As many of our readers are aware, the final implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which will require that U.S. Citizens present a Passport, Passport Card or Enhanced Driver’s License for entry into the Unites States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda, is fast approaching on June 1, 2009.
While the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) will continue to provide recommendations and collaborate with federal agencies to ensure that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is implemented efficiently, the BTA encourages border residents and the traveling public to comply with WHTI requirements by obtaining a Passport, Passport Card, or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) to make this a smooth transition and to reduce delays that could be caused by not having the appropriate documents. For more information on WHTI compliant documents and how to obtain them, please visit: getyouhome.gov.
On May 7th, the Border Trade Alliance will testify before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism on the issue of, “Implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at land and sea ports: Are we ready?” The BTA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce were the only private sector organizations chose to testify before the committee hearing, joined by public sector leaders from DHS, State Dept., and CBP.
You can watch the testimony live online and find more information on the hearing Webpage.
As the premier grassroots organization representing border issues for both the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico international borders, we invite you to share with us your experiences and concerns with WHTI, as well as any recommendations you can provide that would help make the implementation of the WHTI a success. Your input is critical to our advocacy efforts to maintain a balance of economic security with homeland security and we look forward to hearing from you. If you’d like to help spread the word you can download a the following and post them to your site:
WHTI Tear-sheet - “how it works”: WHTI PDF
WHTI Web-Badges/ads for posting with links to getyouhome.gov - right click and save:
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The BTA reserves the right to post comments it feels are appropriate to creating a dialog around border issues. We are interested in hearing from all points of view and encourage those with unique, constructive perspectives to contribute their view points to help shape the future of our borders. BTA is a tri-national organization and will not accept posts that contain derogatory comments made towards citizens, groups, or organizations of any kind.