Inspector General Opens TSA Racial Profiling Probe

Investigation follows Congressional testimony alleging instructions to target flyers.

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) is opening an investigation against the Transportation Security Administration, after testimony before Congress alleged the agency encourages racial profiling against flyers. In a press release, the office confirmed opening the probe on an employee complaint.

“OIG initiated the investigation amid a TSA employee’s complaint,” the press release reads. “The employee alleged that his supervisor advised him to treat members of the Somali community differently from others who visit the Minneapolis TSA office.”

The complaint comes nearly a week after multiple administration employees came before the House Oversight Committee, comparing the working environment to Lord of the Flies. During the testimony, an assistant federal security director from Minneapolis claims he was accused by his supervisors of “going native” when attending a meeting at a mosque. Furthermore, the employee also told lawmakers he was instructed to profile Somali-American leaders in the community, in addition to vetting guests with the field intelligence officer.

Once the investigation is complete, the OIG announced they will release a public report “as appropriate.” When completed, the report could potentially be the third negative review of the agency in the past year. In June 2015, the Homeland Security OIG discovered TSA agents failed to discover 95 percent of mock weapons brought past airport checkpoints by investigators. In January 2016, the Department of Justice criticized the TSA for allowing a screener to work with the Drug Enforcement Administration on the promise of a cash reward for positive drug busts. In March 2016, the OIG discovered the TSA failed to flag over 70 airport employees with potential terrorism ties.

In a prior statement to CNN, a spokesperson for the agency said they do not tolerate racial profiling. “TSA takes allegations of racial profiling seriously,” the statement to CNN said. “We are reviewing this complaint and will take appropriate action if there is evidence that any TSA officer acted inappropriately.”

[Photo: AP]