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• Serial No. 109-72: Protection of Privacy in the DHS Intelligence Enterprise Part I and II: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment of the Committee on Homeland Security House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, April 6, 2006 and May 10, 2006

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  From the opening statement of Rob Simmons: "The right to privacy is implicit in the Fourth Amendment right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and it shall not be violated. It is embedded in the founding ideals of this nation. Justice William O. Douglas, in Griswold v. Connecticut, wrote that the right to privacy is 'older than the Bill of Rights, older than our political parties.' We are all acutely aware of the privacy issues facing the government today, especially as the president and Congress work to defend America against those who wish to commit mass murder. And I remind my colleagues and others of a passage in the 9/11 Commission report, which states, 'We learned that the institutions charged with protecting our borders, civil aviation and national security did not understand how grave this threat could be and did not adjust their polices, plans and practices to deter or defeat it. We learned of fault lines within our government between the foreign and domestic intelligence and between and within agencies. We learned of the pervasive problems of managing and sharing information across large and unwieldy government that has been built in a different era to confront different dangers. We hope that the terrible losses chronicled in this report can create something positive--an America that is safer, stronger and wiser.'" Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rob Simmons, Zoe Lofgren, Bennie G. Thompson, Charlie Dent, Ginny Brown-Waite, Maureen Cooney, Kirk Herath, Patrick Hughes, and Jonathan Turley.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2006
• Serial No. 110-135: Merida Initiative: Assessing Plans to Step Up Our Security Cooperation with Mexico and Central America, Hearing before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session, November 14, 2007

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  This hearing covers enhancing U.S. security cooperation with Mexico and Central America. "President Bush announced the Merida Initiative on October 22nd. Developed as a plan of increased cooperation between our two nations to fight the threat of drug trafficking and transnational crime in our Western Hemisphere, the Merida Initiative rightly aims to defeat the perilous threats endangering the youth and prosperity of our Nation today." Main points discussed include violence associated with the drug trade, criminal gangs, the administration's policy, law enforcement and border security, the division of aid programs, corruption in the Mexican police apparatus, assistance in combating drugs, training, Plan Colombia, and FY 2009 budget. Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Thomas A. Shannon, David T. Johnson, Rube´n Hinojosa, Eliot L. Engel, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ted Poe, and Gene Green.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2008
• Information Sharing on Foreign Nationals: Overseas Screening (Redacted)

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  "The Department of Homeland Security has implemented several programs to screen foreign nationals while they are still overseas. These programs rely on biographical, biometric, and documentary information in the department's and other federal data systems. We evaluated whether levels of cooperation, resources, and technology were adequate for department officers to assess the risks posed by foreign nationals who seek to enter the United States. We also reviewed plans to consolidate and improve information in the department's data systems. The department has made progress in evaluating admissibility of foreign nationals before they travel to the United States. The level of cooperation among components that conduct overseas screening is high. Headquarters support offices have long-term plans to streamline access to information in the department's data systems, and improve screening and data analysis capabilities. However, Department of Homeland Security initiatives face serious resource and technological challenges. Information is fragmented among more than 17 data systems, and officers must conduct labor-intensive, system-by-system checks to verify or eliminate each possible match to terrorist watch lists and other derogatory information. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection National Targeting Center -- Passenger is the operational core of the department's overseas screening efforts. The center is challenged by insufficient staff and difficult working conditions. Effective small-scale screening and interdiction programs need sufficient resources to meet operational needs and congressional mandates. We are making 18 recommendations to standardize the technology used to share information in departmental data systems, enable federal officers to obtain and use the most current and complete data available, and improve information sharing procedures."

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

  2011-04
• Towards Effective Emerging Infectious Diseases Surveillance: Evidence from Kenya, Peru, Thailand, and the U.S.-­Mexico Border

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  "This DTRA [Defense Threat Reduction Agency]--‐sponsored research examines the political economy of emerging infectious disease (EID) surveillance programs; it also provides lessons learned for U.S. military medical research laboratories collaborating with developing countries. It is the third study in a series that began with a comparison of Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Naval Area Medical Research Unit 2 in the context of EID surveillance and viral sovereignty (published by the author as 'Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance in Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Naval Area Medical Research Unit 2,' 'Asian Security', 8(2), (July 2012): 164--‐187). The second study compared Mexico's handling of H1N1 in 2009 with U.S. handling of H1N1 in 1976 (currently under revise and resubmit with 'Politics and the Life Sciences'). This third report comprises four case studies: Kenya (U.S. Army Medical Research Unit--‐K or USAMRU--‐K), Peru (U.S. Naval Area Medical Research Unit--‐6 or NAMRU--‐ 6), Thailand (Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences or AFRIMS), and the U.S.--‐Mexico Border (Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance or EWID). It provides policy makers tools for improving the effectiveness of new or existing EID surveillance programs. Moreover, it offers host countries the opportunity to incorporate ideas, provide opinions, and debate the management of political and economic constraints facing their programs." Note: This document has been added to the Homeland Security Digital Library in agreement with the Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering WMD (PASCC) as part of the PASCC collection. Permission to download and/or retrieve this resource has been obtained through PASCC.

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Contemporary Conflict

  Ear, Sophal

  2012-09
• Religious Compensatory Time: Office of Personnel Management Action Needed to Clarify Policies for Agencies, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate

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  "Since 1978, federal agencies have been required to allow employees to adjust their work schedules to engage in religious observances, to the extent that such modifications do not interfere with the efficient accomplishment of an agency's mission. As requested, this report identifies the similarities and differences in policies of selected agencies concerning compensatory time off for religious observances for law enforcement officers (LEO) and air transportation safety and security (ATSS) personnel and describes their rationale for adopting the policies. GAO selected seven agencies for this review based on their substantial concentrations of LEO and ATSS personnel. GAO evaluated the agencies' policies and interviewed agency officials. GAO recommends that OPM (1) establish time frames for finalizing proposed revised regulations for compensatory time off for religious observances and (2) work with CBP to ensure its policies and practices on the disposition of unused compensatory time off for religious observances is in compliance with statute and OPM's implementing regulations. OPM agreed with the overall findings and recommendations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed with the recommendation and will work with OPM. OPM, DHS, and the Departments of Justice, Transportation, and Treasury provided technical comments that GAO incorporated where appropriate."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2012-10
• Naval Amphibious Capability in the 21st Century: 'Strategic Opportunity and a Vision for Change', Report of the Amphibious Capabilities Working Group

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  "Now, more than ever, the rapid-responsiveness, readiness, flexibility, precision and strategic mobility of maritime forces are essential to ensuring continued access and security in the global commons and the littoral regions that border them. As the Nation prepares for an uncertain future, its maritime and amphibious capabilities are essential to deterrence, building alliances, denying sanctuary, projecting influence and, when required, projecting power against increasingly lethal and asymmetric adversaries. Rapidly evolving security and fiscal environments, however, demand corresponding changes in our forward-deployed, crisis response force to include operational thinking, concepts, education, training, capabilities, and partnerships. Increasingly more capable and irregular threats to our national interests require an integrated, multidomain approach informed by continuous innovation in naval warfighting, littoral maneuver, and amphibious operations. Amphibious capability has an aggregate utility across the range of military operations that is reflected in combatant commander demand. Approaches such as single naval battle, an integrated naval expeditionary system, broadened combined arms, and special operations integration are an effective counter to increasingly capable anti-access and area denial (A2AD) threats that seek to limit our freedom of action."

  United States. Department of the Navy

  2012-04-27
• Wanted: Foreign Fighters - The Escalating Threat of ISIL in Central Asia, Hearing Before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, June 10, 2015

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  This is the June 10, 2015 hearing titled "Wanted: Foreign Fighters-The Escalating Threat of ISIL in Central Asia" before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. From opening statement of the Honorable Christopher H. Smith, "[t]he United Nations Security Council recently estimated that there are now at least 25,000 foreign terrorist fighters from more than 100 countries who have traveled internationally to join or fight for terrorist entities associated with ISIS and al-Qaida. According to the international crisis group, as many as 4,000 foreign fighters came from the five countries in Central Asia. Just last week, we learned that the chief of Tajikistan's counterterrorism program--someone highly trained by the United States government--abandoned his post to join ISIS. What does this say about the current efforts to stop terrorminded men and women from volunteering and traveling to the Middle East? Clearly our government, working with others and with organizations like the OSCE, must take stronger action to combat radicalization beyond our borders, as well as to ensure that returning foreign fighters do not bring jihad and murder back home. Central Asian governments face major challenges here. Many of these derive from their history as part of the Soviet Union, from wars in nearby Afghanistan, and from limited economic development which has led millions of their citizens to seek employment abroad, especially in Russia." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Christopher H. Smith, Joe Pitts, Steve Cohen, and Randy Hultgren.

  United States. Government Publishing Office; United States. Congress. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

  2015
• S. Hrg. 107-928: Protecting the Homeland: The President's Proposal for Reorganizing our Homeland Security Infrastructure: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information of the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session, June 25, 2002

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  On June 25, 2002, the hearing before the Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, and Government Information of the Judiciary Committee met to discuss the President's proposal for reorganizing our Homeland Security Infrastructure. This 136-page document contains the testimonies of Committee members about the President's proposal for a reconstituted merger of several departments into a Department of Homeland Security. The representatives address the changes in agencies like the Coast Guard, Customs, the Immigration Department, Border Patrol and agencies concerned with disease control. Statements, letters, and material submitted for the record include those of the following: Dianne Feinstein, Orrin G. Hatch, Jeff Sessions, Arlen Specter, Ivo H. Daalder, Ivan Eland, James S. Gilmore, III, Paul C. Light, Warren B. Rudman, David Walker, and Richard J. Davis.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2003
• Serial No. 113-70: BioWatch: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, June 10, 2014

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  This hearing testimony is from the June 10, 2014 hearing on "BioWatch: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Susan W. Brooks: "The BioWatch program was established in 2003 in the aftermath of the anthrax attacks that killed five people and sickened more than 20 others. The program is a system of detectors deployed to more than 30 U.S. cities to scan for a number of aerosolized biothreat agents. Recognizing the limitations of the current system, in 2008 the Department's Office of Health Affairs began the process to acquire a next generation detector, known as Gen-3. After a series of missteps spanning two administrations, six years and millions of dollars later, Secretary Johnson cancelled that acquisition on April 29, 2014. We know, through this Subcommittee's biothreat hearing in February and a subsequent classified briefing, that the threat of bioterrorism is real. In fact, in its BioWatch analysis of alternatives performed for the Department, the Institute for Defense Analysis noted that the bioterrorism threat has not changed since 2001. […] As we consider what is next for BioWatch, we must be mindful of what went wrong with Gen-3 so we learn from those mistakes. Unfortunately, this is not the first failed acquisition in the Department's history. SBI-Net [Secure Border Initiative-Net], the A-S-P program, e-Merge, and TASC [The Analytic Sciences Corporation] all suffered from management shortcomings, be it requirements setting, or a failure to follow proper acquisition protocols, such as the completion of alternatives analyses or cost benefit analyses." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kathryn Brinsfield, Reginald Brothers, Chris Cummiskey, Chris Currie, and Deena S. Disraelly.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2014
• Remarks of Stewart Baker Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Homeland Security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C. [December 19, 2006]

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  In this speech, Stewart Baker, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Homeland Security, talks about how DHS screens for terrorism risks at the borders, and in particular how the United States uses travel reservation data to do that. This includes a summary on how automated targeting works, and then he addresses some criticisms of the program.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  Baker, Stewart

  2006-12-19
• Fact Sheet: US-EU Passenger Name Record Agreement Signed [May 28, 2004]

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  On May 17, 2004, the European Commission announced that it had found the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's program to collect air passenger data regarding flights between the U.S. and the European Union (EU) adequate under EU laws. This announcement was the culmination of more than a year of negotiations between the United States and the European Commission. The agreement pertains to airline passenger data collected by Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for use in screening passengers destined to and departing from the United States.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2004-05-28
• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Briefing [April 6, 2005]

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  Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty and Acting Assistant Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Policy and Planning for the Department of Homeland Security Elaine Dezenski held a briefing on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2005-04-06
• Transcript of Press Conference with Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Interior Minister of Mexico Santiago Creel [May 31, 2005]

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  This conference between Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Interior Minister of Mexico Santiago Creel addresses the importance of the Prosperity and Security Partnership and United States/Mexico shared responsibility for border management, and preventing international terrorism from using tour geographic vicinity.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2005-05-31
• Transcript of Press Conference with Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Admiral James Loy on the FY 2006 Budget [February 7, 2005]

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  In this transcript, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security James Loy lays out some of the budget priorities for the Department of Homeland Security for 2006. Some themes he mentions throughout: revolutionizing border projects and programs, improving national preparedness and response, strengthening law enforcement, leveraging technology, and creating a 21st century Department.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  Loy, James M., 1942-

  2005-02-07
• Statement By Secretary Jeh C. Johnson On The Migration Policy Institute Report [July 23, 2015]

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  On July 23, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security issued the following press release: "I am pleased that the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute has taken note of our initiative to 'substantially transform the U.S. deportation system.' In November 2014, I announced our new enforcement priorities which focus our resources on public safety and border security, while deprioritizing those undocumented who have been here for years, committed no serious crimes, and have in effect become integrated members of society."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2015-07-23
• Statement By Press Secretary Marsha Catron On Secretary Johnson's Upcoming Trip To Texas [June 12, 2015]

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  On June 12, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security issued the following press release: "On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson will travel to Karnes City, Texas to view operations at the Karnes County Residential Center and receive operational briefings from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Joint Task Force West."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2015-06-12
• Trans-Atlantic Dialogue on Combating Crime-Terror Pipelines: Dismantling Converging Threat Networks to Strengthen Global Security

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  "The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, hosted the Trans-Atlantic Dialogue on Combating Crime-Terror Pipelines on June 25-26, 2012, on the campus of the National Defense University (NDU) in Washington, DC. Participants numbered more than 150, including representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, European Union and Member States, and several countries in West Africa, the Western Hemisphere, and South Asia, as well as international and regional organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Organization of American States (OAS), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), INTERPOL [International Criminal Police Organization], the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and others. Globally-recognized experts from academia, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector also participated on panels and in the audience. The Dialogue launched an international discourse examining crime-terror pipelines across the global threat environment with the goal of strengthening cooperation to identify interlocking nodes, critical threats, and vulnerable jurisdictions. Today's global threat environment is characterized by convergence: the merging and blending of an ever-expanding array of illicit actors and networks. In an interconnected world, the pipelines linking these threat actors and networks cut across borders, infiltrate and corrupt licit markets, penetrate fragile governments, and undercut the interests and security of our partners across the international community. The direct links among specific illicit actors concerned those who gathered for the Dialogue, as well as the growing illegal economy that supports and enables corrupt officials, criminals, terrorists, and insurgents."

  National Defense University

  2012-06-26
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Annual Financial Report, Fiscal Year 2009

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  From the message from the Secretary: "This report provides an assessment of the Department's detailed financial information and our stewardship of taxpayer resources in support of our mission of securing the United States. The report outlines our major priorities for protecting the country-from guarding against terrorism and securing our borders to preparing for and responding to disasters of all kinds. It also highlights key strengths and challenges as we work to build a more ready and resilient Nation. Since it was established over six years ago, the Department has made tremendous progress in protecting our Nation. By integrating key offices and functions in a single Department, we have improved collaboration across our 230,000-member workforce, while streamlining operations and creating greater efficiencies. Our partnership with Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities and the international community have contributed outstanding talent and resources to our mission. It is my intent to build on these successes and continue to focus on the key priorities that will direct our energy and assets as we plan for the future."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2010-03-17
• Privacy Impact Assessment for ICE Investigative Case Management

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  From the Abstract: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is establishing a new, major Information Technology (IT) system known as Investigative Case Management (hereafter, ICM). ICM is replacing ICE's use of the case management module in Legacy TECS1 (hereafter, TECS), a system developed in 1987 by the former U.S. Customs Service and currently administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), another component within DHS. ICE is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) to document the privacy protections that are in place for the personally identifiable information (PII) contained in ICM as well as the following inter-related capabilities: 1) an Interface Hub to control the movement of information between most ICM and external information repositories; 2) the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Data Warehouse to store case information for the purpose of facilitating information sharing and reporting; and 3) the Telecommunications Linking System (TLS) (and its interface with Pen-Link), which will store case-related telecommunications information."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2016-06-16
• Peace and Stability Operations Journal (January 2016)

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  This January 2016 issue of the Peace and Stability Operations Journal contains the following articles: "Developing and Delivering Border Management Strategic Planning in Conflict Affected States" by Rachel Bare; "African Standby Forces: The Optimal Mechanism for Multilateral Theater Security Cooperation" by Alan E. Van Saun; "Evolving the Swarm: Organization Change Advances Security Cooperation Planning" by Ian J. Townsend; "Civil Affairs Symposium: 'Civil Affairs: A Force for Engagement and Conflict Prevention'" by Christopher Holshek; and "A Two-Sided Coin: Strengthening TCC/PCC Institutions" by Dwight Raymond.

  Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute

  2016-01
• Viewpoint: UNAMID; The United Nations Africa Union Mission in Darfur

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  "On January 1, 2008 the United Nations largest peace-keeping force was empowered to commence its operations in Sudan. Overshadowed by that morning's assassination of a U.S. Diplomat in the capital Khartoum, the impending failure of this force did not make headline news. This article will discuss the origins, composition and status of the United Nations/African Union peacekeeping operation (UNAMID) to Sudan. [. . .] On July 31, 2007, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1769 which authorized the establishment of UNAMID under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, for an initial period of 12 months. It has the protection of civilians as its core mandate, as well as contributing to security for humanitarian assistance, monitoring and verifying implementation of agreements, assisting an inclusive political process, contributing to the promotion of human rights and rule of law, and monitoring and reporting on the situation along the borders with Chad and the CAR. In addition to its mission headquarters in El Fasher and sector headquarters in El Fasher, El Geneina and Nyala, UNAMID will have up to 55 deployment locations throughout the three Darfur states "

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Contemporary Conflict

  Segell, Glen M.

  2008-02
• Impact of Illegal and Legal Migration on the Defense Security of South Africa

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  From the student monograph: "This paper will examine the phenomenon of migration, movement of people across national borders, into South Africa causing socio-economic challenges that negatively impact the internal defense security of South Africa. The question remains what role and how South Africa will approach neighboring countries in an effort to resolve this issue. This paper briefly explains why migration is a problem, what negative consequences it poses, and what interventions South Africa in collaboration with neighboring countries should engage to mitigate this migration phenomenon and the reduce the impact on defense and military forces. Comparisons will be made with the migration of people to the United States to see if there are any similarities and lessons learnt to be used as a basis to build and improve the security challenge imposed by migration to South Africa."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Maloy, Bennie

  2012-03-19
• Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2003

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  "Beijing is pursuing its long-term political goals of developing its comprehensive national power and ensuring a favorable 'strategic configuration of power.' China's efforts to accomplish its security goals involve an integrated strategy that seeks to apply diplomatic, informational, military, and economic instruments of national power. China's leaders believe that national unity and stability are critical if China is to survive and develop as a nation. Chinese leaders also believe they must maintain conditions of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. While seeing opportunity and benefit in interactions with the United States-primarily in terms of trade and technology-Beijing apparently believes that the United States poses a significant long-term challenge. In support of its overall national security objectives, China has embarked upon a force modernization program intended to diversify its options for use of force against potential targets such as Taiwan, the South China Sea and border defense, and to complicate United States intervention in a Taiwan Strait conflict. Preparing for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait is the primary driver for China's military modernization. While it professes a preference for resolving the Taiwan issue peacefully, Beijing is also seeking credible military options. Should China use force against Taiwan, its primary goal likely would be to compel a quick negotiated solution on terms favorable to Beijing. China is developing advanced information technology and long-range precision strike capabilities, and looking for ways to target and exploit the perceived weaknesses of technologically superior adversaries."

  United States. Department of Defense

  2003-07-28
• Energy Security in Jordan

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  From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores if the energy strategy o f the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as formulated and executed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, will help the country achieve greater energy security. This work qualitatively analyzes the progress in each energy subsector--hydrocarbons, nuclear power, and renewables--on goals presented in the country's strategy and provides further analysis to determine each subsector's potential to play a greater role in future energy development. The primary conclusion is that the goals within Jordan's overarching energy strategy have not been realized and, consequently, the strategy is not on track to provide energy security. This conclusion is based on three main findings. First, Jordan failed in meeting targets to diversify and exploit domestic hydrocarbon resources--being forced to rely on foreign heavy fuels and running a deficit to meet basic energy needs. Second, the kingdom's nuclear program has not kept up with development milestones and further nuclear progress is hampered by significant political and resource constraints. Third, the administration in Amman has been unsuccessful in fully capitalizing on the abundance of renewable energy resources readily available within Jordan's borders."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Steiner, John R.

  2015-12
• SAVER Application Note: Biometric Systems [June 2015]

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  "Biometrics measure the physical and behavioral characteristics of individuals and assigns a unique identity through automated methods. Physical characteristics include the anatomical components and physiological functioning of the human body, while behavioral characteristics describe the way an individual reacts or moves within the environment. Biometric systems can be classified according to the human characteristic being measured. These classifications are also known as biometric modalities. The modalities most commonly used in law enforcement are fingerprint and facial recognition. Public safety and emergency response agencies are rapidly implementing biometric systems to improve operations such as verifying inmate identities, investigating crime scenes, and maintaining security at sporting events and incident command posts. Among the many benefits biometric systems provide are enhanced safety for emergency responders and increased security of the nation's borders. This application note presents information on biometrics technology, standards and specifications, and databases, as well as discussions of current applications of the technology. It is intended to assist those seeking to implement this technology. The content in this document was gathered from October 2013 to April 2014 from Internet searches, industry publications, and interviews with subject matter experts."

  System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER); United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2015-06
• Triple Threat: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and the Impact on Military Forces in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  From the thesis Introduction: "Military forces in Sub-Saharan Africa, including peacekeepers, rank among the highest population groups most affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. These individuals are called upon to protect national security from threats such as terrorism, crime, internal and external conflict; serving at home and across national borders. For armed forces personnel, several key factors make them vulnerable to STIs: the work environment, mobility, and age. These risk factors expose all the population to HIV/AIDS infection, military and civilians. According to the Joint UN Program on AIDS (UNAIDS), soldiers are two to five times more likely to contract STIs than the civilian population. In fact, during conflict, the rate of STI infection can increase significantly. In some African countries, the rates of HIV infection among the military are estimated to be as high as 50 to 60 percent. HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa represents an obvious danger to security; if left unchecked, could compromise military effectiveness, which could then lead to instability within the region. In fact, reports have shown that 'the HIV/AIDS pandemic has already begun to diminish the effectiveness of many of Africa's armed forces.' Military organizations, however, possess the most important assets (discipline, hierarchy, efficiency, and youth) that can be exploited to raise awareness regarding the threat of HIV/AIDS and military readiness."

  Air University (U.S.). Air Command and Staff College

  Collier, Ada M.

  2010-03
• Annual Report 2018: Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ombudsman

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  From the "Message from the Ombudsman": "I am pleased to present to you the Ombudsman's 2018 Annual Report to Congress. This report is required by Section 452 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which established the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. It also charged us with the responsibility of helping applicants and employers solve difficulties encountered when applying for immigration benefits and working to improve systemic problems in the delivery of immigration services. The year 2017 was one of significant change in immigration policy. Inaugurated in January, President Trump quickly signed multiple immigration-related executive orders for the purpose of ensuring that the nation's immigration laws are faithfully executed. Immediately, the various immigration agencies within the Department of Homeland Security--including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)--set out to execute those orders through draft regulations, new policy guidance, and revised processes."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2018-06-28
• Underdevelopment: Major Cause of Insecurity in West Africa

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  "The stability of a country in terms of physical security is necessary for economic development when considered within the context of inter-state rivalry and competition. However the relationship between security and development reverses when the sources of insecurity emanate from within the borders of a country. [...] While the end of the cold war saw a dramatic decline in inter-state conflicts, the number of civil wars increased. This is especially true in the poor regions of the world; particularly Africa as attention of ordinary people shifted more towards seeking economic, social, political and environmental conditions that will lead to improvement in their lives. Where such aspirations could not be met through normal political process violent means were used, resulting in instability in the region. This is particularly true in the West African sub-region. The object therefore of this research paper is to show how underdevelopment has played and continues to play a significant role in intra-state conflicts in West Africa with the view to suggesting what could be done to reduce such conflicts in the sub-region. To do this, the paper will define which countries constitute West Africa, and examine the characteristics of underdeveloped nations vis a vis those of developed countries. The paper will also examine political, economic, social and environmental insecurity in West Africa and how they relate to underdevelopment. The role of key regional and external actors (Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union, the United States, Britain, France and the United Nations) in conflict prevention and resolution in West Africa and finally propose some solutions to intra-state conflicts in West Africa."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Apogan-Yella, Austin A .

  2005-03-18
• 'Defensive Shield' Operation as a Turning Point in Israel's National Security Strategy

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  From the thesis abstract: "The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians had ebbs and flows during the last century. The principle agreement between Israel and the Palestinians signed in 1994 was one of the milestones in that conflict and planted hopes for peaceful end of that conflict. The violent conflict that began in September 2000 was a bitter remainder that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is far from being solved. This conflict began while the two participants had different intent and perspectives. During that conflict Israel had to change its national security strategy and used different means to achieve its strategies. In this paper I will provide a historical background to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and information about Israel's national security strategy. Secondly, I will explore the internal Israeli debate regarding Israel's borders. Thirdly, I will discuss former Prime Minister Barak's policy, and Prime Minister Sharon's policy. I will evaluate the leadership challenge of General Mofaz as the Chief of Staff of the Israeli military. Finally, at the conclusion of this paper, I will analyze the strategic consequences of the 'Defensive Shield' operation."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Bouchriss, Ofek

  2006-03-15
• U.S. Support to Plan Colombia: A Heading Check

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  "In the 2002 National Security Strategy, President George W. Bush envisioned a democratic Western Hemisphere which advances 'security, prosperity, opportunity, and hope.' For some Latin American countries like Colombia, these ideals fall quite short of reality. Colombia is plagued by internal problems which restrict its ability to adequately govern its population and territory. For Colombians, reality is a poor economy with few available jobs, an inefficient judicial system, widespread corruption, and armed conflict with three insurgent groups operating within the national borders. Colombia's problems are not new. In 1999, Colombian President Andres Pastrana, developed a plan to address these challenges and to bring lasting peace and prosperity to Colombia. This strategy, known as Plan Colombia, was a five year proposal designed to fight the illegal drug trade which finances the insurgent groups, strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, expand economic development, institute judicial reform, protect human rights, and reinvigorate the peace process. The total cost for Plan Colombia was $7.5 billion with a significant share of that coming from the U.S in the form of military, economic and humanitarian assistance. U.S. assistance started in FY2000. After three years and $2.5 billion of U.S. assistance to Colombia, interim results are now available. Based on these results, it would be beneficial to reexamine the strategy from two perspectives. First, do the interim results indicate progress toward the desired objectives? Second, is the progress adequate to bring lasting peace and prosperity to Colombia and, if not, what else should be done?"

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Buckley, Kevin W.

  2004-05-03