Homeland Security Watch » A Review: Skating on Stilts: Why We Aren’t Stopping Tomorrow’s Terrorism In 2005, Stewart Baker joined the Department of Homeland Security as Assistant Secretary of Policy for the entire Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Michael Chertoff. The position, which evolved from the Assistant Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Policy […]
Last week, I had an opportunity to speak with Federal News Radio’s Francis Rose about a variety of topics. We covered John Pistole’s nomination for TSA administrator, the Taliban’s plans for attacking our nation’s capital and of course, the ongoing discussion on immigration.
Last week I pointed out both that the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) does not contribute to illegal immigration and that DHS has a functioning biographic air exit system. This week Secretary Napolitano announced the elimination of the paper I-94W form (the green arrival/departure form long used by VWP travelers.)
On May 5, 2010, the newly empowered European Parliament issued its guidelines for beginning new negotiations on Passenger Name Record (PNR) agreements with the United States, Australia and Canada. This resolution received minimal coverage in the U.S. media, though its consequences for international travel security are potentially significant. Criminals and terrorists know no borders, as recent arrests and uncovered plots prove. We have no choice but to cooperate with international partners and to deepen that cooperation wherever possible. The collection and analysis of PNR data – along with its counterpart Advance Passenger Information (API) – is a critical tool to identify and disrupt the travel of terrorists and other international criminals.
With summer quickly approaching, many church groups are making plans for the various mission trips that they sponsor for adults and youth. In the United States, places like post-Katrina New Orleans, Appalachia and other areas with economic challenges and post-disaster problems have benefited for years from the fellowship of many hands repairing old structures, building new ones and bringing faith into action. Like those at my own church, mission trips planned for this summer are being canceled on account of the unrest south of the border. While the needs of many people remain ever-present in Mexico, the ongoing violence makes it next to impossible to support any type of humanitarian service operation in that country.
Reporting from ground zero in the immigration debate, the Arizona Republic recently wrote that a large number of illegal immigrants entered the United States legally with visas but never left. DHS’s picture of overstay rates has come into greater focus over the past several years. As a result, we can say with much more certainty that the vast majority of these “overstayers” did not enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Senator asks for delay of Arizona law – Government Executive
Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday asked Arizona’s Republican governor to delay implementation of a state law that gives police the power to detain and question anybody suspected of being in the country illegally.
Overlooked in all the coverage of Faisal Shahzad’s dramatic arrest as his flight was about to depart Kennedy International Airport for Dubai is that his identification and capture was made possible because, contrary to popular perception, DHS has an operational air exit system. Compliance with both inbound and outbound Advanced Passenger Information System manifest submission requirements is nearly 100 percent. It was this manifest submission that triggered the hit on Shahzad’s name and led to his arrest.
Uncomfortable Truths and the Times Square Attack – STRATFOR
Faisal Shahzad, the first suspect arrested for involvement in the failed May 1 Times Square bombing attempt, was detained just before midnight on May 3 as he was attempting to depart on a flight from Kennedy International Airport in New York. Authorities say that Shahzad is cooperating and that he insists he acted alone. However, this is contradicted by reports that the attack could have international links. From all indications, authorities are quickly collecting information on additional suspects from their homes and telephone-call records, and this is leading to more investigations and more suspects.
Lapses Allowed Suspect to Board Plane – NY Times
Why was Faisal Shahzad permitted to board a flight for Dubai some 24 hours after investigators of the Times Square terrorism case learned he might be connected to the attempted bombing?
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