The Department of Homeland Security and the Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona will develop a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC). The agreement was signed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona Chairperson Ned Norris, Jr.

 

The ETC verifies tribal citizenship and identity for the purpose of entering the United States by land or sea—enhancing safety and security of U.S. borders while facilitating legitimate travel and trade. Since January, CBP has also signed agreements with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the Pascua Yaqui of Arizona and the Seneca Nation of New York. CBP is currently working with approximately 25 additional tribes across the country on the ETC initiative.

 

 

There are more than 28,000 enrolled citizens of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The Nation’s lands contain 75 miles of the international border in south-western Arizona and extend into Mexico, covering an area the size of Connecticut.