Security officers in the United States will now be required to 'proactively' inform Sikh air travellers of their rights under the turban screening procedure after authorities earlier amended guidelines on checking of the headgear following protests from the community.
Under the new policy, Transportation Screening Officers would specifically inform Sikh travellers at airports of their rights to be screened by a 'puffer machine' where that option is available, self pat-down or a TSO pat-down, in that order, United Sikhs, an advocacy group said.
"The requirement to proactively inform a Sikh traveller of his rights under the turban screening procedure will go into effect in the next 30 to 60 days," Amarit Singh of United Sikhs said.
The Transport Security Administration informed the group that 75 per cent of TSOs across the United States had been provided training on the religious sensitivities of Sikhs through a film, On Common Ground.
Besides this, the TSA will create a comprehensive anti-profiling policy similar to the one adopted by Department of Justice and, if needed, additional assistance for training would be sought from Sikh organisations, possibly in January.
The TSA is planning to hold a community outreach meeting to address issues at the three New York airports in February or March.