Policy
Canadian, U.S. border services deploy new NEXUS enrollment centers at Canadian airports
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will reopen enrollment centers at eight Canadian airports to expand enrollment and manage backlogs for the NEXUS pre-screen expedited processing travel program. NEXUS allows subscribed members to use dedicated... Read More »
DHS nets more than 900 pounds of fentanyl at border during first week of Operation Blue Lotus
In its first week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Operation Blue Lotus nabbed more than 900 pounds of fentanyl at the border in a major cooperative effort by federal, state, Tribal, and local partners. “This Administration has a multi-pronged strategy to combat the scourge... Read More »
TSA touts partnership with Philippines for aviation security improvement
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced a partnership with officials from the Philippines to bolster Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) security. TSA is joining the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) to host Philippines personnel for a training... Read More »
DHS Science and Technology Directorate details homeland security MOU with Republic of Korea
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is espousing the benefits of a recently signed Republic of Korea (ROK) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). ROK's Ministry of National Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) joined DHS S&T in signing... Read More »
Commerce Department proposes new rules to guarantee proper use of CHIPS incentives program
Amid worries of misuse by foreign adversaries, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking this week, laying out new guardrails for funds provided by the CHIPS for America Incentives Program. To safeguard national security, these extra protections push to keep... Read More »
House subcommittee to evaluate “State of American Cybersecurity” through CISA, DHS
The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection will host a hearing this week to chart its CISA 2025 roadmap of oversight, engagement, and legislative goals for the affiliated agency going forward and CISA’s achievements to date. This hearing will be... Read More »
Justice Department alleges cryptocurrency mixing service processed more than $3B in unlawful transactions
The U.S. Department of Justice recently detailed a complaint alleging cryptocurrency mixing service ChipMixer processed more than $3 billion in unlawful transactions. ChipMixer operator Minh Quốc Nguyễn, 49, of Hanoi, Vietnam, has been charged with alleged money laundering, operating an... Read More »
Homeland Security Advisory Council addresses options to modernize DHS, improve supply chain security
Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas convened a meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council last week to address opportunities to modernize the department and improve supply chain security, intelligence, transparency, and more. The Department of Homeland Security... Read More »
DHS, DOJ undertake first extraditions related to charges of human smuggling resulting in death
In a first for the relations between the United States and Guatemala, the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) successfully completed the first extraditions from the South American nation related to charges of human smuggling resulting in death. “This case demonstrates... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee convenes hearing over cybersecurity threats in healthcare sector
Responding to the severity of cyber threats to the healthcare sector, United States Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing this week to address those threats and what the government and providers can do to stop... Read More »
FEMA details Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in Puerto Rico
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced that $122 million has been earmarked for 35 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in Puerto Rico. "Some of these projects also address equity and climate change since they aim to ensure that all people have the same protections... Read More »
House considers Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act to improve disaster recovery assistance
As the scope and frequency of natural disasters have increased in recent years, U.S. Reps. Garret Graves (R-LA) and David Rouzer (R-NC) this week proposed a way to adapt and help communities recover faster with the Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act. “Everyone in Louisiana knows that... Read More »
Senators rush to extend federal support for local fire departments as program expiration nears
The Senate took the first step to extend federal programs supporting local fire departments nationwide this week, voting to advance the Fire Grants and Safety Act out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Now the bill heads to the full Senate. There, the remainder... Read More »
Virginia Attorney General Miyares announces acquistion of ballistics triage tool
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is espousing the benefits of his office securing new ballistics technology, Ballistics IQ (BIQ), for ten Project Ceasefire and nearby cities. Ballistics IQ is a ballistics triage tool that can allow law enforcement to quickly establish leads based on... Read More »
CBP, cruise line initiate facial biometrics effort
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has joined Carnival Cruise Line in launching facial biometric comparison technology for closed-loop cruises. The Port of Jacksonville, Fla., is the latest seaport to further secure and enhance the debarkation process. “CBP and Carnival are innovating the... Read More »
Fire retardant exemptions sought through Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act
Hitting back at a group suing the U.S. Forest Service to block the use of fire retardant nationwide without an exemption permit under the Clean Water Act, U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) introduced new legislation to make that exemption standard. Currently, agencies... Read More »
BAE Systems to aid Australia nuclear powered submarines effort
Officials from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have indicated defense, aerospace, and security company BAE Systems will play a key role in helping Australia acquire its first nuclear-powered submarines. The trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the... Read More »
CDC, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry begin next phase of Assessment of Chemical Exposure related to East Palestine, Ohio train derailment
The fallout and investigation of the events surrounding a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month continue, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recently announced preparations are underway for the next... Read More »
President’s 2024 National Nuclear Security Administration Budget seeks $23.8B
For a mix of modernization and strengthening efforts of the agency’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, President Joe Biden submitted his National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) 2024 budget request this week. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), $23.8 billion is being sought... Read More »
Air Force’s nearly $260B budget request targets modernization, transformation
Air Force officials have indicated the service branch's $259.3 billion budget request would focus on modernization while addressing training, readiness, and new technology. The funding proposal includes $215.1 billion for the Air Force and $30 billion for the Space Force. If enacted into law as... Read More »
Legislation would close loophole in criminal deportation law
U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-OK), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced the Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion (REMOVE) Act, which closes a loophole presently enabling noncitizens convicted of violent crimes to remain in the United... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee introduces bills targeting Chinese influence
Republicans leading the House Committee on Homeland Security recently introduced several bills to target perceived Chinese influence, funding of Chinese entities, or utilization of Chinese drones. Following a hearing last week titled, Confronting Threats Posed by the Chinese Communist Party to... Read More »
Bipartisan Eliminating Backlogs Act seeks to revamp legal immigration system, target visa backlogs
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) introduced the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 to continue overhauling the U.S. immigration system. The bill seeks to quickly break through growing piles of work visas, granting more flexibility for the use of existing visas... Read More »
Measure bolsters oil, gas pipeline sabotage penalties
Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) recently introduced legislation that seeks to stiffen penalties for those who sabotage oil and gas pipelines, placing human lives and community safety at risk. “Pipelines continue to be the safest way to transport oil and gas across our nation,” Bost said. “But under... Read More »
Annual U.S. Intelligence Community Threat Assessment finds foreign adversaries unlikely origins of Havana Syndrome
In the 2023 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), released last week, the U.S. Intelligence community made Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs) – formerly and more popularly known as the Havana Syndrome – a primary focus, laying out the case that foreign adversaries are not likely behind the... Read More »
Measure updates sections of federal firearms licensees
A Democratic group of legislators is touting legislation that would update sections in the U.S. Code directed at federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that are not updated in 30 years. U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Robin L. Kelly (D-IL) joined U.S. Reps. David Cicilline (D-RI), Barbara Lee... Read More »
Republican legislators eye punishments abroad following FBI, DOE determinations of COVID-19 lab leak origins
Moving quickly in the wake of new determinations about the potential origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) last week introduced legislation to punish foreign countries found to conduct chemical and biological experiments that threaten public health and global security.... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee convenes hearing on risks, opportunities of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gotten a lot of attention recently, particularly in tech circles, but this week the government turned its eye to machine potential as well through a hearing on its possible risks and opportunities by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs... Read More »
Bill targets broadband infrastructure protections
U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) has introduced the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act (H.R.1354), which he indicated would combat the influence of foreign-made devices on the nation’s high-speed internet framework. “As we continue to expand broadband internet into rural... Read More »
HHS releases cybersecurity implementation guide for public, private health systems
Hoping to address vulnerabilities in health systems throughout the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new cybersecurity implementation framework this week with specific steps for public and private healthcare organizations to pursue. “Cyber incidents... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Thune, Warner introduce bill to create risk-based process of identifying threats from foreign tech like TikTok
Pushing to crack down on technology from foreign adversaries of the United States, the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act was introduced this week in the Senate. A product of U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Mark... Read More »
DHS releases $20M funding opportunity to help local communities prevent targeted violence, terrorism
Through the Fiscal Year 2023 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that it will fund $20 million for projects to prevent violence and terrorism at the state, local, Tribal and territorial levels. The... Read More »
Legislation seeks to strengthen support for human trafficking victims
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced a bill that seeks to enhance the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ability to combat human trafficking. The Investigators Maintain Purposeful Awareness to Combat Trafficking Trauma (IMPACTT)... Read More »
Measure extends federal support for local fire departments
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced legislation that seeks to aid local fire departments with staffing, equipment, training, and emergency medical services improvement needs. Specifically, the Fire Grants and... Read More »