DEPARTMENT TAKES SMALL STEP FORWARD TOWARD SECURING SKIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007 (WASHINGTON) – Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued its final rule on the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) and a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on the much awaited Secure Flight Program.
APIS allows the Department to prescreen international passengers departing to and arriving from the Untied States prior to boarding a commercial vessel. Secure Flight is a passenger prescreening program designed to match limited passenger information against government watchlists for domestic air travelers.
Since 2004, with passage of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, and recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, there has been significant pressure on the Department of Homeland Security to assume responsibility over passenger prescreening procedures instead of leaving this critical responsibility to the airlines. Today’s announcement represents a step forward in that process.
Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) issued the following statement regarding this issuance:
“It is curious that on the same day the Department is issuing the final rule for international prescreening, it issues its long awaited plans for Secure Flight. I hope this is a sign that the Department is showing the foresight to integrate these two vital security programs, creating a more consistent level of security for the Nation,” said Thompson
“I am extremely disappointed that it has taken three years and passage of several pieces legislation mandating this domestic program, to get us to step one. It’s the careful administration of this program that will be just as important for our security as the program itself. Hopefully, the Department will use the 9/11 bill as guidance on how to deal with current mismatch and privacy concerns as the Secure Flight program moves through the rule making process.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Dena Graziano or Todd Levett at (202) 225-9978
