A class-action lawsuit seeks to stop TSA from unlawfully seizing flyers’ cash

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to halt its practice of seizing cash from travelers, even when no crime is suspected. Since 2014, the TSA has taken money from over 10,000 travelers, often without ever charging them with a crime. The lawsuit, led by the Institute for Justice and Rebecca Brown, argues that the TSA’s policies are unconstitutional and allow agents to seize money based on vague and arbitrary criteria, such as how the cash is bundled or the agent’s ‘instinct.’

Previously, the TSA often worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), benefiting from their asset forfeiture program, which allows the government to seize assets without proving guilt. While agents are no longer permitted to keep a percentage of seized funds, the TSA continues to seize money based on subjective interpretations of what constitutes a ‘large amount of cash.’ The agency’s definition is left to the discretion of individual screeners, leading to inconsistent and potentially abusive practices.

The lawsuit aims to dismantle the secrecy surrounding TSA policies and end the practice of seizing travelers’ money without justification. The author highlights the TSA’s history of abuses, including instances of agents stealing from passengers, and argues that compelling the TSA to cease these practices is a crucial step towards restoring constitutional protections for travelers.

(Source：New York Post)