Critical Releases in Homeland Security: October 7, 2009

The U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council published this report containing the results and recommendations from its 60-day review of the Homeland Security Advisory System. Secretary Napolitano established this task force on July 14, 2009 to conduct a review of the effectiveness of the familiar color coded national threat level regarding the risk of terrorist attacks in the United States. The report does offer suggestions to improve the current system but the councilmembers unanimously conclude that the advisory system in its current form is integral to counterterrorism efforts in the United States.

"This Report provides a comprehensive review and evaluation of the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) system of Immigration Detention. It relies on information gathered by Dr. Dora Schriro, most recently the Director of the Office of Detention Policy and Planning, during tours of 25 facilities, discussions with detainees and employees, meetings with over 100 non-governmental organizations and federal, state, and local officials, and the review of data and reports from governmental agencies and human rights organizations. The findings are based on analyses of the ICE detainee population and arrest activities conducted specifically for this review. The Report describes the policy, human capital, informational, and management challenges associated with the rapid expansion of ICE's detention capacity from fewer than 7,500 beds in 1995 to over 30,000 today, without the benefit of tools for population forecasting, management, on-site monitoring, and central procurement. The Report identifies important distinctions between the characteristics of the Immigration Detention population in ICE custody and the administrative purpose of their detention-which is to hold, process, and prepare individuals for removal-as compared to the punitive purpose of the Criminal Incarceration system. The Report underscores the opportunity for ICE, in coordination with stakeholders, to design and implement a detention system with policies, facilities, programs, and oversight mechanisms that align with the administrative purpose of Immigration Detention. The Report provides a seven part framework for meeting the challenge of developing a new system of Immigration Detention. It concludes with concrete recommendations for reform in each of the seven areas of focus."

The objectives of this U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General report were to determine the extent to which 10 selected localities addressed vaccine and antiviral drug distribution and dispensing in their pandemic influenza guidance, assess how extensively they had conducted exercises related to these activities, and measure how they had collaborated with community partners to develop and exercise vaccine and antiviral drug distribution in the event of an influenza pandemic.

"The United States faces a complex and rapidly shifting international security landscape. Events at home and abroad move quickly, often in an interconnected fashion, driven by the pace of technological change and international communications. National security priorities adapt as rapidly as these events unfold. The Intelligence Community (IC) must keep a steady focus on enduring challenges in and among nation-states and persistent transnational issues, and also be agile in adapting to emerging threats and harnessing opportunities. The National Intelligence Strategy (NIS) sets out the following guiding principles: responsive and incisive understanding of global threats and opportunities, coupled with an agility that brings to bear the Community's capabilities. The 2009 NIS represents several advances in the Director of National Intelligence's (DNI) leadership of the National Intelligence Program (NIP) and the IC. It reflects a refined understanding of the counterterrorism challenge and elevates the importance of the challenges we face in the cyber domain and from counterintelligence threats. This NIS also affirms priorities to focus IC plans and actions for the next four years, while providing direction to guide development of future IC capabilities. The NIS highlights areas that demand our attention, resources, and commitment. It also establishes the basis for accountability, in conjunction with an implementation plan, to ensure that the Community meets the goals of our strategy."