The Transportation Security Administration announced new security rules on Sunday. Passengers from 14 "high-risk" countries will face pat-downs and have carry-on luggage examined under the new rules, which go into effect on Monday.
Additionally, all international passengers will see enhanced random screening. That may mean pat-downs, explosive detection testing using swabbing of luggage or full body scans.
The countries in the list include four that have been long identified as "state sponsors of terror," Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria. The other 10 "countries of interest" are Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen.
The list was developed using the latest security information available. It was developed by the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.
The new procedures come in the wake of the near-bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253, traveling between Amsterdam and Detroit on Christmas Day. Federal authorities have charged Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, 23, of Nigeria, in connection with the failed attack. AbdulMutallab tried to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear as the flight made its final approach to Detroit. The device failed to fully detonate, starting a fire instead, which was put out by passengers and crew.
In a statement, the TSA said:
"The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners.
"TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights."
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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