- Training Personnel in Advanced Methods to Detect Explosives and Deter Other Serious Threats: DHS provides more than 43,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at over 700 airport security checkpoints and 7,000 baggage screening areas. With nearly 38,000 TSO’s trained in the detection of explosive materials and devices, 425 Explosives Detection Canine Teams active in 80 airports nationwide (representing a 70% increase since 2003), Visible Intermodal Protection Response (VIPR) teams deployed to supplement existing security resources, and thousands of Federal Air Marshals protecting U.S. flights, these layers of security are helping to ensure the safety of the traveling public and prevent any terrorist or criminal activity.
- Deploying New Technologies to Improve the Screening of Passengers and Baggage: Approximately 4,000 metal and x-ray detectors are present at 440 airports within the United States to check passengers for harmful materials or weapons that may pose a threat to aviation security. Since 9/11, TSA has also deployed 1,200 Explosive Trace Detector machines to passenger screening checkpoints.
- 100% of Checked Baggage Now Undergoes Screening: On 9/11, five percent of checked baggage was screened. Whether checked or taken as a carry-on, TSA now screens 100% of all checked baggage utilizing enhanced technology that quickly determines whether a bag contains a potential threat to aviation security.
- Securing Air Cargo with a Layered Security Solution: While promoting the free flow of commerce, DHS has employed a risk-management approach designed to strengthen security across the spectrum of cargo, conveyances and people utilizing different detection methods including enhanced technology, human inspection, and canine teams. TSA has enhanced shipper and supply chain security by pinpointing cargo deemed an elevated risk through prescreening, targeted inspections, and stronger security measures at cargo facilities. DHS is now conducting Air Cargo Explosives Detection Pilot Programs to test ways additional cargo can be screened prior to loading on passenger aircraft.
- Background Checks for Truckers Hauling HAZMAT: DHS has checked more than 2.7 million truckers against terrorist watch lists and more than 200,000 persons receiving new licenses or renewing their old commercial driver's licenses. As of August 2006, drivers licensed in Canada or Mexico must also undergo a background check as part of CBP’s Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program before transporting placarded amounts of hazardous materials in the U.S.
- Strengthening Port Security: The U.S. Coast Guard created port security teams to assess over 60 strategic port locations. USCG also completed special assessments on several es of vessels including ferries, LNG vessels, certain dangerous cargo barges and single skin tank vessels. The Coast Guard also developed the port security risk assessment tool to assess and establish risk-based profiles. With the President’s FY 2007 Budget request, total DHS funding for port security activities since FY 2004 total nearly $10 billion.
- Developing the Transportation Workerentification Credential: DHS is elevating security at our nation’s ports by requiring a biometricentification card or Transportation Workerentification Credential (TWIC) and background check for those individuals requiring daily access to these critical facilities. Extensive background checks have already been completed on over 400,000 port workers. The credential includes a more extensive background check and ensures port workers and vessel operators are fully vetted before they are able to access secure areas.
- Over $1.1 Billion Has Been Provided to Protect Critical Infrastructure: Through programs designated for infrastructure protection, DHS has provided more than $1.1 billion to date to strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies that could impact this country’s critical infrastructure. By the end of September, DHS will award approximately $373 million more funding for these purposes. These grants are distributed through seven specific programs that allocate funding toward transit security (rail, bus, and ferry systems); buffer zone protection surrounding chemical facilities, nuclear and electric power plants, dams, stadiums, arenas and other high-risk areas; intercity passenger rail operations; our nation’s highways; and critical port infrastructure.
- Infrastructure Protection Grants: These grants consider threat, vulnerability and consequences, and recognize the unique characteristics of our nation’s seaports, transit systems and other critical infrastructure assets. The FY 06 programs included: $9.5 million for the Intercity Bus Security Grant Program; $4.8 million for the Trucking Security Program; over $168 million for the Port Security Grant Program; over $7.2 million for the Intercity Passenger Rail Security Grant Program; nearly $136 million for the Transit Security Grant Program; nearly $48 million for the Buffer Zone Protection Program; and $25 million for the Chemical Sector Buffer Zone Protection Program.
- Nearly $110 Million Awarded To Major Rail Systems in 2006: This year, the eight largest mass transit rail systems in the country have been awarded $103 million in security grant assistance. Eligibility announcements for further awards have been made and final grant awards to these systems will be made later this year, bringing the total to roughly $110 million. To date, DHS has provided nearly $375 Million to the Nation’s Mass Transit Systems.
- Rail Security Pilots: Through S&T’s Rail Security Pilot (RSP), DHS field tested the effectiveness of explosives detection techniques and imaging technologies in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In April 2006, TSA conducted the Mobile Security Checkpoint (MSC) pilot with MARC and Maryland Transit Administration to screen commuter rail passengers and their bags for explosive material. The MSC pilot was conducted to determine the operational feasibility, effectiveness, and the suitability in a transportation environment of commercially available screening technology installed in a mobile container. The results from this pilot will be used to determine if such a container could be used for screening in the transportation environment, or possibly in others.
- Providing a Coordinated Approach to Critical Infrastructure Protection: Through the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), DHS has established a comprehensive risk management framework that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities among government, private industry, nongovernmental agencies and other key partners in protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure, enhancing additional security measures and focusing resources according to risk. Seventeen Sector-Specific Plans that complement the NIPP and detail the risk management framework will be released in December 2006. These plans will address unique characteristics and risk landscapes, will be developed in collaboration with sector specific security partners, and include such areas as agriculture and food; energy; public health and healthcare; banking and finance; drinking waters and water treatment systems; information technology; telecommunications; postal and shipping; transportation systems including mass transit, aviation, maritime, ground or surface, and rail and pipeline systems; chemical; commercial facilities; government facilities; emergency services; dams; nuclear reactors, materials and waste; the defense industrial base; and national monuments and icons.
- Screening Visitors to the U.S. Against Watch Lists and Criminal Records: The US-VISIT program uses advanced biometric technologies to screen visitors to the U.S. against various watch lists to prevent terrorists from entering the country. To date, US-VISIT has been deployed to 116 airports, 15 seaports, and 154 land ports of entry and processed more than 61 million people applying for admission at U.S. ports of entry. Nearly 1,200 criminals and immigration violators have been intercepted at entry into the United States based on the biometric information alone. DHS and CBP also deployed the Integrated Automated Fingerprintentification System to all 142 Border Patrol stations and more than 150 ports of entry. This technology has enabled CBP toentify hundreds of homicide, kidnapping, robbery and sexual assault suspects as well as thousands of other wanted individuals. Moreover, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service conducts approximately 135,000 background checks on applicants seeking immigration benefits each day.
- The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS): SEVIS was implemented in January of 2003, and is a web-based system that provides real-time, up-to-date information on F, M and J visa holders that can be accessed electronically. It is an effective tool used by law enforcement to ensure that foreign students and exchange visitors in the United States are complying with the terms of their immigration status and are not a threat to national security. Prior to SEVIS, there was a decentralized, manual, paper-driven process that monitored foreign students attending more than 70,000 schools. Today, SEVIS enables over 8,600 schools and 1,400 exchange visitor programs in the United States to host over 800,000 foreign students and exchange visitors.
- Increasing Manpower and Resources: Since President Bush took office, the number of Border Patrol agents has increased from 9,000 to more than 12,000, and will double to 18,000 by the end of 2008. CBP officers at our U.S. ports of entry have increased 50 percent and funding for border security efforts has risen by 66%. The number of ICE investigators has grown 25%, funding for interior enforcement has risen 42%, and the number of ICE fugitive operations teams has grown from 17 to 45 nationwide. Since March 2003, these teams have arrested more than 52,000 illegal aliens, including roughly 22,000 of who had criminal records.
- Increased Resources toward Securing the Border: In 2005, DHS established the Secure Border Initiative (SBI) to strengthen security along our nation’s borders through increased manpower and resources, new technologies and enhanced immigration enforcement. Under SBI, DHS has expanded the practice of expedited removal which substantially reduces the amount of time an illegal migrant spends in processing before being returned to their home country; established fencing and barriers to improve security along the border; and will harness cutting-edge technology through SBInet - an integrated effort combining the latest detection technology with new infrastructure investments that will greatly increase our border enforcement capabilities.
- Ending “Catch-and-Release”: DHS has effectively ended the practice of “catch-and-release” along the southern and northern borders for other-than-Mexican populations by enforcing a catch-and-remove policy. The President’s FY ‘07 budget proposes increasing the number of beds in detention facilities to 27,500. In addition, $257 million has been approved which will add 4,000 beds this year; while 500 beds were added in Willacy County, Texas in less than 45 days. With expanded bed space and decreased processing times under the Secure Border Initiative, DHS is strictly enforcing this “catch and remove” policy enabling us to detain all non-Mexican illegal immigrants apprehended along the southern and northern border until they can be returned to their home countries.
- Deploying the National Guard in Operation Jump Start: Since May 2006, the Administration has leveraged the support of up to 6,000 National Guard to help keep the border safe while additional Border Patrol agents and new technologies are brought online. Their support has freed up more than 380 Border Patrol agents for frontline duty and assisted with more than 6,700 illegal alien apprehensions and the seizure of approximately 34,000 pounds of marijuana and 1,700 pounds of cocaine since the start of the Operation.
- ICE Worksite Enforcement: In FY 2004, Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiated 460 investigations; there were 79 indictments and 87 convictions. These numbers increased in FY 2005 to 502 investigations, 186 indictments and 160 convictions, and in FY 2006 (as of August 22) there were 1097 investigations, 184 indictments and 177 convictions.
- Development of e-Passports: In coordination with the State Department, DHS is providing technological solutions, suc
Subscribe to the DPJ Weekly Brief newsletter: Subscribe