terrorist lists news stories on Newser

No-Fly List Has Doubled to 21K Since Last Year

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:28:24 CST

One year ago, the US no-fly list was at about 10,000 names; today, it has more than doubled to around 21,000. The list has been growing at a quick clip ever since the failed Christmas 2009 "underwear bomber" plot , after which the government lowered the standards required to...

Once You're on Terror Watch List, FBI May Not Let You Off

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:58:25 CDT

Newly released FBI documents reveal just how hard it is to get off the US government’s terrorist watch list once you’re on it, reports the New York Times in a look into the list's inner workings. Though agents are typically instructed to remove a person’s name if the investigation is...

FBI to Screen 9/11 Responders Against Terror List

Rob Quinn — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:56:50 CDT

Police, firefighters, construction workers, and anyone else covered by the 9/11 responders bill will be warned that their names must be compared to the FBI's terrorist watch list before they can receive benefits, according to a letter obtained by the Huffington Post . The requirement was added by GOP Rep. Cliff...

Boy, 8, Makes 'Terror Watch List'

Rob Quinn — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:05:33 CDT

James Robinson, 8, shares more than a name with a pilot and a former assistant attorney general, CNN reports. All three have found themselves on the government's terrorist watch list and must verify they're not James Robinson, suspected terrorist, before they can fly. Little James was first held up at...

Carter to Meet Hamas Leader Despite White House Policy

Nick McMaster — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:42:13 CDT

Jimmy Carter plans to visit leaders of Palestinian extremist group Hamas in Syria next week despite warnings by the State Department that the rendezvous violates the Bush administration’s policy of isolating terrorist organizations, Reuters reports. Carter has scheduled talks with Khaled Meshaal, who heads Hamas’ Syrian branch and claims responsibility...

Audit Slams FBI Over Terror Watch List

Zach Samalin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 06:03:14 CDT

The FBI provides inaccurate information about suspects on the nation's terror watch list, leaving innocent people on it too long and failing to provide timely updates about those who pose genuine threats, a Justice Department audit shows. The FBI says it will fix the problems within 6 months, the AP...

Activists, Washington Cross Swords over Terror List

Caroline Zimmerman — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:04:48 CDT

Activists are battling Washington over a list that tagged some 20,000 people as suspected terrorists last year, the Washington Post reports. Yet only a fraction of them were arrested, prompting critics to doubt the list’s value. Cases of a civil rights activist held for hours and a Cleveland resident...

Innocent Customers Caught in Terrorist Dragnet

Heather McPherson — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:57:37 CDT

Hassans, Muhammeds, and other men with Arabic-sounding names are being turned away when they try to buy cars, homes, and even exercise equipment. Responding to post-9/11 requirements to screen customers against terrorist lists, companies are turning down buyers with even partial name matches rather than risk stiff fines and prison...

Ballooning Terror Database Spawns Errors

Sam Gale Rosen — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:58:29 CDT

The US list of suspected terrorists has ballooned to 435,000 names, and upkeep is so poor that once you're on it, it's virtually impossible to get off. The size alone threatens to overwhelm those responsible for its upkeep, reports Karen DeYoung creating concerns about secrecy, errors and privacy.