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"The US border has never been more secure"

Before a packed audience at CSIS, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano delivered what can only be described as a pointed and aggressive defense of the Obama Administration’s border security efforts. The Obama Administration rolled out their most experienced border expert to take on its critics and declare what had been done. Pointedly saying, “the numbers tell a story and don’t lie,” the Secretary detailed increases in border patrol hiring and deployments, increases in enforcement and deportations, and in technology deployments. The numbers were impressive and they do tell a positive story, but sitting in the audience, I and a number of other attendees noted that many of the investments and numbers she heralded were initiated by her predecessor, Michael Chertoff and the previous Administration. The “facts also tell a story.”

Police chief: Cartels threaten U.S. law enforcement in Arizona

Police chief: Cartels threaten U.S. law enforcement in Arizona – Homeland Security Newswire
We reported two months ago that there is a new twist in the on going war along the U.S.-Mexico border: Mexican smugglers now use “cloned” Border Patrol vehicles to smuggle drugs into the United States. There is an added danger here, as Mexican drug cartels have launched an assassination campaign against U.S. law enforcement personnel along the border; driving a Border Patrol look-alike vehicle allows the assailants to get closer to their targets without arousing suspicion.

Erroll Southers: Who's Learning Faster, Al Qaeda or Us?

Who’s Learning Faster, Al Qaeda or Us? – Homeland Security Today There are a growing number of Americans who, despite enjoying the benefits of freedom and rule of law, choose to become terrorists, bent on killing their countrymen, destroying property, and if necessary, dying in the process. They pose a unique danger because impressionable and […]

Water Systems – A Rising Rate to Lift Our Nation?

Leaders at every level of government continue to ignore the obvious, and dare I say, “inconvenient” truth about water: We need to raise rates. Either that or get used to being thirsty, stock up on Pepto-Bismol, and get ready for a mean tutorial on what Cholera feels like. U.S. water systems are the best in the world, but the fight to maintain water quality may be lost if utilities remain hamstrung by requirements to under charge for services.

Managing Large Enrollment Programs – Tougher Than it Looks

By Michael T. Dougherty
It is an open question whether Congress will address comprehensive immigration reform legislation this year or find time to work on smaller immigration packages such as the DREAM Act or AgJOBS. Immigration reform poses many difficult issues for Congress, and if any legislation includes a pathway to citizenship for some or all the 10.8 million illegal immigrants that DHS estimates reside in the United States, Congress should ensure that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has the resources that it needs to promptly and accurately enroll that population.

A Need to Prioritize Intelligence Analysis at Fusion Centers

By Steve Serrao
Having visited and worked in many fusion centers across the nation, I often wonder how much attention is given to a basic question: Are we conducting analysis or not? The answer to the question of whether the centers conduct analysis varies widely, and it is partly dependent on whether the fusion center’s goal is to provide strategic-intelligence analysis or serve as a tactical operational data-sharing operation. Fusion centers that have decided to perform both data fusion and analysis need the appropriate staff and resources assigned. There must be a division of analytical labor.

E-Verify Gets Critical Improvements but Still Lacks Identity Verification

The Department of Homeland Security’s continued commitment to E-Verify is apparent from the new E-Verify re-design, which will be launching on Sunday, June 12, 2010. The new re-design is a huge improvement in terms of the look and feel of the E-Verify program, giving users enhanced security, accuracy and efficiency. Unfortunately, the new system still does not address the most pressing need of many employers – an ability to address prevalent identity theft and false claims of U.S. citizenship. Regardless, the system should be a welcome improvement for employers. The enhanced tools and information also demonstrate the broader DHS commitment to enhance the E-Verify system. This commitment is a positive sign that the government is serious about helping employers successfully determine employment verification.

Watch the Live Broadcast – Roundtable on 100 Percent Air Cargo Screening

Broadcasting live online from the Newseum at 2:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 26, American Airlines Cargo joins forces with TSA and others for a 100 percent air cargo screening roundtable.

Unprecedented Service – Thad Allen's Almost Retirement

On Tuesday, a man much of America recognizes for his leadership following the occurrence of a “bad day” will relinquish his command of one of our country’s oldest branches of federal service, the U.S. Coast Guard. Having served the past four years as Commandant, Thad Allen has become one of those unique, iconic American figures that when you see him or mention his name, you almost immediately think of words, “trust,” “competent” and “leader.” Allen’s career has been about two things: leadership and service to others – an unprecedented service that he will continue to fulfill even after his tenure as Commandant ends on Tuesday.

Stratfor’s Bad Day Forecast

You know it’s going to be rough day when you go to get in your car and discover a flat tire. You know your day has the potential to get even worse when you’re listening to the morning news, and they tell you that the Nation’s Capital or New York City are going to be attacked by terrorists in the next five to six months. So say the forecasters of Stratfor. There are lots of things that a forecast like Stratfor’s should spur us to do. Such is the reality and risk of living and working in DC or the Big Apple, the number one and two targets in the United States. But even if nothing occurs, the fact that people act on information to prepare themselves is a step every one of us should be taking today.