Since April 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been introducing millimeter wave scanners at airports around the nation under a new program called “Checkpoint Evolution.”  In the past few years, when new technology was introduced at airports across the country, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has been in the forefront of organizations raising concerns of the community regarding privacy or profiling related issues. It is for this reason that, prior to the implementation of “Checkpoint Evolution” at airports across the nation, TSA officials invited ADC to visit the prototype of these scanners at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2008, so that concerns from the Arab American community are voiced, heard, and taken into account. ADC along with representatives from SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) attended the meeting.

 The Detroit Metropolitan Airport will get its share of this new technology by the end of the summer. These new scanners are designed to enable security personnel to check for weapons or explosives under the passengers’ clothes. Individuals going through these scanners will also be randomly selected. With this new technology taking effect, many are raising privacy concerns, and are wondering about the extent that their private parts will be revealed, or whether this is in fact no more than a strip search.

ADC and SALDEF both raised privacy concerns, particularly the ones related to those of Muslim faith wearing the hijab, or those of Sikh faith wearing the turban. At the meeting, one of SALDEF’s representatives was wearing a turban; we therefore requested a demonstration take place to get a first hand account as to what is or is not revealed through these scanners. Representatives from ADC and SALDEF were taken back to a room where TSA screeners view the actual scan. The room was located in a separate area from the place of the scanners, and the screeners never personally see those individuals entering the scanners. The information about the individuals being screened was also automatically deleted.

While waiting in this room, the Sikh gentlemen entered the scanner. Here are ADC observations: sexual organs were definitely not revealed; the shape/outline — but not the details — of the body were revealed, for instance if someone is slim or full figured; the Sikh gentleman was wearing a silver bracelet for religious reasons, and the bracelet was revealed; the face was entirely blurred, and one can not tell at all the ethnicity or national origin background of the individual being scanned; finally one can tell that there is a hat or turban, but nothing underneath it; i.e. hair.

ADC will continue working with the TSA on all levels to ensure that the rights of all passengers are not violated, and monitoring the situation in the Detroit Metro Airport. Furthermore, keep in mind when flying that passengers uncomfortable with these machines can choose the traditional pat-down instead.  If you experience any problems or issues at Detroit Metro Airport please call the ADC Michigan Office at 313-581-1201.

Fahed Al-Rawaf, J.D., is a legal advisor for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C. and can be reached via e-mail at fahed@adc.org.