The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing at 10 a.m. Nov. 8 for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary nominee Kirstjen M. Nielsen. Since early September, Nielsen has served as White House deputy chief of staff to President Donald Trump, reporting to former DHS Secretary and current White House Chief […]
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Former Terror Prosecutor Weighs in on Manhattan Attack
Sayfullo Saipov’s Oct. 31 attack in lower Manhattan that killed eight and injured nearly a dozen more along a bike path revealed another marker in an ever-evolving picture of international terrorism. Reports of the attacker yelling “Allahu Akbar,” the subsequent terror charge, and alleged connection to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria create a […]
On the Hill: Administrator Pekoske to Discuss TSA Security
Wednesday at 10 a.m. the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing on “Preventing the Next Attack: TSA’s Role in Keeping Our Transportation Systems Secure.” Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske “will present his plans for leading a workforce of approximately 60,000 employees, the security operations at nearly 450 airports throughout the United […]
Nicaragua Temporary Protected Status Ends in Jan. 2019
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Monday that Nicaragua’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would end Jan. 5, 2019. DHS also extended the TPS designation for Honduras an additional six months from its Jan. 5, 2018, scheduled expiration. TPS status was granted to both countries after Hurricane Mitch struck Central America in 1998. The storm […]
McMaster Notes Counterterror Successes
National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster noted Thursday that President Trump will have the chance to build on earlier counterterrorism efforts on his Asia trip. He said Trump will reiterate three key counterterrorism components he noted in May—eliminate safe havens, combat terror funding, and discredit terror ideology. “I think it’s time for us to recognize that […]
CATO Institute Examines CBP Performance, Discipline, Termination
Alex Nowrasteh, immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, looks at termination rates at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) amid plans to increase the number of agents by 5,000. He notes that little direct evidence exists to evaluate alleged misconduct at CBP, but border agents are more likely to […]
Perspective: Gov. Rick Snyder on Michigan’s Cybersecurity Act
Protecting sensitive data and online interactions is a critical issue that affects families, K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, businesses, government, utilities, and public safety. Just as we saw with the recent Equifax breach, nearly everyone is a potential target for cyber threats. This is why I have made Michigan’s cybersecurity a top priority. As […]
Trump Unloads on Diversity Visa Lottery Program, Suspect Charged in NYC Attack
President Donald Trump today opened his cabinet meeting emphasizing the White House’s efforts regarding yesterday’s terror attack on the streets of New York City and took aim at the country’s Diversity Visa Lottery. “I am today starting the process of terminating the diversity lottery program,” Trump said.” Diversity lottery. Sounds nice. It’s not nice. It’s […]
Tillerson, Mattis Testify on Use of Military Force
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Monday with recommendations regarding the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). Tillerson noted in his prepared remarks that the United States does not need any new authorization to continue campaigns against Islamic State of […]
D.C.-Area Airports Implement New Carry-on Procedures
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began phasing in new carry-on bag screening requirements at Washington-area airports last week. “These measures, both seen and unseen, include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices as well as heightened security standards for aircraft and airports,” said spokesman Mike England in a statement from TSA. “As threats continue to […]