Officials struggle to finalize cross-border re-entry demands, suggest preparedness

December 6, 2007
By Tiffin E. Evans
Special to LIVE!

People have used only an oral declaration of citizenship to seamlessly cross the border from Canada or Mexico into the United States for years; that will soon come to an end in January. And by Summer 2008, U.S. citizens will be required to have a valid passport to gain re-entry to the U.S. from Mexico.

On January 31, 2008, the first phase of the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will begin.  This initiative was designed by the Department of Homeland Security (DOHS) to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for American citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation.

Kelly Klundt, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington D.C. says, “The intent of this transition is to raise awarenessof the requirement to present secure documents that denote citizenship and identity, as recommended by the 9/11 Commission and passed into law in 2004.   This phased approach allows travelers to obtain the necessary documents to satisfy WHTI final implementation and to get accustomed to the new requirements at the land and sea ports of entry.”

Klundt states that their office will issue a press release in December about the issue, making this information the most current available.  The initiative requires U.S. citizens to present either a WHTI-compliant document or a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization.  In the summer of 2008, the second phase commences.  At that time most U.S. citizens entering the United States must display a valid passport.

Steve Hernandez, sales and service associate at the U.S. Post Office in Del Rio, is coping with the implementation of the travel initiatives.  Hernandez confirms the January 31, 2008 date as the day that oral declarations of citizenship would no longer suffice.  He stresses the need for documentation to travel back into the United States from land or sea.  Hernandez says that so far, the Del Rio post office has managed the high volume of passport applications, but over the past summer getting them processed was a problem.  “CBP hired people to accommodate processing times that were taking up to four months.” By mid-September the time lag greatly diminished, and his customers are now informing him that their passports are arriving in as little as two or three weeks.

Passport applicants can speed the application process by obtaining appointments at the post office.  It is best to apply for your passport several months before you are scheduled to travel.  A passport application is normally processed within six weeks.  The cost is $97 for an adult and $82 for children age 15 or younger.  This process can be expedited for an additional fee of $60. Hernandez encourages his customers to avoid the rush processing if at all possible.  Some customers were finding that their rushed passports were taking no less time than regular ones. And that is causing complaints.  Apparently some customers were refunded for this inconvenience.  Planning ahead is the best approach.  Another possibility is to drive farther into the state, such as to Sonora, to file your application if wait time is a major concern.  Those offices are not experiencing the large volume of applicants experienced in the border towns.

According to the U.S. Department of State travel Web site, (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/ ), other WHTI-compliant documents allowed will include U.S. passport cards; a “trusted traveler” card such as NEXUS (joint Canada/U.S border clearance card), FAST (CBP’s Free And Secure Trade pass), or SENTRI (CBP’s Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection); a valid Merchant Mariner Document; or identification appropriate for travel while on military orders or maritime business.  The 2008 implementation date will provide at least 60 days notice with a formal announcement.  And these requirements will not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning from a U.S. territory such as Guam or Puerto Rico.

The changes required by the implementation of WHTI come as somewhat of a culture shock to many border towns like Del Rio.  Worries and rumors are common as people prepare for the worst.  The Border Trade Alliance (BTA), Phoenix, Ariz., is a grassroots, non-profit organization that serves as a forum for participants to address key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America.  This organization informs communities about these changes to allay fears and correct rumors.  Diana Lauritson, policy and projects coordinator says, “CBP did a good job in addressing problems last summer, but are they ready to address another surge?”

To answer that question and others, BTA representatives recently traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with the CBP officials.  Lauritson traveled with BTA President Maria Luisa O’Connell and several board members to address concerns. CBP provided information about wait times, WHTI, “trusted traveler” programs and other challenges at the Ports of Entry (POEs).  BTA was informed that Department of State (DOS) “People Access Security Service” (PASS) cards currently under development will be issued in April of 2008.  PASS cards have limited use, as wallet IDs for land and sea travel only.

Lauritson says, “We didn’t leave the meeting with any new ground-breaking information, but we did leave with a better understating of where we all stand on the critical issues affecting our borders, as well as a commitment to work together to overcome these challenges.”

Lauritson continues, “BTA is worried about multiple deadlines and hardships for people living on the border… We support WHTI and border security, but we also want economic security.” BTA officials are concerned about inefficiency and confusion caused by changing document requirements, such as the January 2008 requirement for two forms of federally-issued documents as proof of citizenship.

In keeping with their goal to inform the public, BTA and the city of Nogales, Ariz., will host a conference, Tuesday, Dec. 11, for community and government officials to address issues surrounding WHTI.  Linda Henderson, general manager, Del Rio Chamber of Commerce says that the chamber is a member organization of BTA, and the Phoenix officials are invited to Del Rio almost annually.  “Probably after the turn of the year, we will be inviting them down here so we can stay informed,” Henderson says.

The federal legislation BTA advocates is the Leahy-Stevens Amendment.  This amendment provides for a 17-month shift for implementation to June 1, 2009.  U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) states on his Web site, “It will be far easier and less harmful to fix these problems before this system goes into effect than to have to mop up the mess afterward.”  The amendment provides stiff standards to be met before full implementation of WHTI.

Many organizations are worried about requirements for citizenship documentation of children.  The State Department Web site is vague: “DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at this time,” referring to the January 31, 2008, date.  BTA was informed that for the January deadline, children will be required to have a birth certificate only.  What to expect for the second phase of WITI implementation is still uncertain.

Hernandez points out that providing passports for large families is certainly quite expensive, and children’s passports are only valid for five years while adult passports are good for ten years.  How this issue will be treated remains a concern that is probably felt more in border communities than elsewhere in the country. Large families living on the southern border cross frequently to visit family, receive medical and dental care, and share in community events and religious celebrations.  For these people the new requirements at the POE will certainly be a strain.

As of now, appointments for passport applications at the Del Rio post office are booked full through the middle of December.  The Post Office will not be making passport appointments for the remainder of the year while they focus on holiday shipping.  Hernandez urged customers to call or come by the post office on Bedell Avenue on December 3, 2007, to register for appointments beginning again on January 3, 2008.  For more information on the BTA’s work and details about their upcoming events visit their website at www.thebta.org