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The opinions of individual BTA Border Blog contributors don't necessarily reflect the editorial position of Border Trade Alliance as a whole.

Jun 01

BTA Launches TWHTI - Twitter Western Hemispher Travel Initiative

Published by PR.
in Advocacy, Travel & Immigration, Press Releases. 1 Comment

TWHTI Image

BTA urges border stakeholders to share their experiences throughout the first months of WHTI via Twitter - Yep it’s Called TWHTI!

On June 1st, 2009, the first day of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) full implementation, Border Trade Alliance (BTA), is asking U.S. and Canadian citizens to use Twitter to post their cross-border travel experiences with WHTI to collect feedback on the program at land ports throughout North America.

The project, called TWHTI (pronounced twittee) Twitter the Western Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, will use the free social-media tool, Twitter, to increase public awareness and record real-world experiences during the first months of the implementation of the largest secure traveler program in U.S. history.

TWHTI is an landmark international opportunity to employ social networking to provide other travelers with helpful information, while raising public awareness of WHTI requirements. Utilizing the mobile, real-time and archival aspects of Twitter to automatically compile updates from people on the ground at our border ports of entry will allow the U.S. Federal Government agencies responsible for the intiative - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Dept. of State (DOS) - to access feedback/data for use in identifying successes and problems.

Anyone can partiipate in TWHTI, all you need is a Twitter account.  BTA is looking for people on the ground at our border ports of entry, to post: #WHTI, along with the location and experience.  Posts should be constructive, focused on getting documentation, general cross-border experience, wait-times at the port, technology, or economic impacts. To see the archive of TWHTI posts, just search for #WHTI in Twitter’s search to see the experiences and connect with other travelers. Read More →

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May 06

Get Your Passport, PASS Card, or EDL Now! Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Deadline June 1, 2009!

Published by Policy.
in Travel & Immigration. 0 Comments

WHTIDeadline

 

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. Read More →

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Jan 11

WHTI: State Dept. Releases Final Rule on PASS Card

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, Border News, Travel & Immigration. 5 Comments

On December 31, 2007 the U.S. Department of State published a final rule in the Federal Register on the development of the PASS Card. The wallet-sized, low cost alternative to a U.S. Passport is designed to facilitate efficient and secure cross-border travel at land and sea ports of entry. On June 1, 2009 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will be implemented, requiring U.S. Passports or other acceptable documents (PASS Card, Enhanced Drivers License (EDL), NEXUS, and SENTRI cards) will be required for citizens to return to the United States from Canada and Mexico at land and sea ports of entry.

The BTA has long advocated for the development of the PASS Card prior to full implementation of WHTI and continues to support the efforts of states that have chosen to pursue the EDL concept. The BTA continues to share recommendations with policymakers to ease the transition toward the final requirements of WHTI.

On January 31, 2008 the current practice of simply providing an oral declaration of citizenship will end. U.S. citizens without a Passport will be required to present two forms of government identification (drivers license, NEXUS card) including proof of citizenship (birth certificate). However, according to the recently published final rule, citizens will not be able to begin applying for the PASS Card until February 1, 2008, leaving travelers without a U.S. Passport no other option than to carry their birth certificate and another acceptable form of identification when crossing the border until their PASS Card application is accepted and the alternative document issued.

The following is a summary of the final rule for the PASS Card:

Published in Federal Register on December 31, 2007

• Citizens may apply for the PASS Card on February 1, 2008.

• PASS Card does not have to be signed to be valid.

• Utilizes RFID vicinity technology to read a unique Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued number that is referenced only within CBP’s secure computer system.

• Fees:

Application fee
Adult (16 yr and older)….$20
Minor (under age 16)………10

Execution fee…………………25
(first time applicants only)

• Total cost:

First time adult………….45
First time minor………..35
Renewal – adult…………20
Renewal – minor……….10

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Jan 05

House Committee Holds Hearing on Wait-times

Published by Director of Policy.
in Import & Export, Border News. 1 Comment

On Thursday the House Homeland Security Committee held a field hearing in El Paso, Texas entitled, “Ensuring Homeland Security While Facilitating Legitimate Travel: The Challenge at America’s Ports of Entry.” GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, CBP Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and Richard Stana Director, Homeland Security and Justice at the Government Accountability Office were among those providing testimony. The primary focus of the field hearing was to address the concerns of growing wait-times at our nation’s ports of entry.

Below are highlights from yesterday’s field hearing, for full copies of witness testimony please click here.

“It is my hope, however, that today’s hearing will help us continue to work together to better secure our nation’s ports of entry, and improve the lives of those who call border communities home.”
- House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)

“As you well know, there is an urgent need in the nation to rethink the way we plan, design and build our ports of entry. We need new energy and new ideas. Over the past 15 years or so, our trade across the borders has dramatically increased while the capacity of our land ports of entry to handle this new traffic has not kept pace. To solve this problem, we are going to have to think differently.”
- GSA Administrator Lurita Doan

“CBP’s frontline officers and agents will continue to protect America from the terrorist threat while also accomplishing our traditional missions in immigration, customs, and agriculture, all while balancing our enforcement missions with the need to effectively facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and travel.”
- CBP Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski

Last year the Border Trade Alliance launched a successful grassroots campaign to educate Congress, the media and businesses and residents of border communities about the increased delays at our ports of entry. The issue of wait-times remains a major policy priority for the BTA and we are continuing our efforts to share information and recommendations with policy-makers in Washington, D.C. to address this critical issue in U.S. border communities.

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Dec 19

WHTI: Passport Requirement Delayed

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, Border News, Travel & Immigration. 3 Comments

Border communities in the United States, both north and south, are breathing a sigh of relief. Congress has moved the implementation date for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) until June 1, 2009 at the earliest. This change means that U.S. citizens will be able to cross our borders at land and sea ports of entry without having to show a U.S. Passport until the summer of 2009. The provision delaying the implementation until June 1, 2009 was inserted into the end-of-the year spending measure by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), which passed both the House and Senate with the support of many border state Senators and Representatives.

Despite the passage of the delay, the border crossing experience for citizens without Passports will soon change. As of January 31, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will end the acceptance of oral declarations of citizenship and require two forms of government identification, including proof of citizenship, for re-entry into the United States.

The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) has long supported secure travel programs put forward by the federal government and has worked with DHS and the Department of State (DOS) to increase public knowledge of WHTI. However, the BTA supports delaying implementation at land ports of entry contingent upon the federal government’s ability to implement the security program effectively and efficiently.

While the delay will buy time for the federal government and traveling public alike to be prepared for the change, the delay itself does not speak to many of the remaining issues yet to be addressed, such as the issuance of a low-cost passport alternative or PASS Card, increased outreach toward the traveling public about the requirements of WHTI, and the dedication of additional resources by Congress to DHS and the Department of State (DOS) prior to implementation of the new travel requirement at land and sea ports of entry.

The BTA remains committed to working with stakeholders, including border communities and the federal government, to help make WHTI a success in terms of security and facilitation of legitimate cross-border travel. On December 11, 2007, the BTA held a one-day forum on the secure travel initiative in Nogales, Arizona to provide border citizens the opportunity to learn more about WHTI and also to interact with federal officials in charge of the program.

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Dec 11

WHTI Event in Nogales - BTA Advocacy and Outreach in the Media

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, Travel & Immigration, BTA in the News. 1 Comment

For millions of U.S. citizens the cross-border travel experience is about to change. As of January 31, 2008, all U.S. citizens must present two forms of government issued identification, including proof of citizenship, upon entry at land and sea ports of entry. The new requirement builds toward full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires U.S. citizens to obtain a Passport or alternative passport document for cross-border travel.

As part of its continued outreach efforts, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is hosting a one-day event on WHTI in Nogales, Arizona today to help inform the traveling public of the pending change as well as to provide an opportunity for citizens to interact with federal officials in charge of the travel initiative.

“The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the focus of our event here today, represents perhaps the greatest change to the cross-border travel experience to-date,” stated J. Art Macias, Jr., Chairman of the Border Trade Alliance in his opening remarks in Nogales.

The BTA continues to work with both stakeholders and policy makers to achieve a successful implementation of WHTI. Media is continuing to cover the topic of wait-times and WHTI as the impending deadline approaches.

In an recent article on wait-times in the Washington Post, BTA President, Maria Luisa O’Connell, is quoted regarding the border region’s concern with revenue losses:

“Instead of choosing to travel to come shopping and have dinner four times, they’re going to choose to do it only once,” she said. “It’s a huge income concern for cities in the U.S. … What we’re worried about is the perception that people will say, ‘Why bother?’ if it is going to be hard to cross.”

Another article from the Daily Texan, discusses the potential impacts of the the WHTI document verification implementation and addresses much of the uncertainty surrounding the impacts of the deadline:

“ambiguous deadline from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State,” said Diana Lauritson, policy and project coordinator for the Border Trade Alliance, a grass-roots organization that addresses issues affecting trade and economic development in North America. Lauritson said border residents are confused about what proof of documentation must be shown when crossing the border and when they are required to show it.

Arizona Republic ran a story regarding the fear of increased border delays as the ID checks begin on the implementation date, once again quoting BTA President, Maria Luisa O’Connell:

“I’m very worried,” said Maria Luisa O’Connell, president of the Border Trade Alliance, a Phoenix-based group that pushes for easier transit between the U.S. and its neighbors. “(Customs and Border Patrol agents) are going to have to verify for two forms of ID for everybody who’s in the car, and if someone isn’t going to have it, it’s really going to increase the time but not make us more safe.”

Finally, South Texas Live Reported on CBP’s efforts to provide outreach and listen to border concerns through meetings with the Border Trade Alliance and other border organizations, as well as communicating directly with communities through the conference in Nogales, AZ today. Diana Lauritson is quoted a number of times regarding CBP’s cooperation with the outreach efforts and the mitigation of wait-times:

“CBP did a good job in addressing problems last summer, but are they ready to address another surge?”

“We didn’t leave the meeting with any new ground-breaking information, but we did leave with a better understating of where we all stand on the critical issues affecting our borders, as well as a commitment to work together to overcome these challenges.”Lauritson continues, “BTA is worried about multiple deadlines and hardships for people living on the border… We support WHTI and border security, but we also want economic security.”

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Dec 04

DHS Informs Public of New Document Requirements for Cross-Border Travel

Published by Director of Policy.
in Travel & Immigration. 2 Comments

Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a press release with preliminary information regarding the pending new document requirement for travel at land ports of entry. The new document requirements will be implemented on January 31, 2008 and will replace the previous acceptable practice of oral declarations of citizenship when re-entering the United States from Canada and Mexico.

Important reminders about the requirements following the deadline that are discussed in the release:

  • Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted
  • U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
  • Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate
  • Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel

Read the full WHTI release from DHS…

Next week the Border Trade Alliance will host a meeting, in conjunction with the City of Nogales, Arizona Office of Tourism, DHS, and the Department of State (DOS) on the new document requirements as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) on December 11th in Nogales, AZ. Registration and sponsorship information, as well as a current agenda can be found in the Regional Meetings area of our site, or contact Luis Arellano at 800-333-5523 ext.101.

Since WHTI was mandated by Congress and announced as a formal program by DHS and DOS, the BTA has worked to educate and involve the public in the secure traveler program’s implementation. Read More →

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Nov 30

WHTI: Changing the Travel Experience at the U.S. Border - Part 2

Published by Policy.
in Advocacy, Travel & Immigration. 2 Comments

Yesterday, we shared background information on the forthcoming largest change in cross-border travel to-date. Today we will focus on some of the concerns that have arisen in anticipation of WHTI being implemented at land ports-of-entry. The BTA has supported WHTI as a means to improve security and the efficiency of cross-border travel. The foundation for the BTA’s concerns center on DHS and DOS’ ability to conduct proper outreach to the traveling public, train border officers, ensure for the availability of passports and alternative documents and receive adequate resources from Congress to implement the travel initiative

Ongoing Concerns Regarding WHTI

The ambiguous and changing deadlines for new document requirements, a general lack of awareness about the availability of alternative travel documents, and insufficient public outreach and education about WHTI are cause for significant concern for the BTA. The ever-changing deadlines are confusing and make it difficult to communicate the requirements of WHTI to the public. Although Congress extended the deadline for WHTI implementation to June of 2009, the Department of State website noted that, “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.” Secretary Chertoff has implied in media interviews that WHTI may be implemented by mid to late next year.

Implementation of WHTI will only be successful if the traveling public is well informed about the program’s deadlines, alternative document options and requirements.
Although it was recently announced that PASS Cards are expected to be available in April of 2008, many border community residents were unaware of any details about the PASS Card, or the availability of other WHTI compliant documents. The BTA has received reports that some constituents in border communities are picking up extra shifts and taking out loans to cover the cost of passports for the entire family in anticipation of a January deadline. More effort needs to be made by DHS and DOS to inform the public about the new document requirements. The implementation of WHTI is a huge change of life for residents of border communities who cross the border on a daily basis for recreational, familial, educational and commercial purposes.

The livelihoods of millions of border community residents needs to be taken into consideration when DHS and DOS are implementing WHTI, and they need to be conducting outreach strategies that will ensure that residents are adequately prepared for such a significant transition in their cross-border travel experience. WHTI ultimately affects any U.S. citizen traveling to Canada, the Caribbean or Mexico, therefore public outreach campaigns should not be limited only to the border regions. To-date, the travel industry has largely shouldered the burden of informing the public about WHTI. The federal government and agencies responsible for implementing the new requirement need to employ a comprehensive marketing strategy to spread the word. It is disturbing that for such an important travel initiative with such a fast-approaching deadline, many U.S. citizens have never even heard of WHTI.

BTA Position on WHTI

The Border Trade Alliance believes that homeland security can coexist with economic security. The nationwide media attention given to wait times at the ports of entry, along with the BTA’s aggressive grassroots campaign to inform the media, Congress and the public about challenges at the ports of entry has led some government agencies and officials to come to the conclusion that the BTA does not fully support measures aimed at securing our homeland. The truth is, the BTA supports security, not the appearance of security. We support effective legislation that efficiently uses the resources generated by our hard-working taxpayers. We support WHTI, but we will continue to advocate for it to be implemented in a way that is conducive to the needs of the general public and that protects our economic security. We will also continue to call upon lawmakers to provide sufficient funding and resources to federal agencies so that they may be successful in implementing the programs and policies mandated by Congress.

The mission of the BTA is to be the voice of the border, and we will continue to bring the challenges and concerns of our constituents to the attention of the media, Congress, and the nation until those issues are addressed.

BTA Advocacy

Recently the BTA met with representatives from CBP and DHS to discuss WHTI as well as other border issues. The meeting served as an opportunity for each group to discuss its positions on the critical issues affecting our borders, as well as a commitment to work together to overcome these challenges. The BTA offered its assistance to CBP and DOS to educate the public about WHTI requirements, and in return they agreed to participate in BTA meetings as a means of disseminating this information. Our first meeting will take place on December 11th in Nogales, AZ. Registration information and a current agenda can be found in the Regional Meetings area of our site, or contact Luis Arellano at 800-333-5523 ext.101.

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