Terrorist Screening Center
Stored: Terrorist Screening Center
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| Top Organization | Department of Justice |
| Creation Legislation | Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) consolidates and maintains the U.S. government's terrorism watchlist to aid in identifying and preventing terrorist activities. It supports federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and other agencies in counterterrorism efforts. |
| Program Start | |
| Initial Funding | |
| Duration | |
| Historic | No |
Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) is a division of the FBI’s National Security Branch, tasked with managing the U.S. Government's consolidated terrorism watchlist. This watchlist aids in the identification of known or suspected terrorists by various screening processes.
Goals
- To provide a single, unified database for terrorism-related information to be used by law enforcement and screening agencies.
- To ensure timely and accurate information sharing to prevent terrorist attacks.
- To maintain and update the watchlist to reflect current threat intelligence.
Success metrics include the number of encounters with individuals from the watchlist, the accuracy of information dissemination, and feedback from law enforcement agencies on the utility of the data provided.
Organization
The TSC is administered by the FBI but includes representatives from various federal departments, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, Department of Defense, and others. It is led by a Director who reports to the FBI's National Security Branch. Funding for the TSC comes from the FBI's budget, which is part of the Department of Justice appropriations.
Impact and Outcomes
- **Quantitative**: The TSC has facilitated thousands of encounters annually with individuals on the watchlist, aiding in arrests and further intelligence gathering. - **Qualitative**: It has improved inter-agency communication, though there have been criticisms regarding privacy concerns and the lack of due process for listing individuals.
Unintended consequences include occasional misidentifications leading to civil rights concerns.
Background and History
The TSC was created in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, with its formal establishment via the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 in 2003. This directive aimed at unifying disparate terrorist watchlists across government agencies. The center has evolved, expanding its scope and capabilities in response to changing threats and technology. It does not have a planned end date, reflecting the ongoing need for counterterrorism measures.
Funding
- The TSC is funded as part of the FBI's broader budget, which does not specify funding for the TSC alone.
- Funding began in 2003 and continues annually with no end date, subject to congressional appropriations.
Implementation
The TSC operates through a database known as the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB), which supports various screening systems. It employs a 24/7 call center for real-time information sharing when encounters with listed individuals occur. The program is intended to be ongoing, with no specific end date.
- Leadership**:
- The head of the TSC holds the position of **Director of the Terrorist Screening Center**.
See Also
External Links
- https://www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure/national-security-branch/terrorist-screening-center
- https://www.dhs.gov/watchlist-service
- Wikipedia Article**:
- wikipedia:Terrorist Screening Center
Social media
- There are no official social media accounts for the TSC listed.