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| Homeland Security Tightens Document Security at Border |
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Posted by Senator Jim DeMint |
01/30/2008 - 10:19:10 AM |
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Important and necessary changes are occurring at our nation's borders in terms of documents that are required to enter the United States. As of January 31, 2008, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will no longer accept oral declarations of U.S. and Canadian citizenship for entry into the United States. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will be asked to present documentation from a specified list of acceptable documents, including birth certificates and driver's licenses.
As early as June 2009 the full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will occur. U.S. and Canadian citizens will be required to present a passport or other WHTI-compliant border crossing document. At that time CBP will no longer credit documents that have been determined as unverifiable and, as such, are easily forged by those seeking to enter the United States.
U.S. citizens may begin applying for the new U.S. Passport Card on February 1, 2008, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements. The U.S. Department of State expects that cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008.
I fully support the Secretary of Homeland Security's decision to end oral declarations at the border, thereby addressing a major vulnerability at our borders.
So from here on out, South Carolinians, as well as all other U.S. citizens traveling abroad, will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the U.S. through land and sea ports of entry. (Click here to see a full list of acceptable documents or to find out more information on the new policy.)
The U.S. has a right to secure our border and this new policy will go a long way towards stemming the flood of illegal aliens into our country, taking control of our borders and ensuring the safety of our homeland.
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