FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DHS Gives The TWIC Program

The Green Light

 News Brief From R.L. Signorino (Pres. of The Blueoceana Company, Inc.)

Researched By: Eric Townes

"On October 3, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the locations and timetable for the first 12 ports where the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will roll-out. TWICs will be required of all workers and others requiring unescorted access to seaports. The SAFE Port Act passed last year requires all workers to have TWICs by September 25, 2008.

Enrollment will begin in Wilmington, DE, on October 16. Workers will be able to pre-enroll for TWICs starting on October 9. Along with the start date for Wilmington, DHS also announced the next 11 ports that will begin enrolling in November.

Early November

  •  Corpus Christi, TX

Mid-November

  •  Baton Rouge, LA

  •  Beaumont, TX

  •  Honolulu, HI

  •  Oakland, CA

  •  Tacoma, WA

Late November

  •  Chicago / Calumet, IL

  •  Houston, TX

  •  Port Arthur, TX

  •  Providence, RI

  •  Savannah, GA

No further information is available on the roll-out of other ports, but ports should expect a quick roll-out after these initial 12 are started. In other action, Senate and House committees are holding hearings this week and next on implementation of the SAFE Port Act and the implementation of TWIC. The House Homeland Security Committee sent out a press release earlier this week strongly criticizing DHS for the delays in the TWIC program."

A full list of the 147 enrollment centers is available on AAPA's website at:

http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/PDFs/twic_fixed_enrollment_sites.pdf

To find out more about TWIC and what it means to you click link below:

All About TWIC