WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) hailed the announcement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would allow teenagers under the age of 18 that are traveling with a team and all children under the age of 15 to use birth certificates, instead of passports when traveling between the United States and Canada.  The announcement relates to DHS’ planned implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which will tighten passport and identification requirements for travel between the United States and Canada. 

“News that the Department of Homeland Security will not require children to have passports when crossing the U.S.-Canadian border is a positive first step towards addressing practical concerns with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,” Stupak said.  “This is welcome news for many northern Michigan residents.  For instance, a youth hockey team in Sault Ste. Marie that regularly plays in Canada should not be subjected to excessive passport fees.”

Stupak co-chairs the Northern Border Caucus, a group of 51 U.S. House Representatives that have consistently advocated delaying implementation of the WHTI until various economic and technical concerns have been addressed.

“While this announcement is a positive development, as co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, I will continue pushing the Administration to address the very real technical and economic concerns surrounding WHTI before implementing any new rules,” Stupak continued.  “Cross border commerce and tourism between the United States and Canada is an economic engine that we cannot afford to damage through a hastily and poorly implemented WHTI.”

Earlier this week, Stupak led the Northern Border Caucus in writing to the Departments of Homeland Security and State to ensure that implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will not significantly impact commerce, travel, and trade between the U.S. and Canada. 

Stupak said that even with DHS’ announcement that young people will not be subject to the stricter passport requirements, any changes to passport rules must not disrupt commerce and tourism between the United States and Canada.

“Commerce and trade between the U.S. and Canada generates upwards of $400 billion per year for our country and supports over 170,000 Michigan jobs,” Stupak said.  “While we certainly must ensure safe and secure borders, we can achieve that goal without damaging the trade, tourism and commerce that benefit both of our countries.”

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