Border inspector ignored TB warning

ATLANTA — The U.S. border guard who allowed the Atlanta lawyer with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis back into the U.S. disregarded a computer warning to stop him and don protective gear, officials said Thursday.

The inspector ran Andrew Speaker's passport through a computer, and a warning — including instructions to hold the traveler, don a protective mask in dealing with him and telephone health authorities — popped up, officials said. About a minute later, Speaker was instead cleared to continue on his journey, according to officials familiar with the records.

The Homeland Security Department is investigating.

The border officer "who questioned that person is at present performing administrative duties," said Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke.

The unidentified inspector said the infected man seemed perfectly healthy and that he thought the warning was merely "discretionary," according to officials briefed on the case. They requested anonymity because the matter is still under investigation.