FOCUS: BORDER CROSSING
Early birds set ID pace before security tightens
When border guards a year ago wanted more than a statement of U. S. citizenship from motorists crossing at the Peace Bridge, a lot of people feared long lines.
Those lines never formed, as the guards were lenient and just issued written warnings.
Come June, though, those same border guards are going to demand a document, and border officials anticipate smooth sailing.
That optimism is based on increased demand for enhanced driver’s licenses, passports and passport cards—all acceptable documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that Congress passed after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to strengthen the country’s borders.
Last September, for instance, the Erie County clerk’s office issued 707 of the new licenses.
Since Jan. 1, the same office has issued 4,000 enhanced licenses, 40 percent of the total issued throughout the state.
In addition, the U. S. Postal Service in the last two years has processed 173,000 passport applications from Western New York residents and thousands more passport cards nationally since they became available last summer.
This all comes as the Peace Bridge, for the first time in two decades, has become the busiest northern border crossing, surpassing the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, with 6.8 million individuals crossing from Fort Erie, Ont., into Buffalo last year.
“We are more than a border community with Canada. Instead of just being a foreign country, Canada’s more like a neighbor to us, meaning we want to keep the flow of commerce between our communities strong,” Erie County Clerk Kathleen C. Hochul said.
The new enhanced driver’s licenses, which send out a radio signal that produces an image of the traveler and his pertinent information on a computer screen inside the border inspection booth, are expected to speed up crossings, according to U. S. Customs & Border Protection.
“The delays will decrease as officers don’t have to type in the information from the document or examine a variety of documents that have little or no security features, such as birth certificates,” said Kevin A. Corsaro, chief of the Buffalo field office for Customs & Border Protection.
Travelers who lack these high-tech documents can expect delays.
“U. S. travelers without the WHTI compliant documents after June 1 will be handled on a case-by-case basis, as they now are,” Corsaro said, “but may be delayed as we attempt to verify their identity and citizenship.”
Interviews, fingerprinting and different computer background checks may all be used by Customs & Border Protection officers when trying to verify U. S. citizenship.
Since January 2008, when Customs started requiring stricter documentation, including birth certificates, the compliance level has been in the mid-90 percent range, according to Corsaro.
In addition to the upgraded travel documents, the information gleaned at the border for those entering the United States is now stored for 15 years in U. S. Department of Homeland Security computers.
Federal officials said the purpose of collecting the information is to compare it against existing law enforcement records and “threat-based scenarios” to stop individuals who are considered high-risk.
But the travel habits of citizens crossing the border, according to Homeland Security, will remain protected by security measures.
Long-term collection of the information does not sit well with advocates of citizens’ rights.
“In terms of a database of this magnitude that details the movements and personal information of millions of Americans, it’s a recipe for disaster,” said John A. Curr III, director of the Western Regional Office of the New York Civil Liberties Union.
The government, he said, does not normally keep records for this long.
“Essentially, our government is not supposed to collect information on innocent citizens,” Curr said.
As the June 1 deadline approaches, local and federal officials are ratcheting up efforts to promote the new combined citizenship and identification documents.
For instance, March 28 has become National Passport Day, which falls on a Saturday, and the Postal Service will conduct events at 47 Western New York post offices for the processing of passports and passport card applications.
Passports cost $100 for adults and $85 for children 15 and younger. Passport cards cost $45 for adults and $35 for children. Customs & Border Protection also has opened an office adjacent to the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge in Niagara Falls to process NEXUS applicants for the Trusted Travelers Program.
Documents required for children younger than 16 include a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or consular report of birth abroad. Those younger than 19 traveling with a school, religious or other youth group must have one of those same documents, as well.
In Erie County, Hochul says that 17 members of her staff are now trained to process passport applications and that they will operate booths at public events in addition to the passport center she has opened at the clerk’s office in Old Erie County Hall on Franklin Street.
But the demand for enhanced driver’s licenses has been steadily climbing, Hochul said. “Erie County is number one in the state in issuing [the licenses],” she said. “Our total since Sept. 16, when the licenses became available, is now at 7,500.”
For those seeking enhanced licenses, she stressed that proper documentation should be in hand before visiting one of the county’s auto bureaus.
“It’s more than you think. You need a Social Security card, an original certified birth certificate or a passport,” Hochul said. “You’ll also need to bring in an existing license and two documents that show where you live — a credit card statement, a bank statement or a canceled check or utility bills.”
For more information on these required documents, there is a list at the clerk’s Web site: www.erie.gov/clerk . Hochul suggested that those interested in getting an enhanced driver’s license do so now while lines are shorter at the auto bureaus, rather than waiting until the spring, when demand will be up.
“We know, with human nature, people will wait until the last minute, and for those individuals, they will encounter long lines in April and May, since the deadline is June 1,” Hochul said.
The cost of an enhanced driver’s license is $30 on top of the prorated fee to renew a regular license. Under the proposed state budget, the basic driver’s license fee could go up by 25 percent. So, by coming in sooner, rather than later, Hochul said, citizens could avoid a fee increase.
Her office also is conducting “express service” for groups interested in applying for enhanced driver’s licenses.
“We’ll schedule having groups come down to our auto bureaus at specific time periods,” she said. “For example, sports teams that travel to Canada are coming to our Cheektowaga Auto Bureau at slow times to apply as a group.”
For details, call the clerk’s office at 858-7754.
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