| |

The
Goal of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The
goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and
facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and
legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and
reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland
Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.
Timeline
In
the proposed implementation plan, the requirements outlined above
will be rolled out in the following phases:
-
On January 8, 2007, ALL persons,
including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America,
the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid
passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document.
-
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL
persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S.
and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean,
and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries),
may be required to present a valid passport or other documents
as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While
recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the
Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet
all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice
will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
|
|