Visa U.S Customs and border protection, ESTA question, please please please help!!!?

Question

Hi

i was just wondering when you fly to america i think you get 2 forms on the plane i remember the green one which is I-P4W, but whats the other one, is it white???

And what is this Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) stuff all about, i was just checking the internet to make sure all the stuffs ready for a trip planned to america in 6 weeks and ive just read some thing about a ESTA which everyone needs to fill out, i am planning to travel to America on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) so do i need to do the ESTA???

any information will be greatly appreciated, thank you!!!

Answer 1

The ESTA program is voluntary until 2009, then it's mandatory that you fill out the form.  

ESTA will be implemented as a mandatory program for all VWP travelers 60 days after publication of a notice in the Federal Register. DHS anticipates that the Secretary of Homeland Security will issue that notice in November 2008, with ESTA becoming mandatory for all VWP travelers on Jan. 12, 2009.