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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.

Jul 01

BTA Pressing for Border Priorities in Federal Spending Bill

Published by PR.
in Advocacy, Infrastructure, Legislation. 2 Comments
111th-congress, Border Infrastrucutre, WHTI, economic-stimulus, Border Trade Alliance, border security, DHS, GSA, CBP

 

Border Trade Alliance Urges Congressional Attention to Continued Underfunding of Aged Land Ports and Border Security Initiatives

Washington D.C. July 1, 2009 - Today, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) pressed the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure secure trade and travel at our borders is made a priority, in-line with the $830 billion in annual economic activity it generates, in upcoming federal spending bills.

Currently, the House and Senate versions of the FY10 DHS Appropriations bill are absent funding for critical land port infrastructure upgrades and may fail to match the President’s budget request for previously mandated border security initiatives. This combination of budgetary shortfalls threatens to undermine the secure movement of more than 45.7 million pedestrians, 10.7 million commercial trucks, and 107.5 million personal vehicles - to a sum of over 3/4 of a trillion in economic activity at our land borders. In 2008, Michigan alone handled nearly $67 billion in surface trade with Canada.

Most U.S. land ports were built half a century or more ago without the adequate infrastructure to handle the tremendous growth in trade and implementation of the many layers of security now in place at all U.S. land ports of entry. BTA is urging Congress to address the continued need for more capacity on our bridges, more cargo and passenger lanes at our land ports of entry, and a greater number of staffed inspection booths to securely and efficiently facilitate the tremendous volume of trade and travel at our ports.

“Clearly, with studies showing that U.S-Mexico cross-border delays cost $716 million in output losses and 3,600 jobs in labor losses in California alone, solutions to these problems would pay for themselves.”, said BTA President Maria Luisa O’Connell. “Our border states, and the nation at large, should not have to continue to bare the burdens of the historic underfunding of our land ports.”
Read More →

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Jun 18

New Passport Bill Ensures U.S. Citizens Born Outside Hospitals Are Not Denied

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, Legislation, Travel & Immigration. 4 Comments
Passport WHTI Pic

 

Border Trade Alliance Urges Congressional Action on Congressman Ortiz’ WHTI Improvement Act

Washington D.C. June 18, 2009 - Border Trade Alliance (BTA) today announces its full support of an important bill recently introduced by Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27), to address a significant issue impacting the issuance of U.S. passports to citizens.  BTA strongly urges Congress to take immediate action to pass the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Improvement Act, H.R. 2812.

On June 1, 2009 the Department of Homeland Security implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) at all U.S. land ports of entry.  WHTI requires U.S. citizens to present a U.S. passport or other acceptable government issued documentation to provide proof of citizenship upon reentry into the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.  Many U.S. citizens born outside hospitals via midwives or at other alternative health care facilities have been denied passports as the documentation issued as record of their births has been deemed unacceptable for use as evidence of citizenship by the U.S. Department of State (State).

“Congressman Ortiz’ legislation creates a clear, transparent procedure for individual U.S. citizens born outside the traditional hospital setting to obtain U.S. passports or alternative acceptable documentation in order to return to the United States after traveling abroad,” stated Erin Martin Ward, Chair of the BTA.  “This legislation provides for adequate due process for all U.S. citizens in applying for a passport, which fulfills the intent of Congress when it mandated WHTI in 2006.  We thank Congressman Ortiz and the cosponsors of this bill for their attention to this important matter impacting tens of thousands of our fellow citizens.”

Congressmen  (TX-20), Grijalva (AZ-7), Hinojosa (TX-15), Reyes (TX-16), and Rodriguez (TX-23) joined Congressman Ortiz in support of this legislation as cosponsors. 

Each year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 25,000 U.S. citizens are born outside hospitals.  Rural communities and border states along the U.S. shared border with Canada and Mexico have the highest rates of citizens born outside the traditional hospital setting.  At the same time, many of these U.S. citizens in border regions have livelihoods that are largely dependent on cross-border travel, but under WHTI are restricted from re-entering the U.S. without a passport or other WHTI compliant document.

The BTA has been integrally involved throughout the development of WHTI rules and documentation by DHS and State in advance of its implementation at U.S. land ports of entry.  The BTA supports WHTI and successfully advocated for increased public outreach of the new travel program and its requirements; the development of a lower-cost alternative acceptable document, the PASS card; and the commitment of adequate federal resources to ensure for a smooth transition for cross-border travel upon WHTI implementation at land border crossings on June 1, 2009.

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Jun 01

DHS Designates additional WHTI-compliant documents

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

MichEDL

 

The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have designated enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs) and identification documents issued by the States of Vermont and Michigan and the Canadian Provinces of Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario as acceptable documents for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).  CBP began requiring WHTI documentation today under the June 1, 2009 mandated implementation date required by Congress.  EDLs from the States of New York and Washington were previously designated as WHTI-compliant documents by CBP.  EDLs and other WHTI-compliant documents are now required for admittance into the United States at land and sea ports of entry for travelers within North America and the Caribbean.

If you have experience with EDL, Passport, or PASS Cards availability/access under WHTI, please join our Twitter Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - TWHTI project.  Simply post your location, experience, and #WHTI to your twitter account.  You can follow updates at our twitter account @thebta

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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 14

BTA Testifies on WHTI Implementation Readiness Before U.S. House Homeland Security Committee

Published by Policy.
in Advocacy, Legislation, Travel & Immigration. 0 Comments

MLO WHTI Testimony photo

 

Praising the U.S. Federal Government for steps taken to ensure WHTI’s success, BTA shares concerns of Subcommittee members about public readiness and economic impact of June 1st implementation

WASHINGTON D.C. - On May 7th, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) testified 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?”  One of two private sector organizations selected to testify before the committee hearing, BTA joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and public sector leaders from DHS, State Dept., and CBP, to provide recommendations and voice concerns regarding WHTI implementation.

Implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) on June 1st, 2009 at U.S. border crossings is likely to have the largest impact on the land border crossing experience of any of the secure traveler programs to date. While SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and other programs are voluntary in nature, WHTI mandates that all U.S. citizens traveling within North America and the Caribbean have a valid Passport, PASS Card, or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL).

Despite wide spread improvements and great strides by the Federal Government - including strong public outreach campaigns, increased documentation availability, and uniform technology standards - in the lead up to the final implementation deadline of June 1st, 2009, BTA testified that the economic impacts of WHTI remain uncertain.  Sharing a number of the Subcommittee member concerns on implementation readiness, BTA also called for an end to the long standing underinvestment in resources and infrastructure at our nations ports of entry.

Witnesses at the hearing included:

Dr. Richard Barth, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development, Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Thomas Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection
Mr. John Brennan, Senior Policy Advisor, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State
Ms. Maria Luisa O’Connell, President, Border Trade Alliance
Mr. Angelo Amador, Director of Immigration Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The following is the Border Trade Alliance written testimony submitted to the subcommittee hearing: 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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Jul 29

Impacts of DHS Presidential Transition On Borders Uncertain

Published by Policy.
in Advocacy, Border Tech, Import & Export, Travel & Immigration. 0 Comments

Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is closely monitoring efforts at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as they prepare for a transition toward new leadership under the next presidential administration that will affect programs as wide raging as secure traveler initiatives to Border Fencing, which directly impact border communities and cross-border trade.

Faced with the agency’s first ever presidential transition, DHS has begun taking steps to prepare for this daunting milestone, but a recently released report (PDF Download) by the National Academy for Public Administration (NAPA) suggests there is still a long road ahead. Released in April, the NAPA report recommended 22 steps DHS should follow to prepare for the transition, finding that DHS has failed to take many of the necessary steps to ensure a successful transition, mainly in the area of staff. The panel found that as of March 20, 139 of DHS’ 775 executive positions were vacant, of which 83 of executive positions are politically appointed.

DHS has since hired a transitional director and other staff to aid in the process, but NAPA, the Administration Transition Task Force (ATTF) (PDF Download), and congressional committee leaders continue to stress the importance of presidential candidates choosing individuals for key positions as early as possible.

In addition to plans for transitioning leadership and staffing, BTA has received reports through its service on several federal advisory committees, including the DHS and Department of State’s Secure Borders Open Doors Advisory Committee, on efforts underway 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 10

REAL ID - What is it?

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

REAL ID

What Is It?

The REAL ID Act of 2005 was signed into law on May 11, 2005 as an attachment to the “Emergency Supplemental Appropriation for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005.” According to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website, the REAL ID Act is “a nationwide effort intended to prevent terrorism, reduce fraud, and improve the reliability and accuracy of identification documents that State governments issue.”

Title II of REAL ID called, “Improved Security for Driver’s Licenses and Personal Identification Cards,” addresses new standards for driver’s licenses and how they can be obtained, citing that drivers licenses will be subject to federal minimum standards for issuance and use. Up until the passage of REAL ID, the states had been solely in charge of issuing drivers licenses and identification cards, as well as setting the requirements for what is contained on the document, requirements to obtain the document, and how the databases for document holders are maintained. Title II contains the following provisions: Repeal of 9/11 Commission Implementation Act DL/ID Provisions, Minimum Standards for Federal Use, DL/ID Document Standards, Minimum DL/ID Issuance Standards, Verification of Documents, Immigration Requirements, Security and Fraud Prevention Standards, Data Retention and Storage, Linking of Databases, Grants to States and Authority. A description of each provision can be found at: http://www.ncsl.org/standcomm/sctran/realidsummary05.htm.

Requirements

At a minimum, the card must contain a person’s full legal name, date of birth, gender, driver’s license or ID number, digital photograph, address of legal residence, signature, physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication, and a common machine-readable technology with defined data elements. REAL ID is scheduled to go into effect on December 31, 2009. Non-compliance with the provisions of REAL ID will affect your ability to enter federal buildings, board a plane, get a job and open a bank account. Additionally, states are required to link their motor vehicle databases to all other states. A state database must contain at a minimum all of the information on the driver’s license or identification card, as well as drivers’ histories. Any state that does not comply with the linking database requirements will lose its federal funding.

Implications

Although the REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed overwhelmingly in the House, and unanimously in the Senate, there is real controversy surrounding this legislation. Opponents say that enacting the REAL ID ACT is tantamount to a National ID system that is “invasive, un-American, costly and an invitation to identity theft.” Furthermore, opponents of REAL ID claim that it is a violation of state sovereignty, as well as an unfunded mandate that puts an unfair burden on states to come up with the money to implement REAL ID. DHS estimates that REAL ID will cost over $23 billion dollars to implement, and Congress has only appropriated $40 million dollars to help states meet the requirements of REAL ID. In December 0f 2007, DHS issued a press release explaining how the $40 million dollars will be allocated to assist the states in complying with the requirements of REAL ID. Two grant programs were announced. The REAL ID Demonstration Grant Program provides $31.3 million that will go towards helping states link motor vehicle databases with other states and verify against federal records, while protecting personal information. The REAL ID Vital Events Verification State Project Grant will provide $4 million to help states verify birth certificates and other vital records. The remaining $4 million will be used to expand the pilot program by allowing states to acquire technology that will verify identification documents.

Sixteen states and Washington, D.C. have already passed legislation opposing REAL ID, and twenty-one states have legislation pending that opposes REAL ID, or at least some of the provisions of REAL ID. However, some states have taken steps to comply with REAL ID. Recently, Arizona, which has legislation pending that opposes REAL ID, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DHS to move forward with an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) that will not only serve as a driver’s license, but will also verify citizenship for land and sea border crossing purposes under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), and will have the capability to be aligned to comply with REAL ID requirements in the future.
California, Alabama, North Dakota and North Carolina, among others, have also taken measures to comply with REAL ID.

The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) will continue to monitor the implementation of the REAL ID Act to help ensure that it does not adversely impact border communities, trade and travel. The BTA will also continue to support state led initiatives such as EDL pilot programs that collaborate with DHS to assist the public in complying with federal legislation and initiatives such as the REAL ID ACT and WHTI.

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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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