WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security will propose flexible rules for travel documents for U.S. and Canadian children entering the United States.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other WHTI compliant document, the DHS announced. The new measure will take effect on Jan. 1, 2008.
The DHS announced on Thursday that it would propose an exception to this rule which would allow U.S. and Canadian citizens, ages 15 and younger, to cross the border at land and sea ports with parental consent and a certified birth certificate in place of a passport or WHTI compliant document. The same exception would apply to U.S. and Canadian citizens, ages 16-19, traveling with public and private school groups, religious and cultural organizations, or youth athletic teams, under adult supervision.
This proposal is subject to comments from the public as part of the process of approving the WHTI, the DHS said.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 called for stricter travel documentation. The initial phase of the WHTI, which required all air travelers to present a valid passport, took effect in January. This most recent announcement does not apply to air travel.
