US plans for armed officers in UK airports

BRITISH holidaymakers visiting the US could be hit with higher air fares and extra security before boarding flights under new plans for armed US immigration officers at UK airports.

The change, which would mean transatlantic passengers clearing immigration before boarding an aircraft, is being discussed in Washington and Whitehall, with officials understood to be negotiating over the practicalities.

Under the plans, airlines may be forced to pay for US security staff and their families to live in the UK. They would be likely to pass these extra costs on to passengers travelling from Britain to the US. Passengers would also be likely to be asked to arrive earlier at airports for flights, as they would have to undergo questioning by US security in addition to usual checks.

Two airports are already understood to be interested in the programme – Manchester and Edinburgh.

Others, including Heathrow, are reported to believe the practicalities of bringing American immigration officers into the airport are insuperable. Gatwick said it had “no plans” to participate in the scheme.

Washington has been keen to station immigration officers abroad for some time. It already has teams at Dublin and Shannon Airports in Ireland.

For passengers, the scheme would enable them to avoid some of the immigration delays that have been commonplace at US airports.

This is because they would be treated as if they had taken a domestic flight when they arrived in the United States. In turn, Washington believes that screening passengers before they boarded the aircraft would improve US security.

John Kelly, the current secretary of homeland security, and Jeh Johnson, his predecessor, have both publicly

voiced their desire to extend the programme to other countries.

However, it could take up to five years before US immigration officers are seen on British soil. As well as the sticking point over who pays for the officers to live in Britain, there is the issue of whether they would be armed.

It is standard practice in the US, but it is unlikely this would be considered acceptable in the UK. “Airports are always looking for ways to improve … and pre-clearing US immigration in the UK is one such possibility,” said a spokesman for the Airport Operators Association. “However, there are a number of practical considerations on both the UK and US side that need further work to make it a reality.

The Home Office said: “Discussions are ongoing with the US. The US Government negotiates with airports as the relevant airport would need to adapt its operations accordingly. However, the introduction of pre-clearance operations would also require approval by the UK Government.”