Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Briefing on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty, and Acting Assistant Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Policy and Planning, Department of Homeland Security Elaine Dezenski will brief the press on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. This ON THE RECORD, OFF CAMERA briefing will take place Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the State Department Press Briefing Room (Room 2209).

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 mandated that the U.S. Secretaries of Homeland Security and State develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship document when entering the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will implement this law.

Media representatives may attend this briefing upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport).

Members of the press who do not have a State Department building pass should arrive at the 23rd Street entrance by 1:45 p.m. for clearance through security and access to the briefing room.

Notice to the Press, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, Press Contacts: Angela Aggeler, Bureau of Consular Affairs - (202) 647-2114, Office of Press Relations, U.S. Department of State - (202) 647-2492, 2005/373 April 4, 2005 SOURCE: state.gov