The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) applauded the Congress desicion of extending the statutory deadline for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and including it in the…
The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) applauded the Congress desicion of extending the statutory deadline for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and including it in the FY2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 5441), approved by Congress this week.
The provision, known as the Stevens-Leahy Amendment, will extend the implementation date requiring a passport (or other documents) under the WHTI until the Departments of State (State) and Homeland Security (DHS) can develop a plan that meets certain standards for the new identification cards to make them easy to use, affordable and ensure privacy, or by June 1, 2009, whichever is earlier. The economical alternative to the passport, called a PASScard, will be available for sea and land borders. The original deadline, imposed by Congress in the 2004 Intelligence Reform Bill, was January 1, 2008.
ICCL believes that standardized documents can simplify the process of border crossing and add to security efforts, but only when implemented in a way that does not discourage commerce or tourism. Therefore, we were extremely concerned when State and DHS proposed to accelerate the implementation deadline for cruise passengers to January 8, 2007, and to deny cruise passengers eligibility for a low-cost alternative to a passport.
“The cruise industry applauds Congress’ efforts to increase security at our borders but to do so reasonably,” said J. Michael Crye, president of the ICCL. “We will continue to work with the government to raise awareness of the requirements and encourage the traveling public to secure proper identification.”
“ICCL strongly supports efforts to increase border security. We do not oppose WHTI nor seek to undermine its effectiveness, but believe that reasonable implementation of the law and enhancing security are not mutually exclusive goals. The WHTI should be implemented in a timeframe that provides for enhanced homeland security, while at the same time continuing to facilitate legitimate international trade and travel,” stated ICCL.
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