Which federal agency must airlines transmit passenger manifests to before international departure to the U.S.?

Airlines are required to transmit passenger manifests to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before international departures to the United States. This requirement is part of the federal regulations aimed at enhancing national security and facilitating the management of incoming passenger data. CBP's role includes ensuring that passengers meet entry and admissibility requirements before they even board the aircraft, which helps to prevent potential security threats and unauthorized entries into the country.

While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees safety regulations in aviation, including maintenance and operation of aircraft, it does not handle passenger manifests. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) coordinates multiple agencies involved in protecting national security, but it is CBP that specifically deals with customs and immigration data management, including passenger manifests. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) focuses primarily on security screening processes within airports, rather than the transmission of passenger manifests for international travel.

Therefore, the role of CBP is crucial in this context, highlighting the importance of their operational mandate in relation to airlines and international travel.