DETROIT – Several Michigan legislators were active in support of a voice vote amendment this week that extends the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative deadline by 18 months. The Stevens/Leahy amendment includes only the extension and was co-sponsored by both Michigan Senators Stabenow and Levin.

The Detroit Regional Chamber has been heading efforts nationally to reduce the burden that could be imposed by this legislation, which would tighten security at borders by forcing citizens to purchase additional documents proving nationality that most do not carry today. The security solutions currently under the WHTI proposal would require anyone crossing the border to present a passport or new tamperproof ID card to be offered by the government.

At the same time, the Real ID Act is providing DHS with a requirement to design State ID cards and driver?s licenses to comply with federal antiterrorist standards by 2008. These two overlapping legislative initiatives have the potential to slow real progress, slow and damage commerce in border communities and place excessive cost and burden on both citizens and visitors.

Border cities and states across the nation have joined forces with the chamber to combat this legislative burden which by even conservative estimates would impose a burden of $100 million on travelers over the next few year, having a serious impact on border traffic and commerce all across the country.

Both business and security are or should be on the same side, because as we review the various plans being proposed, those that provide the least burden to international travelers, are the easiest to implement, and build upon those processes already commonly followed by the majority of the population stand the best chance for rapid adoption. Successful early adoption of these plans translates into cost savings for both government regulators, enforcers and of course commerce on both sides of the issue. Besides, if people are able to rapidly adopt this, it will also translate into real security improvement, which is something we need as soon as possible.

For current information on DHS Security issues related to the Michigan border, click on BestCoalition.Com

This column was written by Hans Erickson, a member of Michigan InfraGard and the CIO at the Detroit Regional Chamber.