Federal officials took steps to retrain a special unit of screeners at Newark Liberty International Airport after allegations arose that some were frequently engaging in racial profiling, according to a published report.
Citing internal federal and Transportation Security Administration documents, the Star-Ledger of Newark reports some behavior detection officers — allegedly at the direction of their managers — routinely targeted Mexican or Dominican passengers.
The newspaper says the practice was widespread, lasting from early 2008 to late 2009, when investigators began probing the issue. A TSA spokeswoman said the agency opposes racial profiling and that the situation in Newark had been addressed.
Behavior detection officers are only supposed to focus on nervous, erratic or evasive gestures or speech by passengers. Managers cited in the reports denied racial profiling occurred.
(Source: WCBSTV)
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7 Responses
What about one-way tickets paid for in cash by passengers without luggage and on newly issued passports or visas from middle-eastern countries? That would likely cause nervous, erratic or evasive gestures or speech on the part of the OTHER passengers. Would THAT qualify?
Dumping on Mexicans is not engaging in racial profiling. Racial profiling is only if they dare single out a muslim male in his twenties or thirties.
That would prove serious incompetence, given that lack of Mexican or Dominican terrorists.
Surprise Surprise
they should look at Laguardia also, I won’t fly out of there any more, I am profiled every time I went thru there
Why weren’t they profiling Arabs?
Probably profiling for valid documents or drugs