KYG Updates Blog

STEVENS COUNTY SAFETY AND SECURITY RESOLUTION

WHEREAS in an effort to keep our borders safe, Department of Homeland Security is now enforcing the use of passports for anyone leaving or re-entering the country.
WHEREAS as of Jan. 31, 2008 the U.S Department of Homeland Security is stating that vocal declaration of citizenship, will not be accepted from people flying in, or out, of state.
WHEREAS all adult travelers over 19 will be required to show proof of their citizenship such as a birth certificate, along with proof of identity, such as a drivers license, whenever entering the country from over land or sea.
WHEREAS children under the age of 18 are only required to show their birth certificate as proof of citizenship.
WHEREAS this announcement, is a way to prepare citizens for other changes made by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) in the future.
WHEREAS US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) is giving the task of enforcing U.S laws to keep terrorists and weapons out of the States.
WHERAS this act was made in order to keep illegal immigrants out of the country.
WHEREAS In October through December of 2007 alone, CBP had 1, 517 cases of people falsely claiming to be U.S citizens.
WHEREAS CBP found one person who claimed to be a U.S citizen, was wanted for homicide in California.
WHEREAS this change will make it easier for officers to use standardized protocols to verify the realness of suspicious drivers license, and to ward of counterfeit and fake ID.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that standard law enforcement agencies enforce the use of passports to help keep our borders safe from illegal entry into the country by terrorists, drug smugglers, and runaway fugitives.

Submitted by: JENNIFER B.