In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, we welcome the announcement by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) last week that 15,000 airline personnel have now been trained through its Carrier Liaison Program to keep our nation and skies safer.
The CBP is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders and with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country. The CBP established the Carrier Liaison Program in 2006 to enhance security by increasing carrier effectiveness in identifying improperly documented passengers destined for the United States. The program covers fraudulent document identification, passenger assessment, imposter recognition, and travel document verification.
During fiscal year 2008, there were 5,665 carrier personnel trained during 124 missions in 30 countries throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.
“One of our missions is to secure and facilitate legitimate travel into the United States,” said Assistant Commissioner Thomas Winkowski. “Through this program, we are able to provide training to airlines and associations to help identify counterfeit travel documents and establish ongoing information-sharing opportunities, all while expediting travel.”
