The Blog @ Homeland Security

From the Field: "Going Green" at CBP

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:45:00 +0000

The Border Patrol is truly “going green,” and we’re not just talking about our uniforms. Our new El Paso Station boasts several eco-friendly values. For example:

Approximately 80 percent of all construction materials are certified recyclable.
The building is 50% more energy efficient than a building constructed with standard methods.
Minimal amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were used in the sealants, paints, carpets and related materials.
All new furniture is certified to contain low VOCs.
Water used to wash vehicles will be 100% recycled.

Over time, the energy efficiencies at the new El Paso Station will save taxpayer dollars by lowering operational costs. For example, we expect to save approximately 25% on annual electric usage by using state-of-the-art energy-saving technologies, such as skylights, occupancy sensor lights, solar panels, reflective roofing, and LED lights.

The solar panels alone will generate around 12% of our yearly energy needs.

Of course no building would truly be “green” if we didn’t take into account the local ecosystem. To help accomplish this, we moved more than 50 local cacti before the groundbreaking, then replanted and incorporated them into the building landscaping.

Two hawk towers were also constructed to welcome back any displaced hawks affected by the construction.

We’re working hard at CBP to make sure that every tax dollar is spent wisely. Green buildings stand right in line with Secretary Napolitano's leadership on these issues - saving taxpayers' money and creating a more efficient, sustainable department.

Steven

Steven Cribby is an Operations Officer for the United States Border Patrol.

On the 4th, Liberty for All

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:20:00 +0000

On Saturday, Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute participated in a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony for seven members of the military at the Statue of Liberty. She administered the Oath of Allegiance to the seven and thanked them for their service.

"The bright light of America will shine brighter on Saturday. These men and women have served their country with honor—and on Saturday, their country will honor them. Their service in defense of freedom sends the message that all can find their freedom here. Their naturalization continues our proud tradition of welcoming immigrants in the spirit of liberty. "
--Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute

The group was comprised of members of the Army, Navy, and Marines - all seven from New York. Just before the ceremony, the Deputy Secretary and the seven climbed the 354 steps to Lady Liberty's crown, among the first to do so since the 9/11 attacks.

Lady Liberty's crown was closed after 9/11, but Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was on hand to officially reopen the monument to public traffic. About 240 people will be able to make the trek to the top each day. Can't get to Lady Liberty in person? Check out the National Park Service's virtual tour.

USCIS hosted naturalization ceremonies all over the world this past fourth, welcoming over 6,000 new United States citizens. DVIDS captured some great video from the ceremony in Baghdad, attended by Vice President Joe Biden and Iraq Commander Gen. Raymond Odierno. Check it out here!

The Secretary's Visit to Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:09:00 +0000

A great piece from CNN below on the Secretary's visit to Pakistan last week. Pakistan was the last stop on the Secretary's trip abroad, and was kept under wraps for security reasons. Secretary Napolitano met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, and other officials.

Check it out:

CNN Video

Morning Roundup - July 6th

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Monday, July 6th Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events

From CNN, on Pakistan's crackdown on the Taliban:

The Pakistani government's crackdown on the Taliban has helped U.S. security, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday.
Janet Napolitano says that "anything that cracks down on the Taliban helps."
"The key concept is, you just can't start protecting the homeland at the borders of
the United States," she said.Napolitano said she was in Pakistan to discuss with Pakistani leaders the fight against terrorism, as well as how the two countries share information.
Asked what impact the Pakistani government's recent crackdown on the Taliban, centered in the Swat region of North West Frontier Province, has had on U.S. security, she said, "anything that cracks down on the Taliban helps. ..."

From the Associated Press, on the upcoming H1N1 Summit:

The White House is planning a summit to talk about preparations for swine
flu.
The White House on Thursday announced details for a July 9 meeting at the National Institutes of Health. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Education Secretary Arne Duncan plan to participate. White House homeland security adviser John Brennan also plans to joint the group.
President Barack Obama will be in Italy that day attending meetings of the G-8. Sebelius says the swine flu threat could worsen in the fall and the administration wants to start a national campaign to help stem a serious outbreak.
Duncan says everyone needs to play a part in keeping the flu from spreading.

Leadership Events
1 PM EDT
Secretary Napolitano will participate in a media availability with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham
Project SeaHawk
1050 Register Street
North Charleston, S.C.

Public Events
9 AM PDT
CBP-Border Patrol Sector Chief Mike Fisher will participate in the opening ceremony of Smuggler’s Gulch
Smuggler’s Gulch
San Diego, Calif.

White House Announces H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:25:00 +0000

At today's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced an all-day H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit, scheduled for next Thursday, July 9th, at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C.

H1N1 now exists in over 100 countries around the world, and experts say that the virus may worsen this fall when the traditional flu season starts in the Northern Hemisphere.

Continued cooperation among all federal departments, as well as with state, local, and tribal governments and medical, academic, and business sectors (yes, all of the above) will be vital as we continue to tackle this national public health issue.

The Flu Preparedness Summit will bring government officials and health professionals, emergency managers and educators, non-profit organizations and business executives, together in one room. They'll have a forum to talk about their lessons learned from H1N1 thus far, and importantly, discuss the next steps in assessing and building on current pandemic plans.
The initial news blitz has largely subsided, but the simple fact remains that H1N1 flu is still with us. We'll keep you up-to-date on the summit, and on the department's continuing role in dealing with H1N1.

Secretary Napolitano Tours USCG Cutter

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:17:00 +0000

The Secretary just wrapped up a tour of the Coast Guard Cutter Aquidneck, a 110-foot patrol boat operating in the Persian Gulf. She was joined by Vice Admiral Robert Papp, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Defense Force East, and Captain Douglas Heugel, the Section Chief for Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Vice Admiral Papp essentially oversees half the Coast Guard's operations worldwide.

The trio toured the boat and spoke to the crew of the Aquidneck about their mission and concerns for the department. The Aquidneck, led commanding officer Lieutenant Fred Bertsch, is currently deployed to the Persian Gulf and supports US Navy operations in the area.

Secretary Addresses Coast Guard Personnel

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Just after touching down in Kuwait, Secretary Napolitano spoke to Coast Guard personnel stationed in Kuwait. She thanked them for their service, mindful of the fact that they will be on duty and away from their families on July 4th.

Most Americans will take time this weekend to celebrate our nation's independence. Let's remember the men and women of our armed forces who will continue the work to secure America's interests abroad.

Morning Roundup - July 2nd

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Thursday, July 2nd Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events

From the Latin American Herald Tribune, on the Secretary's visit to Spain:

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano started her official visit to Spain on Wednesday by honoring the victims of the March 11, 2004, terrorist attacks in Madrid.
Napolitano placed a wreath bearing the colors of the U.S. flag at the monument to the victims of the commuter-train bombings at Madrid's Atocha station that left 191 people dead.
The U.S. official observed a minute of silence at the monument along with Spain's secretary of state for security, Antonio Camacho, and Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz
Gallardon.
Napolitano met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, as well as with Spain's interior and justice ministers, to discuss cooperation in fighting illegal immigration and terrorism.

From the New York Times, on immigration enforcement:

The Obama administration began investigations of hundreds of businesses on Wednesday as part of its strategy to focus immigration enforcement on the employers who hire illegal workers.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency told Congress in an e-mail message that it had begun notifying businesses of plans to audit the documents known as I-9 forms, which employers fill out for every worker. The Department of Homeland Security said 625 businesses had been told they would be audited, compared with 503 for last year.

Public Events
12 PM EDT
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate will participate in a media availability with Delaware Governor Jack Markell, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, U.S. Senator Ted Kaufman, and U.S. Representative Mike Castle about the importance of emergency preparedness
Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company
219 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, Del.

10 AM PDT
ICE Seattle Special Agent in Charge Leigh Winchell will participate in a joint ICE-DEA media availability to discuss arrests made in a drug trafficking operation
400 2nd Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119

Wheels Down: Kuwait

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:15:00 +0000

Secretary Napolitano just landed in Kuwait, kicking off the last leg of her trip. She met with and spoke to military personnel on the ground. Stay tuned, more to come.

From Madrid: Secretary Meets with President of Spain

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Today has been a busy day for the Secretary. We began the day in Madrid where we visited the 3/11 memorial at the site of the 2004 train bombing, an important symbol of Spain's fight against terrorism, and a solemn reminder of the purpose of our weeklong trip abroad: our international effort to reduce the risk of another terrorist attack on US soil. Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon of Madrid was kind enough to join us as the Secretary laid a wreath on the memorial.

She then participated in a series of meetings with a variety of Spanish officials, including the Vice President and other Ministers. She signed an important agreement with her counterpart, the Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba. This agreement will formalize the IAP pilot program that has already prevented high-risk travelers from entering the U.S. on an airplane.

She's in a meeting with President Zapatero as I type this post, discussing ways the US and Spain can cooperate further in our shared mission of keeping our countries safe.

The day is long from over, as we still have to attend a diplomatic reception before we can find dinner and call it a night.

Sean

Sean Smith is the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security

Secretary Signs Agreement with Spain

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Moments ago, Secretary Napolitano and Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba signed an agreement formalizing the Immigration Advisory Program. The IAP has been a pilot program since February 2008, and allows the U.S. to identify and prevent high-risk travelers at foreign airports from flying to the U.S.

In the 16 months since the pilot began, the IAP has identified hundreds of people with improper documentation, intercepted 23 persons with fraudulent documents, and importantly, stopped 10 terrorism-related suspects from heading to our shores.

The preliminary success of the IAP encourages further cooperation between the U.S. and Spain on this issue.

“Protecting our nation from terrorism requires close coordination with our international allies,” said Secretary Napolitano. "This agreement enhances the capabilities of the United States and Spain to facilitate legal travel and deter dangerous people attempting to enter our country.”

Morning Roundup - July 1st

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Wednesday, July 1st Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events

From the AFP, on the agreement signed yesterday between the U.S. and Portugal:

The United States and Portugal signed Tuesday a bilateral agreement to cooperate in the battle against terrorism and organised crime during a visit by Washington's homeland security chief.
"We have signed an important agreement on the prevention and fight against terrorism and organised crime," Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado said in a news conference alongside US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Napolitano said the agreement allows the two countries to share information to stop serious crimes."The agreement we signed today will help us to achieve this goal," she said.

From CNN, on increased cooperation between ICE and ATF:

The two federal agencies most responsible for stemming the flow of firearms to Mexico agreed Tuesday to improve cooperation after they were sharply criticized by a congressional report for lack of coordination.
The agreement between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will result in a more effective fight against the flood of U.S. weapons that provide Mexican drug cartels with more than 90 percent of their firearms. Top federal law enforcement officials were in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to sign documents pledging to work together.
The agreement is expected to result in increased seizures of trafficked weapons and more prosecutions and convictions, said David Ogden, the deputy attorney general.
But "it's hard to say when we'll see results," he added.
Ogden, along with ATF Director Ken Melson and John Morton, assistant secretary for ICE, expressed confidence the duplication and confusion between the agencies would end.

Leadership Events
11 AM Local
Secretary Napolitano will tour Atocha Train Station, site of the 2004 train bombing
Atocha Train Station
Madrid, Spain

1 PM Local
Secretary Napolitano and Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez
Rubalcaba will sign of Declaration of Principles formalizing the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP) and participate in a media availability
Ministry of Interior
Paseo de la Castellana 5
Madrid, Spain

Public Events
8 AM EDT
Director of the Control Systems Security Program (CSSP) in the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications Sean McGurk will deliver remarks at the 2009 Chemical Sector Security Summit on the topic, “Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Chemical Sector.”
The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
700 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, Md.

10 AM EDT
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Public Affairs Manager Dwayne Baird will participate in a media event about the inline baggage system
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
19631 International Blvd.
Seattle, Wash.

1:30 PM EDT
Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) Deputy Director Taylor Heard will deliver remarks at the New York State Public Safety Interoperability Symposium: Focus of Governance
The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center
660 Albany Shaker Road
Albany, N.Y.

4 PM EDT
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will participate in a media availability about the importance of preparedness.
New York City Hall
City Hall Park – Opposite 250 Broadway
New York, N.Y.

Secretary Napolitano Visits Atocha Train Station

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:50:00 +0000

From left to right. Arnold A. Chacón, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Madrid; Antonio Camacho Secretary of State for Ministry of Interior and Security Affairs; Secretary Napolitano; Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon; Victor Morlán Secretary of State for Infrastructure; Antonio González Marin President ADIF.

This morning, Secretary Napolitano visited the site of the 2004 train bombing in Madrid. She laid a wreath at the memorial to honor the victims of that attack.

The Secretary then moved on to the Ministry of Interior, beginning a full schedule of meetings and events. We'll have more on her trip throughout the day.

Monday/Tuesday Wrap

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:27:00 +0000

From Madrid:

The last few days have been productive...and exhausting. We left the hotel in Shannon yesterday at 7:30 AM for a flight to Dublin, where the Secretary had back-to-back meetings. She met with Irish Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to talk about implementation of our aviation preclearance agreement. I think it was clear in the meeting that both sides want this agreement in place. It will improve security for international flights coming to the U.S., and it will do so while making connecting in the U.S. easier. Just imagine: you land in the U.S. after a long flight from Europe, and instead of making stops at baggage claim, customs, baggage checking, and security, you can simply walk from one gate to the next. Before leaving Ireland, the Secretary also met with the Minister of Justice, Equality, and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, to talk about a possible agreement to share information on transnational law enforcement, similar to the one she signed today with Portugal.

Then it was off to London. We landed at Stansted Airport just before 2 PM and headed to the office of the new Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, and then the office of the Transport Minister, Lord Adonis. These meetings covered a range of topics, including cybersecurity, air travel security, and combating violent extremism. These are all issues that are salient to both countries, and our close relationship is invaluable as we address these global threats. As we walked around the block from one minister's office to the next, I thought about the fact that each of these ministers has only been in office for a few weeks. Secretary Napolitano wanted to meet with her counterparts early in their tenure, to continue the US/UK discussion on these issues with the new team. Then there was the reception at the ambassador's residence, a home in a style befitting the emissary to "Her Majesty's Government."

Today, the Secretary had a series of media interviews in the morning before leaving London and flying to Portugal. There, the Secretary met with the Ministers of Justice, Foreign Affairs, and the Interior. They all made a point of mentioning that Secretary Napolitano was the first member of President Obama's cabinet to visit Lisbon. The Portuguese and U.S. negotiators, lawyers, and translators were putting the finishing touches on the agreement only an hour before it was signed.

I noticed the folks back home already posted on the information sharing agreement. I'll give it one more plug. We look forward to cooperating with as many nations as possible in combating transnational criminals and terrorists. The Secretary has repeatedly said that these threats don’t respect borders, and that we have to work with our international partners to ensure safety for all our citizens. Check out the earlier post for more on this.

After the signing, it was another media availability and then straight to the airport for a 6PM flight to Spain.

It's settling on 12 AM here in beautiful Madrid. We have another full day tomorrow. The good news is that the agreement that the Secretary is to sign, on cooperating with securing aviation, is already agreed to - 12 hours before she signs it.

I'll try to send in a post on the day's activities tomorrow. Thanks for tuning in.

Mark

Mark Koumans is the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of International Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security

Secretary Signs Agreement with Portugal

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Secretary Napolitano was just in Lisbon to sign an agreement with the Portuguese government that will allow the U.S. and Portugal to share biometric and biographic data to prevent and combat crime and terrorism. Ok, what in the world does that mean? Here are some basics.

If Portugal is holding a person suspected of a crime, they can share that suspect's fingerprints with the U.S., allowing the U.S. to run a comparison against all known or wanted persons for any criminal or terrorist act. This, along with other provisions in the agreement, provides our two nations greater abilities to cooperate on international law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts. It also includes extensive provisions designed to protect privacy, so that no one can just "browse" for information.

The Secretary wrapped up the signing ceremony and is now on her way to Madrid.

Morning Roundup - June 30th

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:21:00 +0000

Tuesday, June 30th Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events

From The Belfast Telegraph, on aviation preclearance:

A deal has been agreed to allow air passengers travelling from Shannon to the US to pass through all the necessary security inspections in this country.
Until now, immigration clearance has only been given on arrival in America.
The final touches were agreed between the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and the US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today.
When the legislation is enacted, Ireland will be the first country in Europe granted a pre-clearance deal from the US.

From The Wall Street Journal, on a new Secret Service task force:

The U.S. Secret Service plans to unveil Tuesday plans for a pan-European task force charged with preventing identity theft, computer hacking and other computer-based crime.
The unit will be based in Rome, teaming up with an Italian anti-cyber-crime police unit and the Italian post office Poste Italiane SpA, which has developed software that can track electronic payments as it moves beyond traditional mail delivery. The European Electronic Crime Task Force's main job will group together the cyber-crime efforts of the European Union nations and the U.S., bolstering defenses against computer attacks on embassies and other government sites that host sensitive computer systems such as air-traffic control. It will also monitor computer networks for threats, as well as deal with attacks once they happen.
"The transnational nature of cyber attacks requires international collaboration and expertise, as exemplified by this joint professional partnership," said Robert Gombar, a special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Rome field office, which coordinates its activities in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Under the terms of the agreement, the new task force will monitor computer networks across Europe using software designed by Poste Italiane. The software could comb through money transfers performed over the Internet for suspicious signs, such as an account being opened by the same person in several different places, according to Poste Italiane Chief Executive Massimo Sarmi.

Leadership Events
5:10 Local
Secretary Napolitano will participate in a media availability
MFA
Press Room
Necessida das Palace
Largo das Palace
Lisbon, Portugal

Public Events
8:40 AM EDT
NPPD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection James Snyder will deliver the keynote address at the 2009 Chemical Sector Security Summit
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
700 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore, Md.

10 AM EDT
Assistant Commissioner Dan Baldwin will participate in a fireworks safety news event with the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington Mall at 3rd Street
Washington, D.C.

8 AM MDT
ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton and ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson will sign an agreement formalizing a partnership to combat firearms trafficking at the Violent Crime and Firearms Trafficking Summit
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel
2600 Louisiana Blvd, NE
Albuquerque, N.M. 87110

12:30 PM PST
Los Angeles Assistant Special Agent in Charge Debra Parker will participate in a news conference with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office on the results of Operation Falling Sun.
4075 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92502

Secretary Meets on Aviation Preclearance

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:26:00 +0000

Secretary Napolitano met this morning with Irish Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and discussed implementation of a Preclearance Agreement signed between the United States and Ireland. The agreement, signed last November, allows the Customs and Border Patrol to conduct full preclearance of commercial and private passenger flights to the U.S. So, what does this mean for travelers? Two main things:

First, the original agreement gave CBP the ability to conduct immigration inspections only. The new agreement gives CBP the authority to inspect based on customs, immigration, and agricultural laws, making a stop in Ireland on the way to the U.S. even more worthwhile for passengers and airlines alike – it’s all of the inspections in one fell swoop. CBP will also be able to screen aircraft for radiological and nuclear threats.

The benefit to the average traveler is more efficient baggage processing: passengers flying from Ireland to the U.S. can have their luggage transferred from their international flight to domestic flights without having to claim it first. Anyone who has ever flown into the U.S. and then had to make a connection – after collecting their bags, rechecking them, and going back through security – understands this one.

More on the Secretary's trip as it happens.

Morning Roundup - June 29th

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:19:00 +0000

Monday, June 29th Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events

From Homeland Security Today, on the Secretary's European trip:

The focal point of the trip, Napolitano explained, will be to extend collaborative relationships with a variety of nations on counter-terror initiatives.
Napolitano stressed a need to “keep focus on the counter-terrorism aspect” of the Department.
Napolitano said that while in Ireland she plans to evaluate aviation preclearance operations. Shortly afterward in the UK she plans to meet with the new home secretary Allen Johnson and the new transportation secretary Lord Andrew Adonis on a number of issues, including cyber security, violent extremism and civil aviation security.

Public Events

11 AM EDT
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Robert Papp will attend the District 5 change of command ceremony
431 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, Va.

3 PM EDT
National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) Director of the Office of Infrastructure Protection’s Infrastructure Security Compliance Division Sue Armstrong will present an overview of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program at the 2009 Chemical Sector Security Summit
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
700 Aliceanna StreetBaltimore, Md.

Secretary Tours CBP Facility in Shannon, Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Secretary Napolitano paid a visit to a Customs and Border Patrol facility in Shannon, Ireland today. She thanked them for their service and pledged to do all she could on this trip to make sure that the aviation preclearance agreements between Ireland and the US are in place and implemented by the end of July. Stay tuned over the next few days for frequent updates on her trip.

Wheels Down: Shanon, Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:30:00 +0000

As you can see Secretary Napolitano touched down moments ago in Shannon, Ireland, kicking off her European trip. She has several meetings scheduled over the next few days in Ireland, mainly focused on aviation preclearance operations. We'll keep you updated. Don't forget to check out some of the Secretary's thoughts on what she hopes to accomplish on this trip.

Two Weeks Down. What's Next?

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:03:00 +0000

So it's been almost two weeks since we launched "The Blog @ Homeland Security." We've been posting some regular content, like the Morning Roundup, some highlights of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary’s travel, and of course, a lot of our statements and press releases. We've also started to get down to the purpose of the blog: transparency.

We've seen a lot of supportive comments roll in, and, naturally, we've seen some criticism as well. It's true, official blogging isn't easy. Look at this as an evolving discussion, a work in progress.

Secretary Napolitano just posted some thoughts on the Leadership Journal about her upcoming trip to Europe and Kuwait. We encourage you to check it out, and keep checking the blog while she's traveling. We'll be dedicating most of our posts next week to tracking her trip. We'll have some guests talking about how her trip, stop by stop, is connected to our efforts here at home.

Thanks for your interest. We're doing this because the President issued a call for transparency when he assumed the office, and Secretary Napolitano wants to answer it. And keep leaving comments – we're listening.

Secretary Sits Down with Reporters

noreply@blogger.com (Homeland Security Blog Team) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Secretary Napolitano sat down with some reporters and bloggers yesterday to answer questions and talk about her upcoming overseas travel and priorities for the summer. Reporters were free to ask questions on any topic – and so, the Secretary discussed counterterrorism, cybersecurity, PASS ID, and a number of other issues. We put the highlights together in the video below for your viewing pleasure. Check it out.

Viewing this video requires the Flash 9 plugin.

Click here for a transcript of the Secretary's remarks.

Every Dollar

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:13:00 +0000

An admission: Efficiency isn’t the juiciest topic to blog about. It’s not easy to write about a dollar saved here, and a dollar saved there, and then expect to keep you interested and awake until the end of the post. I imagine most people hear the words “government spending” and begin to roll their eyes, envisioning boxes of over-priced hammers and rooms of underutilized computers.

When Secretary Napolitano was appointed, she made it her mission to do a top-down review of how this department spends your money. As the Governor of Arizona, she did something similar, saving Arizona almost $1 billion. And that’s in a state where the annual budget is about $10 billion.

So, from existing government contracts, to software, to office space, we are taking a detailed look at every dollar we use at the department. The goal is to engage in smart spending. We began the Efficiency Review less than three months ago, and have already identified savings throughout the department. Here’s a snapshot of the new initiatives we hear about each week:

TSA: $433,000 in software savings

USCG: $1.7 million in contract consolidation savings

USCIS: $165,000 in equipment savings

CBP will achieve a 25 percent reduction in energy costs at their new Border Patrol Sector Station in El Paso using "green" construction methods.

ICE: $61,000 in savings by utilizing government vehicles instead of private rentals and more than $40,000 annually by eliminating subscriptions to publications available on-line.

The Secretary just delivered a message to department employees, thanking them for their work and continued commitment in making this a leaner, more efficient, and thereby effective department. We’ll bring you more updates on the review as it happens.

Morning Roundup - June 26th

noreply@blogger.com (DHS) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:22:00 +0000

Friday, June 26th Morning Roundup - Featured News and Public Events

From the Washington Times, on President Obama's commitment to immigration reform:

President Obama told lawmakers Thursday he wants to sign an immigration bill this year or early next year even though they don't have the votes yet to pass it -- and just in case they fail, the administration is ramping up talk of other actions it's taken to help immigrant rights.
Embracing yet another heavy lift for his legislative agenda, Mr. Obama convened an immigration summit at the White House and told members of Congress he will stand behind them as they try to craft a compromise. The lawmakers promised to fend off attacks from both sides of the political spectrum and craft a bill that cracks down on employers and legalizes illegal immigrants.
"After all the overheated rhetoric and the occasional demagoguery on all sides around this issue, we've got a responsible set of leaders sitting around the table who want to actively get something done and not put it off until a year, two years, three years, five years from now," Mr. Obama said.

From the Associated Press, on Secretary Napolitano's upcoming trip to Europe and Kuwait:

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano leaves this weekend for meetings with officials in Europe and Kuwait on counterterrorism issues.
At a meeting with reporters Thursday, Napolitano said she will be meeting with her counterparts in Britain as well as officials in Spain, Ireland and Portugal.
Napolitano also said she is particularly interested in what the British do in their de-radicalization programs. In Kuwait she said she will be looking at U.S. Coast Guard operations there.
Napolitano leaves on Saturday.

Public Events

10 AM EDT
Deputy Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs Philip Reitinger will participate in a panel discussion at the “Google D.C. Talks: Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy” summit
1101 New York Avenue NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, D.C.

9 AM PDT
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Chief Financial Officer Rendell Jones will deliver remarks during a naturalization ceremony at the Los Angeles Sports Arena
Los Angeles Sports Arena
3939 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, Calif.

9:30 AM Local
Chief Privacy Officer Mary Ellen Callahan will participate in a roundtable discussion about DHS’ privacy compliance processes and practices
Field Fisher Waterhouse
35 Vine Street
London, England

Working Together for Immigration Reform

noreply@blogger.com (Homeland Security Blog Team) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:16:00 +0000

(President Barack Obama talks with members of Congress to discuss immigration, Thursday, June 25, 2009,
in the State Dinning Room of the White House. From left; Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, Rep. Luis Guitierrez,
D-Ill., Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., Rep. James Clyburn, D - S.C. the president, Vice President Joe Biden,
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Secretary Napolitano was at the White House yesterday with the President and members of Congress working on identifying a way forward on comprehensive immigration reform. From the White House blog:

While Congressional leaders are working to tackle the complexities of immigration reform, the Administration has already taken steps to improve the system. The FBI has cleared much of the backlog of immigration background checks, the Department of Homeland Security is speeding up citizenship petitions and in conjunction with the Department of Labor, they are working to crack down on employers who are exploiting illegal workers. The President also announced a new collaborative effort that will utilize technology to improve legal immigration:

"Today I'm pleased to announce a new collaboration between my Chief Information Officer, my Chief Performance Officer, my Chief Technologies Officer and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office to make the agency much more efficient, much more transparent, much more user-friendly than it has been in the past.

In the next 90 days, USCIS will launch a vastly improved Web site that will, for the first time ever, allow applicants to get updates on their status of their applications via e-mail and text message and online. And anybody who's dealt with families who are trying to deal with -- navigate the immigration system, this is going to save them huge amounts of time standing in line, waiting around, making phone calls, being put on hold. It's an example of some things that we can do administratively even as we're working through difficult issues surrounding comprehensive immigration.

And the idea is very simple here: We're going to leverage cutting-edge technology to reduce the unnecessary paperwork, backlogs, and the lack of transparency that's caused so many people so much heartache." --More on the White House Blog.

At the President’s direction, Secretary Napolitano will convene a group of leaders from the White House and Congress to begin identifying the way forward on comprehensive immigration reform.