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Border Security

TSA Detecting Smuggled Items – Let's Take a Deep Breath

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December 2, 2010

I think we all need to take a deep breath and remember we live in a dangerous world. I worked as a Special Agent for the U.S. Customs Service and DHS/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over thirty years. In that capacity, I was assigned for a period of time to narcotics smuggling groups at Newark and JFK International Airports. While in this assignment, I was forever amazed at the various methods utilized by individuals to attempt to smuggle narcotics through the international port of entry. The bottom line – you could take nothing for granted. Should TSA be any less vigilant?

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Legislator proposes volunteer-based Arizona border force

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November 30, 2010

Legislator proposes volunteer-based Arizona border force – Homeland Security Newswire
In another indication that illegal immigration remains a concern for Arizona lawmakers, a legislator said Monday he plans to revive once-vetoed legislation to create a new state volunteer force that could be used help patrol the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Using Predator UAVs for Border Enforcement Purposes Continues to Raise Questions

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November 30, 2010

Over the Thanksgiving week, I could not get a story from the Houston Chronicle’s Dane Schiller out of my head – “Will eye in the sky over Texas ever shift its gaze to Mexico?” The article’s prime focus is whether Predators can be used to peer across the border into Mexico. Schiller, who regularly covers drug cartel and immigration activity along the southwest border, does America a great service in publicly stating what has been one of the so-called “dirty secrets” about the use of Predator UAVs for border enforcement purposes. The Border Patrol agents who are in pursuit and most in need of information from expensive technology are not seeing anything produced by Predator cameras.

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US Chamber of Commerce to Host Panel: North American Competitiveness and the Global Supply Chain

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November 30, 2010

Next week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will hold a discussion on the critical link between the global supply chain, security and economic growth. Titled “North American Competitiveness and the Global Supply Chain,” the discussion will take place Tuesday, December 7th, beginning at 8:45 AM at the U.S. Chamber building.

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GOP: DREAM act would allow criminal illegals to gain residency

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November 22, 2010

GOP: DREAM act would allow criminal illegals to gain residency – Homeland Security Newswire
President Barack Obama and Democratic legislators push to pass legislation this year that would allow certain illegal immigrants to become legal U.S. residents, but Republicans are pushing back with details about the DREAM Act that have gone largely unnoticed.

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Opponents Move Against DREAM Act

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November 19, 2010

Opponents Move Against DREAM Act – HSToday
Democrats have announced their intent to bring the DREAM Act up for a vote in the lame-duck session of Congress while they still control both chambers, mobilizing Republican opponents who have labeled the bill as an unwarranted attempt at amnesty for illegal aliens.

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'Toughest sheriff' recruits big names for border 'posse'

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November 18, 2010

‘Toughest sheriff’ recruits big names for border ‘posse’ – The Washington Times
“America’s toughest sheriff,” Phoenixs Joe Arpaio, is creating an armed “Immigration Posse” to combat illegal immigration, and Hollywood actors Steven Seagal and Lou Ferrigno, along with Dick Tracy and Wyatt Earp, have signed up.

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Reader Survey: Do TSA Pat-Downs and Scanning Machines Cross the Line?

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November 17, 2010

There has been an active and passionate public debate over the use of Advanced Imaging Machines (AIT) and TSA pat-down techniques at airport security checkpoints. Some think the whole body scanners and pat-downs are just what’s needed for aviation security; others think the pat-downs and imaging machines infringe on personal privacy and may not be safe (the machines, that is). But which side holds the majority? Are the machines and pat-downs keeping us safe or do they tread on personal liberty? Take this anonymous Security Debrief survey, and let us know where you stand.

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TSA: Looking for Bad Things, Not Bad People

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November 16, 2010

In watching the news stories, one has to wonder if the TSA is doing Security Theater or do they really believe they are protecting our nation. The basic flaw I see with today’s screening system is that we are looking for bad things instead of bad people. Our focus is on many inanimate objects, which in and of themselves are not likely to pose a threat to airliners. The terrorists of 9/11 did not carry any banned items onto their flights. In fact, the only illegal thing they carried was the intent to do grave bodily harm.

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New Wardrobe Choices Tell TSA to Get a Grip

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November 12, 2010

Much has been made of late about the new “hands-on” approach TSA Screeners are applying to passengers at the nation’s airports. With a flood of vocal protests coming from the various unions representing airline pilots and flight attendants, as well as religious groups and the travelling public, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and TSA Administrator John Pistole have the distinction of owning what can only be called the worst of In-Boxes. I guess there are lots of ways to get your hands around this hot issue and feel your way through it, but the good people at Despair, Inc. have the answers and messaging that say it all.

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