ABOUT WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative)
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result
of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004
(IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport
or other document that denotes identity and citizenship
when entering the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced
on February 22 its intent to propose, as part of the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative (WHTI), significant flexibility regarding
travel documents required for U.S. and Canadian children
as part of WHTI requirements for U.S. land and sea border
entry in 2008.
The goal of the initiative 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.
AIR TRAVEL
Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS
traveling by air between the United States and Canada,
Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required
to present a passport or other valid travel document
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.
JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either
a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo
ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of
citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes
to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian
children at that time.
SUMMER 2008
At a later date, to be determined, the departments 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 either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport
card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or
SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when
traveling in conjunction with official maritime business;
or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling
on official orders.
The implementation date will be determined based on
a number of factors, including the progress of actions
undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to
implement the WHTI requirements and the availability
of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border.
DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation
to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation
date will be formally announced with at least 60 days
notice. Note: The passport
requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling
to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. PASSPORT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (WHTI-compliant
documents)
U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens
may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via
air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned
Western Hemisphere countries.
The Passport Card: This
limited-use, wallet-size passport card is not yet available
and is under development. When available it will only
be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region (includes Bermuda).
Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST
and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document. Members of
the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders
are exempt from the passport requirement. DHS has more
information on these travel documents. This information
may be seen at www.dhs.gov.