“Since the end of World War II, Congress and Presidents have debated, formulated, and revised administrative responsibilities for emergency management.” Some of the important questions that have been the subject of debate over the past 60 years, and that are particularly relevant today in the “FEMA In or Out” debate, include:
Security Debrief contributor Julie Myers Wood, former head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, published an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times proposing a potential solution to California’s looming prison inmate overpopulation problem. Wood suggests that the state make use of “Rapid Repatriation” — which would allow for the early release of certain non-violent criminal inmates who are not U.S. citizens — provided that they voluntarily agree to deportation.
Today’s New York Times business section carries an unusual story “Playmobil Finds Fun in the Police State” about a security check point toy that is causing some dismay among parents as being unsettling and too lifelike. Perhaps this opinion comes as no surprise on a blog dedicated to security, but such controversy over a rather trivial toy is a troubling barometer that our society is still far from prepared for the next terrorist attack.
TARP and the wider push to stimulate the economy have little, at first blush, to do with homeland security or counterterrorism. However, for the companies in this space, the contractors, it could have a significant impact.
Congressman Lamar Smith of Texas, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, raised alarms today that E-Verify provisions may have been stripped from the massive stimulus bill that will soon face a final vote before going to President Obama’s desk.
The dawn of new leadership in the White House and throughout the executive branch offers a singular opportunity to examine the policies and performance of an immigration system that is, by turns, the most generous in the world but also widely viewed as dysfunctional and unresponsive to the interests of society, the economy, and immigrants themselves.
Homeland Security Today interviews Security Debrief contributor Vance Taylor about his involvement in a new report outlining security metrics for the water infrastructure sector’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC), the first industry sector to release such a review.
DHS announces a “Special Advisor on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Detention & Removal.” … Hmmmm, isn’t this pretty much the job description of the Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
This country is faced with a renewed commitment to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Our immediate answer is for more fuel-efficient cars. Well let me remind everyone that we already have the technology to move large numbers of people and things on our train system while greatly reducing the consumption of fuel. The problem is that we need more investment in the tracks and equipment that has served the nation for 150 plus years.
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