Security Concerns Raised Over Noncitizens Flying Without ID
By Bethany Blankley (The Center Square)
After the tragic events of 9/11, where Islamic terrorists used airplanes to carry out a devastating attack on American soil, concerns have resurfaced regarding the security of domestic flights. A recent report from the Office of Inspector General has revealed that high-risk noncitizens are being flown on domestic flights without proper identification, posing a potential threat to public safety.
The report, which assessed various federal agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, highlighted the inability of the agencies to ensure that high-risk noncitizens without identification are prevented from entering the country. This oversight has raised serious concerns about the safety of American citizens.
According to the report, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have failed to assess the risks posed by releasing non-citizens without identification into the United States and allowing them to board domestic flights.
One of the key findings of the report was the lack of data on the number of noncitizens without identification who were released into the country in recent years. The report highlighted the incomplete nature of the data due to the absence of mandatory documentation by immigration officers.
Despite acknowledging the risks associated with allowing noncitizens without identification into the country, neither CBP nor ICE conducted a comprehensive risk assessment for these individuals. This failure to assess the level of risk posed by noncitizens without identification has raised significant concerns about the potential threats they may pose to public safety.
The report also revealed that noncitizens without TSA-acceptable identification are still allowed to board domestic flights. While TSA has vetting and screening procedures in place, they do not eliminate the risk of high-risk noncitizens boarding flights and posing a threat to fellow passengers.
Furthermore, the report highlighted the issues with the CBP One app, which has been used to fast track a large number of inadmissible illegal foreign nationals into the country. These security issues have raised additional concerns about the vulnerabilities in the screening processes of CBP and ICE.
In conclusion, the report emphasized the need for immediate corrective action to address the security risks posed by noncitizens flying without proper identification. The agencies involved have been given 90 days to respond and provide a plan of action to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of the flying public.
Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
