PHOENIX, AZ – The Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona and Department of Homeland security signed an agreement on Tuesday that would create standard identification cards for tribal members to use.
The Enhanced Tribal Card agreement will pave the way for a standardized form of IDs to be distributed and used by tribal members for the purpose of entering or exiting the United States or to confirm citizenship and identity.
The ETC agreement was made in compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires previously exempt citizens, such as tribal members, to produce official documents of citizenship at ports of land or sea travel to and from the U.S.
"This agreement will strengthen safety along our borders while providing Tohono O'odham members a secure and standardized ID card," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "In the months ahead, we will continue to build upon these efforts-from secure identification to preparing for emergencies-with our tribal partners across the country."
The agreement was signed by both the assistant commissioner for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency Thomas S. Winkowski, and Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona Chairperson Ned Norris, Jr.
The CBP agency has reached similar agreements with other tribes such as the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the Seneca Nation of New York, and the Pascua Yaqui of Arizona.
According to a Tuesday press release, the CBP is currently working to involve 25 other tribes in the U.S. with the ETC initiative.
