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Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Formally Submitted for Public Comment

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | WXYZ

Initiative Designed to Expedite Travel in the Western Hemisphere While Enhancing Security

The Departments of Homeland Security and State formally submitted the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative proposal for public comment. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens,
citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of
Canada and Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States by January 1, 2008.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 mandated that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport, or other secure document when entering the United States.

In the proposed implementation plan, the Initiative will be rolled out in
phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

   * December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea
travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
   * December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border
crossings as well as air and sea travel.

In April 2005, the Departments of State (State) and Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed plan to be implemented in three phases beginning on December 31, 2005 for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After further review and considering the delay in publishing the public notice in the Federal Register, State and DHS recognized that implementing the December 31, 2005, phase would be problematic for travelers. This new timeline will simplify the implementation and provide a longer lead-time for travelers to come into compliance with the requirements.

As previously noted, the passport will be the document of choice for travel within the Western Hemisphere or re-entry. However, another document that we anticipate will be acceptable under the travel initiative is the Border Crossing Card, (BCC - or "laser visa"). Currently, the BCC serves in lieu of a passport and a visa for citizens of Mexico traveling to the U.S. from contiguous territory. Other documents that we are considering for acceptance under this initiative are the Customs and Border Protection Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), NEXUS and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program cards.

No currently existing documents other than the BCC, SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST cards are under active consideration as substitutes for the passport. However, DHS and State are reviewing new technological developments regarding options for secure travel documents. Acceptable documents must establish the citizenship and identity of the bearer, and include significant security features. Ultimately, all documents used for travel to the U.S. are expected to include biometrics that can be used to authenticate the document and verify identity.

To provide vital information to the general public, the Departments of
Homeland Security and State are issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the plan to the public and requesting input and/or comment on the suggested documents and possible alternative documents that can meet the statutory requirements. A more formal rulemaking will be issued ater this year following review of those comments to implement the first phase of the initiative. This rulemaking will take into account comments
received from the ANPRM as well as soliciting further comments on the rulemaking itself.

Those wishing to comment on the proposal may access the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at <http://www.regulations.gov/> and follow the instructions for submitting comments.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov <http://www.dhs.gov>  or
www.travel.state.gov <http://www.travel.state.gov>

For Information on How to Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Employees, and Your Trips Abroad, Contact our specialists today.
info@worldwidemedicalplans.com
877-211-3654 or 559-294-0316

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Haben Sie eine sichere Reise!
Abbia un viaggio sicuro!
”Tenga un viaje seguro!
Ayez un voyage sūr!
Have a safe trip!

 


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INTERNATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS:
Please note that we at Sunburst Worldwide Insurance Services provides the International Travel News Briefs as a value-added service to our international clients and visitors of this website. Our International Travel News Briefs are updated frequently, in order to provide you with current and reliable news and events as quickly as we can. We have no control over the content of external websites, and links to various external news sources may become inactive at any time. We suggest that you bookmark our website and return frequently to check the current global news posted on our website. Mahalo!

Mexico Ends Swine-Flu Alert After 14 Months July 1, 2010
The Mexican government announced on Tuesday the end of the health alert for the AH1N1 flu virus after 14 months in which 1,289 people died in this country and 72,000 cases were registered. . .

Thai protesters disrupt Bangkok commuter service April 27, 2010
Anti-government protesters forced a rush hour shutdown of Bangkok's busy elevated train system Tuesday and promised to expand protests that have plunged the Thai capital into chaos by sending teams of demonstrators throughout the city. more...

Army moves into key Bangkok area April 20, 2010
The Thai army moves into the business district of Bangkok to prevent anti-government protesters entering the area. The protests by the "red-shirts", now in their fifth week, are currently focused in the city's shopping hub. The red-shirts are trying to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down and call an election.

H1N1 flu cases pass 500 in Australia, state's alert level raised June 3, 2009
East Asia / Pacific - Australia  Australia raised the H1N1 flu alert level in the worst hit state of Victoria on Wednesday and warned more areas would follow as the national total topped 500.

Japan reports 135 swine flu cases, closes schools May 19, 2009
Japan on Monday reported 135 swine flu cases and shuttered more than 2,000 schools and kindergartens in a bid to slow the spread of the virus that may already have infected hundreds.

Europe - Russia
Registration Rules Stir Up Confusion Feb. 5, 2007
Moscow, Russia: According to a new law that came into effect Jan. 15, foreigners are now required to hand over their registration papers to migration officials -- via their employer or other sponsor -- every time they leave the country and re-register upon subsequent entry into the country.

Union calls off British Airways strike action 1/29/07
UK - A planned two-day strike by British Airways cabin crew has been called off.

Islamabad Marriott Hotel Attack
Pakistan - It was reported that on January 26, 2007, at approximately 2:37 p.m. local time, a bomb exploded at the back area of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan..

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