ACLU suit challenges constitutionality of "no-fly" list

An airline passenger has her boarding pass and identification papers reviewed by a TSA Officer(L) at a security checkpoint inside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit against FBI authorities over the "no fly" list, saying that it prevents innocent travelers from flying. As of last week, 10 individuals have been refused permission to board plans traveling within, or bound for, the United States because their names appear on the list. Once they discovered their names were listed, however, FBI and airline officials wouldn’t tell them why they were on the list, and they were given no way to appeal. The list was allegedly beefed up after Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted an attack on Christmas Day. Has the FBI been successful in keeping our skies friendly? Or, do unaccountable no-fly lists violate travelers' rights?

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit against FBI authorities over the "no fly" list, saying that it prevents innocent travelers from flying. As of last week, 10 individuals have been refused permission to board plans traveling within, or bound for, the United States because their names appear on the list. Once they discovered their names were listed, however, FBI and airline officials wouldn’t tell them why they were on the list, and they were given no way to appeal. The list was allegedly beefed up after Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted an attack on Christmas Day. Has the FBI been successful in keeping our skies friendly? Or, do unaccountable no-fly lists violate travelers' rights?

Guests:

Ahilan Arulanantham, one of the ACLU lawyers handling "no fly" list lawsuit

Halime Sat, Plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit

John Eastman, Former Dean and Professor, Chapman University School of Law; Founding Director, Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence