Beginning June 1, 2009, entry or re-entry into the United States now requires more stringent documentation. The new requirement is a result of the blue-ribbon panel of experts convened after the 9/11 attacks to put in place a series of anti-terrorism efforts. All U.S. citizens traveling by air are required to present a passport book to enter or re-enter the United States.
Land and sea travel require passport, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. See the complete list of WHTI-Compliant Documents here. The Department of Homeland Security is trying to secure the nation’s 5,000 miles of border with Canada and 1,900 miles of border with Mexico to strengthen the borders while at the same time, not disrupting trade.
On an average day last year, customs officers processed more than 70,000 truck, rail and sea containers. The American Trucking Association has stated it is “well prepared” for the change and do not think the new regulations will jam the borders. The ATA states that many truckers already have Free and Secure Trade Program cards, known as FAST, to ease their border crossings.
Texas is one of the busiest border crossings for truck traffic in 2008. Laredo, El Paso and Hidalgo, Texas had nearly 3 million trucks crossing the border.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
