Mission Statement
To issue Tohono O’odham Nations members’ an Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) with the intent to travel to Mexico for traditional, historic, religious, and cultural purposes.
History
In 2008 the United States implemented a congressional requirement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all United States Citizens and other travelers entering or re-entering the United States for land and sea border crossings, present a passport or other acceptable document that establishes the bearers’ identity and citizenship. The goal of the initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate faster entry into the United States for U.S. Citizens.
The Department of Homeland Security recognizes that the United States has a special relationship with Native American Tribes. This relationship allows the federal government, where appropriate, to make exceptions for Native American members of federally recognized U.S. tribes. The Department of Homeland Security also recognizes the particular impact on which new document requirements may have on Native Americans belonging to the U.S. tribes who continue to cross the land borders for traditional, historic, religious, and cultural purposes.
The Tohono O’odham Nation signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to accept an Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) as a WHTI compliant document.
What is an Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)?
An ETC has multiple layers of security features including a unique number assigned to each member, the card has a machine readable zone and is embedded with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that is readable at border entry points by U.S. Customs & Border Protection.
- The card is equivalent to a U.S. Passport but does not replace it.
- An ETC is an approved form of identification at TSA checkpoints for domestic air travel.
- An ETC is acceptable when traveling on land between the U.S, Canada & Mexico.
- The ETC is valid for 8 years from the date the card is issued.
What is WHTI? (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)
The tragic aftermath of September 11, 2011, terrorists’ attacks required thoughtful and immediate improvements to the United States border security. WHTI implements a congressional requirement that all United States citizens and other travelers entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearers identity and citizenship to enter or re-enter the United States. The goal is to strengthen border security, standardizing travel documents while facilitating entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers.
The WHTI requirement for land and sea border crossing from the Western Hemisphere are set out in the land and sea WHTI Final Rule published on April 2, 2008, and available at 73 Fed. Reg. 18,384.
As of June 1, 2009 when U.S. citizens enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land and sea (including ferries), will be required to present a valid U.S Passport or other document designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is a Tohono O’odham Nation Enhanced Tribal Card.
The Tohono O’odham Nation signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to accept an Enhanced Tribal Card as a WHTI compliant document.
Overview of Enhanced Tribal Card Requirements:
- An ETC will be available to qualifying enrolled members on a voluntary basis.
- Must be a United States Citizen by birth or naturalization.
- Enrolled with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
- Age requirement is 18 years & older (no minors).
- Must be able to establish his/her identity and principal address by way of source documents.
- Must be able to take part in ETC application & an in person interview (done by appointment only).
What to submit with your ETC application:
- Two or more of the following to establish identity and citizenship;
- Tohono O’odham Nation Tribal Identification,
- A valid (unexpired) U.S. Passport,
- A certified state or Nation-issued birth certificate,
- A baptismal certificate denoting a birthplace in the United States, issued by a church and accepted by the Nation;
- A Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship,
- A Department of State Consular Report of Birth Abroad;
- A U.S. military identification card;
- A valid State-issued driver’s license or Identification card (excluding temporary or learner permits);
- A federal, state, municipal, or Nation government-issued identification card, including a Social Security card; or
- A federal, state, municipal or Nation government-issued document depicting marriage, divorce and/or other name changes.
- Proof of Address
ETC Replacement Fees:
- $30.00 replacement fee for a re-issued card
- An ETC must be reported & replaced for any of the following:
- Legal name change
- Change of principal address
- Lost or stolen card
A damaged card will be replaced for free with the exception the original card is returned to the program.
Reasons to Revoke and Invalidate an issued ETC:
- A member is dually enrolled
- Relinquishment
- Death
For more information please contact the
Enhanced Tribal Card Program
(520) 383-8700