State of Hawaii v. Trump
Filing
253
Declaration re 252 Reply to Response to Motion, Supplemental Declaration of Neal K. Katyal. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit D (DHS Fact Sheet), # 2 Exhibit E (DHS Q&A), # 3 Exhibit F (N.Y. Times Article), # 4 Certificate of Service)(Katyal, Neal)
3/25/2017
Q&A: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States | Homeland Security
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Q&A: Aviation Security
Enhancements for
Select Last Point of
Departure Airports with
Commercial Flights to
the United States
Release Date: March 21, 2017
UPDATED: March 24, 2017 5:00 p.m. EST
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Q1: Why is the U.S. Government
taking these steps now? Are
these new policies in response to
a specific terrorist threat or plot?
A1: The U.S. Government is concerned about terrorists' ongoing
interest in targeting commercial aviation, including
transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the
2015 airliner downing in Egypt, the 2016 attempted airliner
downing in Somalia, and the 2016 armed attacks against airports
EXHIBIT E
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Q&A: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States | Homeland Security
in Brussels and Istanbul. Evaluated intelligence indicates that
terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to
include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.
Based on this trend, the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies,
has determined it is prudent to enhance security, to include
airport security procedures for passengers at certain last point of
departure airports to the United States. These enhancements
include more stringent measures applied to 10 specific airports.
The enhancement in security will require that all personal
electronic devices (PEDs) larger than a cell phone or smart phone
be placed in checked baggage. These items will no longer be
allowed to be carried onto aircraft at 10 select airports where
flights are departing for the United States. Approved medical
devices may be brought into the cabin after additional screening.
This security enhancement will be implemented through a
Security Directive (SD)/Emergency Amendment (EA) process,
which includes industry notification, to affected air carriers that
will implement the requirements.
Q2: Why is DHS/TSA doing this
now?
A2: The Department of Homeland Security, in close cooperation
with our intelligence community partners, continuously assesses
and evaluates the threat environment. While a number of existing
security measures remain in place, others will be modified, as
deemed necessary to protect travelers. DHS will continue to
adjust its security measures to ensure the highest levels of
aviation security without unnecessary disruption to travelers.
Q3: Is there a specific or credible
threat to aviation?
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Q&A: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States | Homeland Security
A3: We have reason to be concerned about attempts by terrorist
groups to circumvent aviation security and terrorist groups
continue to target aviation interests. Implementing additional
security measures enhances our ability to mitigate further
attempts against the overseas aviation industry.
Q4: Did new intelligence drive a
decision to modify security
procedures?
A4: Yes, intelligence is one aspect of every security-related
decision. The record of terrorist attempts to destroy aircraft in
flight is longstanding and well-known. We continually re-assess
old intelligence and collect new intelligence.
Q5: How did you select these
airports and which ones are
affected?
A5: DHS, in close cooperation with our intelligence community
partners, selected these airports based on the current threat
picture. The affected overseas airports are: Queen Alia
International Airport (AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI),
Ataturk International Airport (IST), King Abdul-Aziz International
Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Kuwait
International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad
International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport (DXB),
and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
Q6: Could more airports be
added in the future, and might
some of those be in the U.S.?
A6: As threats change, so too will TSA’s security requirements.
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Q7: How long will these new
procedures remain in place?
A7: The new procedures remain in place until the threat changes.
These are risk-based decisions and TSA continuously assesses
security risks and seeks to balance necessary security
requirements with their operational impact on the industry.
Q8: Why won’t these procedures
continue indefinitely, like the
prohibition on bringing liquids
through security screening?
A8: See above.
Q9: How are you defining,
“larger than a smart phone?”
A9: The size and shape of smart phones varies by brand.
Smartphones are commonly available around the world and their
size is well understood by most passengers who fly
internationally. Please check with your airline if you are not sure
whether your smartphone is impacted.
Q10: Why does this only apply to
large electronic devices? Why
doesn’t this apply to mobile
phones?
A10: TSA seeks to balance risk with impacts to the traveling public
and has determined that cell phones and smart phones will be
allowed in accessible property at this time.
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Q11: Is air travel safe?
A11: Yes. Today, all air travelers are subject to a robust security
system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and
unseen, including:
Intelligence gathering and analysis
Cross-checking passenger manifests against
watchlists
Thorough screening at checkpoints
Random canine team screening at airports
Reinforced cockpit doors
Federal air marshals
Armed pilots
A vigilant public
In combination, these layers provide enhanced security creating a
much stronger and protected transportation system for the
traveling public. TSA continually assesses and evaluates the
current threat environment and adjusts security measures as
necessary to ensure the highest levels of aviation security without
unnecessary disruption to travelers.
Q12: How will TSA ensure foreign
airports and air carriers are
complying with the new
procedures?
A12: TSA conducts assessments of foreign airports and
inspections of airlines to ensure all U.S. regulations and
International security standards are being met at last point of
departures to the United States. TSA directly assesses the security
posture of last points of departure airports under the Foreign
Airport Assessment Program (FAAP) and evaluates the
implementation of the internationally recognized International
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Q&A: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States | Homeland Security
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. TSA also utilizes its
regulatory authorities over the air carriers which serve the United
States to implement enhanced security measures at foreign
locations. As an element of each air carrier’s legally binding
approval to operate to and from the United States, the airline
agrees to meet all security requirements stipulated by TSA.
Q13: How does this affect the
American public, either those
traveling to/from these selected
airports and those flying within
the U.S.?
A13: All passengers flying through and from these locations will
have to place electronic devices that are larger than a cell
phone/smart phone in their checked bags regardless of the
passenger’s citizenship.
Q14: Will the security procedures
continue to apply to both
international and domestic
passengers?
A14: This applies to all passengers traveling from 10 specific
airports overseas.
Q15: Why are you only
implementing these measures
overseas, could the same tactics
be used domestically?
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A15: Electronic devices will still be allowed on all flights
originating in the United States. Security procedures, both seen
and unseen, are in place to mitigate the risk to flights in the
United States.
Q16: Does TSA have to hire
additional officers, or transfer
some to the affected airports, to
ensure the new screening
procedures are followed?
A16: No additional TSA personnel are needed because TSA does
not conduct screening at airports outside the United Sates.
Q17: Are the security measures
introduced on July 2, 2014 still in
place?
A17: A number of those implemented security measures remain
in place while others may be modified as deemed necessary to
protect travelers. Since July 2, 2014, a number of foreign
governments have themselves enhanced aviation security,
buttressing and replacing our own measures at these airports
when it became routine at overseas airports for security officials
to ask some passengers to turn on their electronic devices,
including cell phones, before boarding flights to the United
States.
Q18: How many flights does this
affect?
A18: This will only impact flights from 10 of the more than 250
airports that serve as last points of departure to the United
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Q&A: Aviation Security Enhancements for Select Last Point of Departure Airports with Commercial Flights to the United States | Homeland Security
States. This will only impact a small percentage of flights to the
United States. The exact number of flights will vary on a day to
day basis.
Q19: How many passengers will
be affected?
A19: These measures will apply to all passengers on flights from
the 10 last points of departure airports, a small fraction of
passengers traveling to the United States by air each day.
Q20: Will this affect passengers
enrolled in trusted traveler
programs?
A20: These measures will apply to all passengers on flights from
certain locations regardless of trusted traveler status.
Q21: What do you recommend
passengers do if they are flying
out of one of the last point of
departure airports?
A21: Passengers should pack large personal electronic devices in
checked bags and contact their air carrier with additional
questions.
Q22: How will this affect the
screening process at the airport?
A22: Generally, passengers will be instructed to place large
electronic devices in their checked bags when traveling from one
of the last point of departure airports. We provided guidance to
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the airlines who will determine how to implement and inform
their passengers.
Q23: How will this affect
passengers with connections?
A23: TSA recommends passengers transferring at one of the 10
affected airports place any large personal electronic devices in
their checked bags upon check-in at their originating airport.
Q24: Can you provide any
examples of recent terrorist
plotting against the aviation
sector? Please highlight the
trend you’re concerned about.
A24: Although the U.S. has instituted robust aviation security
measures since 9/11, our information indicates that terrorist
groups’ efforts to execute an attack against the aviation sector
are intensifying given that aviation attacks provide an
opportunity to cause mass casualties and inflict significant
economic damage, as well as generate overwhelming media
coverage.
We note that disseminated propaganda from various terrorist
groups is encouraging attacks on aviation, to include tactics to
circumvent aviation security. Terrorist propaganda has
highlighted the attacks against aircraft in Egypt with a soda can
packed with explosives in October 2015, and in Somalia using an
explosives-laden laptop in February 2016.
Terrorists have historically tried to hide explosives in shoes in
2001, use liquid explosives in 2006, and conceal explosives in
printers in 2010 and suicide devices in underwear in 2009 and
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2012. Within the last year, we have also seen attacks conducted at
airports to include in Brussels and Istanbul.
Q25: How were these countries
informed?
A25: USG officials coordinated with their foreign counterparts to
inform them of the changing threat. TSA has a formal process for
notifying airlines through the EA/SD process. This process was
used to notify affected airlines of the needed changes.
Q26: How will this be
implemented?
A26: The Airlines will have 96 hours to implement. The manner of
an EA/SD is to tell an airline the end result required (no electronic
devices larger than a cell phone allowed in the cabin) and allow
them the flexibility to implement within their business model.
Q27: Will U.S. direct
hires/diplomats posted in these
countries be told to take other
routes/airlines?
A27: No. U.S. government employees in the affected countries
have the option, but are not required, to modify their travel
routes. The new routes must comply with all U.S. government
travel regulations.
Q28: Will this apply to flights
departure to affected countries?
A28: No. At this time, evaluated intelligence says that the threat
exists at the 10 last point of departure airports.
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Q29: Does this start tomorrow?
A29: Airlines were notified on March 21st at 3:00 a.m. EDT. They
have 96 hours within which to comply.
Q30: How long will these
enhanced security measures be
in effect?
A30: These measures will be in effect indefinitely. However, DHS
and TSA continue to evaluate our aviation security processes and
policies based on the most recent intelligence.
Q31: What will happen to my
checked bag with my electronic
devices once I land in the United
States?
A31: TSA will increase explosives detection screening of
passenger luggage on select international inbound flights upon
domestic arrival. The screening will occur prior to releasing the
luggage back to passengers. It is possible that this process may
result in delays for connecting luggage.
Q32: Once I arrive in the U.S. and
retrieve my bag, what if I miss
my connecting flight to my final
U.S. destination?
A32: Contact your connecting airline on how best to rebook to
your final U.S. destination. Additionally, consider contacting your
airline prior to your flight to inquire about your connection time.
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Q33: What U.S. domestic
airports will be impacted?
A33: Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas-Ft.
Worth (DFW), Ft. Lauderdale (FLL), Houston Intercontinental
(IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), New York
Kennedy (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), SeattleTacoma (SEA), and Washington Dulles (IAD).
Q34: What do I do if my
electronics are damaged or
missing from my baggage when I
arrive at my destination?
A34: Regardless of where you are flying to/from or what airline
you are flying on, you should always contact your airline if there is
an issue with your checked baggage.
Q35: Are U.S. government
employees who are assigned U.S.
government laptops also
restricted from carrying their
laptops in carry-on bags on
these flights?
A35: The limits on the size of electronics in carry-on bags apply to
all passengers, including U.S. government employees with U.S.
government-issued laptops.
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Q36: What is the procedure if
something screens positive for
explosives?
A36: TSA partners with local law enforcement officials at each
airport and has protocols in place for proper response when a
bag triggers an alarm during screening.
###
Topics: Air (/topics/air)
Keywords: aviation (/keywords/aviation) , aviation security (/keywords/aviation-security)
Last Published Date: March 24, 2017
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