Policy
DSI’s Border Security Summit to discuss border protection, advance intelligence capabilities
The 2018 Border Security & Intelligence Summit, presented by the Defense Strategies Institute, will provide an open forum for the discussion of initiatives in action that strengthen U.S. border protection and advance the development of intelligence capabilities. The summit, titled “Enhancing... Read More »
DoJ seizes control of Backpage.com, hands down indictments related to sex trafficking
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) seized control of Backpage.com and indicted seven individuals on Friday amid allegations that the online classifieds website has facilitated human sex trafficking for years. After leading a two-year investigation into Backpage.com, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman... Read More »
Syria chemical attack condemned by President Trump, Sen. McCain
A suspected chemical weapons attack by the Asaad regime last week has been condemned by U.S. President Donald Trump, who also called out Russia and Iran for backing Asaad. “Many dead, including women and children, in mindless chemical attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and... Read More »
Measure seek to bolster civil defense preparedness
Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) recently introduced a bill designed to strengthen civil defense preparedness in Hawaii and across the country. Gabbard and Hanabusa said the Civil Defense Preparedness Act of 2018 would expand existing Department of Homeland Security (DHS)... Read More »
Delaware to receive $3 million to enhance election security
Rhode Island will receive $3 million in support from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to update elections equipment, reinforce cybersecurity measures and enhance overall election security, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) announced on Friday The funds are part of the $380 million in... Read More »
Sen. Portman highlights need for continued U.S. support following trip to Ukraine
Following a recent visit to Ukraine, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) called on Wednesday for continued U.S. support after witnessing Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine first-hand. Portman, the co-chairman of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, visited Ukrainian military positions and was briefed by... Read More »
Lawmakers call on FCC to investigate fake cell towers in Washington, D.C.
In response to reports that foreign actors may have placed surveillance equipment around Washington, D.C., that mimics cellular towers, Democratic leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to crack down on Wednesday. The cell-site... Read More »
Global Entry endeavor reaches milestone
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said its flagship Trusted Traveler Program, Global Entry, has eclipsed the five million member milestone. CBP personnel said Global Entry provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. As of... Read More »
DHS drill leads to formation of Virtual Operation Support Team in Washington state
As part of a simulation last year, digital disaster services volunteers from Whatcom County, Washington, and the Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada, practiced discerning fact from fiction online to keep responders informed during the hypothetical eruption of Mt. Baker, an active volcano... Read More »
Democratic committee leaders renew call for congressional review on election security
Democratic leaders of the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee formally called for a congressional review of election security on Wednesday for the third time since January. In a letter to U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the chairman of the committee, U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice... Read More »
President’s deployment of National Guard to southern border praised by Rep. McCaul
President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to the southern border on Wednesday was lauded by the leader of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee as an important step to keep the country safe. Citing legal loopholes, asylum fraud, immigration court backlogs and... Read More »
CDC seeks to address antibiotic resistance
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials said the agency is working to address instances of germs with unusual antibiotic resistance genes in the United States. A CDC Vital Signs report referenced health departments working with the CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Lab... Read More »
Mid-Atlantic hurricane scenario to highlight FEMA’s 2018 National Level Exercise
Lessons learned during the 2017 hurricane season will highlight Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2018 National Level Exercise, which will bring government agencies, the private sector, non-profits, and individuals together from April 30 to May 11. The biennial national exercise... Read More »Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents apprehend 20 individuals in one weekend
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Swanton Sector apprehended 20 individuals in four incidents for entering the country illegally over the past holiday weekend in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. “The men and women of the United States Border Patrol work diligently to protect the border... Read More »
Twenty-four multidisciplinary research teams to receive $169 million in DoD funding
After fielding white papers from 436 academic institutions seeking federal funding through the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced on Monday that it will issue 24 awards totaling up to $169 million over five years. The MURI... Read More »
Senators argue Pentagon has no legal authority to divert funds to border wall
In response to reports that President Donald Trump has directed Pentagon to explore diverting a portion of military funding to construct a border wall, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) asserted on Monday that the Pentagon lacks legal authority to build a border wall. In a... Read More »
CBP continues to aid missing migrants initiative
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel recently joined two other agencies as a means following up on a program designed to bring closure for Mexican families missing loved ones in southern Arizona. CBP agents paired with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Tucson Field... Read More »
CRED fellow to open dialogue between students, administrators about hate bias incidents
Fellows of the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) Community Resilience, Engagement and Dialogue (CRED) initiative will discuss more than a year of research into responses to hate bias incidents at the University of Maryland at a “Dialogue Dinner” planned for Wednesday. As... Read More »
Atlanta workshop focuses on efforts to strengthen radiological security, response
Atlanta-area nuclear regulators, researchers, medical providers and first responders to discuss their roles in the event of a “dirty bomb” attack relying on a radiological dispersal device in a recent workshop. The workshop was hosted by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)... Read More »
Ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup, cybersecurity experts gather in Qatar
Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy hosted global cybersecurity experts on March 25 to explore cyber threats posed to major sporting and public events as part of ongoing preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar. The third Cyber Security Expert Group... Read More »
Deputy Defense Secretary outlines priorities for Evolving the Future Force initiative
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan recently discussed the priorities of the Evolving the Future Force project while speaking at an event sponsored by the Center for a New American Security on March 29. The multiyear initiative examines steps the joint force can take to adapt to... Read More »
Screening tool aids Chicago CBP drug fight
Chicago O’Hare International Mail Facility Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are using a hand-held device to screen packages that may contain common drugs and industrial chemicals. Officials said the Gemini uses analytical techniques to screen packages using either the Raman... Read More »
Poland agrees to purchase Patriot air and missile defense system from U.S.
The government of Poland recently signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreement to purchase Raytheon's Patriot integrated air and missile defense system from the U.S. Army. This LOA is for Phase I of Poland's two-phase medium-range Integrated Air and Missile Defense procurement and... Read More »
Rep. McCaul highlights need to restructure DHS cybersecurity functions
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) highlighted the need to reform U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) on Wednesday. Legislation introduced by McCaul to restructure and rename the NPPD the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure (CISA) agency... Read More »
Senators call on State Department to counter anti-Semitic Russian propaganda
A group of senators called on Wednesday for the U.S. State Department to counter anti-Semitic Russian propaganda, train diplomats to recognize disinformation and collaborate with U.S. allies to advance a unified response on Wednesday. In a letter to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan,... Read More »
Alliance for Biosecurity applauds historic increase in project BioShield funding
The Alliance for Biosecurity recently commended congressional leaders for a “historic increase” to Project BioShield as well as significant increases to accounts such as the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), Pandemic Flu, and the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority... Read More »
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mexican officials enter trade and customs agreements
During a trip by Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen to Mexico City, Mexico, the United States and Mexico entered three agreements regarding trade and customs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan and the Tax Administration Service (SAT) signed a... Read More »
Lawmakers laud missile defense program funding boost
A pair of lawmakers recently touted the benefits of an increase in the U.S. – Israeli missile defense programs federal funding bill. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said the omnibus spending bill provides $705.8 million in funding to the... Read More »
Sen. Blumenthal, Rep. Wasserman Schultz introduce legislation to require instant background checks for ammunition purchases
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced Monday the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018, which would require instant background checks for the purchase of gun ammunition. “Ammunition sales should be subject to the same legal requirements... Read More »
New technology, legislation could help CBP stop opioids at the border
New technology acquired by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, as well as draft legislation introduced by Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), could help CBP prevent opioids from entering the United... Read More »
Sen. Menendez praises Trump Administration move to expel Russian agents
The Trump Administration’s announcement on Monday that 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled from the country, and the Russian consulate in Seattle would be closed, in response to chemical weapons attacks on British soil met applause from U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The United Kingdom has... Read More »
Federal spending bill maintains funding for key homeland security programs
The federal spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday maintains or increases funding for a number of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs that help protect against and respond to terrorist threats and natural disasters at the state and municipal levels.... Read More »
Protecting Americans includes keeping first responders safe, says ASPR’s Kadlec
United States preparedness against terrorist attacks from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents includes prep and planning for the public, as well as for the first responders who will be on the front lines during a catastrophic emergency event. Dr. Robert Kadlec, Assistant... Read More »
Nuclear forensics investigation pilot training course held in Georgia
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre recently held a pilot training course in Tbilisi, Georgia, to further develop technical capabilities to support nuclear forensics investigation. The four-day program covered crime-scene... Read More »