The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: What it Means for US Passport Holders

Much talk has been generated in the last decade* Enhanced tribal card.
about US border security. Since the terrorist attacks* US Military ID.
of September 11, 2001, America's border security has* Native American Tribal Photo Identification card.
come under scrutiny, both by the US government* Form I-872 American Indian card.
and by the public at large. This reassessment ofThe final stage of the Western Hemisphere Travel
America's border security lead, at least in part, to theInitiative will take effect on June 1, 2009. All travel by
development of the Western Hemisphere Travelair, and most travel by sea and land will require a US
Initiative. This initiative ensures that US passportpassport. Border agencies at land crossings will still be
holders and citizens in general have a measure ofable to accept some limited forms of other
assurance when it comes to border security.documentation in lieu of a US passport. These are
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is aknown as WHTI-compliant identification, and include
cooperative effort between the United States,legal government photo identification plus proof of
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean Region.citizenship.
The agreement creates uniform expectations when itThe governments of all countries involved in the
comes to crossing borders. It applies to every borderWestern Hemisphere Travel Initiative are urging
crossing location in every country involved.citizens to obtain a passport in anticipation of the last
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative wasand final phase of the plan in 2009. American
developed in response to the Intelligence Reform andtravelers should note that a US passport is the only
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. It sets forthuniversally guaranteed travel document in the world.
regulations regarding acceptable and required formsBorder patrol agencies reserve the right to detain
of identification for travelers crossing borders in thetravelers and even deny entry if they feel that
western hemisphere. Since its inception it has beenpaperwork and identification is amiss or suspect.
implemented in stages, according to type of travelCarrying a US passport on every trip, even land trips,
(air, sea, land.) The latest regulations came intowill reduce chances of delays at border crossings.
effect on January 31, 2008. Current regulations stateWhile there have been some minor kinks in the
that air travel over borders can only be undertakenWestern Hemisphere Travel Initiative, most agree
with a valid US passport. Land and sea travelers mustthat it is a worthwhile and necessary endeavor. The
either present a valid US passport, or a valid form ofUS Department of Homeland Security feels that the
government picture identification, plus proof ofinitiative strengthens the security of our borders
citizenship in the form of a birth certificate orconsiderably. They also speculate that within a few
naturalization certificate. The list of approved formsyears a majority of American citizens will routinely
of picture identification include:carry a US passport as a standard form of
* A driver's license.identification, such as is already the case in many
* Trusted traveler cards, like NEXUS, SENTRI orEuropean countries.
FAST cards.