U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reminds travelers that from January 31, 2008, border officials will be required to present their IDs and IDs as they enter the United States via land and sea ports. This change is particularly significant for citizens of the United States and Canada, who have been permitted to enter only verbally, and it marks the switch to standard and unadulterated text for all travelers entering the country. It is also the start of a dynamic and integrated public education campaign, aimed at informing travelers of the writing requirements for next year's press.
"For the safety of the American people, the United States cannot have a border compliance program," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Seeking secure and reliable documents at our borders will greatly reduce the security risks involved in allowing oral-based access. As travelers become accustomed to carrying documents across the border, and as we move forward with stricter document requirements, our border officials will be able to quickly and confidently identify border crossing travelers. ”
As of Jan. 31 this year, U.S. citizens and Canadians 19 years and older should not expect the oral declaration alone to prove their identity and citizenship. Instead, travelers will be asked to submit documents from a specific list of acceptable documents upon entering the U.S. in land and sea ports of entry. Examples include birth certificates and driving licenses. A complete list of acceptable documents is available for travelers at checkpoints and is also available at www.cbp.gov. Travelers who do not deliver one of these documents may be delayed while U.S. officials Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seek to protect their identity and citizenship. Children 18 years and under will only need to present a birth certificate.
In order to continue to protect our borders from illegal entry, the U.S. will no longer be able to receive travelers on the basis of a person 's claim to be a citizen. Between October and December 2007 alone, CBP officials reported 1,517 cases of people falsely claiming to be U.S. citizens. Last month, CBP officials ruled that the man who falsely claimed to be an American citizen was wanted on a California murder charge. The man was released on parole to enter the U.S. and was transferred to the custody of the San Diego Sheriff's Department. Separately, numerous reports from the Government Accountability Office and the Auditor-General have identified weaknesses related to oral announcements and sub-documents.
Regular and consistent documents are essential for border officials to accurately determine acceptance in the United States. Change of Jan. 31 is a step forward from a large scale that allows travelers to bring in a limited number of documents, such as baptism certificates, to convince CBP officials of their nationality. This change will allow leading officers to limit evaluation compared to a smaller set of documents, and CBP has existing procedures in place to verify the authenticity of suspicious driver's licenses and to prevent the use of fake or altered licenses.
DHS has maintained a consistent public awareness campaign and information to ensure that the traveling public is aware of the new requirements for travel documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Changes beginning in Jan. 31 will allow travelers to become familiar with the need to present the relevant documents. Travelers applying for an entry card, passport, Travel Arrangements, or other secure documents prove both nationality and identity due to the January change. 31 will not need to take further steps to meet the final requirements of WHTI when it is fully operational in June. 2009.
U.S. citizens they may start applying early in the U.S. New Passport Card on Feb. 1, 2008, anticipate the requirements for a travel document. The US Department of State expects the cards to be available and sent to applicants in the spring of 2008.
Although DHS was the first to introduce new requirements in early summer of 2008, the 2008 Budget Bill, passed by Congress last month, barred the department from implementing these new requirements until June 2009.
You must be logged in to post a comment.