Tribal identification cards will be accepted at the U.S.-Canada border for a "modest, but reasonable transition period," the Department of Homeland security said in a letter to the National Congress of American Indians.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, U.S. and Canadian travelers just present a passport or other compliant document when entering the U.S. So far, only the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho has signed an agreement to develop an Enhanced Tribal Card.

Other tribes want to develop ETCs but have run into time and money issues. The letter to NCAI urges tribes to "move forward" with those efforts.

DHS said it will inform NCAI when the transition period comes to an end.

Get the Story:
Tribes tell members to use tribal ID at U.S. border crossings with Canada (The Everett Herald 6/7)

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