Critical Releases in Homeland Security: August 25, 2010

"Each year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) undertakes immigration enforcement actions involving hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals (for definitions of immigration enforcement action terms, see Box 1). These actions include the arrest, detention, return, and removal from the United States of foreign nationals who violate U.S. immigration law. Violations include failing to abide by the terms and conditions of admission or engaging in a variety of crimes such as violent crimes, document and benefit fraud, terrorist activity, and drug smuggling. Primary responsibility for the enforcement of immigration law within DHS rests with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CBP is responsible for the inspection of all arriving persons and conveyances at ports of entry and the deterrence or apprehension of illegal immigrants between ports of entry. ICE is responsible for enforcing immigration laws throughout the United States."

From the opening statement of Dianne Feinstein: "This hearing presents an annual opportunity to focus on the threats our nation faces, and it provides a rare forum for the public to receive strategic intelligence analysis. I think that right now the top threat on everyone's mind is the heightened terrorism threat, especially against our own homeland. The committee has held hearings in the past two weeks to review the Christmas Day attempted attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and the Fort Hood shootings by United States Army Major Nidal Hassan. We have also reviewed the attack on CIA's [Central Intelligence Agency] Khowst base in eastern Afghanistan on December 30th, the most deadly attack against CIA personnel in decades. [...] Let me shift from terrorism to the topic that DNI [Director of National Intelligence] Blair highlights in his written testimony, the threat to our government, public and private sector from cyber espionage, crime and attack. Director, your description of the problem is very blunt, and I believe it to be accurate. The need to develop an overall cyber security strategy is very clear. This committee has carefully examined cyber security through five hearings in the past year, carefully reviewed various cyber attacks and penetrations from foreign actors and appointed a cyber task force of three members--Senators Whitehouse, Mikulski and Snowe--to conduct a six-month analysis of our government's current plans. The task force will be reporting to the full committee shortly. [...] It is also worth noting that this country has stated its willingness to cooperate internationally on these matters. There are far more developments around the world that threaten the national security interests of the United States. The past year saw a Taliban surge in Afghanistan that led to the President's decision to shift strategy and increase troop levels. Pakistan continues to be an uneven partner in our counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts. Somalia and Yemen are failed and failing states that require enormous attention. These and many other threats are outlined in the DNI's testimony." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dianne Feinstein, Christopher S. Bond, Dennis Blair, Leon Panetta, Robert S. Mueller, III, Ronald Burgess, John Dinger, Ronald Weich, and Russ Feingold.