Washington, D.C. – November 15, 2007: In advance of the busy holiday travel season, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) would like to remind all Sikh travelers about their rights when flying through airports in the United States.
Last month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced new screening policies. To assist Sikh travelers in navigating the new security screening procedures, 
SALDEF has made the following guides available:
- Traveler’s Guide to Airport Security Screening in English and Punjabi
- Visual Guide to the Airport Screening Process available here.
Additionally, in reference to a report released today by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), TSA has come under scrutiny by the House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform for failing to detect concealed IED devices which were carried through screening check points at 19 of the nation’s airports. In preparation for increased public scrutiny on TSA’s screening procedure, SALDEF advises Sikh travelers to be vigilant in exerting their rights through the screening process.
To help evaluate the proper implementation of this new screening policy, SALDEF requests all Sikh air travelers to please describe their screening experience, positive or negative, by filling out this short survey.
In preparation for the travel season, TSA screeners are being required to view SALDEF”s training video and every airport has received copies of the Common Sikh American Head Coverings poster produced by SALDEF with the Department of Justice in 2004.
Finally, as 2007 comes to end, SALDEF encourages you to help support SALDEF with a year end contribution. Through your generous support, SALDEF can continue its pioneering work since 1996 of advocating on behalf of the Sikh American community, educating government and civic officials, and creating a more inviting environment for Sikh children and families. Make your contribution before the year ends to help continue this work done in the spirit of seva.
If you encounter any difficulty going through screening because of your articles of faith, please report it to SALDEF immediately.