
No, we will accept an original, copy or certified copy of your birth
certificate.
Traveling By Sea
How will the final WHTI requirements affect passengers going on
cruises?
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at
the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country
with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and
government-issued photo ID. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be
able to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth
certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a
Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport
when you dock at a foreign port, depending on the islands or countries
that your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruiseline to
ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops you’ll be
making on your cruise.
How are ferries and small boats (pleasure vessels) affected?
Ferries and small boats are processed much like land travel, and all
individuals traveling by these modes of travel are subject to the new
requirements.
What if I have an I-68 registration? Will I still need a passport?
Yes, boaters who have an I-68 form will still be required to abide by
the new travel document requirements. Bear in mind that a NEXUS card
is an alternative to a passport, and ensuring that you have either a
NEXUS card or a passport will enable you to continue to utilize
telephonic clearance procedures currently in place for I-68 holders.
An I-68 form is similar to a vehicle registration, and is not an
identity document or a travel document.
What about commercial or charter vessels that enter international
waters but do not dock at a foreign port? Are its passengers required
to present passports upon returning to the United States?
No. As long as a vessel does not call at a foreign port, immigration
law does not consider this a “departure” from the United States and
therefore upon return, is not considered an entry that would require a
passport. Therefore, passports or other designated documents would not
be required for those, including commercial fishermen traveling on a
vessel that sails from a U.S. port and returns without calling at a
foreign port.
What are the requirements for entry into foreign countries?
In most situations, a U.S. passport should allow you to enter your
country of destination. You should always check with your air carrier,
cruise ship, travel agent, and/or destination country to confirm the
requirements for entry at your destination.
What About? Lost Passports, Special Groups, & Other Exceptions to the
Rule
What happens if I don’t have any documents when I cross the border at
a land or sea port of entry?
You will be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers
attempt to verify your citizenship and identity.
I lost my passport while traveling overseas. What steps should I take?
If your passport is lost or stolen while traveling overseas, report it
immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You will need to
fill out form DS-64, Statement regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport.
For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport, visit
www.travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778.
Will travelers from U.S. territories need to present a passport to
enter the United States?
No. U.S. territories are considered a part of the United States. U.S.
citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered
to have left the country and do not need to present a passport. U.S.
territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands.
How do these requirements affect First Responders or medical emergency
situations?
WHTI does not prevent CBP from continuing to allow first responders
and patients having a medical emergency to enter the country using
existing waiver and parole authorities to provide necessary expedited
processing on a case-by-case basis for these individuals.
Special consideration will continue to be made for urgent medical
issues, first responder situations, and cross-border emergency
services; however obtaining a passport or other acceptable document is
likely to be the most expedient means of crossing the border for
emergency first response personnel who routinely cross the border.
Additional Background
There have been concerns within the travel and tourism industry about
the effect that the WHTI travel requirements will have on the economy.
How is this being addressed?
DHS has prepared a separate economic assessment, which is available in
the Final Rule. The Rule and economic assessment have been reviewed by
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DHS has determined that the
benefits – facilitation of travel and increased security that would
reduce the probability of a terrorist attack – are greater than the
potential costs. In analyzing the costs and benefits of the Rule, DHS
also considered a range of alternative documents.
How will the Departments of Homeland Security and State increase the
security of our borders by proof of identity and citizenship without
causing backups at the land borders?
DHS and DOS are utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
technology for documents to meet WHTI requirements. This technology
helps facilitate processing at the border by eliminating manual data
entry and queuing a traveler’s information to the CBP officer as the
traveler’s vehicle approaches the inspection booth. The technology
also supports automatic searches for any outstanding/arrest warrants
and conducts standard criminal checks so that we can facilitate the
processing of legitimate travelers while focusing our attention on
higher-risk individuals.
This technology has been used in the trusted traveler programs since
1995, and is also used in everyday applications such as toll tags,
metro cards, and building passes.
How is the United States working with Canada and Mexico to further
this initiative?
The Secretaries of the Departments of Homeland Security and State have
worked closely with the Canadian and Mexican governments on numerous
fronts, including the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of
North America, the Smart Border Declaration, and the Shared Border
Accord. The objectives of the initiatives are to establish a common
approach to security to protect North America from external threats,
prevent and respond to threats within North America, and further
streamline the secure and efficient movement of legitimate traffic
across our shared borders. The Secretaries are committed to working
with our international partners to establish a common security
strategy that also emphasizes the importance of facilitating
legitimate trade and travel on our shared borders. |
