Presses Top TSA Official to Open Investigation, Stop the Discriminatory Practice
Office Sen. Franken
Friday, April 29, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C —U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) pressed the head of the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to quickly investigate charges that Somali-Americans were racially profiled by TSA officials and to put an end to any such discriminatory practices.
Sen. Franken, in a letter to TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger on Thursday, expressed “serious concerns” about the reports that a Minnesota-based TSA officer was instructed to provide information about Somali-American leaders visiting TSA offices so they could be checked for terrorist ties.
“Minnesota is home to the nation’s largest Somali-American population—a vibrant community that I’m proud to represent in the Senate,” Sen. Franken wrote in his letter. “As you know, racial and ethnic profiling undermines trust in the authorities and causes resentment among targeted groups. I therefore request that you immediately open an investigation into these reports.”
The charges of racial profiling were raised by a local TSA manager whose supervisor asked him to provide names of Somali leaders visiting the local TSA office so they could be checked against terrorist databases. The manager said he’s never been asked to help screen any other visitors for terrorist ties.
Sen. Franken said he will continue to monitor the situation to ensure TSA takes action on the racial profiling reports.