HISTORY

In 2009, P3 began working on the first ETC card project in the United States. After a year of testing and R&D, we successfully launced the Pascua Yacqui Tribe's secure card.


On May 27, 2009, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe entered into a Memorandum of Agreement between the Tribe and the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection regarding the acceptance of a Pascua Yaqui Enhanced Tribal Identification Card “ETC” for border crossing purposes meeting the federal mandate of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative known as “WHTI”.  


We are proud to announce that the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is the first Federally Recognized Indian Tribe in the Nation to bring forth a WHTI compliant document “ETC”. With the full support of our Tribal Leadership, the Tribe remains committed to working with the United States to ensure that our rights are protected and impacts to our families, religion and culture are avoided while ensuring our Nation’s security.


“What is WHTI?”


The tragic aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks required thoughtful and immediate improvements to 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 documents that establishes the bearer’s 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 Pascua Yaqui’s Enhanced Tribal Card.