Policy
Bill to address port staffing shortages reintroduced
Legislation aimed at addressing personnel shortages at ports of entry was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last week. U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) reintroduced the Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act to fully staff America’s airports, seaports and land ports of entry... Read More »
Global Congress issues recommendations on chemical security threats
The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats released recommendations at its fifth plenary meeting last week to boost global action against chemical security threats. The meeting included 300 delegates from more than 100 countries and six international... Read More »
Legislation will seek to reform FEMA, federal disaster assistance programs
Bipartisan legislation soon to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal disaster assistance programs. U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, and Rick Larsen (D-WA)... Read More »
Bill introduced to eliminate unfair overtime limits on police
Legislation that would guarantee federal law enforcement officers are paid the compensation they have earned was introduced in the House on May 8. The bill, the Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act, was introduced by U.S. Reps. Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Gerry Connolly (D-VA)... Read More »
Coast Guard offloads 725 pounds of cocaine following seizure off Puerto Rico
The Coast Guard offloaded approximately 725 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $5.4 million on Wednesday that was seized by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier, a fast response cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cocaine was turned over to Coast Guard Investigative... Read More »
Legislation would combat China’s infiltration of American college campuses
U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-TN) and August Pfluger (R-TX) said they applaud the House’s passage of legislation that combats China’s influence on American college campuses. Green, chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said the legislation, DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes... Read More »
DEA, federal authorities arrest 16 in connection to drug trafficking organization
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal authorities recently arrested 16 people and seized fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles in five states in connection to a drug trafficking organization. Law enforcement officers executed coordinated search warrants. “Our... Read More »
Task force formed to enhance security for special events like FIFA, Olympics
U.S. Reps. Mark E. Green, M.D. (R-TN) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) said a bipartisan task force will conduct security oversight as the country prepares for major international events in the coming years. The “Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States” will visit... Read More »
Legislation introduced to modernize missile technology export controls
U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) introduced legislation on Monday that would remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to missile technology export controls. The legislation, the Missile Technology Control Revision Act, would bolster national security while providing our... Read More »
DHS offering travel assistance, $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens for self-deportation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering a stipend of $1,000 to every illegal alien who self-deports. Aliens would receive payment after their return to their home countries is confirmed through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App. “If you are here illegally,... Read More »
Legislation would help law enforcement respond to building code violations
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would equip local law enforcement officers with the tools and training necessary to recognize and respond to public health threats arising from building code violations. The Safety Training for Officers on Public... Read More »
Legislation would grow U.S. Merchant Marines
Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in Congress would bolster the U.S. Merchant Marines. The Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act would boost the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S.... Read More »
Legislation to expand military recruitment introduced
Legislation to enhance military recruitment was introduced recently by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran. The Service Enlistment and Recruitment of Valuable Engagement (SERVE) Act would promote the benefits of service while expanding recruiter access to high school students. The... Read More »
Republicans advance Trump administration budget focusing on border security
Republicans in the House Committee on Homeland Security advanced its budget reconciliation recommendations to fund President Donald Trump’s border security efforts. The budget recommendation will complete the border wall and increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel while... Read More »
Legislation would protect service members’ data from being sold
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would prevent data brokers from non-adversarial nations from purchasing U.S. service members’ data and then selling it to adversarial nations such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. The Protecting Military Servicemembers Data... Read More »
Congressional committees unveil legislation seeking to invest $150B to modernize American military
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, unveiled legislation that would invest $150 billion to modernize the American military. The legislation was developed in conjunction with the Senate Armed Services Committee to prioritize defense spending on... Read More »
Accused terrorists pleads guilty to firearms charges
An Afghan national charged in connection with a planned Election Day attack inspired by ISIS recently plead guilty. Abdullah Haji Zada plead guilty to knowingly receiving, attempting to receive, and conspiring to receive firearms and ammunition with the intent to commit a federal crime of... Read More »
State attorneys general urge next National Human Trafficking Hotline operator to cooperate with local law enforcement
A bipartisan coalition of 40 state and territory attorneys general recently sent a letter Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. urging the next operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline to better cooperate with local law enforcement. Polaris, a... Read More »
DOJ charges 27 Tren De Aragua members with racketeering, other offenses
The U.S. Department of Justice announced it had charged nearly 30 alleged Tren De Aragua (TdA) gang members with racketeering, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery and firearms offenses. In two superseding indictments, the DOJ said those charged were either alleged members of TdA, or... Read More »
Legislation would address transnational repression
The House Homeland Security Committee recently advanced legislation that addresses transnational repression. The Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Accountability Act would instructs the Department of Homeland Security to create a public service announcement campaign to... Read More »
Legislation aims to crack down on drone surveillance
U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced legislation that will make drone surveillance of national defense sites illegal. The Drone Espionage Act will update the Espionage Act of 1917 and make videography of sensitive national defense sites a crime punishable with a fine, 10 years in prison or... Read More »
DHS celebrates milestone in child exploitation protection
Over the course of an online child exploitation public awareness campaign, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it has coordinated an effort to address the problem. The Know2Protect campaign, housed within the DHS Cyber Crimes Center, has reached millions through traditional and... Read More »
Plan will modernize U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) recently entered into a 10-year agreement to revitalize and modernize the USMMA campus in Kings Point, N.Y. The USMMA academy on Long Island is one of five federal service academies. The... Read More »
WHO member states make progress on pandemic agreement
Member states of the World Health Organization recently forged a draft agreement to help make the world safer from pandemics. The proposal, which will be considered at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May, aims to strengthen global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to... Read More »
Panamanian doctor charged in VA fraud scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice said a Panamanian doctor has pleaded guilty to a widespread fraud scheme involving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials said Dr. Rolando Chin, a surgeon in Panama, was one of several people involved in submitting false and inflated claims to the... Read More »
ICE operation apprehends 133 illegal aliens in New York
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted criminal illegal alien offenders and other immigration violators in western, central, and northern New York and apprehended 133 illegal aliens between March 24 and March 28. During the operation, four criminal search warrants were served... Read More »
TSA begins enforcement of REAL ID on May 7
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin enforcement of its REAL ID enforcement measures at TSA checkpoints nationwide on May 7. On that date, the TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant from airline passengers 18 years and older.... Read More »
Program to protect sensitive data from foreign adversaries implemented by DOJ
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said on April 11 it has taken steps to move forward with a program to prevent China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries from accessing and exploiting American citizens’ personal data. The Data Security Program implemented by the National Security... Read More »
NY Gov. Hochul warns federal cuts could impact infrastructure projects across New York
A number of projects across the state of New York will lose funding as a result of the Trump administration’s cuts to the Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities program, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. As part of the cuts to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than... Read More »
U.S. Senate bill aims to help prevent attacks on law enforcement
Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in the U.S. Senate would help protect law enforcement from ambush-style attacks. Law enforcement agencies reported more than 79,000 police officers were assaulted in 2023, and 60 were killed. The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness... Read More »
Bill to address transnational repression passes out of committee
A bill focusing on coercive tactics used by repressive foreign governments to silence political dissention has passed out of the House Homeland Security Committee, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) said. The Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Combat Transnational Repression Act, introduced... Read More »
Legislation introduced to combat Chinese-backed cyberattacks
U.S. Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) reintroduced legislation that would help combat Chinese-backed cyberattacks. The legislation, Strengthening Cyber resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act, would require the federal government to assess and... Read More »
Senators voice concern over NSA firings
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Chris Coons (D-DE) are voicing their concerns over the recent firing of the director of the National Security Agency (NSA), and the reassignment of the agency’s deputy director. In a letter to President Donald Trump, the senators led their... Read More »
Legislation introduced to reauthorize Project Safe Neighborhoods program
A group of Republican Senators introduced legislation that would reauthorize a national program allowing law enforcement to use evidence-based, data-driven approaches to reducing violent crime. U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom... Read More »