Threats
Coast Guard cutter offloads more than $166M worth of narcotics following five interdictions
After five interdictions by various vessels in international waters, the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche reportedly unloaded more than 6,325 pounds of cocaine and more than 13,220 pounds of marijuana in San Diego this week, bringing to bear a haul worth more than $166 million. “The Coast Guard is... Read More »
TSA to use $10.4B budget to increase pay, checkpoint technologies and more
During a hearing with the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week, the latter’s administrator, David Pekoske, lent insight into the agency’s plans for its $10.4 billion allotment under a 2024 budget... Read More »
CBP details illegal border crossing apprehensions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities detailed the recent apprehension efforts of San Diego Sector Imperial Beach Station agents, resulting in encountering 290 illegal border crossing individuals. The individuals were from more than 30 countries and encountered in less than 13... Read More »
DHS S&T awards nearly $750,000 to startup iProov Limited for remote traveler verification
Building on U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) efforts to improve Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing of international travelers at ports of entry, a $749,900 Phase 5 award was issued to iProov Limited this week. iProov Limited is a... Read More »
House approves Undersea Cable Control Act
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) recently commended House of Representatives colleagues for passing the Undersea Cable Control Act. The legislation, which Mast introduced, protects American superiority in undersea cable capabilities from China’s economic and military reach and requires the Biden... Read More »
ADL audit finds increase in U.S. antisemitic incidents
An Anti-Defamation League (ADL) audit maintains antisemitic incidents reached historic levels last year, with the 3,697 incidents reported nationwide representing a rise of 36 percent compared to 2021. “We’re deeply disturbed by this dramatic and completely unacceptable surge in antisemitic... Read More »
Bipartisan United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act proposes $50M annual fund for defense collaboration
With the introduction of the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023 last week, a collection of U.S. representatives are seeking to set aside $50 million annually for defense collaboration on emerging technologies between the two countries. “The United States and Israel face a... Read More »
House panel advances legislation addressing permanent scheduling of fentanyl
U.S. Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Bob Latta (R-OH) are commending the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee's advancement of legislation addressing fentanyl analogues permanent scheduling. Bill proponents indicated the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act... Read More »
Justice Department details arrest of alleged hacker forum founder
The U.S. Department of Justice has detailed the arrest of the alleged founder and operator of BreachForums, an alleged marketplace for cybercriminals to buy, sell and trade hacked or stolen data. Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, 20, of Peekskill, New York, made an initial appearance in the Eastern... Read More »
DHS, German leadership detail mutual security cooperation
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Minister of the Interior and Community of Germany Nancy Faeser recently outlined a collaboration addressing security threats facing the countries. The delegations met in Washington, D.C., to discuss countering the... Read More »
DHS launches new website for terrorism, targeted violence prevention resources
Pulling from available grants, research, training opportunities, and other resources from 17 federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to make an easier public web access point for resources to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. With... Read More »
Non-profit report makes recommendations to improve U.S. public health system, grounded in current readiness
By measuring states’ current emergency readiness levels and data on weather-related disasters, vaccinations, and more, a new report from the nonprofit health policy organization Trust for America’s Health made a case for strengthening public health preparedness. Of the greatest concerns to... Read More »
CBP outlines foiled San Diego narcotics smuggling attempts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials recently announced the thwarting of three recent major narcotics smuggling attempts worth more than $5.7 million via the San Diego Field Office. The first seizure involved a driver identified as a 25-year-old female in possession of a valid... Read More »
Federal indictments filed for arms control violations, pursuit of military technology by Iranian operatives
A quick series of legal moves built on one another this week, kicked off by a federal court in the District of Columbia unsealing two indictments against multiple defendants for violations of arms export controls and economic schemes to procure and export military technology to Iran. The cases... Read More »
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 »
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 »
Association of American Railroads pilots emergency dispatch system for agencies in Sumner County, Tennessee
Working to increase information access for first responders, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) this week partnered with emergency management agencies in Sumner County, Tenn., to pilot a new emergency dispatching system complete with AskRail data. AskRail was a frontline tool for first... 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 »
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 »
CISA releases Marine Transportation System Resilience Assessment Guide
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center have released the Marine Transportation System Resilience Assessment Guide (MTS Guide). The MTS Guide is deployed by federal agencies, local governments, and... 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 »
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 »
Smiths Detection details latest chemical agent identifier
Threat detection and security screening technology company Smiths Detection has launched the Lightweight Chemical Detector (LCD) 4 - its latest chemical agent identifier. The firm has also unveiled the LCD XID extension, which expands the LCD's detection capabilities to include street narcotics,... 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 »
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 »