Developments in U.S. security measures in recent weeks include a revision of traveler screening procedures, a change in responsibility for passenger watch list matching and a tie-up with Germany’s trusted traveler program.
Passenger screening
The Transportation Security Administration has suspended some emergency security measures it instituted after an attempt on Christmas Day 2009 by a suspect wearing explosive underpants to destroy an aircraft. The TSA is no longer carrying out compulsory secondary screening of passengers from Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Instead, the TSA is applying to all passengers screening measures rooted in intelligence about threats. Enhanced security measures could include random screening, the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams and pat-downs.
Watchlist matching
The TSA by May 31 will complete its takeover of responsibility from domestic airlines for checking the names of passengers against U.S. government watch lists. International carriers will hand over this task to the TSA before the end of the year.
The TSA told the New York Times in April that it had compiled a list of 6,000 people banned from flying in U.S. airspace and a list of 25,000 required to undergo additional screening procedures.
US/German trusted traveler programs
The U.S. and German governments announced April 15 they will implement a reciprocal agreement to more quickly expedite the entry process for members of one another’s trusted traveler programs. Both countries operate programs which allow fast entry at borders based on biometric identification.
The U.S. already has a similar agreement in place with the Netherlands, whose Privium system helps registered travelers pass through immigration quickly after screening by iris recognition technology. The U.S. is working on a similar agreement with United Kingdom immigration authorities.
Global Entry Program
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to grow its pilot program allowing expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival into the United States. Currently available at 20 airports, CBP says the system reduces average traveler waiting times by 70 percent, with screening for 75 percent of travelers taking less than five minutes. The process requires participants to present their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent resident card, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification and make a customs declaration at a kiosk touch-screen.