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JUNE 1 WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE DEADLINE LOOMS New
rules requiring passports or new high-tech documents to cross the United
States' northern and southern borders are taking effect Monday, as some rue
the tightening of security and others hail it as long overdue. The
rules are being implemented nearly eight years after the Sept. 11 attacks and
long after the 9/11 Commission recommended the changes. They were delayed by
complaints from state officials who worried the restrictions would hinder the
flow of people and commerce and affect border towns dependent on
international crossings. In 2001 a driver's license and an oral declaration of citizenship were
enough to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders; Monday's changes are the
last step in a gradual ratcheting up of the rules. Now thousands of Americans
are preparing by applying for passports or obtaining special driver's
licenses that can also be used to cross the border. |
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Don't expect the lines to get shorter - bring a lunch while you wait |
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AIR TRAVEL All
U.S. citizens traveling by air are required to
present a passport book to enter or re-enter the United States. LAND AND SEA TRAVEL The following summarizes
information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website. CURRENTLY:
All
U.S. citizens must show proof of identity and proof of U.S.
citizenship when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda
and the countries of the Caribbean by land or sea.
Acceptable
documents include: U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or other document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S.
citizens who do not have a single document verifying identity and
citizenship must present both an identification and
citizenship document; for example, a driver’s license and a copy of a
birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
LATER:
On
June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements
of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S.
citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a
passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland
Security.
CHILDREN: U.S.
citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or
copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a
naturalization certificate or citizenship card.
Groups of U.S.
citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or
religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter
under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates
or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for
more information on the changing travel requirements. |
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The US Border Patrol will be ever diligent. |
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U.S. PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT DOCUMENTS: U.S.
Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport
to enter or re-enter the United States when traveling via air, land or sea
from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. |
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Example similar to the new passport card |
The
U.S. Passport Card: The passport card is only valid for re-entry
into the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from
Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. |
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WHTI-Compliant
Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land or sea, as of January 31,
2008:
Trusted
Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
State
Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available)
Enhanced
Tribal Cards (when available)
U.S.
Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
U.S.
Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official
maritime business
Native
American Tribal Photo Identification Card
Form
I-872 American Indian Card For further information see U.S. Customs and Border Protection's
website Ready,
Set...Go! ABOUT WHTI The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring
all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity
and citizenship when entering the United States. Please Note: The WHTI-compliant documents
described above are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United
States. You may be required to present additional or different
travel documents when entering foreign countries, including some countries in
the Western Hemisphere. Before you travel, make sure
you know the entry requirements of the country you plan to
visit. See Country Specific Information for more
information on the country you are traveling to. The goal of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. border
security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign
visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably
identify a traveler. |
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Please Note: The
WHTI-compliant documents described above are acceptable for entry or
re-entry into the United States. You may be required to
present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign
countries, including countries in the Western Hemisphere. Before you
travel, make sure you know the entry requirements of the
country you plan to visit. |
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