TSA to Expand Program for Expedited Screening

TSA to Expand Program for Expedited Screening February 14th, 2018 deportation, Homeland Security, immigration law, visas | Tags: Immigration, travel | No Comments »Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole announced this month the expansion of TSA Pre√™, a passenger pre-screening pilot program that enhances security by enabling TSA to focus its efforts on passengers the agency knows less about while providing expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying.TSA´s Pistole said that the expansion of the pilot program is a "move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more intelligence-driven, risk-based transportation security system."This move will also result in greater scrutiny of passengers who are not enrolled frequent flyers and U.S. citizens, including the use of more random and unpredictable security checks for those flyers. Thus, it would be wise for those with Green cards and visas to have their paperwork in order prior to flying.If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening following the TSA Pre√™ vetting process, information will be embedded in the barcode of the passenger´s boarding pass. TSA will read the barcode at the security checkpoint and then may refer the passenger to a TSA Pre√™ lane, where they will undergo expedited screening, which can include, at TSA´s discretion, boarding without removal and inspection of shoes, laptops, jackets and belts. TSA Pre√™ is currently operating with American Airlines at airports in Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, and with Delta Air Lines at airports in Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis. US Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are all opting in new passengers and will begin operations later this year. As part of the initiative´s expansion, TSA Pre√™ will be fully implemented at nearly 30 airports throughout 2018, including but not limited to:·Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)·Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)·John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)·LaGuardia Airport (LGA)·Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)·O´Hare International Airport (ORD)·Orlando International Airport (MCO)·Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)·San Francisco International Airport (SFO) TSA will continue expanding TSA Pre√™ to additional airlines and airports once they are operationally ready. Individuals interested in participating in the pilot can apply via Global Entry at this link.