Immigration Alert: TSA Precheck

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the expansion of TSA Precheck, a passenger pre-screening initiative.  Under this initiative, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) focuses its efforts on passengers the agency knows less about, while providing expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves before flying.

Eligible participants include certain frequent flyers from participating airlines as well as members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS) who are U.S. citizens and fly on a participating airline.  If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening, 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 Precheck lane, where they will undergo expedited screening.  Expedited screening may entail no longer removing certain items, such as shoes, laptops, light outerwear, belts and 3-1-1 compliant bags from carry-on luggage.

TSA will continue to incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening. 

For a full list of airport locations that are currently participating in TSA Precheck and locations that will be implementing TSA Precheck this year, please refer to http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/20120208-tsa-precheck-pilot-expands.shtm.