Security Debrief

U.S. Should Drop the "Exit" from Its Entry-Exit System

By Edward Alden

The front page of the New York Times this week has re-launched the debate over whether the United States should finally complete the long promised comprehensive entry-exit system as a tool for preventing terrorist attacks. It should be a short debate: the answer is no. To confront the enormous logistical difficulties of creating a comprehensive entry-exit system for minimal investigative benefits doesn’t make a shred of sense.

DHS strips Sheriff Arpaio of immigration authority

DHS strips Sheriff Arpaio of immigration authority | Immigration | eastvalleytribune.com The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stripped Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of his authority to arrest suspected illegal immigrants based solely on their immigration status. But Arpaio said Tuesday he plans to continue his controversial “crime suppression operations,” despite DHS’s decision to […]

Thai court considering 'Merchant of Death' release

If Americans think we have problems with the recent disruption of a suspected terrorist cell in New York, they haven’t seen anything yet.

Capabilities, Not Uniforms, Are What Matter on the Border

The pursuit of bureaucratic dominance after 9/11 gave us the divorce of counter-terror from counter-crime, creating a duopoly that is massively expensive in terms of money, manpower and effectiveness. Illegal immigration and smuggling are becoming a major focus of manpower, and runs the risk of the same bureaucratic wrangling that sacrifices effect and efficiency in the name of departmental primacy.

Cash In Clunkers – smuggling guns, drugs and money across the border

As more drugs and illegal aliens are being smuggled northbound, there has been a similar spike in guns and cash heading south. The same false dashboard compartments and hollowed suitcases that carry contraband into the United States are used to move the cash back into Mexico. With the flood of drugs heading north, and the flood of guns traveling south – and the illicit revenues flowing in both directions – it is disconcerting to realize that, nearly a year into the Obama Administration, there is still no nominee to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. No nominee to take charge of the ATF – the law enforcement bureau responsible for enforcing gun and explosives laws. That the man nominated to head of Customs and Border Protection still waits idly to be confirmed.

The Small Boat Threat In the U.S. Is Real

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General recently released a report on DHS’ strategy to address small boat threats in U.S. waters. The threat of a small boat attack in the U.S is real and DHS leadership knows that understanding and control of small boat activity in and around the U.S. is key to addressing the small boat terrorism threat.

No Gold Medal in Trade and Tourism

The White House says that President Obama is taking the unusual step of personally lobbying the international Olympic committee in order to help create jobs, spur tourism and promote economic growth for the US and especially his home town of Chicago. Certainly, the President should promote trade and tourism, but it is a pity that he can’t get DHS fully on board and willing to make a similar commitment.

A New CBP Commissioner: What Took So Long?

Why did it take so long for the Obama Administration to name a chief for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, one of the nation’s premiere federal law enforcement agencies? One reason might be that the initial appointment of a “Border Czar” in the DHS Policy shop diminished the power of the CBP Commissioner to do his or her job. Another might be worries about the Administration’s commitment to immigration enforcement. No one wants to volunteer for failure.

Obama Taps DHS’s "Border Czar" Alan Bersin for Customs & Border Protection

Obama Taps DHS’s Bersin for Customs | Journal of Commerce President Obama said he will nominate Alan D. Bersin as commissioner for the Customs and Border Protection agency. Bersin has headed border affairs and Mexico issues since April at the Department of Homeland Security.

E-Verify: A Primer

E-Verify Requirement for Certain U.S. Federal Contractors and Subcontractors Beginning September 8, 2009 – Background checks, extremely thorough & very inexpensive. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their […]