Criminal Deportees Fly Unescorted

The Houston Chronicle reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials routinely put illegal immigrants unescorted on commercial flights for deportation, including some who are sex offenders or have other criminal records, according to documents and field agent accounts. The practice has prompted complaints from a key U.S. senator and ICE union leaders, who contend that putting illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes on commercial airlines unescorted poses a severe public safety risk. Unescorted deportees have caused disruptions on flights and have absconded after unscheduled stops, including two Peruvian deportees who disappeared from Houston's Bush Intercontinental in July. Internal ICE documents show that illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes involving victims as young as 11 have been allowed to fly unescorted.

$25M Order for Advanced Imaging Technology

Rapiscan Systems has received a $25 million order from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for multiple units of its Secure 1000 Single Pose advanced checkpoint security screening solution. The order is the first to be placed under terms of the firm's recently awarded, $173 million contract from the TSA for Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) solutions. The Secure 1000 Single Pose uses advanced backscatter technology and proprietary image processing software to rapidly detect potential threats that may be concealed on passengers at aviation checkpoints. Following rigorous testing, TSA selected the Rapiscan Secure 1000 Single Pose to be the first and to date only system qualified under the AIT program.

Airports Screen for Body Signals?

CNN reports that a Department of Homeland Security-funded project called Future Attribute Screening Technology, or FAST, involves sensors and cameras located at security checkpoints that would measure the natural signals coming from your body -- your heart rate, breathing, eye movement, body temperature and fidgeting. Those physiological signs, measured together, would indicate whether you might have the desire or intent to do harm, project manager Robert Burns said. "There's been a large field of research that ties your physical reactions to your mental state, your emotional state. We're looking for those signals that your body gives off naturally," Burns said. He believes the technology can pick up cues that may not be observed by a human and help security personnel decide more quickly whether to send someone to secondary screening for questioning. Some critics question the viability of the project, saying it's pie-in-the-sky science fiction. Civil libertarians also charge it's an invasion of privacy.

The Future of Perimeter Security & Virtual Fences

RADA Electronic Industries has signed an agreement with Spider Technologies Security to help market and manufacture its patented security system's hardware. SpiderTech developed a patented seismic sensor and signal processing technology that allows for the detection, classification and tracking of unauthorized activity on the surface and underground. The homeland security applications of this technology are wide-ranging: securing sensitive government sites and borders, military applications, as well as covert, commercial and residential security. SpiderTech is conducting field demonstrations, focusing on early warning perimeter security solutions for sensitive military, energy, government and commercial sites, including underground threats. Unlike conventional perimeter security solutions, SpiderTech sensors do not require line of sight with potential threats and are immune to environmental effects of wind, temperature changes and rain. In addition, the sensors have a very low rate of false alarms, thus being extremely difficult to bypass and enhance any existing perimeter security solution.

Reveal Receives $30M Order from TSA

Reveal Imaging Technologies has received a $30 million order from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for its CT-80 DR next generation explosives detection system (EDS). These systems, in addition to associated options, are scheduled for delivery over the next 12 months. This TSA order was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The new equipment incorporates enhanced explosive detection technology to provide on-screen viewing capabilities for TSA officers conducting baggage screening. This will streamline airport procedures for passengers, making it easier to move through ticketing and boarding, according to the security firm. "By placing this order using stimulus funding, as well as other orders we've received from the U.S. Government this year, Reveal is able to enhance security and create much needed jobs for Americans," said Michael Ellenbogen, president and CEO. "As a small business, we've been able to move quickly to put these funds to work." Founded in 2002, Reveal Imaging Technologies, Inc., of Bedford, MA is a privately held company that provides industry-leading threat detection products and services.