U.S.Terrorist Watchdogs Protect America
Screening Center That Contains Data of Suspected Terrorists
Sep 30, 2008
The Terrorist Screening Center’s mission is to consolidate all the U.S. government’s terrorist watch lists in a system that is updated every day by adding and removing records of suspected or known terrorists.
Terrorist Screening Center’s Creation
Prior to the creation of the Terrorists Screening Center, information about known or suspected terrorists was dispersed throughout the U.S. Government. No agency was charged with consolidating the data and making it available for use in terrorist screening. This was changed under the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 6, at which time the Terrorist Screening Center began providing “one-stop shopping” so that every government screener is using the same terrorist watch list, no matter whether the information comes from an airport screener, an embassy official issuing visas overseas or a state or local law endorsement officer on the street. There were 10 employees to start which has now grown to 350 people who analyze tens of thousands of terrorist suspects warnings each year.
Terrorist Watch Suspects Database
When the Presidential Order went into effect on December 1, 2003, the number of cases in the TSC files fit into a manila envelope; by 2004 that number increased to 150,000 and in 2007, it reached 755,000. Each day there are about 50 positive encounters, usually at ports of entry.
Only individuals who are known or appropriately suspected to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism are included the TSC database. Information about both international and domestic terrorists is in the database which may also include U.S. citizens if they meet the criteria.
The process used to resolve encounters with individual on the Terrorist Watch List follows a set procedure:
- Screening process begins with identification information being entered into the TSC database.
- TSC checks the Watch List databases. If there is a negative match, the individual is cleared.
- TSC checks continues if there is a positive or inconclusive identification match.
- TSC alerts the FBI Counterterrorism Division about positive or inconclusive identifications.
- FBI assists agencies with responses.
Civil Liberties Violations Prevention
The Terrorist Screening Center only receives information collected by other government entities with pre-existing authority to do so. Each agency that contributes data to TSC must comply with the legislation, as well as its own policies and procedures to protect privacy and civil liberties. The handling and use of information about U.S. citizens and legal immigrants is governed by the same statutory, regulatory, and constitutional requirements as if the information was not to be included in the database. There is a procedure to insure that the data base is as accurate as possible which has resulted in the correction or removal of hundreds of records.
In a speech on September 17, 2008, celebrating the five-year-anniversary of TSC, Director Leonard Boyle told the audience that, “We have succeeded in our primary goal of consolidating all the terrorist watch lists and creating a system to update the list every day by adding and removing records.” Richard Kopel, TSC principal deputy directed added, “We get to do something many Americans wish they could do…and that’s contribute to the fight against terrorism.”
Working with the FBI, the Terrorist Screening Center, continues to protect Americans from terrorists and others whose aim is to cause harm to the United States and its citizens.
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