News

Actions

Woman says TSA at O’Hare racially profiled her, searched her braids

Posted at 1:51 PM, Mar 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-30 13:51:15-04

CHICAGO (WGN) -- A northwest suburban woman says she may sue the Transportation Security Administration for racially profiling her.

Karen Scruggs of Barrington says she was stopped by TSA personnel at O'Hare Airport Saturday so they could go through her thickly-braided hair.

Scruggs says an agent then took her glove off and tested it through the explosive detector and it went off.

Scruggs says she was then pulled into a room, questioned and searched with an agent going up and down her thighs.

She says she was treated rudely by the agents and told to shut up.

When no explosives were found, the agents apologized and offered to escort her to her flight.  She declined and made her flight because it had been delayed.

Scruggs says she understands the need for more security, but says it went beyond what was necessary.  She says she is repeatedly pulled out and subjected to searches.

A TSA spokesman says racial profiling is not tolerated by the agency and is prohibited by the Department of Homeland Security.