Passports
A change in policy
Editorial
Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Opinion
Living close to Mexico, many of us travel to our neighboring country to the south for vacation or family visits but starting June 1, the western hemisphere travel initiative (WHTI) goes into affect and brings changes that could affect the way we travel.
According to Homeland Security, the WHTI requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document with them when they enter or depart the United States. This initiative was separated into two phases.
The first phase, which went into effect Jan. 23, 2007 requires all travelers, including children to have a passport or secure travel documentation when entering the United States using air travel.
The second phase, which takes place starting June 1, will require those same document requirements for people traveling into the United States by land or sea.
Documents approved by the WHTI for United States citizens include a passport issued by the government, a passport card, a valid trusted traveler program card, an enhanced driver's license, a military ID with official travel orders or a United States merchant mariner document.
Most travelers will need to have one of those documents with them, but there are some exceptions, including Native Americans, who have their own form of ID issued by their tribe including the Form I-872 American Indian card and the Tribal Enrollment Cards.
Children under the age of 16 may present their original or copy of their birth certificate in lieu of a passport. Also children ages 16-18 traveling with a school or religious group may use their birth certificate for identification.
Those traveling to U.S. territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not need a passport since these places are considered part of the United States.
For U.S. citizens traveling on closed-loop cruises, which are cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S., will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.
Individuals traveling by ferry or small boat will have to comply with the WHTI rules along with boaters who have an I-68 form.
Those traveling on a commercial or charter vessel do not need a passport as long as they do not call at a foreign port. For example, commercial fishermen traveling on a vessel that sails from a U.S. port and returns without calling at a foreign port is not considered a departure from the United States.
The U.S. Department of State website has a list of passport agencies and shows visitors what they need to bring when applying for a passport.
Currently there are 29 facilities in Houston, not including the surrounding areas. Total fees for passport books are $100 for citizens 16 and older and $85 for citizens under 16 years of age. The passport cards are $45 for citizens 16 and older and $35 for citizens under 16.
According to Homeland Security, the WHTI requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document with them when they enter or depart the United States. This initiative was separated into two phases.
The first phase, which went into effect Jan. 23, 2007 requires all travelers, including children to have a passport or secure travel documentation when entering the United States using air travel.
The second phase, which takes place starting June 1, will require those same document requirements for people traveling into the United States by land or sea.
Documents approved by the WHTI for United States citizens include a passport issued by the government, a passport card, a valid trusted traveler program card, an enhanced driver's license, a military ID with official travel orders or a United States merchant mariner document.
Most travelers will need to have one of those documents with them, but there are some exceptions, including Native Americans, who have their own form of ID issued by their tribe including the Form I-872 American Indian card and the Tribal Enrollment Cards.
Children under the age of 16 may present their original or copy of their birth certificate in lieu of a passport. Also children ages 16-18 traveling with a school or religious group may use their birth certificate for identification.
Those traveling to U.S. territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not need a passport since these places are considered part of the United States.
For U.S. citizens traveling on closed-loop cruises, which are cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S., will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.
Individuals traveling by ferry or small boat will have to comply with the WHTI rules along with boaters who have an I-68 form.
Those traveling on a commercial or charter vessel do not need a passport as long as they do not call at a foreign port. For example, commercial fishermen traveling on a vessel that sails from a U.S. port and returns without calling at a foreign port is not considered a departure from the United States.
The U.S. Department of State website has a list of passport agencies and shows visitors what they need to bring when applying for a passport.
Currently there are 29 facilities in Houston, not including the surrounding areas. Total fees for passport books are $100 for citizens 16 and older and $85 for citizens under 16 years of age. The passport cards are $45 for citizens 16 and older and $35 for citizens under 16.
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