BTA WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) Final Resolution

The Border Trade Alliance Board of Directors approved the following resolution on April 13, 2006. 

WHEREAS, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA), a grassroots, non-profit organization focused on issues affecting trade and economic development in North America for the last twenty years, calls upon the governments of all three NAFTA countries to make improvements in the management of our shared borders; and

WHEREAS, the BTA continuously monitors initiatives and programs in all three NAFTA nations that could result in unintended consequences that could economically impact sectors such as tourism and business activities as well as cross-cultural activities; and

WHEREAS, the Immigration Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to show a passport or other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved documents that establish identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and DHS announced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the departments’ joint plan to implement the requirements of the Immigration Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of State and DHS announced the creation of the People Access Security Service card (PASS card) that will satisfy the requirements of WHTI; and

WHEREAS, the BTA has submitted comments in response to an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that appeared in the Federal Register in which the BTA outlined multiple areas of consideration by DOS and DHS; and

WHEREAS, the BTA testified before a Senate Judiciary Committee field hearing and discussed our recommendations for implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative; and

WHEREAS, the BTA opposes any policy decisions that potentially impose irrevocable harm to the border regions’ economies;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

1. The U.S. Government shall implement WHTI in such a manner as to facilitate legitimate trade and travel;
2. The U.S. Government shall use technology for the implementation of WHTI that is compatible and integrated with other programs designed to enhance the nation’s efforts to protect the Homeland, such as US-VISIT, Border Crossing Cards (BCC), FAST, NEXUS, and SENTRI;
3. The U.S. Government shall consider the design of the PASS card, or any other related card to leverage existing technologies, systems and programs to allow for cross-functional, multi-purpose documents (whenever possible) to ensure that investments in other programs are leveraged and maximized for the benefit of the nation;
4. The U.S. Government shall consider alternatives to the U.S. Passport and the PASS card for border crossers, such as the BCC; FAST, NEXUS, and SENTRI cards; and other such documents where the applicant/holder has undergone an extensive background check and voluntarily offered biographic, biometric and other personal data that can help identify the individual as a low-risk traveler;
5. The U.S. Government shall ensure adequate infrastructure to process in a timely manner applications for travel documents under WHTI;
6. The U.S. Government shall assess the ability of DOS and DHS to implement WHTI every six months up to the proposed date of implementation.  If these assessments demonstrate an inability to effectively implement WHTI, the U.S. Government shall grant extensions to the deadlines until such time as WHTI can be implemented effectively, efficiently and will not hinder legitimate trade and travel;
7. The U.S. Government shall work with stakeholders throughout the U.S.-Mexico and the U.S.-Canada border regions to educate the traveling public and key sectors, including tourism, services,  and retail with regards to WHTI and the requirements for compliance;
8. The U.S. Government shall explore the creation of a special program within WHTI that meets the needs of the day, last minute or spontaneous traveler to ensure that the traveling public retains the ability and freedom to travel throughout North America at will;
9. The U.S. Government shall coordinate and cooperate with state governments as the various provisions of the REAL ID Act that affect the issuance of new driver’s licenses are implemented to ensure that any new credentials to be issued can be integrated into broader Homeland Security strategies, including WHTI, and that the states receive the necessary funding and resources to implement these provisions in an effective and efficient manner;
10. The U.S. Government shall ensure that the PASS card, and any other alternative proof of citizenship shall be deemed affordable and not cost-prohibitive, including the consideration for multiple validity periods (3, 5 and 10 years) for the PASS cards; 
    
11. The BTA and its partners will closely monitor WHTI and the U.S. Government’s efforts to implement it to ensure that WHTI will not do harm to any of the NAFTA economies, the economies of the border region, or the quality of life for its residents.