Updated January 23, 2010
Report: Visas of U.S.-Bound Foreigners Not Checked Before Flight



Prior to the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day, federal officials did not check the visa status of foreign airline passengers until after their flights had already left the ground for the U.S., report says.


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According to standard procedure prior to the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day, officials did not check the visa status of foreign airline passengers until after their flights had already left the ground for the U.S., Newsweek reports.

The report sources U.S. officials who offer little reasoning as to why the visa verification process routinely occurred after, rather than before, U.S.-bound planes had departed.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told Newsweek the process is now "being reviewed.â€