New US terrorism report urges more international cooperation
The National Counterterrorism Center released a 60-page document that urges immigration changes and lays out programs aimed at preventing terrorists from traveling in the US.
The Center called for immigration officials to have the information they need to weed out potential terrorists trying to get into the country.
The group also recommends increased information sharing about potential or suspected terrorists within the government and with foreign allies.
Many of the programs have already become part of traveler’s routines since 9-11. Watch lists, airport screening and enhanced passport requirements, for example, have already been in place.
But other suggested initiatives such as terrorism task forces are new.
The document says border security organizations need to increase the number of tips they pass on to law enforcement agencies.
The year-long study also concluded that travel information needs to more often be shared with allies, and that other countries should be encouraged to shut down illegal immigrant smugglers and document forgers.
Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schlosser, the center’s deputy director, said:
“No matter how good, no matter how much work, no matter how much money the US puts into all of the different things that we have done and want to do to prevent terrorist travel in the United States, if we don’t have really capable foreign partners….then we are not going to be successful.”
Much of the US’s problem stems from overseas, said David Heyman, director of the private Center for Strategic and International Studies. Even if the US did everything it could within its borders to prevent the illegal movement of people, only about 5% of the problem would be covered.
“The real question is, ‘what are the measures of success and how do we know we’re successful’?” he told Canada.com.
The center also recommended the US government work with its immigration Canadian counterparts to come up with a common watch-list screening procedure and system that would apply to everyone crossing the border in either direction.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025