The Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) introduced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). It requires travelers flying into and out of the U.S. from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean region and Bermuda to present a passport or equivalent documentation. This requirement also includes American citizens but excludes U.S. military traveling on official orders. The documentation must indicate the citizenship and identify the individual. Acceptable documentation for Americans include: a passport card, a passport, traveler cards (SENTRI, FAST and NEXUS) and the Merchant Mariner Document. Many travelers rushed to obtain a passport before the January 23, 2007 deadline and it created a huge backlog to obtain a passport. The American government responded by extending the deadline to September 20, 2007. Originally the government had planned to make the passport requirement applicable to travelers not only flying into the U.S. but also entering through land or sea. The original deadline was set for January 31, 2008 but this date has now been pushed back. Travelers via land or sea now have until summer of 2008 to obtain a passport. No specific date has been announced. Starting January 31 travelers must present either a passport or government-issued photo ID. For example, a driver’s license is an acceptable form of ID. They will also have to present proof of citizenship like a birth certificate. Oral declarations of American citizenship will no longer be accepted.