Is TSA’s Controversial SPOT Program Targeting Terrorists or Undocumented Immigrants?
Mary Minor Davis April 07, 2015
Criticism against the TSA’s behavior detection program continues as the agency is now accused of targeting undocumented immigrants rather than addressing potential terrorist threats.
The TSA is being accused of using the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program to target undocumented immigrants, not potential terrorists, in a new report from The Intercept. The program, which teaches officers how to identify behavior indicators that have been linked to possible terrorists, was first implemented in 2007.
According to a document obtained by The Intercept, findings covering a five-week period in 2007 at “a major international airport” showed TSA behavior detections officers arrested only 47 passengers of nearly 430 who were sent for secondary screening. Of those arrested, 34 were either undocumented immigrants or were traveling with expired visas.
According to sources noted by The Intercept, the program’s “behavior checklist” was modeled after immigration and border protection programs, so it is makes sense that TSA officers would document those individuals known to exhibit common behaviors, including nervousness and carrying illegal papers. Current and former TSA behavior officers and other officials have said “the program appears to be designed to target undocumented immigrants and drug smugglers.”
The report comes just weeks after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit accusing the TSA of “stonewalling” its request for information about the SPOT program, including “the program’s justification, training arrest rates and accountability measures.”
Critics have said the program leads to racial profiling. In 2013, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report stating there has been no evidence to show that the $900 million program has been effective.
[Photo: TSA]
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Himeo, You don't know what you're talking about. I've seen them detain a man who was caught with something in his bag. The TSA agents held him until the cops arrived and he was locked up. I don't know what the charges were, but I do know never allowed him to leave the TSA check point.
Open Jaw, no, they don't. The ONLY thing TSA is allowed to do is search for and prevent weapons, explosives and incendiaries from entering aircraft. They are not a police dragnet, they are not a law enforcement force and they have no legal right to detain or arrest anyone. They only have a right to deny access to the airport secure area.
As the story points out "Of those arrested, 34 were either undocumented immigrants or were traveling with expired visas." If that were anyone of us in some other area of the globe we would be lucky to just be sent packing.
Himeno, The TSA must enforce the law. Moreover, the TSA has the power to detain people who are carrying drugs or traveling with illegal documents.
Open Jaw, the TSA is NOT law enforcement.