Thompson Inquires on TSA Report Exposing Racial Profiling at Airports
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to John S. Pistole, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), expressing concern regarding the Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program, a behavior-based profiling program in use at several U.S. airports. Recent news reports have indicated that an internal TSA report shows the program was associated with racial profiling in Newark, New Jersey. This occurred despite past assurances from TSA that racial profiling was not a part of or consequence of the SPOT program. In the letter, Congressman Thompson calls on the Administrator to cease implementation of the SPOT program until certain criteria with detailed analysis have been met.
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