News
Scott named chief patrol agent for San Diego Sector
The San Diego Sector Border Patrol recently held a Change of Command ceremony in Coronado, California, to formally establish Rodney S. Scott as the chief patrol agent (CPA) for the San Diego Sector. U.S. Border Patrol Acting Chief Carla Provost presided over the ceremony. “I am honored... Read More »
National Association of Secretaries of State calls on Congress to modernize state election systems
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) recently joined the Congressional Task Force on Election Security in calling on Congress to direct $396 million in existing funds to modernize aging election systems across the country. Congress authorized nearly $3.9 billion to help... Read More »
OPCW undertakes rapid response training in Romania
Members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) gathered in Romania last week as part of a rapid response and assistance training exercise based around chemical attacks. The Rapid Response and Assistance Mission, of which this was a part, was created in 2016 as an aid... Read More »
DHS announces new requirements for visa waiver program countries to shore up security
Countries taking part in the visa waiver program (VWP) will now be required to better screen travelers, to implement aviation safeguards and to administer public education campaigns to reduce visa overstays, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday. DHS also called on... Read More »
US Customs and Border Protection officers at Rio International Bridge seize $260,000 of suspected heroin
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Del Rio International Bridge recently discovered approximately 11.5 pounds of suspected heroin worth an estimated $260,000 hidden in a vehicle coming from Mexico. Upon inspection of the 2007 Nissan Murano, CBP officers found three wall... Read More »
House approves bill to enhance oversight of Iranian aircraft purchases from US manufacturers
The treasury secretary would be required to report to Congress financial transactions related Iran’s purchase of commercial passenger aircraft from U.S. manufacturers under a bill that the House of Representatives approved on Thursday. Under the Obama administration's nuclear agreement with... Read More »
DHS, EAC, and election industry representatives to launch Sector Coordinating Council
Election industry representatives recently met with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and representatives from the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in Arlington, Virginia, to launch the formation an industry-led Sector Coordinating Council (SCC). The council will support critical... Read More »
GAO finds surface transportation security fails to prioritize risk, clearly define objectives
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a series of recommendations on Thursday that aim to improve Transportation Security Administration (TSA) surface transportation security inspections for freight rail, passenger rail, and maritime activities. GAO conducted the review in light of... Read More »
Ebola survivors show signs of resistance decades after infection
A research study by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) has found that even 40 years after their infection, survivors of the first known Ebola outbreak bear resistances to future infection. For the purposes of the study--which was published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases last... Read More »
Exercises demonstrate communications interoperability between US, Canadian first responders
First responders from the United States and Canada recently took part in a training exercise that demonstrated communications interoperability between the two countries if disaster strikes on or near the border. The fifth Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE V) was held in November... Read More »
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents discover cocaine, heroin inside car battery
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents from the Indio Station arrested a woman suspected of smuggling 0.75 pounds of cocaine and 4.07 pounds of heroin inside her vehicle’s battery this week at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. After a Border Patrol detection canine team alerted officers... Read More »
Marines, sailors undergo specialized training on chemical, biological weapons attacks
Just a week after an international coalition carried out airstrikes on an ISIS chemical weapons facilities, marines and sailors took part in a three-day course on combating, adapting to and overcoming chemical and biological contaminations from Dec. 5-8. The course was administered by Corps... Read More »
More than 80 percent of physicians report experiencing cyberattack at their practice
In a recent survey conducted by Accenture and the American Medical Association (AMA), 83 percent of physicians reported that they had experienced a cyberattack at their practice. Of those who experienced a cyberattack, 55 percent of the attacks involved phishing, and 48 percent involved... Read More »
Congressional caucus launched to advance Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission
A bipartisan congressional caucus launched on Tuesday will work to bolster the Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which fortifies national security through 24/7 operations around that world that supply military leaders with real-time information. U.S. Reps. Don Bacon... Read More »
Middle Eastern, North African first responders train for chemical incidents in Qatar
A multinational effort from the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region drew first responders to Qatar this week to bolster their emergency response and protection skills in the field. The large-scale event was hosted by Qatar’s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW)... Read More »
New tools to protect against vehicular attacks would be developed under House bill
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate would be tasked with developing new tools and safeguards to protect against vehicular terrorist attacks under a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) introduced the... Read More »
U.S. emergency medical profession unprepared for nuclear attack, research shows
North Korea’s threats to carry out a nuclear strike on the United States underscores the need for the medical community to be prepared to treat potentially large numbers of patients contaminated by radiation in the event of an attack, but new research shows more training is needed among emergency... Read More »
Houston man charged with supporting ISIS after online FBI sting
A Houston man who allegedly told undercover FBI agents that he planned to fight for ISIS or carry out a domestic terrorist attack on the group’s behalf in online conversations was arrested by federal agents on Dec. 8. Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, 18, is charged with unlawfully distributing... Read More »
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents seize over $1 million of fentanyl
Border Patrol agents recently seized 35.27 pounds of the opioid Fentanyl worth an estimated $1,126,400.00 at a Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, Texas. “Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous narcotic, responsible for numerous deaths in the United States,” Acting... Read More »
Whistleblower leaks document outlining Trump Administration’s planned cuts to counterterrorism programs
A report released by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday outlines the Trump administration’s planned cuts to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) counterterrorism programs. The Administration plans to eliminate Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response... Read More »
Texas Biomedical spurs treatments forward with development of alternative Zika model
A team at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute recently created an alternative model to mimic Zika virus infection, allowing for further steps on the road to a vaccine and treatment. The virus wreaked havoc in South America over the last couple years, and even Texas has seen its first... Read More »
Preemption services now available for FirstNet primary users in opt-in states
First responders in states that opted into FirstNet can now use preemption services to prioritize mission-critical communications during emergencies, the First Responder Network Authority announced on Tuesday. In addition to prioritizing the communications of primary users like firefighters,... Read More »Single-dose cholera vaccine could provide faster protection, study finds
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) recently tested a stronger single-dose of a live oral vaccine for cholera and found that it offers faster protection than the standard two-dose regimen of treatment. UMSOM's Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) developed the... Read More »
WHO issues new treatment guidelines for lymphatic filariasis
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued new treatment guidelines to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic tropical disease spread by mosquitoes that has infected an estimated 70 million people around the world. WHO’s new treatment guidelines reflect research from the... Read More »
Port Authority of NY/NJ leadership praises officers’ response to explosion in passageway
The chair and executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commended four Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) officers Monday for their actions following an explosion in a passageway near the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT). “Thanks to the quick response of these... Read More »
Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum draws leaders from 53 countries
Topics related to terrorism financing and cybersecurity issues highlighted at the recent Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum, a multinational gathering that drew government, diplomatic, intelligence and industry leaders from 53 countries. Hosted by U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC), the... Read More »
Bill establishing new DHS agency for cybersecurity, infrastructure protection clears House
The House of Representatives approved legislation on Monday that would recalibrate the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity and infrastructure security functions by establishing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), a standalone organization. Under the Cybersecurity... Read More »Canadian Department of National Defense turns to Emergent BioSolutions for Anthrasil supply
The Canadian Department of National Defense awarded today an $8 million contract for delivery of the anthrax combating drug Anthrasil to Emergent BioSolutions Inc. The news comes on the heels of Health Canada’s approval of Anthrasil under new regulations. With that approval, it is marked for... Read More »Marburg viral outbreak contained in Uganda
Thanks to cooperative efforts from Ugandan and Kenyan authorities working with international health organizations, an outbreak of Marburg virus disease has been contained in Uganda just a few weeks after its detection. The reversal of fortunes has been praised by the World Health Organization,... Read More »DHS releases FY2017 border security statistics for New England
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced its end-of-year immigration enforcement numbers for New England for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). “CBP officers at the ports of entry throughout New England are committed to enforcing the border security laws of our nation, which... Read More »
ECBC professionals share expertise at Chemical Biological Defense conference
The recent Chemical Biological Defense Science and Technology Conference featured presentations from 70 U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) researchers on topics ranging from protective armor coatings to battlefield sensing to pharmaceutical-based agents. Organized by the... Read More »
INTERPOL convenes conference on biometric data
The Fingerprints unit of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) recently held the first INTERPOL Fingerprint and Face Symposium, which brought together approximately 125 experts on fingerprint examination and facial recognition from 58 countries in Lyon, France. Speakers at... Read More »
Federal agencies intercept semi-submerged vessel smuggling cocaine near Texas
A self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel that was allegedly smuggling 3,800 pounds of cocaine was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) last month near Corpus Christi, Texas. During a multi-day operation, AMO crew used a P-3 Long Range Tracker... Read More »
Sen. McCaskill highlights local impact of proposed counterterrorism program cuts
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the FBI testified before a Senate panel on Friday about evolving international terrorist threats and the impact of $582.8 million in proposed cuts to counterterrorism programs. U.S. Sen. Claire... Read More »