June 1, 2009. WHTI | Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - Documents needed

On June 1, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect at land and sea ports of entry, requiring travelers – including U.S. and Canadian citizens – to present an approved travel
document to enter the United States.

The approved documents include a passport, a passport card, a NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST trusted traveler program card or a state- or province-issued enhanced driver’s license. Travelers under age 16 need to present only a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship.

Visit www.GetYouHome.gov for specific information on acceptable documents and how to apply for them.

Travelers without appropriate travel documents may face delays as CBP officers attempt to verify identity and citizenship.

WHTI-compliant documents include:

• U.S. or Canadian passports;
  
• Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST);
  
• U.S. Passport Card;
  
• State- or province-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (when and where available);
  
• Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) enhanced tribal cards;
  
• Military identification cards presented by members of the U.S. armed forces traveling on
  official orders; and
  
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens, when conducting official maritime
  business).

U.S. Permanent Residents:

If you travel by AIR: Lawful permanent residents of the United States should present acceptable evidence of their lawful residence status when entering the country, such as a Permanent Resident Card (I-551) and a valid passport of their country of origin.

If you travel by LAND or SEA: You should present acceptable evidence of lawful residence status when entering the country, such as a Permanent Resident Card (I-551). A passport is not required.

NEXUS is a joint CBP-Canada Border Services Agency program that both governments
implemented to enhance border security while simplifying the entry process for pre-approved, owrisk travelers.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the joint DHS-Department of State plan that
implements a 9/11 Commission recommendation and Congressional mandate to establish
document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt,
including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. WHTI document requirements for air travel
went into effect in 2007. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

If you would like to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer about the WHTI requirements, contact the San Jose immigration attorneys of Muston & Jack, P.C.,  and schedule a time to meet via telephone or in person to discuss the situation in detail.