New Border Crossing Rules May Cause Problems

Op-Ed jusst in from Rep. Oberstar:

New Border Crossing Rules May Cause Problems
Friday, January 25, 2008

In just a few days, it will become more confusing to cross the border between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico. Because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not ready to implement the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), DHS is moving ahead with a temporary system to screen travelers and commerce at our border crossings.

Here is what travelers need to know about the new requirements that take effect on January 31:

• Adults traveling to Canada or Mexico will need a government-issued photo ID as well as proof of citizenship.
• To satisfy this enhanced travel requirement, you can present a passport or you can use your driver’s license plus your birth certificate.
• Children under the age of 18 are only required to have a proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate.
• There are also exemptions for members of the U.S. armed forces traveling on orders and youth and school groups.
• For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov before you leave the U.S.

A passport is a good investment if you travel between the U.S. and Canada on a regular basis. For the last year, U.S. airline passengers have needed a passport to fly to Canada or Mexico, and passports will soon be one of the key documents accepted for travel by land. Regardless of the new system that DHS implements, a passport will serve as absolute proof of your U.S. citizenship.

I am disappointed with the way that DHS has developed this temporary screening process. According to a recent report by the General Accountability Office, DHS does not have the resources or manpower to make the plan work smoothly. I am concerned this will result in long lines at the border that will hamper the movement of people and goods and harm the economies of border communities like International Falls.

I have signed a letter with my congressional colleagues to request that DHS suspend its interim program. DHS should focus its resources to implement the new WHTI and developing an alternative, efficient document for those who cross the border frequently.

The current system that allows travelers to make an oral declaration of citizenship gives border agents the ability to use their common sense and experience to screen people. Border agents used this very system to catch the terrorists who were planning the Millennium Plot in Seattle in 2000.

The new WHTI must preserve this ability of our Customs and Border Patrol agents to draw on their judgment and experience. It must quickly identify travelers who do not pose a threat, so resources can be used more effectively. DHS must devise a system that strikes the right balance between protecting our national security and ensuring the economic vitality of border communities.

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