Capitol Hill Putting Pressure on CBP Regarding Aircraft Searches
February 5, 2014
Eight Senate Republicans have sent a letter to the acting secretary of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the legality of CBP searches. The Senators have requested a report from DHS detailing every stop and search since 2009. As reported in our September Bulletin, industry groups and Congressman Sam Graves had sent inquiries to DOT, DHS and CBP questioning the legality of CBP searches of general aviation aircraft within US borders. The parties have voiced concerns that the searches, which are usually performed as part of cross-border drug-interdiction efforts, are being conducted on aircraft that do not conduct cross-border operations and are done without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. In addition, CBP has recently proposed making certain public records unavailable for review, including those involving the referenced aircraft stops.