US Issues Rule on Land, Sea Entry
Thu Mar 27 2008
The Homeland Security (DHS) and State departments announced today
the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), requiring travelers to present
a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship
and identity for all land and sea travel into the US, effective
June 1, 2009.
Air passengers already are required to present a WHTI-secure
document on re-entry to the US. The rule announced today affects
cruise passengers arriving at US ports, as well as those crossing
the border from Canada and Mexico.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was enacted by Congress as
part of its response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In addition to the release of the WHTI final rule, DHS is
officially designating the Washington State Enhanced Driver’s
License (EDL) as a WHTI-compliant document.
DHS, in an announcement, said that it is publishing the WHTI land
and sea final rule more than a year in advance of its
implementation to give the public ample notice and time to obtain
the WHTI-compliant documents.
In addition to a valid US passport, WHTI-compliant documents
include a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST), or a
Washington State EDL. These are used by residents of areas on the
Canadian border who frequently travel between the countries.
The State Dept. is accepting applications for the new Passport
Cards and additional states and Canadian provinces will be issuing
EDLs in the next several months - all of which are options
specifically designed for land and sea border use, according to the
Homeland Security department.
Beginning June 1, 2009, DHS will institute special provisions that
allow school or other organized groups of children ages 18 and
under who are US or Canadian citizens to enter the US with proof of
citizenship alone.
Since Jan. 1, US and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older have been
asked to present proof of identity and citizenship at land border
crossings and arrivals by sea. Children ages 18 and under are
currently asked only to present proof of citizenship, such as a
birth certificate.
For more information, visit: http://travel.state.gov
Comments are closed