How do agencies identified as routine users (DHS, etc.) access passport records?
Third parties are allowed access to PIERS based upon agreements with those agencies as to how they will use this data and protect it within the Privacy Act. Q: According to the Federal Register you plan to expand access to passport records to Interpol and certain foreign governments? Why would you do this? A: The United States government has an interest in sharing data on lost and stolen passports with foreign governments for the purpose of combating efforts by terrorists or others to obtain and use false identity and travel documents. For example, we have data sharing arrangements with Interpol, and with foreign governments that participate in the Regional Movement Alert System, which allows for automated checking of lost, stolen or otherwise invalid passport records. We do not provide the foreign governments a copy of our data or with access to PIERS. During travel, a U.S. passport number is checked against our list of invalid travel documents to ensure the traveler is not using an i
