What impact does recent legislation have on the date of implementation for the land and sea phase?
While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place to implement the land and sea phase by the original deadline of January 1, 2008. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement. For many years, U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere including Canadians and Mexicans with Border Crossing Cards (BCCs or Laser Visas), have not been required to present a passport to enter he United States. Currently, a traveler may make a verbal declaration of citizenship, or present other forms of documents to enter the country that cannot currently be validated or verified in a timely manner, such as birth certificates and drivers licenses. Q. What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative? The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South Ameri
