Thread: What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?

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.
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 “Travelâ€

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