DHS urges Muslim air travelers to register

The head of civil rights for DHS is urging Muslim air travelers to register with the federal government before flying in order to reduce the chances they might be stopped at an airport because their name is on or similar to names on an anti-terrorism watch list. Daniel Sutherland admits, however, that doing so will not completely eliminate the chance that a Muslim traveler will be singled out for closer scrutiny before or after flying.

Speaking recently at a seminar on Homeland Security sponsored by the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, Sutherland said the department wants to improve its relations with Muslims and Arab-Americans.