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Passports & Border Crossing Information
House
Votes to Delay Implementation of WHTI Until June 2009
Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28),
Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, today announced that the House
overwhelmingly voted to prohibit the implementation of Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative (WHTI) anytime before June 2009. The FY 2008 Homeland
Security Appropriations Bill passed by the House of Representatives
today by a vote of 268 to 150. In addition to delaying WHTI, the bill also included language authored
by Rep. Slaughter to withhold $100 million from the funds required by
the Department of Homeland Security to implement WHTI until DHS has determined
if driver's licenses can be enhanced to meet the WHTI's requirements.
The Slaughter language also requires DHS to fully test its proposed
passport card before making it publicly available and develop a plan
for land implementation that will be shared with the public. Finally,
Rep. Slaughter's provision requires that DHS submit a report to Congress
on the success of the driver's license pilot program, and reveal its
overall WHTI roadmap before being allowed to put the proposed WHTI documentary
requirements into place.
"After over two and a half years of fighting against WHTI, I am
pleased to see that Congress overwhelmingly rebuked the Administration
today by delaying the implementation of the flawed program until mid-2009," said
Rep. Slaughter. "We sent a clear signal that we don't trust the
Administration to get WHTI done right."
"Travel and trade which cross the northern border every day between
America and Canada are critical to our economy and to northern economic
security, and we must never sacrifice our relationship with Canada in
a misguided attempt to increase border security. I have long said that
economic security and physical security are not mutually exclusive. We
can, and must, have both."
Friday, June 15, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT
Frank Benenati (202) 225-2888
John Santore (202) 225-2888
In 2007 Passports are not required to cross the
US/Canadian Border by land & sea
(for example by automobile, motorcycle, RV, ship,
or ferries). They may be required as early as January
2008
To enter Canada you need 2 forms of ID, one with a photo of yourself. Examples of appropriate ID are: a valid driver’s licence, birth certificate, baptismal certificate or passport. Your ID should indicate citizenship. All children under the age of 18, whether or not travelling with their parents, must have ID and a telephone number so that their travel arrangements can be confirmed by Customs if necessary.
*Note: Passports are required as of Jan. 23, 2007 to enter the US by air
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