9/11/2007

DHS recently published a notice to broaden the sharing of the alien arrival and departure database with other agencies and foreign government for the homeland security and counterterrism. The database, called the arrival-and-departure information system, contains information collected at U.S. ports of entry and departure on all foreigners who enter, travel within or leave the United States. 

Until now, information in the database has been primarily shared only within Homeland Security. That is expected to change in the future. It is thus expected that intelligence agencies will contact the DHS more often for information on foreigners that are under investigation. The database could provide critical information during investigations, especially concerning whether a foreign subject is inside the United States. 

The information in the database may be shared with federal, state, local, tribal, foreign or international government intelligence or counterterrism agencies; or components where DHS becomes aware of an indication of a threat or potential threat to national or international security; or where such use is to assist in anti-terrorism efforts and disclosure is appropriate to the proper performance of the official duties of the person making the disclosures. 

Reportedly information in the database can come from foreign governments. According to the notice, information may be derived from records related to entry or exit data of foreign countries collected by foreign governments.