Newsstand - Newsweek: A rare peek at Homeland Security's files on travelers

The oversize white envelope bore the blue logo of the Department of Homeland Security. Inside, I found 20 photocopies of the government's records on my international travels. Every overseas trip I've taken since 2001 was noted.

I had requested the files after I had heard that the government tracks "passenger activity." Starting in the mid-1990s, many airlines handed over passenger records. Since 2002, the government has mandated that the commercial airlines deliver this information routinely and electronically.

A passenger record typically includes the name of the person traveling, the name of the person who submitted the information while arranging the trip, and details about how the ticket was bought, according to documents published by the Department of Homeland Security. Records are made for citizens and non-citizens who cross our borders. An agent from U.S. Customs and Border Protection can generate a travel history for any traveler with a few keystrokes on a computer. Officials use the information to prevent terrorism, acts of organized crime, and other illegal activity.
...

However, if you are being detained at the border or if you suspect a problem with your records, then by all means request a copy. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is required by law to make your records available to you, with some exceptions. Your request must be made in writing on paper and be signed by you. Ask to see the "information relating to me in the Automated Targeting System." Say that your request is "made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552)." Add that you wish to have a copy of your records made and mailed to you without first inspecting them. Your letter should, obviously, give reasonably sufficient detail to enable an official to find your record. So supply your passport number and mailing address. Put a date on your letter and make a copy for your own records. On your envelope, you should conspicuously print the words “FOIA Request." It should be addressed to “Freedom of Information Act Request,” U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. Be patient. I had wait for up to a year to receive a copy of my records. Then if you believe there's an error in your record, ask for a correction by writing a letter to the Customer Satisfaction Unit, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Room 5.5C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20229.


Story here (http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2008/12/whats_in_your_government_trave.html)

I wonder... do the border agents see the price too?

I wonder... do the border agents see the price too?you mean like a $20.00 first class fare to europe ;)

I wonder... do the border agents see the price too?

From the article itself...

The rest of my file contained details about my ticketed itineraries, the amount I paid for tickets, and the airports I passed through overseas. My credit card number was not listed, nor were any hotels I've visited. In two cases, the basic identifying information about my traveling companion (whose ticket was part of the same purchase as mine) was included in the file.

I actually think it's a relief they can see the price. It makes explaining why I flew somewhere far flung on a MR for one hour or one night a whole lot easier.

What I find annoying about them having all of this data is they still make you spend a week of your life tearing your apartment and email inbox apart for records and old passports to filling out forms detailing your travel history for the past decade when you apply for a security clearance with the government. Is it just a test of your memory and closet organizational skills? Why can't they just look up my travel history in their own records? So sadly typical.

peace,
~Ben~

Edit to add: Then again, I suppose they wouldn't know about my travel to other countries that aren't on an itinerary inlcuding a US origin/destination/transit... Sorry for the rant.

"and the airports I passed through overseas."


So that means that other countries are keeping records of our border crossing and sending them back to the US. So in essence, the feds are tracking our travels throughout the world.

It's time for a revolution.

"and the airports I passed through overseas."

So that means that other countries are keeping records of our border crossing and sending them back to the US. So in essence, the feds are tracking our travels throughout the world.

I guess the US gets complete information on tickets to/from/through the US.
I'd be very amazed if the US got any (official) information from non-US airlines on tickets and flights outside US territorial airspace not ticketed by a US travel agent - even if US passengers are onboard. E.g. the flight mentioned in this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/newsstand/905957-airliner-hell-40-passengers-run-amok-flight.html) (afaik flights from Europe to Cuba fly close to the US coast, but have to stay outside US airspace). Even more so in the case of low-cost flights within say Asia. Completely outside US jurisdiction

I would suspect that hopping between Schengen/non-Schengen and showing my passport would create a blip in a database in the countries which scan the passport.

It is "their" passport after all, so them knowing when/how it was used doesn't bother me. I don't expect it to show any activity where it wasn't used as proof of identification though.

"and the airports I passed through overseas."

It's time for a revolution.

If he purchased a EWR-FCO and AMS-EWR ticket, as shown, is it really a huge issue that it shows he passed through FCO and AMS.

If he used a US passport to pass through the CDG airport during the trip, and I assume the passport number is verified at transaction time, is it really shocking to find that the USG, which issued the passport, knows it was used in CDG?

If this requires a revolution, what do we do about credit card companies (they know every store that I shopped!!!!) and cell phone companies (they know the location of every single phone call I make!!!).

I wonder... do the border agents see the price too?

heh, that's the first thing I thought of. I'm glad they have the info also (it'd explain a lot of our crazy int'l travels), but why do they need it?

What I find annoying about them having all of this data is they still make you spend a week of your life tearing your apartment and email inbox apart for records and old passports to filling out forms detailing your travel history for the past decade when you apply for a security clearance with the government. Is it just a test of your memory and closet organizational skills? Why can't they just look up my travel history in their own records? So sadly typical.

Try this: http://www.passportstamp.com/