(Washington, DC)  Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released Department of Homeland Security records obtained under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) detailing the objectives and agenda of the Security and Prosperity Partnership’s Traveler Screening Systems Working Group.  The records were provided by the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program Office that chaired the US committee.

The US members of the working group included representatives from the Department of Commerce, several agencies of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State and the Department of Transportation.  The working group was tasked to develop “deliverables” to support partnership initiatives including: 1) developing technical standards for travel/nationality documents; 2) testing biometrics technology and recommending screening enhancements for travelers bound for North America; and, 3) exploring means of identifying third-country nationals who overstayed.  The working group also reached a conceptual agreement for a “One Card” to facilitate cross-border movement between Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The records also contain a two-page talking points memo describing the “Rice-Chertoff Joint Vision” for border management and immigration systems, as well as the requirements for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) tightening travel documentation and passport requirements and the People Access Security Service (PASS) System card for US citizens.

“High level officials from Mexico, Canada and the United States are crafting policy recommendations under the auspices of the Security and Prosperity Partnership that could have a significant impact on the lives of American citizens.  And, to date, there has been very little oversight,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.  “The ‘One Card’ concept is a new wrinkle which cries out for further investigation.”

On March 23, 2005, heads of government Vincente Fox, George W. Bush, and Paul Martin launched the North American partnership at a meeting in Waco, Texas, with the expressed goal of “a safer, more prosperous North America.”  Critics, however, maintain the partnership could ultimately compromise U.S. sovereignty.

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Click here to read the Border Management and Travel Recommendations

Click here to learn more about the SPP