TWIC Attorney Offers Advice on Getting a TWIC Card

Many new maritime workers must apply for and receive a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in order to begin work. The procedure seems pretty clear-cut, but problems can arise. One report estimated that 10,000 maritime workers lost their jobs as a result of these problems.

The TWIC program was developed in response to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. It provides the biometric identification necessary for those workers who require unescorted access to secure port facilities and vessels.

Each applicant for a TWIC card must:

• Complete a pre-enrollment process, which is done either online or by telephone.
  
• Locate the nearest enrollment center.
  
• Schedule an appointment at an enrollment center for an application review with a TSA representative.
  
• Provide documents such as a driver’s license, social security card, merchant marine documents and/or passport.
  
• Be fingerprinted and have a digital photograph taken.
  
• Pass a Transportation Security Administration background check for any security threat.
  
• Pay a $132.50 fee.
  
• Wait 6-8 weeks for the card to arrive.
  

When all goes well, this will be the last time you have to worry about your card. But, problems do arise. Some of these have included:

• Understaffed and hard to find enrollment centers.
  
• Difficulty getting questions answered.
  
• Problems with the technology of biometric fingerprint identification system. One major stumbling block is the inability of the card reader to work correctly. In April of 2011, up to 26,000 TWIC cards were encoded improperly and wouldn’t work.
  
• Inaccurate background checks that uncover crimes never committed.
  
• Unfair denials.
  

If you are a Gulf Coast maritime worker experiencing problems with your application for a TWIC card, call a Houston TWIC attorney today. Vujasinovic & Beckcom can unravel the red tape and get you on the job. Call our toll-free number at 877-724-7800 for a free consultation.