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What is WHTI? |
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The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, WHTI, was
mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004, and addresses core 9/11 Commission findings for secure and reliable
identification documents. It requires all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico,
the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other approved document that
establishes the bearer's identity and nationality in order to enter or re-enter
the United States. |
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Passport Agency Updates
10/01/07
Effective Oct. 1, 2007, U.S. Citizens traveling by
air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a passport or
other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States.
The rule had gone into effect in January. But the State Department suspended it
when it could not keep up with the demand for new passports. Previously, air
passengers arriving from nearby countries had to show proof of citizenship only
at the discretion of border agents.
Starting next year, Americans traveling by sea or car within North America will
also need to show proof of citizenship. Travel to and from other continents has
long required passports.
Americans who left the country before the rule went into effect can return
without showing a passport. The passport rule is part of the government's
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
06/01/07
In response to the massive backlog in passport
applications — and delays of 3 to 6 months in processing these applications
— the State Department has suspended a passport requirement through Sept. 30 for
those who can prove they have applied. Under current policies announced June 8,
Americans flying to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied
for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the
United States by air with a government-issued photo identification and
Department of State official proof of application for a passport. All travelers
also must adhere to the entry requirements of each individual nation; Mexico,
for instance, requires visitors from other countries, including the United
States, to present proof of citizenship such as an original birth certificate or
naturalization certificate along with a photo ID.
Also according to the State Department, children younger that age 16 traveling
with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel by presenting
the child’s proof of application upon departure from and arrival to the United
States. Children traveling alone should carry a copy of their birth certificate,
baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States.
This suspension applies to the regulations implemented in January 2007, at which
point you were supposed to possess a passport to fly outside the United States,
even if you were just going to Mexico or Canada. This is an outgrowth of the
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which also covers travel to the Caribbean
and Bermuda. |
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EXPEDITED PASSPORT ASSISTANCE
Due to the extremely high daily call and e-mail
volume, many have been unsuccessful in getting through for answers to their
passport inquiries. This user friendly site and hotline were created to help get
your questions answered and your passports processed in a timely and efficient
manner.
NOTE: FOR NEW PASSPORT HOLDERS
You should realize that your passport is truly a
powerful document that requires protection now more then ever before. Identity
theft is a constant danger, and the last thing anyone wants is his or her name
attached to gun-running, drug smuggling or any sort of international fraud. More
importantly, your passport is the most effective proof that you are, in fact,
you. A passport makes life very easy, but a stolen passport can make life
extremely difficult. So take care in how you carry around and store your
passport so that no one can swipe it while you're shopping for souvenirs or
admiring the landscape.
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