Remember a month ago or so, when the TSA flatly denied news reports that illegal immigrants were being allowed to board US commercial flights without proper ID? You know, after Border Patrol union officials had disclosed the practice, flatly stated it was occurring, and questioned it? When TSA said, in a press release to multiple media outlets,
“These reports are false. A Notice to Appear, issued by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), is not an acceptable form of ID at the TSA checkpoint.”
Do I really have to tell you what they’re saying today? After all, haven’t we seen this Administration backpedal enough since January 2009 to know what’s coming next?
Hell, I’m gonna tell you anyway. Here’s a quote from a 7 August 2014 letter from TSA to Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-TX:
…” If a passenger does not have an acceptable form of identification, then the passenger is allowed to present two other forms of identification. One of the two forms of identification must bear the individual’s name and other identifying information such as photo, address, phone number, social security number, or date of birth. TSA may assess a variety of government issued documents to establish passenger identity. The I-862 form may be used along with another form of identification in this instance. As part of the issuance process for Form I-862, the person undergoes a biographic systems check, and a biometric systems check against both the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System and the Automated Biometric Identification System prior to the issuance of Form I-862. TSA needs to be able to assess a wide range of information proffered by a passenger in order to investigate the passenger’s identity and make sure that watchlist matching has occurred.”
“If a passenger can only present a Form I-862, TSA will attempt to establish the passenger’s identity through DHS partner Components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If other DHS Components are able to provide corroborating information (such as that the I-862 was issued to an individual with the name provided) to permit TSA to verify an individual’s identity when taken together with all other information available, the passenger is permitted into the screening checkpoint to undergo screening.
Yep. If the claimed name matches and the individual can present no other info, the guy or gal flies. Gee, you don’t suppose someone could POSSIBLY use someone else’s name or fake such a form, do you? Especially since the form is allegedly available on the Internet?
Sheesh. Ya know, I really wish the current Administration would quit p!ssing on my leg and telling me it’s raining.
It’s getting old. And I can tell p!ss from rain.