On Tuesday, June 23, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson met with Chinese Customs Minister Yu Guangzhou to further their April 2015 discussion in Beijing on a range of homeland security-related priorities. Tuesday’s meeting resulted in the joint signing of a Declaration of Principles, which will increase China’s customs security through the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and highlighted the importance of international customs partnerships. Later that day, Secretary Johnson issued a statement congratulating Vice Admiral and current Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Peter Neffenger on his Senate confirmation to be the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Secretary Johnson said, “I have utmost faith in Pete Neffenger, and I am confident he will be a strong leader of TSA.”
On Wednesday, June 24, Secretary Johnson issued a statement on reforms to family residential centers, after determining that substantial changes were needed regarding the detention of families with children. Secretary Johnson said, “Once a family has established eligibility for asylum or other relief under our laws, long term detention is an inefficient use of our resources and should be discontinued.” Secretary Johnson also released a statement on Wednesday saluting the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) for their work to apprehend alleged cybercriminal Ercan Findikoglu.
Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Under Secretary Dr. Reginald Brothers traveled to Chicago on Wednesday, June 24 to discuss partnership and technology development opportunities with the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. He continued his Chicago visit on Thursday, June 25, by presenting on industry partnerships and the adaptation of commercial technologies for emergency situations at a Techweek Chicago event.
On Thursday, June 25, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Dan Ragsdale, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez announced the launch of the Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam) Phase II initiative. After Phase I’s success, this new phase will continue streamlining efforts to combat human trafficking. This collaboration will forge a powerful force of federal law enforcement resources to thoroughly address this national issue.
Also on Thursday, Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas gave remarks as a Keynote Speaker at the Security Innovation Network Innovation Summit entitled “Connecting Wall Street, Silicon Valley and the Beltway” at The TimesCenter in New York City.
On Friday, June 26, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas delivered closing remarks at the Organization of American States General Assembly multi-sector conference entitled, “Major Sporting Events: the Crossroads of security and Socio-Economic Development.” Deputy Secretary Mayorkas discussed the unifying nature of major sports events and the necessity of protecting the large crowds they attract.
Also on Friday, Secretary Johnson released a statement recognizing the Department of Homeland Security’s accomplishment of receiving at “A+” grade on the Small Business Administration’s Annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard. He also highlighted that DHS is the only agency to receive an “A” grade for six years in a row.
Lastly, Secretary Johnson issued a statement on Friday in support of France, Kuwait, and Tunisia as they mourn those killed in recent terrorist attacks.
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