see also: in September 2008:   Ramey Border Patrol Sector Sponsors Intelligence Training   CBP Arrests Woman at California Port after Discovering 3 Hidden Females   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Lost Alien   Customs and Border Protection Warns Floral Importers About Unripe Poppy Pods   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failing to Register as Sex Offender   El Paso CBP Officers Discover 3,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Shipment of Watermelons   CBP Seizes More Than $360,000 in Undeclared Currency ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology for Border Crossings (pdf - 236 KB.)   CBP Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border (pdf - 275 KB.) KnowyourBorder.gov Verslesusa.gov

contacts for this news release

Washington — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection is launching a television and print advertising campaign in Canada today to remind the Canadian public about travel document requirements for entry into the U.S. that go into effect on June 1, 2009.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. This phase of CBP’s WHTI outreach efforts will include French and English-language advertising on Canadian television and in newspapers and magazines; advertising on the Web; public service announcements; the launch of new Web sites and interactive widget; as well as distribution of related information through the media and various travel stakeholders. ( KnowyourBorder.gov ) ( Verslesusa.gov )

“We take seriously the obligation to inform travelers on both sides of the border of the change in procedures,” stated CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. “This multi-faceted campaign is designed to reach frequent as well as infrequent border crossers. A well-informed traveler plays an active role in contributing to the security as well as the efficiency of our shared borders.”

WHTI was implemented for air travelers in January 2007. On June 1, 2009, travelers will need to present a valid, acceptable document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. Most travelers will be able to select from one of several different document options, based upon their individual travel needs.

Many Canadian travelers already have a passport, which is a WHTI-compliant document. In addition to the Canadian passport, there are three other documents that CBP will accept at land and sea ports of entry from Canadian citizens coming from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. These are the provincially issued enhanced driver’s licenses and NEXUS and FAST trusted traveler program cards that utilize radio-frequency identification technology. British Columbia has launched a pilot program to issue an enhanced driver’s license, which currently has 520 enrollees, and several other provinces and territories are planning to implement EDL programs by June 1, 2009. Details on each of these options are available at www.KnowYourBorder.gov and www.VersLesUsa.gov.

By incorporating radio frequency technology into enhanced driver’s licenses and the trusted traveler program cards, the border-crossing process will be more efficient and effective. RFID is a secure technology that captures a unique identifier — a randomly assigned number — from the document just as the traveler approaches the border inspection station. No personal data is contained or transmitted by the RFID cards; the numerical identifier serves only as a pointer to gather information from CBP’s secure network for the officer.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a privacy impact assessment on the use of RFID in travel documents in January 2008 and another in July 2008 on border crossing processes. ( Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology for Border Crossings (pdf - 236 KB.) ) ( CBP Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border (pdf - 275 KB.) )

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.