Outsourcing U.S. Passport Production

The Government Printing Office (GPO) has outsourced the manufacturing of e-passports claiming that no U.S. companies makes necessary parts. Currently, blank passport covers are inserted with computer chips in Europe and then shipped to Thailand. (Islamic extremist groups are known to be active in Thailand.) Next, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antenna are inserted, and then the blank covers are shipped to the U.S. for binding. GPO Inspector General J. Anthony Ogden has warned the agency that there are “significant deficiencies with the manufacturing of blank passports, security of components, and the internal controls for the process.” Washingtontimes.com, 3-26-08.