The Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) is the U.S. Government's consolidated terrorist watchlist. The TSDB contains basic biographical information on known or appropriately suspected domestic and international terrorists. In this regard, the underlying derogatory information on individuals nominated for inclusion in the TSDB must demonstrate a reasonable suspicion of ties to terrorism.
Currently, TSDB records are exported to various U.S. and international government entities tasked with conducting terrorism screening. Each agency receiving TSDB records has established criteria that dictate what records it receives from the TSC. The TSC provided us with the following descriptions of the databases receiving watchlist records and the minimum criteria for exporting records to them:
CLASS
The Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS) is maintained by the Department of State (State Department). CLASS, divided into CLASS/Visa and CLASS/Passport, is used by State Department representatives when processing visa and passport applications, respectively.
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IBIS
The Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) is maintained by DHS’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. IBIS is generally queried by federal law enforcement agents at ports of entry.
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No Fly and Selectee Lists
The No Fly and Selectee Lists are maintained by the Transportation Security Administration. These lists are used by public carriers, both airline and other modal, to screen their passengers. The No Fly list includes individuals who are prohibited from boarding an aircraft. The Selectee list includes individuals who must undergo additional security screening checks before being permitted to board an aircraft.
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- In addition, a minimum threshold of derogatory information for inclusion on the No Fly or Selectee lists was established on October 21, 2004, by the Homeland Security Council.
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VGTOF
Terrorist records contained in the Violent Gang and Terrorist Organization File (VGTOF) is one segment of the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system. The NCIC is a database queried by federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in performance of their duties.
Minimum Criteria:
In order for a known or suspected terrorist to be included in VGTOF, the following minimum biographical information is required:
- first name
- last name
- approximate year of birth