Kid on US terror watch list

28 June 2010 11:05 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A six year old Ohio girl has turned up on the U.S. government’s terror watch list and her father says the worst thing his daughter has ever done is probably been mean to her sister.

But Santhosh Thomas, a doctor from Westlake, Ohio, says he’s sure that’s not enough to land his six year old Alyssa on the no-fly list of suspected terrorists. “She may have threatened her sister, but I don’t think that constitutes Homeland Security triggers,” he told CNN.

An airline ticket agent informed the family of their predicament when they embarked on recent trip from Cleveland to Minneapolis. “They said, ‘Well, she’s on the list.’ We’re like, okay, what’s the story? What do we have to do to get off the list? This isn’t exactly the list we want to be on,” Thomas said

The Thomases were allowed to fly that day, but authorities told them to contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to clear up the matter. Now they’ve received a letter from the government addressed to six year old Alyssa, telling her that nothing in her file will be changed.

Federal authorities have acknowledged that such a no-fly list exists, but as a matter of national security, they won’t comment on whose names are on it nor why. “The watch lists are an important layer of security to prevent individuals with known or suspected ties to terrorism from flying,” an unnamed spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration told Fox News.

“She’s been flying since she was two-months old, so that has not been an issue,” Alyssa’s dad said. “In fact, we had traveled to Mexico in February and there were no issues at that time.”

That’s likely because of a recent change by the Transportation Security Administration, which used to check only international passengers’ names against the no-fly list, but since earlier this month has been checking domestic passengers as well.

The Thomases told CNN they plan on appealing Alyssa’s status to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security again, and will be sure to leave plenty of extra time for check-in the next time they fly.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 32

Che Monday, 28 June 2010 12:44 PM

They are totally Nuts

ravi Tuesday, 29 June 2010 12:40 PM

bunch of idiots

Tm Abay Tuesday, 29 June 2010 08:44 AM

This shows how incredibly stupid Americans R

Manky Tuesday, 29 June 2010 06:41 AM

If it is not a mistake, how did this child get into the list?

Mithraka Fernando Tuesday, 29 June 2010 05:30 AM

let USA handle their stuff and let us worry about our young generation, as they are about to be fooled by people you voted for and thrown inside the parliament. Try to migrate to a safer place to give your child at leat a good education. No point in arguing for the next 7 years. LIVE WITH IT!!

Keerthi Tuesday, 29 June 2010 05:07 AM

Ban Ki Moon will definitely put an Expert Panel to advice him on this :P..........

Kantha Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:06 AM

what you mean by terrorism . Who is terrorist? You can be a terrorist today and if you are clever enough you can be a hero tomorrow. We have to think about this rather than arguing.

saambrani Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:22 AM

such an innocent sweet little girl. dumb intelligence of USA

Damith Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:22 AM

This is how bad it is in the US,even small children are considered terrorists.What a country?Does anyone want to even consider living there?

Sammy Monday, 28 June 2010 03:17 PM

Dumb Yankees ..........!!

SL Monday, 28 June 2010 01:38 PM

Well said. Some one has forgotten that they funded the killings.

Charlie Monday, 28 June 2010 01:01 PM

RajasH, Are you insane? Go and see a doctor immediately.

thushi Monday, 28 June 2010 12:48 PM

why don't you use the funds your diapora used fund terrorists to clear jonny mines and build houses so that the former terrorist families can leave the internment camps?

Mohamed Shafraz Monday, 28 June 2010 12:48 PM

Reporter: Mr President who is behind this attack

Obama: Our intelligence source says "Alyssa" is behind this attack

Ranjith Silvaranjith Monday, 28 June 2010 11:16 AM

++ bundles of Blunders.

Kavitha Monday, 28 June 2010 12:30 PM

as long as you don;t kill the school children using DPU attacks.. on buses..

Rajitha Monday, 28 June 2010 12:17 PM

yeah there was a time when 6 year olds were given a gun and sent to the battle field.. but not any more.

NB Monday, 28 June 2010 12:10 PM

I think it should be corrected as ...6 yrs old terrorists are held at gunpoint.

RajasH Monday, 28 June 2010 12:10 PM

good question...not the Sri Lanka portrayed for the tourists and for other international community but the Sri Lanka that many you refuse to accept that exists

Aadil Monday, 28 June 2010 12:04 PM

Wat else can we expect from USA! Now they ve called 6 Year old girl a terrorist. This is one main reasons that people are having hatered on the mind & it gets into heart. And then whom can you stop! 9/11 repeat show will not be strange thing if this sort things are happening in a country that is fighting for the rights of children , women & men! Will she actually know the true meaning of terrorist while she is being called one of them! Long Live Stupid USA! May ALMIGHTY save us from entering such place like USA!

Hipo Monday, 28 June 2010 11:55 AM

This is how terrorism must be fought. Tight surveilance on six year olds and thorough investigation against any non aligned country that fights serial murderers. We better believe this because this is what the western countries are telling us, and they are always right.

Lokumalli Monday, 28 June 2010 11:51 AM

My name is Alyssa, I am six years old and I am not a threat!

Banda Monday, 28 June 2010 11:51 AM

Which Sri Lanka??

farshard Monday, 28 June 2010 11:37 AM

its to smart cant except this...

nishV Monday, 28 June 2010 11:33 AM

human rights? freedom of FLYING?

Sri Lankan Monday, 28 June 2010 11:31 AM

and USA is the smart super power of the world??? ha ha

RajasH Monday, 28 June 2010 11:24 AM

in Sri Lanka 6yr olds are kept in intern camp at gun point.

adam Monday, 28 June 2010 11:20 AM

Isn't there a limit for bullying in the name of so called 'No Fly' list.
ridiculous country with hilarious laws!

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Kid on US terror watch list

Comments - 32

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Corporal from Air Force Rugby pool killed in police shootout

Sri Lanka’s Rupee leads emerging markets in 1st quarter of 2024

No decision to declare April 15 as public holiday

April 15 declared a government holiday

Sri Lanka defaults on USD 6 billion payment despite rising reserves: Patali

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

MIRROR CRICKET

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

Sri Lanka captain quashes retirement speculation; sets sight on T20 World Cup Qualifiers

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Ruwan calls on Kotte Sri Kalyani Mahanayake Thera

Effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s legal system is questioned over alleged corruption: Chief Delegate

Public inconvenienced due to lack of transport

Ex-soldiers joining Russian military as mercenaries, Sri Lanka seeks details

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win