WATCHLISTING OF TERRORISTS

BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

RESPONSIVE
to
REQUEST #13-5

COMMISSION COPY
A/11 Law Enforcement Privacy

(R;v.0.8-:S-::OOC)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Precedence: PRIORITY Date: 12/24/2002

To: \A11 Field Offices Attn: ADICs

SACs
IT Program Manager
DT Program Manager
Ali\s
Counterterrorism Section Chiefs
From: Counterterrorism
SAWS/TWWU/Room 11303
Co'htact: SSAl
Approved By:

Drafted By:
Case ID #: 66F-HQ-C1392852 (Pending)
Title: TERRORISM WATCH LIST
TIPOFF MATTERS
Synopsis: This communication describes the Department of State's
terrorist TIPOFF system and establishes procedures for FBI field
office entries into TIPOFF.
Details: The Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Intelligence and
Research maintains a classified database, referred to as TIPOFF,
which contains information regarding known or suspected terrorists
who are not U.S. citizens. TIPOFF was designed to detect these
Individuals as they apply for visas overseas or as they attempt to
pads through U.S., Canadian or Australian border entry points.
DOS has established a "reasonable" suspicion" threshold for
a qualifying TIPOFF entry. Specifically, there has to be reasonable
suspicion the individual is a terrorist or is associated with
terrorism. The TIPOFF database maintains classified electronic
copies of supporting documents regarding individual TIPOFF entries.
In addition to the above, DOS shares qualifying TIPOFF
data with U.S. embassies via the Consular Lookout and Support System
(CLASS) and with other U.S. border agencies via the Interagency
Border Inspection System (IBIS). Only those TIPOFF entries which
contain names and identifying data to facilitate positive
are shared through CLASS and IBIS. The information

Req 13-5 000000001

-Vll Law Enforcement
Sensitive

To": 'All Field Offices From: Counterterrorism

Re:\, 12/24/2002

shared with CLASS and IBIS is provided at the unclassified level and
does not include any of the classified supporting documentation.
Currently, DOS and CJIS are developing procedures and
protocols which will., enable qualifying TIPOFF data to be entered
directly into NCIC's 'Violent Gang and Terrorist Organizations File
(VGTOF) ';. To ''date, over-/ | entries have been made into TIPOFF,
approximately f ] of which contain identifying data which would
enable positive identifications.

'•In an effort to establish uniform procedures for FBI

entries into TIPOFF and to develop a tracking mechanism for requests
submitted to DOS, the Terrorism Watch and Warning Unit, Strategic
Assessment and Warning Section, Counterterrorism Division, will
administer ail field office requests for submission into TIPOFF.
Fiel'd offices desiring to make an entry into TIPOFF should
prepare and forward a "priority" or "immediate" communication,
depending on the urgency, to the attention of the Terrorism Watch and
Warning Unit, Terrorism Watch List and the appropriate
Counterterrorism ..Division substantive unit. The communication should
be uploaded and indexed into ACS and contain as much of the following
information as available:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

j-

k.

1.

Field offices are reminded the criteria for TIPOFF entries

are (1) "reasonable suspicion" the individual is associated with
terrorism, and (2) the individual is a non-U.S. citizen/non-green
card holder. The communication should specifically state these
facts. Moreover, if unclassified photographs of the individual(s)
are available, field offices should include the photographs, in
electronic format, as enclosures to their communications.

Req 13-5
00000000£
To: Ail Field Offi_as From: Counterterrorism
Re: 66F-HQ-C1392852, 12/24/2002

Legats should continue to coordinate with their DOS points

of contact and utilize the VisaViper program to make entries into
TIPOFF. However, for tracking purposes and quality assurance, Legats
should forward a brief communication to the Terrorism Watch and
Warning Unit which summarizes any new submissions to TIPOFF.
Questions reaardinq this matter can be directed to SSA'

9/11 Law Enforcement Privacy

Req 13-5 000000003

To: All Field Offices From: Counterterrorism
Re: GSF-HQ-C1392852, 12/24/2002

LEAD(s) :
Set Lead 1:
ALL RECEIVING OFFICES
International and Domestic Terrorism program managers will
disseminate this communication to appropriate personnel and ensure
compliance for entries into the Department of State's TIPOFF
database.

Req 13-5
000000004