TSA’s Firearm Detection Rate Doubled in 2020 – But Why?
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected twice as many firearms per million passengers screened at airport security checkpoints nationwide in 2020 compared to 2019, and at a significantly higher rate than any other year since the agency’s inception. Keep Reading
‘How to Make a Bomb’ Was a Top 10 Google Search Term in September and October
"Couple this with more recent events ... and it has become evident that it is your turn to act," says the new Office for Bombing Prevention Bulletin from DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Keep Reading
GAO Tells DHS to Improve Immigration Case Tracking
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) needs to improve its case tracking after a review found the department could not account for the status of immigration hearings. Keep Reading
ISIS and Foreign Fighters: Assessing the Threat and Potential Repatriation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration
Failure to recognize the evolution of ISIS and develop appropriate policies to combat it, along with the relatively low returnee rate, runs the risk of terrorist attacks in Europe and elsewhere, yet a peaceful reintegration into society for FTFs seems possible. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
Negative COVID-19 Test Required for Travel to the United States Beginning January 26
The Department and the CDC continue to strongly recommend U.S. citizens reconsider travel abroad, and postpone all non-essential travel. Keep Reading
Coronavirus
Biden Orders Domestic and International Travelers to Wear Masks
President Biden has issued an Executive Order - Promoting COVID -19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel - which directs applicable agencies to take immediate action to require mask-wearing on many airplanes, trains, and certain other forms of public transportation in the United States. Keep Reading
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Lloyd Austin Confirmed as First Black Secretary of Defense
"It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position," Austin tweeted. "Let’s get to work." Keep Reading
Coronavirus
Fauci Explains How Mutant COVID Strains Affect Transmission, Vaccines
The concern over new strains gives "all the more reason why we should be vaccinating as many people as you possibly can because as long as the virus is out there, replicating viruses don't mutate unless they replicate." Keep Reading
Here’s Who Is Leading DHS Components in Transition to Biden Appointments
Acting Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske announced who will be leading DHS components and offices in the near term, until new leadership is appointed by the president and, in some cases, confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Keep Reading
Keith Jones Named New State Department CIO
Keith Jones has been appointed as the Department of State’s Chief Information Officer. Jones has previously spent over 36 years in the federal government, having retired from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in October 2018, where he served as acting Chief Information Officer and Principal Deputy Chief Information Officer. Keep Reading
White House Announces Acting Agency Heads
These individuals, nearly all of whom are career civil servants, will temporarily lead federal agencies while Cabinet nominees continue moving through the confirmation process. Keep Reading
Mayorkas Defends ‘Critical Roles’ of CBP and ICE, Will Study What to Do with Built Border Wall
The DHS secretary nominee told senators that when he served as deputy secretary and visited with Border Patrol at headquarters and in the field he was told "we need a diverse approach to border security." Keep Reading
Mayorkas: Cybersecurity, Industry Partnerships Will Be Among ‘Highest Priorities’ at DHS
"The threat is real and the threat is every day and we have to do a much better job than we are doing now," nominee tells senators, stressing that "CISA must improve the cyber hygiene of the federal government." Keep Reading
GAO Warns That DHS Acquisition Programs Face Future Cost Growth or Schedule Slips
The Department of Homeland Security plans to spend more than $7 billion on its portfolio of major acquisition programs—with life-cycle costs over $300 million— in fiscal year 2021 to help execute its many critical missions. Keep Reading
U.S. Army Soldier Arrested for Attempting to Assist ISIS to Conduct Deadly Ambush on U.S. Troops
Cole Bridges joined the U.S. Army in approximately September 2019 and was assigned as a cavalry scout in the 3rd Infantry Division based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Keep Reading
DHS Strategy Calls for Expanded Component Roles in Securing Changing Arctic Region
The strategy focuses on securing the homeland through "persistent presence and all domain awareness," strengthening "access, response, and resilience" in the Arctic, and advancing Arctic governance. Keep Reading
DHS Recognizes Small Business Champions
The Annual Small Business and Small Business Advocate Awards Program recognizes small businesses, small business advocates, and a mentor-protégé team that have shown outstanding performance in advancing the Department’s mission. Keep Reading
2020 Sees Increase in Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea Incidents
Incidents included three hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 vessels boarded. The rise is attributed to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported within the Gulf of Guinea as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits. Keep Reading
PERSPECTIVE: Perception, Reality, Violence Fuel Law Enforcement’s Challenge with Extremism
There are not enough law enforcement officers that can enforce the law and hold the line when the numbers joining in with amped-up extremists on either side of an issue decide they will not be governed. Keep Reading
FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center Was Activated for Record 314 Days in 2020
The previous record for presidentially declared emergencies and major disasters in one year was 128 in 2011. In 2020, that was far surpassed with 230 declarations. Keep Reading