Nearly three and a half years after being mandated by Congress as part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) continues to stir controversy and confusion among both the traveling public and lawmakers alike. Despite the security requirement’s successful implementation for air travel, the development of WHTI for land and sea travel has not progressed smoothly. Recently, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) called for the break-up of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over concerns about how it has handled the development and implementation of WHTI.
Last week, the House passed several amendments to H.R. 1684, the FY08 Department of Homeland Security Authorization bill, which would affect the implementation of WHTI at land and sea ports of entry.
The House-passed legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to complete a cost-benefit analysis prior to implementing WHTI; a trial period to demonstrate the feasibility of passport card technology; codifying the exemption for children under the age of 17; mandatory acceptance of NEXUS and FAST cards in lieu of a passport or PASS Card; a six-month grace period for travelers without approved documentation and several other restrictions on the travel security initiative.
The net effect of these changes would more than likely delay DHS’s efforts on implementing WHTI well into late 2008 or early 2009. Should the Senate approve similar changes, this would put Congress starkly at odds with the Administration’s plan for WHTI. The Department of Homeland Security has been very vocal in its intention to require either passports or the still undeveloped PASS card alternative at both land and sea ports of entry by January 2008 and as recently as last week, reaffirmed their intention to launch the security requirement by next year.
Last year, the BTA successfully advocated for a deadline extension on implementing WHTI. The mandatory implementation date was extended 18 months to June 1, 2009 as part of the Stevens-Leahy amendment to the FY07 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The BTA continues to advocate for the careful consideration of the impact of WHTI on border communities, which are integrally linked to cross-border tourism and industry and for additional outreach by DHS to educate the public about the program’s requirements.
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Hello
Well done, Thanks much!
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