U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley is now questioning TSA's alleged CBP One app initiative. The issue started when a conservative commentator named David Rubin posted an image on X showing the TSA's plan.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the CBP One application as a single portal for different services offered by the law enforcement organization.
A Venezuelan migrant browses the CBP One mobile app searching for an appointment to enter the United States outside the temporary stay of the National Migration Institute (INM) in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on May 5, 2023.
One of the goals of CBP One is to make it easier for asylum seekers to enter the United States. However, the Biden Administration wasn't expecting the app to face criticisms.
Now, a new issue involving the CBP One app appears as the Transportation Security Administration plans to use it. Here are the latest details.
TSA's Alleged CBP One App Initiative Questioned Sen. Hawley
According to Fox News' latest report, David Rubin posted a photo on X. This image shows a notice regarding the TSA's plan to partner with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
"TSA is partnering with CBP to test the use of CBP One at certain TSA checkpoints to validate adult non-U.S. citizen travel documentation when the traveler does not otherwise have an acceptable form of identification," said TSA on the notice.
In the signage, TSA explained how non-U.S. citizens can use the CBP One technology. Here are the instructions provided:
- Notify the TSA Officer that you are a migrant
- The TSA Officer will take a photo
- If requested, provide your alien identification number or biographic information
- Follow officer instructions.
But, the notice confirmed that immigrants can decline to have a photo taken by TSA officers. Instead, they can provide their information, which should be verified through the CBP One app.
When U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley read the post, he said that the practice would not only violate the rule of law but also raise significant security concerns for commercial flights.
Special Privileges Could Be Given to Illegal Immigrants
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) speaks to reporters while arriving to a briefing on Afghanistan led by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, not pictured, with the Senate Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations committees on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Hawley said that if what the signage states is true, then the plan of TSA and CBP is "outrageous."
He said that millions of U.S. citizens are subject to burdensome and inconvenient TSA screening processes, which include photo identifications.
However, Americans need to deal with this burden in order to ensure their safety, as well as the safety of their fellow travelers.
"Therefore, it makes no sense to give special privileges to illegal immigrants, who should not even be allowed in the United States in the first place, let alone allowed to board U.S. aircraft," argued Sen. Hawley.
"This is symbolic of the Biden Administration's prioritization of open border policies over Americans' safety," added the U.S. senator.
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