José Meléndez-Pérez

Jose Melendez-Perez is a Puerto Rican-born United States Customs and Border Protection Inspector at Orlando International Airport who became a key figure for the 9/11 Commission when he refused entry to an alleged terrorist prior to the 20th hijacker. Thus there were only four hijackers onboard Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania, and possibly because of the shorthanded muscle on that team, the passengers were able to overcome the terrorists.

Actions on August 4, 2001

A Saudi national on Virgin Atlantic flight landed in Orlando. Since the subject's forms were not properly filled out, he was moved to a secondary interview, conducted by Perez. The Saudi did not have a return ticket or a hotel. He had $2,800 in cash and no credit cards. Questions to where he would stay and where he would go were evasive. Besides being quite hostile, the Saudi also made contradictory statements regarding his plans.

Perez decided to have him sent back, over his colleagues objections who said, "You can't do this. This guy is an Arab ethnic. You're racially profiling. You're going to get in real trouble, because it's against Department of Transportation policy to racially profile." Perez said, "I don't care. This guy's a bad guy. I can see it in his eyes." As he sent the Saudi back out of the United States, the man turned around to him and said, "I'll be back."

The Saudi was later captured in Afghanistan and is currently in Guantanamo.

Background

Prior to the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, he was employed by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from November 15, 1992 to April 30, 2003.

He is a retired member of the United States Army where he served honorably for over 26 years. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, 1965-1966 and 1969-1970. He was later assigned as a first sergeant to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command for approximately 15 years.

After his separation from the service, he began his career with INS in November 1992 at Miami International Airport as an inspector, and later as an inspector at Orlando International Airport. He has recently served for 6 months at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia providing assistance to the firearms program.

During his government service, Mr. Melendez has received training in interview skills, sworn statements and document fraud, as well as in effective listening skills, observing body language and determining a person’s needs and/or motivations

External links

* [http://www.ourpublicservice.org/staff_name3761/staff_name_show.htm?doc_id=228748 Official Profile from the Partnership for Public Service website]
* [http://www.9-11commission.gov/hearings/hearing7/witness_melendez.htm Official Testimony of Jose Melendez-Perez to the 9/11 Commission]