Since April 2005, the Binational Tourism Alliance has been working on changes to this critical legislation with local, regional, provincial, state and national colleagues and politicians.

For the most up to date news on this important issue, please refer back to this section on a regular basis. 

For updated information on current travel identification requirements, please click here.

June 13, 2008
Change in document procedures, please click here

May 22, 2008 
Governor Patterson Announces Federal Agreement to Issue Enhanced Driver Licences in New York State  
for complete information, please click here


March 27, 2008
Homeland Security and State Departments Announce WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule
For complete information please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1206634226418.shtm

January 28, 2008
Canada Border Services Agency:
Update On Recent Developments Related to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and a Reminder for Documentation Required Effective January 31, 2008 for Entry into the U.S. by Land and Water.
please click here

January 2008
New travel document requirements
Travelers Reminded of New Document Requirements Beginning January 31, 2008
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State remind the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry.
For complete information click here   For current requirements as well as after January 31, 2008, please click here

January 2008 

Marine Travel:

For updated information for recreational boaters entering Canada, please click here

For updated information for recreational boaters entering the U.S., please click here

June 2007
DHS June 20, 2007 WHTI Land and Sea NPRM Press Release  please click here

DHS June 20, 2007 WHTI Land and Sea NPRM Fact Sheet  please click here

DHS June 20, 2007 WHTI Land and Sea NPRM Frequently Asked Questions  please click here

DHS WHTI Land and Sea NPRM  please click here

December 5, 2007
Fact Sheet: Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL)

DHS is pursuing development of alternative documents to meet Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implementation requirements at land and sea ports of entry. DHS is encouraging states to submit proposals to enhance their driver’s licenses and identification documents to satisfy WHTI requirements. To meet WHTI requirements, these documents will denote both identity and citizenship, be issued in a secure process and include technology that facilitates travel.  
Read more...

December 2007
Department of Homeland Security Launches New Website for WHTI

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm

Coalition Border Report Information:

Feb 28, 2008, Ottawa - From The Economist print edition: Canada and the United States: A Fence in the North, too
For Americans the border is a security issue; for Canadians it is a vital business artery that has become clogged.
Read full article

Below is a document prepared by Finance Canada that highlights six of the recommendations in the coalition border report entitled Finding the Balance: Reducing Border Costs While Strengthening Security, that were addressed in Budget 2008.  Canadian and U.S. Chambers of Commerce Report on Borders - Recommendations for Canadian Government addressed in Budget 2008 - click here for report

November 6, 2007
Disney Responds to Passport Confusion - Toronto

In the article, Disney provides helpful tips for obtaining a Canadian passport and offers a FREE passport photo at CAA locations for the first 10,000 people who download the coupon.

Read complete article

October 27, 2007
Department of Homeland Security Chief Calls New York Licenses "Among The Most Secure In The Nation" - Governor Eliot Spitzer today stood with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to announce an agreement that will make New York’s licensing system the most secure and most comprehensive license system in the country – one that will offer New Yorkers maximum choice for drivers licenses, uphold the strictest security standards and ensure the economic vitality of Upstate New York. read full press release

October 3, 2007
Document Requirements for Air Travel within Canada Changed 

As of September 18, an exemption applying to children between 12 and 17 expired, bringing into full effect Canada’s Identity Screening Regulations which were first introduced in June, 2007 as an element of the Passenger Protect Program. These regulations require that anyone over the age of 12, traveling by air within Canada must have a valid, government-issued piece of photo ID.  If the traveler does not have photo ID, two pieces of government-issued ID (without the photo) will be necessary.  Acceptable ID is listed on the government’s website at http://www.passengerprotect.gc.ca/identity.html#exemption, and must include the name, date of birth and gender of the bearer.

In addition, the name on the ID must exactly match the name on the boarding pass. 

The Passenger Protect Program also includes the Specified Persons List.  Anyone included on this list (updated every 30 days) could be denied boarding a flight. 

September 27, 2007
Vermont agrees to implement an Enhanced Driver's Licence pilot program.

Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Vermont Governor Jim Douglas signed an MOU yesterday making Vermont the nation's second state (after Washington) to implement an enhanced driver's license pilot program. 
read full article

Oct. 1, 2007
IMPORTANT REMINDER:

August 30, 2007
Official Comment of the Government of Canada:  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at Land and Sea Ports of Entry

please click here to read

August 27, 2007
BTA WHTI Land/Sea Response 
click here to read

August 27, 2007
Americans for Better Borders WHTI Land/Sea Response 
click here

August 17, 2007
WHTI UPDATE – Online NEXUS Application Launched

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that cross-border travelers wishing to apply for Nexus privileges are now able to do so through a new, online application system. 
click here for more information

August 17, 2007
WHTI UPDATE - Online SENTRI Application Launched

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that southern border crossers may now utilize a Web tool to apply for and administer their participation in CBP’s Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) program. (United States / Mexico border) 
click here for more information in English      chascar aquí para más información en español

August 1, 2007
WHTI Update:

President Bush signs Schumer Bill that would break Months-Long Passport gridlock
read more

July 20
HOWARD ZEMSKY testifies for BTA July 20 in Buffalo - first public meeting by Congressional Homeland Security Committee to obtain feedback on WHTI Land/Sea NPRM

read testimony

July 20, 2007
Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority WHTI Testimony 
read testimony

June 27, 2007
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES SCHUMER BILL TO break Months-Long Passport GRIDLOCK AND HIRE BACK EXPERIENCED STAFF TO SPEED UP PROCESSING

Schumer Legislation Allows Dept. of State to Hire Back Foreign Service Employees Who Are Trained Passport Processors  read more

June 26, 2007
HOMELAND SECURITY

New Driver's Licenses Get Green Light Amid Passport Snarl - by Chris Strohm,

The Homeland Security Department is showing increasing flexibility by allowing states to use

tamper-proof driver's licenses to meet new border security requirements, and House Rules Chairwoman Slaughter is pushing for her state to help lead the way.
read more

June 26, 2007
WHTI Land/Marine Update - Press Release from Congresswoman Slaughter's office in Washington

Washington, DC – Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-Fairport), Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, today announced that a planned House Homeland Security Committee field hearing on issues surrounding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will take place in Buffalo on Friday, July 20th.
read more

June 25, 2007
WHTI gets further discussion - TravelPress.com 

US Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, chairwoman of the US House Rules Committee, hosted US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in Buffalo today on a tour of the Peace Bridge and a roundtable discussion on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
read more

June 20, 2007
Rep. Slaughter Questions Department of Homeland Security's Proposed WHTI Regulations

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, today responded to the Department of Homeland Security's proposed regulations for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.  Rep. Slaughter has been the leading voice in Congress against WHTI.
read more

June 15, 2007
The National Review

Passport Incompetence to the Slaughter
Tripping up the government.
By Stephen Spruiell
In the wake of the Bush administration's failure to prepare for an increase in passport applications that has now overloaded the system, a provision in the Homeland Security appropriations bill would cut off the funding for a plan that would lead to even bigger increases.
read more

June 2007
House Votes to Delay Implementation of  WHTI Until June 2009

Press release from the office of Representative Louise M. Slaughter; Chairwoman, House Committee on Rules; Representing New York's 28th District

read press release here

Please note this is the Congressional Vote and has yet to be passed by the Senate. We'll keep you informed as we receive more information.

June 15, 2007
US votes to delay implementation of WHTI until June 2009 - Travel Press.com
read breaking news here

June 8, 2007
Joint Departments of State and Homeland Security Announcement: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility Within Western Hemisphere

Media Note - Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC 

see announcement here

June 11, 2007
NTA applauds US passport delay - Travel Press

The Bush administration’s decision to delay air requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law that would require US citizens to have a passport when re-entering the United States from Canada, is being supported by the National Tour Association.
see more

June 7, 2007
WHTI PASSPORT RULE – POTENTIAL SHORT TERM SUSPENSION

see article here

June 6, 2007
WHTI Washington Update - Important update from Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s office regarding DHS Appropriations (approved funding) for WHTI implementation in 2008.

see information here           for copy of FY08 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, click here

HR 1684 Manager's amendment (May 2007), click here -- the WHTI language is on pages 22-30, Sections 1118 and 1119

April 24, 2007
"Border driver's licence plan gains traction" (Toronto Star - Tim Harper, Washington Bureau)

WASHINGTON - More northern U.S. border states are expected to request permission to test enhanced drivers' licences for their residents returning from Canada - a move Ontario officials are hailing as major progress in their battle to ease tough new land-border requirements.

see more

Letter of Support for Congresswoman Slaughter's PACT Act March 28, 2007

Coordinated Clearance Coalition Monitor (previously known as the Perimeter Clearance Coalition) - April 29, 2007

COORDINATED CLEARANCE COALITION VISION UNVEILED

Coordination:

 -  within and between governments

 -  public and private sector activities

 -  transportation and border security efforts

What is Coordinated Clearance - Point of Departure Determination?   see more

Perimeter Clearance Coalition Monitor - March 07, 2007 Edition

Border Focus Group Recommends Low-Risk Traveler Program Expansion

The Can/Am Border Trade Alliance NEXUS Focus Group is celebrating the cooperative binational efforts to further low-risk traveler systems.  Started in early 2006, the forum involves political leaders, inspection agencies, and industry, with staff from Northern Border Causus House Co-Chairs, and Congresswoman Slaughter.  see more