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Swalwell Calls for Airline Security Answers after Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight

March 13, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) led a letter with Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Candice Miller (R-MI), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Members of the Homeland Security Committee with jurisdiction over the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), to Secretary of State John Kerry and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson based on security concerns raised by the ongoing investigation involving missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Two individuals on that flight were able to board the plane with passports that were reported stolen in INTERPOL's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database.

The letter asks for assurances that every passport used in international travel to and from the United States is always checked against the INTERPOL SLTD database, and for details on ongoing negotiations encouraging other countries to use this database for travelers on international flights.

"It is outrageous that information is collected on missing passports, but many countries still fail to use this database to catch individuals using fake travel documents," said Rep. EricSwalwell. "The Malaysian Airlines incident highlights this glaring loophole that could be exploited by terrorists. While we are still waiting for answers as to what happened to this missing flight, we should not wait to fix this serious security flaw."

"As Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, I remain concerned about the security risk posed by the failure of all countries to adequately check the identity of their passengers against international databases," said Rep. Richard Hudson. "While questions still remain regarding Malaysia Flight 370, it is clear that the proper authorities failed to ensure that passengers were not using fraudulent or stolen travel documents. Going forward, I hope that the United States will continue to strongly encourage our partners and allies to utilize all resources at their disposal to protect the global traveling public."

"First, I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to the passengers of the Malaysia Airlines jet that went missing on Saturday. And to their families, I can't imagine the stress and pain they are experiencing during this time of uncertainty," said Rep. CandiceMiller. "While we are still searching for answers, this incident serves as an important reminder that we must continue to review international passport screening procedures to identify and address any weaknesses."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew who are on board missing Malaysia Airline Flight 370," said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. "No words can console those who are missing their loved ones during this trying time as the international community searches for the Malaysia Airline Flight 370. All of us in the United States share in their shock and grief during this trying situation in which the search for the passengers and crew continues. I do find it troubling that we have reports that two of the passengers were able to board the aircraft with stolen passports. Interpol has warned us of the issue for years and just last month bemoaned that ‘only a handful of countries' regularly use its database from 167 countries. We must make sure that the flying public is safe BOTH domestically and internationally at all times."

According to INTERPOL, passengers boarded airplanes more than one billion times in 2012 without having their passports screened against its database. Secretary Jeh Johnson will be testifying before the Committee on Homeland Security today, March 13.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Secretaries Johnson and Kerry:

We write with great concern regarding the security loophole highlighted by the ongoing incident involving Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 ("Flight 370").

While we are still awaiting details on what happened to Flight 370, we do know that two individuals, Delavar Seyed Mohammad Reza and Pouri Nourmohammadi, were able to board an international flight carrying American passengers by using stolen passports. While these passports were in the Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database of INTERPOL, they were not cross referenced against it by either the airline or the appropriate authorities. This dramatically illustrates a serious flaw in airline security, one that INTERPOL has raised for years, but has not been appropriately dealt with by the international community.

While many countries, including the United States, routinely access the SLTD database, many others do not. In fact, according to INTERPOL, passengers boarded airplanes more than one billion times in 2012 without having their passports screened against its databases. Allowing people to use stolen passports to travel about the world puts lives, including those of Americans, at risk. It is imperative for passenger safety and aviation security that we close this loophole to help ensure the safety of the traveling public. Beyond assuring us, our colleagues, and the American people, that every passport used in international travel to and from the United States is always checked against the INTERPOL SLTD database, we further request details on any type of program or ongoing negotiations encouraging other countries to use this database for all travelers on international flights.

While we understand that the United States is limited in its ability to alter other nation's travel and security procedures, if there are ways that Congress can get involved in encouraging responsible behavior that increases the safety of the global flying public, we hope that you will let us know.

We look forward to your prompt response. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Eric Swalwell

Richard Hudson

Member of Congress

Member of Congress

Candice S. Miller

Sheila Jackson Lee

Member of Congress

Member of Congress