Findings from Facilitation Discussion At the Border - Air

What are the common cases or risks encountered at the air checkpoint? Common cases detected upon arrival at air checkpoint: Airside (International Area) (i)Arrival Documentation –Forged/counterfeit travel documents, e.g. passports, visas –Arrival without travel documents (undocumented) –Impersonation –Fraudulently obtained travel documents –Inadequately documented, e.g. no visas on arrival (ii) Interline transit –Possession / procurement of the foregoing documents –Boarding pass swaps

What are the common cases or risks encountered at the air checkpoint? Common cases detected upon arrival at air checkpoint: Landside (National Area) (i)Facilitators assist to check in for obtaining the boarding passes (ii)Couriers assist to bring in the boarding passes to airside for swapping (ii)Same modus operandi for forged documents swap

What are the current measures adopted to reduce or mitigate these risks? Current measures adopted include: Airside & Interline Transit Legislation backup measures: –API Manifest vs. watch list checking –APP Check in information vs. destination authorities’ instructions –PNR research Airlines’ cooperation must be sought Enhancements of forgery detection equipment –Procurement of document examination instruments –Facial recognition systems

What are the current measures adopted to reduce or mitigate these risks? Current measures adopted include: Airside & Interline Transit Capacity building (authorities and airline personnel) –Interview techniques/ countries’ conditions knowledge –Forgery detection workshops –Forgery detection manuals –Regular intelligence meetings among authorities, airline personnel and concerned overseas representatives –Publications and dissemination of document alerts

What are the current measures adopted to reduce or mitigate these risks? Current measures adopted include: Airside & Interline Transit Intelligence/information sharing between ports of embarkation and disembarkation authorities (suspicious travellers report “STR”) Networking establishment (inter and intra-governmental agencies) for timely document verification Boarding gates spot checks/security checks Investigators in disguise/plain clothes patrolling the areas for detecting irregularities

What are the current measures adopted to reduce or mitigate these risks? Current measures adopted include: Landside Warning indexing vs. facilitators, couriers, escorts etc. Undercover surveillance Airlines’ alerts

Can more be done and can intelligence play a part in mitigating these risks? Suggestions to be made: Multilateral cooperation in setting up intelligence exchange/sharing network among countries Setting up of focal liaison contacts for 24/7 for timely alerts on actionable intelligence Drafting up of immigration document verification protocols Expanding ALOs network and enhancing mutual communication and assistance Assessing the feasibility of setting up a common intelligence databank against syndicate members of illegal migration for readily access by inter-governmental agencies

Can more be done and can intelligence play a part in mitigating these risks? Suggestions to be made: Transnational interdiction exercise (issue of STRs) Seeking the feasibility of setting up individual jurisdiction websites for travel documents and visa specimens verification by designated authorities Reinforcement of document examination, forgery detection techniques training Possible implementation of exchange programs among jurisdictions for experience, technology and work knowledge exchange Introduction of biometric passport vs. intelligence storage Better utilization of Interpol database for relevant access to information