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• Enhancing Basic Governance: Japan's Comprehensive Counterterrorism Assistance to Southeast Asia

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  "Japan's support for counterterrorism in Southeast Asia (SEA) partly reflects its commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance, but is also part of a wider strategy for enhancing its political and security role in the region. Japan's focus has been to develop a comprehensive set of initiatives aimed at enhancing SEA countries' basic governance capabilities in areas such as law enforcement, export control, money laundering, anti-piracy, air and sea port security, immigration ration control and proliferation of WMD. Due to domestic political constraints, Japan's contributions in the area of counterterrorism emphasize non-military means of cooperation. Japan's constitutional ban against collective defense continues to be cited as an obstacle to Self Defense Force participation in counterterrorism (CT), but this has not hindered cooperation in civilian law enforcement, including Coast Guard cooperation. Recently, the Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) has begun to cautiously expand its CT efforts. Bureaucratic turf battles inside SEA countries receiving Japanese aid can be a problem for CT cooperation with Japan, especially when the domestic law enforcement role is partly shared by the military. Japan's aid is greatly appreciated by Southeast Asia's least CT-capable states, such as the Philippines and Indonesia. Nevertheless, SEA remains a laggard in terms of ratifying the twelve UN counter-terrorism conventions and protocols. Because of the limitations on Japan's military, its programs aimed at cooperating with Southeast Asian countries in various subfields of CT are perceived by some Southeast Asian countries to be less threatening than programs initiated by the United States. Japan's CT programs are, however, still in their initial stages and continue to evolve. Assistance to Southeast Asia is quantitatively insufficient, and redundancies among aid givers are not yet a problem. As quantity of aid increases, however, donor consultations and coordination between Japan and the"

  Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

  Fouse, David; Sato, Yoichiro, 1966-

  2006-02
• Report on Activities to Combat Human Trafficking: Fiscal Years 2001-2005

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  "This report summarizes the Department's accomplishments during this Administration to fight human trafficking through aggressive, proactive investigations that reflect a victim-centered approach. Victims are essential to the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of this appalling crime. Our strategy is multi-disciplinary. We promote effective federal and state laws, sophisticated investigatory techniques, and tough federal and state prosecutions that work collaboratively with federally supported crime victim services and outreach programs. Because trafficking knows no borders, our efforts have also involved the international community, where we have shared our victim-centered approach with foreign nations."

  United States. Department of Justice

  2006-02
• President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address [January 31, 2006]

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  This is the transcript from the President's State of the Union Address on January 31, 2006. President Bush discusses the goal of creating a democracy in Iraq, strategy for Afghanistan, the fight against terrorism as well as the domestic economy.

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  2006-01-31
• Peacekeeping and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on Civilian Capabilities [Updated January 26, 2006]

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  "The State Departments new Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) is intended to address longstanding concerns, both within Congress and the broader foreign policy community, over the perceived lack of the appropriate capabilities and processes to deal with transitions from conflict to sustainable stability. These capabilities and procedures include adequate planning mechanisms for stabilization and reconstruction operations, efficient interagency coordination structures and procedures in carrying out such tasks, and appropriate civilian personnel for many of the non-military tasks required. Effectively distributing resources among the various executive branch actors, maintaining clear lines of authority and jurisdiction, and balancing short- and long-term objectives are major challenges for designing, planning, and conducting post-conflict operations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Serafino, Nina M.; Weiss, Martin A.

  2006-01-26
• International Population Assistance and Family Planning Programs: Issues for Congress [January 26, 2006]

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  "Since 1965, United States policy has supported international population planning based on principles of volunteerism and informed choice that gives participants access to information on all methods of birth control. This policy, however, has generated contentious debate for over two decades, resulting in frequent clarification and modification of U.S. international family planning programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nowels, Larry Q.; Veillette, Connie

  2006-01-26
• Homeland Security Department: FY2006 Appropriations [Updated January 24, 2006]

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  "This report describes the FY2006 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Administration requested a net appropriation of $30.6 billion in net budget authority for FY2006, of which $29.6 billion is discretionary budget authority, and $1 billion is mandatory budget authority. P.L. 109-90 was signed into law on October 18, 2005, and provides a net appropriation of $31.9 billion for DHS and $30.8 billion in discretionary budget authority. The President's request for appropriations includes the following break out of net budget authority for the four Titles of the DHS appropriation bill: (I) Departmental Management and Operations, $748 million; (II) Security, Enforcement and Investigations, $20,566 million; (III) Preparedness and Response, $6,710 million; and (IV) Research and Development, Training, Assessments, and Services, $2,546 million. The House-passed version of H.R. 2360 would provide the following amounts for each title: (I) $561 million; (II) $21,988 million; (III) $6,688 million; and (IV) $2,522 million. The Senate-passed version of H.R. 2360 would provide the following amounts for each title: (I) $647 million; (II) $22,193 million; (III) $6,334 million; and (IV) $2,686 million. P.L. 109-90 reflects Secretary Chertoff's proposed reorganization and provides the following amounts for each title: (I) $907 million; (II) $22,401 million; (III) $6,666 million; and (IV) $1,899 million."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lake, Jennifer E.; Nunez-Neto, Blas

  2006-01-24
• Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated January 24, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics, supported their admission into Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support to counter Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union. Soon after the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered over-flight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. In 2003, Uzbekistan endorsed coalition military action in Iraq and Kazakhstan provided about two dozen troops for rebuilding. […] Foreign Operations Appropriations for FY2006 was signed into law on November 14, 2005 (H.R. 3057; P.L. [Public Law] 109-102). The conferees (H.Rept. 109-265) call for $25 million in Freedom Support Act aid to Kazakhstan, $25 million to Kyrgyzstan, $24 million to Tajikistan, $5 million to Turkmenistan, and $20 million to Uzbekistan. The law continues prior year language conditioning aid to the governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on progress in democratization and respect for human rights, and adds that the Uzbek government should permit an international investigation of the mid-2005 violence against civilians in Andijon."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nichol, James P.

  2006-01-24
• Persian Gulf States: Issues for U.S. Policy, 2006 [January 20, 2006]

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  "The U.S.-led war to overthrow Saddam Hussein has virtually ended Iraq's ability to produce weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and to militarily threaten the region, but it has produced new and un-anticipated security challenges for the Persian Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates). The Gulf states, which are all led by Sunni Muslim regimes, fear that Shiite Iran is unchecked, now that Iraq is strategically weak. The Gulf states strongly resent that pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim groups and their Kurdish allies (who are not Arabs) have obtained preponderant power within Iraq. This has led most of the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, to provide only halting support to the fledgling government in Baghdad. […] The Bush Administration also is working to maintain or improve post- September 11 cooperation with the Gulf states against Al Qaeda. Some Gulf states allegedly tolerated the presence of Al Qaeda activists and their funding mechanisms prior to the September 11 attacks. Fifteen of the nineteen September 11 hijackers were of Saudi origin, as is Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. This report will be updated as warranted by regional developments. See also CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB93113, 'Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations'; CRS Report RS21513, 'Kuwait: Post-Saddam Issues and U.S. Policy'; CRS Report RS21852, 'The United Arab Emirates: Issues for U.S. Policy'; CRS Report RL31718, 'Qatar: Background and U.S. Relations'; CRS Report 95-1013 F, 'Bahrain: Key Issues for U.S. Policy'; and CRS Report RS21534, 'Oman: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2006-01-20
• Trafficking in Persons: The U.S. and International Response [Updated January 19, 2006]

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  "Trafficking in people for prostitution and forced labor is one of the most prolific areas of international criminal activity and is of significant concern to the United States and the international community. The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children. According to the most recent Department of State estimates, between 600,000 and 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year worldwide. Combined with trafficking within countries, the total figure is estimated at between 2 and 4 million. Over 14,500 are believed to be trafficked to the United States annually. Human trafficking is now considered a leading source of profits for organized crime, together with drugs and weapons, generating billions of dollars. Trafficking in persons affects virtually every country in the world. Traffickers exploit poverty, war, crisis, and ignorance. There have been reports that child trafficking has increased in countries devastated by natural disasters such as the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Miko, Francis T.

  2006-01-19
• Immigration Policy on Expedited Removal of Aliens [Updated January 18, 2006]

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  "Expedited removal, an immigration enforcement strategy originally conceived to operate at the borders and ports of entry, is being expanded, raising a set of policy, resource, and logistical questions. Expedited removal is a provision under which an alien who lacks proper documentation or has committed fraud or willful misrepresentation of facts may be removed from the United States without any further hearings or review, unless the alien indicates a fear of persecution. Congress added expedited removal to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in 1996, making it mandatory for arriving aliens, and giving the Attorney General the option of applying it to aliens in the interior of the country who have not been admitted or paroled into the United States and who cannot affirmatively show that they have been physically present in the United States continuously for two years. Until recently, expedited removal was only applied to aliens at ports of entry. Several bills introduced in the 109th Congress -- H.R. 4032, H.R. 4312, and H.R. 4437 -- would mandate the expansion of expedited removal. Proponents of expanding expedited removal point to the lengthy procedural delays and costs of the alien removal process. They cite statistics that indicate that the government is much more successful at removing detained aliens (aliens in expedited removal must be detained) than those not detained. They argue that aliens who entered the country illegally should not be afforded the due process and appeals that those who entered legally are given under the law."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Siskin, Alison

  2006-01-18
• Terrorism and National Security: Issues and Trends [Updated January 12, 2006]

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  "The Bush Administration has made bilateral and regional free-trade agreements (FTAs) more important elements of U.S. trade policy, a strategy known as 'competitive liberalization.' This strategy, it argues, will push forward trade liberalization simultaneously on bilateral, regional and multilateral fronts. It is meant to spur trade negotiations by liberalizing trade with countries willing to join FTAs, and to pressure other countries to negotiate multilaterally. Critics contend, however, that the accent on regional and bilateral negotiations undermines the multilateral forum and increases the risk of trade diversion away from competitive countries not in the trade bloc. The controversial CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) -- an agreement signed with the five countries of the Central American Common Market (CACM) and the Dominican Republic -- was passed by the House on July 28, 2005, by a vote of 217- 215. Later in the day, the Senate approved the House version of the legislation to implement CAFTA, and President Bush signed it on August 2 (P.L. 109-53). In December 2005, Congress approved implementing legislation for the Bahrain FTA and President Bush signed the legislation of January 11, 2006 (P.L. 109-169). The United States is participating in several other regional and bilateral trade negotiations. Agreements were concluded and became effective during the 108th Congress with Australia, Chile, and Singapore. Also during the 108th Congress, an agreement with Morocco was approved, but it did not take effect until January 1, 2006. Negotiations are underway with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Panama, Thailand, three Andean nations (Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador), the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Negotiations have recently concluded with Peru and Oman. Several other trade initiatives are under discussion, including a U.S.-Middle East FTA and an FTA with countries in southeast Asia."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Fergusson, Ian F.

  2006-01-12
• Serbia and Montenegro: Current Situation and U.S. Policy [Updated January 11, 2006]

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  "Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic's long reign came to an end in October 2000, when he was deposed from power by a popular revolt after he refused to concede defeat in an election for the post of President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) won by his opponent, Vojislav Kostunica. Although it achieved some successes, the new democratic government was beset with internal conflicts almost from its beginning, including over cooperation with the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal. It received its greatest blow in March 2003, when Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was murdered by organized crime figures linked to the Serbian security apparatus. Organized crime, extremists within the Serbian military and security apparatus, and the links between them continue to pose a threat to Serbia's democratic development. On December 28, 2003, the extreme nationalist Serbian Radical Party won a stunning victory in early Serbian parliamentary elections, but fell short of a majority. In March 2004, a minority government of democratic parties formed a government without the Radicals. However, the government depends on the parliamentary support of Milosevic's Socialists, who are not in the government but are in a position to extract concessions from it. Democratic forces in Serbia received a boost from Serbian presidential elections in June 2004, which resulted in a victory for Boris Tadic, a pro-Western, pro-reform figure over a Radical Party candidate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woehrel, Steven J.

  2006-01-11
• Public Law 109-164: Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005

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  "An Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and for other purposes." This act addresses the prevention of trafficking people, enhancing prosecution of offenses in human trafficking, protecting victims of trafficked persons, and enhancing state and local efforts to combat human trafficking.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006-01-10
• Vietnam-U.S. Normalization Process [Updated January 3, 2006]

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  "After communist North Vietnam's victory over U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1975, U.S.-Vietnam relations remained essentially frozen for over 15 years. Since then, bilateral ties have expanded remarkably, to the point where the relationship in many ways has been virtually normalized. Congress has played a significant role in this process. Each step in improving bilateral ties has brought controversy, albeit at diminishing levels. U.S. opponents in Congress and elsewhere have argued that Vietnam maintains a poor record on human and religious rights, particularly in the Central Highlands region. Opposition has also come from groups arguing that Vietnam has not done enough to account for U.S. Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIAs) from the Vietnam War, though this argument has diminished markedly in recent years. Forces favoring normalization have included those reflecting a strong U.S. business interest in Vietnam's reforming economy and American strategic interests in integrating Vietnam more fully into East Asia and in expanding cooperation with a country that has an ambivalent relationship with China."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.

  2006-01-03
• Vietnam-U.S. Normalization Process [January 3, 2006]

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  "After communist North Vietnam's victory over U.S.-backed South Vietnam in 1975, U.S.-Vietnam relations remained essentially frozen for over 15 years. Since then, bilateral ties have expanded remarkably, to the point where the relationship in many ways has been virtually normalized. Congress has played a significant role in this process. Each step in improving bilateral ties has brought controversy, albeit at diminishing levels. U.S. opponents in Congress and elsewhere have argued that Vietnam maintains a poor record on human and religious rights, particularly in the Central Highlands region. Opposition has also come from groups arguing that Vietnam has not done enough to account for U.S. Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIAs) from the Vietnam War, though this argument has diminished markedly in recent years. Forces favoring normalization have included those reflecting a strong U.S. business interest in Vietnam's reforming economy and American strategic interests in integrating Vietnam more fully into East Asia and in expanding cooperation with a country that has an ambivalent relationship with China. […] Vietnam is one of the largest recipients of U.S. assistance in East Asia; U.S. aid in FY2005 surpassed $50 million. By far the largest component of the U.S. bilateral aid program is health-related assistance, particularly spending on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. The United States also has budgeted over $7 million to help Vietnam battle outbreaks of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which is believed to be responsible for over 40 human deaths in Vietnam."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manyin, Mark E.

  2006-01-03
• Should Mexico Hold Veto Power Over U.S. Border Security Decisions? Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, August 17, 2006

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  From the opening statement of F. James Sensenbrenner. "I would like to welcome everybody to the second field hearing of the Committee on the subject of illegal immigration. The purpose of this series of hearings is to examine the challenges our nation currently faces with regard to illegal immigration and the impact that the Reid-Kennedy immigration bill passed by the Senate would have if it were to become law. The Committee's first hearing examined the enormous cost illegal immigration imposes upon American taxpayers and social services. The focus of today's hearing is the issue of whether the United States should be forced to prospectively consult with a foreign government when taking steps to strengthen the security of our borders, something that section 117 of the Reid-Kennedy bill requires. Today's hearing will also look at the social and fiscal consequences of large-scale illegal immigration, such as drug smuggling, alien trafficking and violent crime in El Paso and the other cities and towns along the southwest border and examine whether the Reid-Kennedy bill would address or merely compound these problems. A nation's sovereignty is defined in part by the ability to control its borders. President Reagan once remarked that, 'A nation without borders is not really a nation.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: F. James Sensenbrenner, Sheila Jackson Lee, Leo Samaniego, Kathleen Walker, Richard Wiles, Alison Siskin, Andrew Ramirez, Eliot Shapleigh, and Luis Figueroa.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• FBI Oversight, Hearing Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, May 2, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Arlen Specter: "The FBI, with its great tradition for law enforcement and investigative techniques, has enormous responsibilities in an era where we are fighting terrorism, and it has great responsibilities in the protection of civil liberties as well; a delicate balance which the United States has been so adept at maintaining. The FBI is being very seriously challenged this year and the years intervening since 9/11/2001 and will be challenged into the future." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles E. Grassley, Edward M. Kennedy, Patrick J. Leahy, Arlen Specter, Linda M. Calbom, Glenn A. Fine, John C. Gannon, and Robert S. Mueller III

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Border Security on Federal Lands, Oversight Field Hearings before the Committee on Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, August 5 and 28, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Stevan Pearce. "This brings me to the point of this hearing. Today we are hearing about solutions. It is important for the Committee to hear what border security measures will be put in place as well as their benefits to all those who depend on Federal lands for their livelihood and recreation. The key to implementing these solutions is the legislation that ultimately passes Congress and is signed into law. It is at this point where the House and the Senate depart ways. We passed a bill in the House that is primarily designed for border security leaving the two other issues of both legal and illegal immigration literally to be solved at a later date. The Senate took a different approach and brought in a bill that said we are going to try to solve the three aspects-border security per se, illegal immigration, and legal immigration. I don't think that we can do all three at one time. Having said that, being one of the people on the Homeland Security Committee primarily responsible for the House border security bill, my office wrote much of that bill. I am the only member of the House Homeland Security Committee that is on the southern border. I understand the issues, I think, more than most." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Brian Bilbray, Stevan Pearce, Steve Borchard, Christopher John Ingram, Judy Keeler, Victor Manjarrez, James McGarvie, Thomas A. Nassif, Carolyn E. Powers, Muriel Watson, Dennis R. Rehberg, Thomas G. Tancredo, Jeffrey Copp, Wayne Dusterhoff, Robert Harris, Jeremy House, and Abigail Kimbell.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• DHS Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Performance Plan

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  "This fifth annual performance plan outlines the projects that DHS intends to undertake this fiscal year to evaluate its programs and operations. This promises to be another challenging and demanding year as DHS attempts to address the many complex issues confronting it in its daily effort to reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and to minimize the damage and recover from man-made attacks and natural disasters that may occur. In developing the plan, DHS attempted to address the interests and concerns of DHS senior management officials, the Congress, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DHS focused on their core mission of conducting independent and objective inspections, audits, and investigations to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in DHS's programs and operations, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General

  2006
• ICE Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report, Protecting National Security and Upholding Public Safety

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  "Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06) was a year of many records for ICE. Building upon the strong foundation established during its formative years, ICE in FY06 succeeded in implementing many new initiatives that are transforming the agency into a premiere 21st century law enforcement institution. During the last 12 months, ICE set new records for enforcement activity, ended the long-standing practice of 'catch and release,' launched major new initiatives, developed a framework for eliminating ICE's long-standing financial challenges, and improved the management and morale of the agency. In FY06, ICE set new records for worksite enforcement by increasing the number of arrests sevenfold over the last five years since the Immigration and Naturalization Service's (INS) last full year of operation in 2002. ICE is now criminally charging and seizing the assets of unscrupulous employers to create the kind of deterrence that was previously absent in worksite enforcement efforts, and achieving measurable success. ICE also ended the practice of 'catch and release' along the borders, an accomplishment that many considered impossible in 2005 when only 29 percent of apprehended non-Mexican aliens were detained along the border. Using Expedited Removal authority, ICE succeeded in reducing the average length of stay in custody for aliens placed in expedited removal proceedings to approximately 19 days, down significantly from the average of 90 days for aliens in traditional proceedings."

  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  2006
• Office of Justice Programs Resource Guide - Fiscal 2006 Edition

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  This Dept. of Justice (DOJ) resource guide outlines the mission and organization of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). A description of all OJP programs and support services is included. Fields discussed include: law enforcement, corrections, courts, juvenile justice, substance abuse, terrorism and domestic preparedness, tribal justice, technology to fight crime, and research, statistics, and evaluation.

  United States. Office of Justice Programs

  2006
• Serial No. 109-167: North Korea: Human Rights Update and International Abduction Issues: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations of the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, April 27, 2006

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  From the opening statement of James A. Leach: "First, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Jay Lefkowitz in his inaugural appearance before the Congress as Special Envoy for Human Rights in North Korea. That position was created when President Bush signed the North Korean Human Rights Act into law 18 months ago. The act, which was a key legislative initiative of this Committee, was intended to promote human rights, humanitarian transparency, and refugee protection for the people of North Korea. As emphasized in our last two oversight hearings and a February letter to Secretary Rice, many in Congress have been dissatisfied with the pace and extent of the implementation of that law. As of today the United States still has not accepted a single North Korean refugee for domestic resettlement, notwithstanding the requirements of Title 3 of the act. Similarly, the Administration has not requested a specific appropriation for any of the activities authorized by the act. We hope that Special Envoy Lefkowitz will have more encouraging news to share on these fronts, and we look forward to hearing his plans for the months ahead. Second, this is the first Congressional hearing to focus on North Korea's abduction of foreign citizens. We are fortunate to have such a notable panel witnesses, all of whom traveled from overseas to be here today. Reports from defectors and returned abductees have indicated that North Korea may be holding abductees from as many 12 countries. The abduction of foreign citizens and particularly of children contravenes the most basic tenets of a civilized society." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jay Lefkowitz, Sakie Yokota, Koh Myung Sup, Yoichi Shimada, Cho Chang-Ho, Lee Mi-Il, James A. Leach, Christopher H. Smith, and Eni F.H. Faleomavaega.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 109-194: U.S.-Mexico Relations: Hearing before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere of the Committee on the International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, April 26, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Dan Burton: "Today, the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere will hear testimony on the current state of relations between the United States and Mexico. In his National Security Strategy for 2006, President Bush urged a deepening of our ties to Mexico if we want to see cooperative policies be extended and carried out through the region of Latin America. He has also repeatedly illustrated how important it is to maintain a good relationship with Mexico, and I could not agree with the President more on this assessment. Mexico is the gateway to South America, both physically and intellectually, and we need to continue to work with the Government of Mexico if we wish to succeed in promoting growth and stability throughout the region and stemming the rising threats throughout our hemisphere. The border between us and Mexico is 1,980 miles long, and it is absolutely necessary that we have a good working relationship with the leadership of that country in solving our problems." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Elizabeth A. Whitaker, John M. Melle, Audrey Adams, Stephen Johnson, Robert A. Pastor, and Dan Burton.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Law Enforcement Officers Killed & Assaulted 2005

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  "The FBI publishes Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted each year to provide information about the officers who were killed, feloniously or accidentally, and those officers who were assaulted while performing their duties. The FBI collects these data through the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program."

  United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation

  2006
• Combating Human Trafficking in China: Domestic and International Efforts, Hearing Before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, March 6, 2006

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  This is the March 6, 2006 hearing "Combating Human Trafficking in China: Domestic and International Efforts" held before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. From the opening statement of Chuck Hagel: "The Congressional-Executive Commission on China meets today to examine human trafficking in China. The Commission will also consider domestic and international efforts to help stop human trafficking in and through China, and to help rehabilitate victims of trafficking. Human trafficking in China is a serious problem. According to a 2002 UNICEF estimate, there are approximately 250,000 victims of trafficking in China. Traffickers are increasingly linked to organized crime, and specialize in abducting girls and women, both for the bridal market in China's poorest areas, and for sale as prostitutes in urban areas. North Korean refugees are an especially vulnerable group." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chuck Hagel, James A. Leach, Steven J. Law, Christopher H. Smith, John R. Miller, Roger Plant, Wenchi Yu Perkins, Abraham Lee, and Sam Brownback.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Hearing on Impacts of Border Security and Immigration on Ways and Means Programs: Hearing Before the Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives One Hundred Ninth Congress Second Session, July 26, 2006

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  In this hearing on the 'Impacts of Border Security and Immigration on Ways and Means Programs' Hearing Before Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives One Hundred Ninth Congress Second Session, July 26, 2006, the presiding Chairman, Bill Thomas, expresses that the Committee will examine the impact of immigration on programs in the Committee's jurisdiction. "The hearing is part of a broader effort to enact meaningful immigration reform that clearly begins at our borders. The House and the Senate approved very different immigration bills in recent months. Both bills contain an important issue in the Committee's jurisdiction, namely, the system by which employers would verify the employment eligibility of their employees. The Senate bill also includes other provisions within the jurisdiction of this Committee. This committee begins by taking a broad look at the effect of illegal immigration and its impact on the Committee jurisdiction to focus on modifying whatever proposals they must deal with, to be able to maximize those agencies and Departments that are going to need to administer whatever it is that the House and the Senate finally agree to do." Witnesses include: Horn, Wade F., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Myers, Julie L., U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Everson, Mark W., Internal Revenue Service; Barnhart, Jo Anne B., Social Security Administration; Gustafson, Thomas A., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means

  2006
• 9-11 Commission Bill & 9-11 Commission Recommendations At-A-Glance

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  This fact sheet explains the functions of each of the 19 titles in the "9-11 Commission Bill." Next to each title are the relevant recommendations from the 9-11 Commission Report to clarify how each section of the bill will work to address vulnerabilities and risks.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2006
• Serial No. 109-90: Weak Bilateral Law Enforcement Presence at the U.S.-Mexico Border: Territorial Integrity and Safety Issues for American Citizens: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, November 17, 2005

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  Howard Coble: "Today the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims convene a very important oversight hearing of the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to examine the security and safety of the United States citizens living along and traveling between the Mexican/United States border. Recently, there have been numerous reports outlining the increase of violence in the region surrounding Laredo, Texas, and the city across the Mexican border, Nuevo Laredo. Most of the violence is attributed to the drug-trafficking activities in this region and specifically to a group known as 'The Zetas.' The Zetas are an enforcement arm of Gulf Cartel, one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico. This panel is concerned about these reports and looks forward to hearing the Departments' response to these accounts and the efforts being utilized to combat the crime and violence in that region." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Chris Swecker, William Reid, Reynaldo Garza, T.J. Bonner, and Sheila Jackson Lee.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 109-85: Outgunned and Outmanned: Local Law Enforcement Confronts Violence Along the Southern Border: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims and the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, March 2, 2006

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  "Today's four witnesses represent the three States that together span most of the southern border with Mexico. Each witness is an experienced sheriff and each is faced with the growing difficulty of enforcing the law in communities that are being subjected to a growing level of violent crime by illegal aliens. Some of these illegal aliens are just moving through on their way to richer pastures further into the interior of the United States. Others are professional criminals who reside south of the border and operate criminal enterprises that exploit the weak security all along the southern borders of these three States. In the past year, there has been a growing threat from military type units providing armed escorts to criminal drug-smuggling gangs across the border from Mexico. In the past 3 months, there have been at least two incidents where heavily armed and uniformed units have appeared on the banks of the Rio Grande River east of El Paso with the apparent goal of intimidating U.S., local, and Federal law enforcement officials from pursuing narcotics smugglers fleeing back home across the border."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 109-188: Porous Borders and Downstream Costs: The Cost of Illegal Immigration on State, County and Local Governments, Hearing before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, August 14, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Committee Chairman Tom Davis, "Porous borders exact a high price. Ineffective immigration enforcement undermines respect for law. It threatens national security. The steady flow of illegal immigration also passes unpredictable and largely unreimbursed costs on to States and counties already struggling to maintain safe, healthy, and prosperous communities. That de facto unfunded mandate is draining local law enforcement, health care, and education budgets. Today we're convening in San Diego to learn more about the intergovernmental impact of illegal immigration and to discuss the urgent need for enhanced border security. We particularly want to hear local assessments of efforts to strengthen enforcement in what is called the internal border where undocumented aliens apply for work, official documents, and public benefits." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Xavier Becerra, Miguel Unzueta, Bronwen Anders, Tom Davis, David Dreier, Denise Moreno Ducheny, Steven A. Escoboza, Bill Horn, and William B. Kolender.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006