All flights entering the United States will now be subjected to increased levels of security screening, the federal government announced Friday.
A senior administration official told CNN that racial or religious characteristics could be used to identify passengers requiring a more thorough review, though the official insisted the new system will not constitute racial profiling.
Among other things, passengers entering the country from international destinations "may notice enhanced security and random screening measures throughout the passenger check-in and boarding process, including the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, or pat downs, among other security measures," according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.
The new security measures are the result of a review President Barack Obama ordered after a Nigerian national tried to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Detroit, Michigan, on December 25. Emergency measures put in place after the failed Christmas Day attack will be superseded by the new rules.
"These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
The new security steps will begin Friday but will take a short period of time to fully implement, the senior administration official said.
The new level of screening will augment the no-fly and selectee lists. Those lists require a full name, a date of birth, and other information. This new system will use "fragmentary information" that might include travel itinerary, age, partial passport information, and a partial name, the official added.
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There is nothing wrong with profiling. If you are unfortunate enough to look like a bank rober, terrrorist, etc. , expect to get searched or questioned.
Sorry
Could not agree more, profiling is A-OKAY if it will help to keep the US safer.
And terrorists look like what exactly–blue-eyed Caucasians like Timothy McVeigh?
Isn't it ironic that American's are pushed into welcoming the incredibly invasive security screening, security cameras on every street corner, illegal wiretaps and illegal entry's into law abiding American citizens homes under the guise of weeding out 'terrorism'.
Meanwhile, not a single photograph of the Man that two creditable eye-witness's reported that helped the Nigerian Muslim bomber skate around multiple security check points in Amsterdam's Airport have been publicly released. No Most Wanted Posters made, No Video's released although without any doubt multiple cameras captured that man guiding and helping that bomber onto his flight. Go figure!
Our response to terrorism has been to adopt fascism. How sad, the loss of freedom, all supposedly in the name of freedom. Some people only feel safe when a TSA bureaucrat has his hand up one of their body cavities, allegedly searching for bombs and whatnot. The only thing I fear is my own government.
This covers flights that cross US airspace and don`t even touch down in the US.
Muslims are concerned about the invasive viewing of their bodies by americans. I can only say that nobody is stopping us from doing the same to them, we can all have security scanners placed at the airports. I will be waiting for MAdonna to show up on mine:(
I'd laike tro add regarding an article about other items like drugs showing up on these scanners. the view semed that it was not what they were built for. my thinking is, it's great if you can find drugs with them, the more illegal activities that are stopped from spreading into one's country the better. They should have a drug liason officer nearby and just hand such finds over to them.
There should be separate flights for people who are willing to take their chances and have less security measures in place. I don't care if I might get blown up if it means I can walk onto a plane, Starbucks in hand.
Because of Jihad Jane, I wholeheartedly submit that profiling immediately begin with caucasian women with blond hair. Today! Considering Timothy McVeigh started this whole domestic terror thing, this is very logical and sensible!