WHTI Update for 2007
The debate in Congress over how best to implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will begin anew as soon as the 110th Congress is sworn in. Members from both parties have various ideas about how to manage our borders and we can expect a great deal of action on the file in early 2007. Coleman, Leahy and Clinton are among the most vocal Senators on WHTI. On the House side, Slaughter, McHugh and Manzullo are very engaged. We expect regulatory filings, GAO reports, and Congressional oversight hearings in 2007. A number of groups are actively engaged including the US Chamber, Americans for Better Borders, Canadian American Business Council, Council of State Governments and President's Export Council, to name a few of the non-technology groups. The travel industry is also very engaged in this issue - and related ones like US VISIT and RealID. One of the most immediate concerns is that DHS has said it does not intend to utilize the implementation extension that Congress passed last year. Rather - DHS wants to implement WHTI as early as possible at the busiest land crossings. Their goal is Jan 1, 2008. Very few people think DHS will be able to meet that deadline without choking off legitimate commerce and travel in North America.
About the Author
Scotty Greenwood is a Managing Director at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP and Executive Director of the Canadian American Business Council. She can be reached at sgreenwood@mckennalong.com.