APIS (Advance Passenger Information System)
Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security
|
2004
|
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company. (Hide copyright information)
Copyright
APIS (Advance Passenger Information System)
The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) is an electronic database system that stores information about airline travelers. The system, operated by the United States Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), provides searchable biographical and security information on air travelers entering the United States from a foreign location.
As of March 1, 2003, the newly created United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) absorbed the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). All INS border patrol agents and investigators—along with agents from the U.S. Customs Service and Transportation Security Administration—were placed under the direction of the DHS Directorate of Border and Transportation Security (BTS). Responsibility for U.S. border security and the enforcement of immigration laws was transferred to BTS.
BTS is scheduled to incorporate the United States Customs Service (previously part of the Department of Treasury), the enforcement division of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (previously part of the Department of Justice), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (previously part of the Department of Agriculture), the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (previously part of the Department of Treasury), Transportation Security Administration (previously part of the Department of Transportation) and the Federal Protective Service (previously part of the General Services Administration).
Former INS immigration service functions are scheduled to be placed under the direction of the DHS Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Under the reorganization the INS formally ceases to exist on the date the last of its functions are transferred.
Although the description of the technologies involved in the APIS entry security program remained stable, in an effort to facilitate border security BTS plans envision higher levels of coordination between formerly separate agencies and databases. As of April 2003, the specific coordination and future of the APIS dtaabase was uncertain with regard to name changes, database administration, and user policy changes.
Common APIS data includes information that that is routinely found on a passport or visa and airline boarding card, such as an individual's name, birth date, country of residence, country of origin and final destination. Records also note if the passenger has been issued a United States visa. In some locations, optical scanners are used to obtain digital records of passports, visas, and other documents.
Although initiated as a voluntary program for air carriers in 1988, anti-terrorism and security legislation passed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks mandated participation in the APIS. Prior to departure of every international flight bound for the United States, APIS information is checked against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) database. IBIS is a combined Federal law enforcement database consisting of records from the Department of State, INS, Customs Service, and other agencies. IBIS, when used in conjunction with APIS, prevents entry into the United States by illegal aliens, and persons wanted on visa or customs violations. APIS information is also cross-checked with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and State Department wanted persons files.
A new voluntary programs encourages air carriers to submit APIS manifests for flights departing from the United States for international destinations. The INS is developing and testing various database systems to monitor more closely foreign nationals with U.S. visas. The outbound APIS program allows authorities to confirm when foreign nationals with visas leave the United States when their documents expire. Voluntary APIS is also being used on limited domestic flights.
Since its inception, over 200 million passengers have been processed through the APIS system.
█ FURTHER READING:
ELECTRONIC:
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. INSPASS. March 1, 2003. <http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/howdoi/inspassloc.htm> (April 14, 2003).
Department of Homeland Security. April 2, 2003. <http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/index.jsp> (April 11, 2003).
United States Department of Homeland Security. Immigration Information, INSPASS. March 4, 2003. <http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/shared/howdoi/inspass.htm> (April 9, 2003).
United States Department of Homeland Security. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, PORTPASS. March 11, 2003. <http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/howdoi/portpass.htm> (April 9, 2003).
SEE ALSO
IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection System)
IDENT (Automated Biometric Identification System)
INSPASS (Immigration and Naturalization Service Passenger Accelerated Service System)
NAILS (National Automated Immigration Lookout System)
PORTPASS (Port Passenger Accelerated Service System)
SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers' Rapid Inspection)
Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.
 "The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH)")
|
ONIONS SHOW THEIR COLORS: RED, WHITE AND YELLOW.(Living)
Newspaper article from: The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH); 6/25/2003; ; 700+ words
; ...And sometimes you weep." Onion trivia: * What compound in onions brings tears to your eyes? Sulfuric...herbs, if desired. -- National Onion Association. Laredo Salad with Marinated Onions 1 large yellow onion, halved (or half red, half...
|
|
Onions: the new chic vegetable: suppliers are offering fresh-cut product, more accessible packaging and displays, and are increasing shelf life to appeal to onion shoppers.(Focus on Fresh)
Magazine article from: Grocery Headquarters; 9/1/2003; ; 700+ words
; ...According to the National Onion Association, studies have shown that onions might prevent cancers...toward maintaining onion taste and texture...says Battle. "Onions that are too bland...merchandise the various onion categories separately...consumers by mixing sweet onions with ...
|
|
Onions 101
Newspaper article from: Jerusalem Post; 6/9/2006; ; 700+ words
; ...matter what kind of onion you like. Sometimes...include both red onions for their sweetness...meals with fried onion rings and serve creamed onions with roast turkey...as you cut the onion, its aroma tells...pungent it is. Sweet onions taste sweeter than...
|
|
Eat onions for better cardiovascular health.
News Wire article from: PPI - Pakistan Press International; 8/7/2009; 700+ words
; ...cholesterol, onions bring the cholesterol...levels back down. Onion eaters show better...reducers found in onions. Indian researchers found that onion extracts reduced...is coughed up. Onions help with bad...compounds present in onion will help to prevent...
|
|
ONIONS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT
Newspaper article from: The Boston Globe; 5/6/1987; ; 700+ words
; ...lndeed, there are now onion connoisseurs -- people who know onions by name and who shop...Serves one. MARINATED ONION SALAD 2 large sweet onions 1 teaspoon salt 1...Serves four. SWEET ONION SALSA 3 cups chopped sweet onions 3 cups diced tomatoes...
|
|
ONIONS Versatile veggie offers layers of flavor to savor
Newspaper article from: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; 1/4/1998; ; 700+ words
; ...the very best onions to use for salads...bulbs with a mild onion flavor, shallots...Italian summer onion, slightly larger than boiling onions and disk-shaped...yellow or white onion weighs between...chopped. Large onions can weigh up to...
|
|
Onions: a global health benefit.(Herb Watch)
Magazine article from: Vibrant Life; 5/1/2005; ; 700+ words
; ...States, the Vidalia onion--a favorite...for its mild taste. Onions can be eaten raw...also used to flavor onion salt. Onions (along with garlic...anticoagulants should use onions cautiously. Cancer Fighter Onion extracts, rich in...
|
|
Onions that bring a tear to your eye.(Food)
Newspaper article from: The Washington Times; 12/10/1997; ; 700+ words
; ...week. They are the best onions to use for salads and...skinned bulbs with a mild onion flavor, shallots are...Save leftovers. Chopped onions keep for a day or two...medium yellow or white onion weighs between 4 and...sliced or chopped. Large onions can weigh up to 1 pound...
|
|
|
Eating onions boosts good cholesterol.
News Wire article from: PPI - Pakistan Press International; 8/9/2009; 700+ words
; ...cholesterol, onions bring the cholesterol...levels back down. Onion eaters show better...reducers found in onions. Indian researchers found that onion extracts reduced...is coughed up. Onions help with bad...compounds present in onion will help to prevent...
|
 "The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)")
|
BRING ON THE ONIONS; FOODS OF ALL KINDS CRY OUT FOR THEM.(CNY)
Newspaper article from: The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY); 3/9/2005; 700+ words
; ...Margaret McCormick Food editor Onion rings. Blooming onions. Sausage, peppers and onions. French onion soup. Liver and onions. Well...till summertime," Sanders says. Onion Bites Select onions that are firm and heavy for their
|
|
Onion, Inc.
Book article from: International Directory of Company Histories
Onion, Inc. 536 Broadway, 10th Floor New York...627-1711 Web site: http://www.onion.com Private Company Incorporated: 1988...Publishers; 511199 All Other Publishers Onion, Inc. serves as the holding company for...
|
|
onion
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
...flavored red onion, the milder yellow onion, and the bland white onion. Pearl onions are small white onions used for pickling. The large Spanish and Bermuda onions have a delicate flavor. The onion was grown extensively by the ancient...
|
|
Onions
Dictionary entry from: Dictionary of American History
...Connecticut, soon became a noted onion-growing center. Records show that Wethersfield was shipping onions as early as 1710. A century...annually. Nonetheless, as onion culture spread to all parts...extensive production of Bermuda onions began in Texas, California...
|
|
onion, spring
Book article from: A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition
onion, spring Young plants of Allium cepa , generally eaten...and leaves) as a salad vegetable. Also known as salad onions or scallions. A 60–g portion (three onions) is a rich source of vitamin C; a source of folate...
|
|
|
onion, Welsh
Book article from: A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition
onion, Welsh The perennial onion, Allium cepa perutile , the leaves of which are cropped, leaving the plant to grow. Similar to, but smaller than, the Japanese bunching onion, Allium fistulosum . Also sometimes used as an alternative name for the leek .
|
