Crossing the border: passport requirements for Western Hemisphere Travel eased.

The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June 8th that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air. Travelers wishing to do so must present a government-issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada. Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

For more information, visit www.state.gov.

RELATED ARTICLE: What's the chamber's stance?

The Chamber has been a leader nationa ly in Support of maintainning the flow of traffic between the U.S. and Canada. In partnership with Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, we are urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State to permanently accept a strengthend Michigan driver's license for border-crossing purposes. The new dual-purpose license would contain information confirming both identity and citizenship to a standard agreed upon by the state and federal governments. A similar license is under development in Washington State.

National and economic security must be balanced when establishing new regulatory processes at our border. Please visit www.Vote4Biz.com and send an email that lets your legislator know of your support for friendly borders that balance security and trade.

RELATED ARTICLE: What you need now.

For air travel from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, the Carribean and Bermuda until September 30, 2007, travelers need a passport or government-issued evidence of application for a passport. After September 30, 2007, only a passport will be accepted.

For land or sea travel from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, the Carribean and Bermuda until no sooner than June of 2008 (and possibly until June of 2009), travelers may use a driver's license and birth certificate or passport.