"Secure" US Passports: Made in Thailand!

According to a breakthrough report jointly published by the Center for Public Integrity and ABC News from, the U.S. federal office that issues passports has failed to address long-term concerns about the security risks brought on by outsourcing the manufacture of US passports overseas.

Says Clark Kent Ervin, a former inspector general at the US Department of Homeland Security, "On a number of levels this is extremely troubling. Something like that ought to be produced only in the United States, under only the most rigorous security standards."

Passports Manufactured in an Unstable, Unsecure Area

In spite of their adamant assurances to move their passport production into the United States, a major federal contractor continues to produce a sophisticated electronic component for the nation's newest and most technologically passport in Thailand.

The factory where the passports are produced is in the same Bangkok vicinity (Ayutthaya) where a notorious terrorist was captured in 2003, and there have been ongoing outbursts of violence in this same city as recently as a month ago.

Warnings Issued

Both the Government Printing Office (GPO) and its security chief have issued specific warnings about producing passport computer chip assembly in Thailand. A report reviewed by the Center for Public Integrity and ABC News admonished readers of a "potential long term risk to the [U.S. government's] interests."

Robert Tapella, a top officer at the United States GPO turned down requests for interviews in this issue. However, ABC News did manage to speak with Tapella at a Baltimore industry conference. The news agency asked why persistent warnings about the lack of security surrounding the production of US passports had not been addressed.

High-Tech Microchip Passport

Tapella stated that the designated federal contractors were currently moving production from Thailand into a Minnesota production facility on US soil. Said Tapella, "I believe the Government Printing Office along with the Department of State, are doing everything necessary to maintain and secure the passport supply chain."

The Thai factory was one of several concerns raised in an inspector general's audit earlier this year that looked into the way the GPO is producing the new e-passport. Newer US passport sport sophisticated technology in the form of a computer storage chip touted to be impenetrable to counterfeiters. The chip is said to be further secure as it is embedded into the passport cover.

Many experts concur that overseas outsourcing for American passport production is a significant concern for homeland security, assuming especially that the holder of a US passport can more easily bypass strict reviews for travelers entering the U.S. from abroad. Ervin likens this kind of passport to an EZ-pass onto American soil - a much-coveted loophole targeted by terrorists.

Much Said, Little Done

In spite of assurances issued by the government contractor and modest moves that many feel are more for show than action of any real substance, none of what has been done comforts Robert Sheridan, a retired US customs agency officer and former GPO investigator - a man following this security issue for years.

"A [United States] passport is the keys to entry into the kingdom," Sheridan said. "Somebody better wake up."

Corollary to ongoing concerns that terrorists may easily usurp high-tech US passports, they may just as easily foist them as legitimate passports issued to terrorists seeking entry into the US.

Sources:

• ABC News
• Center for Public Integrity