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• Virus-Serum-Toxin Act: A Brief History and Analysis [January 3, 2005]

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  "The Viruses, Serums, Toxins, Antitoxins, and Analogous Products Act (21 U.S.C. 151-159), also known as the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act (VSTA), is intended to assure the safe and effective supply of animal vaccines and other biological products. The act and its applicable regulations are administered by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The VSTA was enacted in 1913, and revised once in 1985. A 2002 law affected the VSTA by transferring border and import inspection functions from USDA to the Department of Homeland Security."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Monke, James

  2005-01-03
• DHS Entry-Exit System Meets 2004 Goals Ahead of Schedule [January 3, 2005]

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  In this press release, Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the United States Department of Homeland Security, announced that the Department of Homeland Security met a major milestone by implementing the US-VISIT entry-exit system at the 50 busiest land ports of entry ahead of schedule. Congress mandated that DHS complete this phase of an entry-exit system by December 31, 2004. As of December 29, 2004, US-VISIT was operational at the 50 busiest land border ports. The first results indicate that these new US-VISIT biometric procedures at land border ports of entry are also saving visitors time crossing the border.

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2005-01-03
• Homeland Security Capabilities-Based Planning: Lessons from the Defense Community

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  "Beginning in 2004, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began to define and implement a national domestic all-hazards preparedness goal, intended to improve the nation's preparedness for national catastrophes, including terrorist attacks. DHS's approach was capabilities-based planning (CBP), adopted from the Department of Defense (DoD). This article illustrates several components important for CBP implementation to contrast with DHS's approach. These components range from setting out the business case for CBP adoption to necessary organizational and cultural enablers. The article concludes with CBP implementation challenges because of differences between homeland security and the defense community."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Caudle, Sharon L.

  2005
• Department of Homeland Security's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Budget Proposal For Fiscal Year 2005, Joint Hearing of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism and Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security, before the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, March 4, 2004

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  From the opening statement of Jim Gibbons. "The subcommittees are meeting jointly today to hear testimony on the Department of Homeland Security's proposed fiscal year 2005 budget for information analysis and infrastructure protection. Let me indicate that I will be chairing the first part of this hearing and that Chairman Dave Camp will be chairing the second half after he wraps up some other additional important work that he has over at the Ways and Means Committee. I would ask unanimous consent that members' statements be included in the hearing record and encourage members of the subcommittees to submit their opening statements for the record. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Under Secretary Libutti, thank you for being here today. I would like to start by commending you on your hard work and dedication to protecting our homeland and preserving our freedoms. You have had and continue to have a difficult and complex task. Today's hearing is part of a series focusing on various aspects of the Department of Homeland Security's budget submission for fiscal year 2005." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dave Camp, Loretta Sanchez, Jim Gibbons, Karen McCarthy, Christopher Cox, Jim Turner, Robert E. Andrews, Norman D. Dicks, James R. Langevin, Sheila Jackson-Lee, John Shadegg, Christopher Shays, Louise McIntosh Slaughter, John E. Sweeney, and Mac Thornberry.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-75: Threat Convergence at the Border: How Can We Improve the Federal Effort to Dismantle Criminal Smuggling Organizations? Hearing before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, July 12, 2005

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  From the opening statement of subcommittee chairman Mark E. Souder, "This hearing will continue the subcommittee's ongoing study of how criminal smuggling organizations have impacted our ability to secure our borders. Today's hearing is a followup to the June 14th hearing concerning smuggling organizations that are capable of transporting not only drugs, but also aliens, terrorists and weapons." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard M. Stana, Elijah E. Cummings, Mark E. Souder, Richard M. Stana and Diane E. Watson.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Transforming Border Security: Prevention First

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  "The events of September 11, 2001 caused the nation's leaders to accelerate existing border programs aimed at prevention. Traditionally, the 'prevention' of border violations has involved interdiction (physically impeding any incursion while it is occurring), preemption (through routine screening to intercept illegal shipments, weapons, people, or other illicit cargo), and deterrence (where an action taken means a potential violator does not plan or even attempt an illegal entry). While effective in some cases, none of these strategies - together or separately - has evolved into a comprehensive, prevention oriented approach to border security. The development of a prevention-led border strategy would involve at least four strategic shifts: aligning border security with global strategy; forging a new foreign policy; making progress on cooperation; and changing U.S. reactive approaches."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Bach, Robert L.

  2005
• Weapons of Mass Destruction: Nonproliferation Programs Need Better Integration, Report to Congressional Committees

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  "Since 1992, the Congress has provided more than $7 billion for threat reduction and nonproliferation programs in the former Soviet Union (FSU). These programs have played a key role in addressing the threats of weapons of mass destruction and are currently expanding beyond the FSU. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 mandated that GAO assess (1) Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) strategies guiding their threat reduction and nonproliferation programs and (2) efforts to coordinate DOD, DOE, and Department of State threat reduction and nonproliferation programs that share similar missions. GAO recommends (1) that the Secretaries of Defense and Energy develop an integrated plan for all U.S. threat reduction and nonproliferation programs and (2) that the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs issue clear guidance for the coordination of border security programs. DOE agreed with the recommendations, while State and the NSC staff did not comment. DOD concurred with the need for better integrated nonproliferation programs, but did not specify whether it agreed with the need for an integrated plan. DOD concurred with the need for guidance governing border security programs."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2005-01
• CBP Securing Our Borders Inspection and Surveillance Technologies

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  "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses multiple strategies and employs the latest in technology to accomplish its goals of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while also facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Officers and agents use various technologies in different combinations to dramatically strengthen our ability to detect terrorist weapons. CBP's detection, inspection and surveillance tools range from sophisticated analytical computer data bases to gamma-ray and X-ray imaging systems, radiation isotope identifiers, explosive detectors, and sensors and cameras located along isolated stretches of border. CBP employs a wide array of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology to serve as a force multiplier and to complement the work of CBP officers, canine enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents in guarding America from terrorism. These technologies serve a vital function in day-to-day inspection and movement of tens of thousand of passengers, pedestrians, vehicles, trucks, cargo containers and baggage, at our borders and ports of entry."

  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

  2005
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection Performance and Accountability Report: Fiscal Year 2005

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  "U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's single, unified border agency charged with the national security mission of controlling, managing, and securing the borders of our country. Because CBP possesses broad, border-related legal authorities, it is strategically positioned to prevent further terrorist attacks on our nation and to carry out its priority mission-keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States. While CBP has made enormous progress in developing and implementing initiatives that help secure our borders, as well as secure and facilitate legitimate trade and travel, the agency faces a number of challenges and has established priority goals for meeting those challenges. First, we aim to gain and maintain operational control of our borders by using the most effective mix of personnel, technology, and strategically placed infrastructure to increase our detection and apprehension rate between the land border ports of entry. These efforts are essential to preventing terrorist penetration of our borders. We will also increase our effectiveness by maintaining strong training and recruitment programs, by managing the deployment of technology, facilities, and infrastructure, by integrating CBP air and marine programs, and by cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with other government agencies. Second, CBP will prevent terrorists from entering our country at the ports of entry by improved targeting, based on intelligence-driven terrorist risk factors and travel patterns, using our Automated Targeting System (ATS); by improving our counter-terrorism 'purpose and intent' questioning techniques; by strengthening consolidated counter-terrorism secondary inspection; and by extending our border by expanding the Immigration Advisory Program to leverage pre-departure passenger information."

  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

  2005
• Serial No. 108-10: Balancing Security and Commerce: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session, June 16, 2003

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  From the opening statement of Dave Camp: The Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security will hear testimony from Robert Bonner, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection within the Department of Homeland Security, and Rich Stana, the Director of the Homeland Security and Justice Division at GAO... Commissioner Bonner, we have invited you here to today to address one aspect of your mission, how to balance security enhancements with the flow of people and commerce across our borders. The global trading system is increasingly reliant on the swift delivery of goods produced overseas. America's economic stability requires that goods and people cross through our borders and in and out of the country regularly without long delays. Our security also requires that we know who and what is entering." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dave Camp, Christopher Cox, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Edward J. Markey, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Loretta Sanchez, John B. Shadegg, Louise McIntosh, Lamar S. Smith, John Sweeney, Jim Turner, Robert C. Bonner, and Richard M. Stana.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-32: New 'Dual Missions' of the Immigration Enforcement Agencies: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, May 5, 2005

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  From the opening statement of John N. Hostettler: "The Homeland Security Act, enacted in November 2002, split the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS, into separate immigration service and enforcement agencies, both within the Department of Homeland Security. This split had been pursued by Chairman Sensenbrenner based on testimony and evidence that the dual missions of INS had resulted in poor performance. There was a constant tug-of-war between providing good service to law-abiding aliens and enforcing the law against law-breakers. The plain language of the Homeland Security Act, Title D, creates a 'Bureau of Border Security,' and specifically transfers all immigration enforcement functions of INS into it. Yet when it came down to actually creating the two: new agencies, the Administration veered off course. Although the service functions of INS were transferred to USCIS, the enforcement side of INS was split in two, what is now Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to handle interior enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to guard our borders." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John N. Hostettler, Sheila Jackson Lee, Steve King, Bob Goodlatte, Dan Lungren, Michael Cutler, T.J. Bonner, Janice Kephart, Richard Stana, and Elton Gallegly.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-4: CBP and ICE: Does the Current Organizational Structure Best Serve U.S. Homeland Security Interests? Hearing before the Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and Oversight of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, March 9, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Mike Rogers: "The purpose of today's hearing will focus on one of the most important management challenges facing the Department and involves one of the most important functions, protecting our borders and enforcing our immigration and customs laws. The Border and Transportation Security Directorate, or BTS, of the Department of Homeland Security is divided into two now separate bureaus, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. In particular, we will explore whether the current Division of Border Security, within CBP, and Immigration and Customs investigations, within ICE, is the best way to structure these important functions or if the separation has caused more operational, administrative, and budgetary problems that negatively impact the Homeland Security missions of these agencies." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Mike Rogers, Kendrick B. Meek, Christopher Cox, Bennie G. Thompson, Donna Christensen, Charles W. Dent, Katherine Harris, Michael McCaul, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Dave G. Reichert, Christopher Shays, T.J. Bonner, Randy Allen Callahan, James Carafanono, Michael Cutler, Kenneth C. Klug, David Venturella, and Sheila Jackson-Lee.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-23: October 2005 Statutory Deadline for Visa Waiver Program Countries to Produce Secure Passports: Why It Matters to Homeland Security: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, April 21, 2005

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  From the opening statement of John N. Hostettler: "Today we meet to determine whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is prepared to address the October 26, 2005, deadlines mandated by law that come into effect on that date with regard to countries in the Visa Waiver Program. This program allows travelers from certain designated countries to come to the United States as temporary visitors for business or pleasure without having to obtain a non-immigrant visa. There are currently 27 countries participating, and it is estimated that as many as 20 million foreign visitors entered the U.S. under the program in 2004. Clearly, it is of great importance to the U.S. travel and tourism industry and to the 22 million Americans employed in that industry. Since its creation in 1986, the program has greatly facilitated travel to the United States from program countries. Through reciprocal arrangements, the program also benefits American international travelers." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John N. Hostettler, Sheila Jackson Lee, Dan Lungren, Howard Berman, Jeff Flake, Louie Gohmert, Steve King, Maxine Waters, Rudi Veestraeten, Elaine Dezenski, Richard L. Skinner, Joel F. Shaw, and Eltoon Gallegly.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-38: Department of Homeland Security Law Enforcement Efforts at U.S. Ports of Entry: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, March 15, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Howard Coble: "Today, the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, convenes a very important oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security to examine the security of the nation's seaports and the cargo entering these ports. I have long contended that protecting our nation's seaports is a vital aspect of the overall war on terror. Press reports have indicated there's a lack of cargo inspections taking place at our ports of entry. This Subcommittee is concerned about these reports and looks forward to hearing the Department's response to these accounts and the plans to assure adequate inspections to protect our ports and the cargo entering the United States are taking place. Today's hearing will focus on the efforts of three vital entities charged with protecting our nation's seaports from hostile threats. First, we will hear from the two primary agencies within the Department of Homeland Security charged with protecting our ports, that is the United States Coast Guard and the United States Customs and Border Protection… Next, we will hear testimony from a local port authority, the Virginia Port Authority. The VPA has led the nation in radiological testing at its seaports and has successfully employed radiological monitoring equipment since December of 2002. In just this past year, in cooperation with Customs and Border Protection, VPA deployed some of its equipment to national security events, including the Presidential inauguration. Finally, we will hear testimony from a representative from the International Cargo Security Council. The International Cargo Security Council is a professional association of cargo transportation and security professionals from the entire spectrum of cargo security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Howard Coble, Robert C. Scott, Jayson P. Ahern, Larry Hereth, Peter J. Scrobe, and Jeff Keever.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-8: Immigration and the Alien Gang Epidemic: Problems and Solutions: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, April 13, 2005

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  From the opening statement of John N. Hostettler: "Today's Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims hearing will examine the alien gang epidemic that is facing the United States. At this hearing we will examine the role of aliens in gang crimes, investigate the immigration factors that have shaped the gang epidemic facing this country, and assess the use of the immigration laws in controlling alien gang crime. While there are an estimated 750,000 to 850,000 gang members in the United States today, there are no firm estimates on how many of those gang members are aliens and how many are citizens. What is apparent, however, is that gang crime is a growing problem. Over 631 gang-related homicides occurred in 2001, and by 2003, the number of gang killings had jumped to 819. In addition to homicide, gang members have been directly linked to the narcotics trade, human trafficking, document fraud, and violent assaults." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John N. Hostettler, Sheila Jackson Lee, Steve King, Maxine Waters, Daniel E. Lungren, Michael J. Garcia, Marsha L. Garst, Heather MacDonald, and Mai Fernandez.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-24: Securing our Borders: What Have We Learned from Government Initiatives and Citizen Patrols? Hearing before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, May 12, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Tom Davis: "Ensuring the integrity of our Nation's borders has always been important, but since September 11, 2001, it has become essential. The primary obligation of any government is the safety and security of its citizens, and to fulfill that obligation, we must first be able to prevent those individuals who seek to do us harm from entering the United States. Our concern is not naive or misplaced. In addition to the ongoing threat of criminals engaged in human or drug trafficking, recent congressional testimony from the Department of Homeland Security [DHS], has highlighted intelligence reports suggesting that al Qaeda is considering using the southwest border to infiltrate the United States… Officials within DHS have repeatedly stated that we are moving in the right direction, and I have no doubt that we are. The concern of this committee, and many others in Congress, and the American public, is the pace and the efficiency of the effort to make progress. We need to move beyond broad policy statements and get down to the facts. How will we know when we have achieved operational control of our borders? How many boots on the ground and cameras in the sky will it take to get there? What are the funding requirements going to be? Congress needs to hear the hard truths about the state of the border so that we know what we must do to achieve our mission." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Davis, Robert C. Bonner, T.J. Bonner, Daryl Schermerhorn, Chris Simcox, Janice Kephart, Ginny Brown-Waite, Chris Cannoon, Elijah E. Cummings, Darrell E. Issa, Dennis J. Kucinich, Patrick T. McHenry, Jon C. Porter, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Linda T. Sanchez, Mark E. Souder, Chris Van Hollen, and Lynn A. Westmoreland.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-35: Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session on H.R. 98, May 12, 2005

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  From the opening statement of John N. Hostettler: "Today's hearing examines H.R. 98, the 'Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2005.' Under this legislation introduced by Congressman David Dreier, the Federal Government would issue secure Social Security cards that employers would use to verify the identity and work eligibility of newly hired employees. The legislation is based upon the understanding that we will only be able to assert control over illegal immigration when we can turn off the 'job magnet' that draws most illegal aliens to our country. As almost half of all illegal aliens resident in the U.S. came to the U.S. legally on temporary visas, border controls alone will never be sufficient." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John N. Hostettler, Lamar Smith, John Conyers, Jr., Daniel E. Lungren, David Dreier, Silvestre Reyes, T.J. Bonner, Marc Rotenberg, and Sheila Jackson Lee.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-51: Lack of Worksite Enforcement and Employer Sanctions: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, June 21, 2005

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  John N. Hostettler: "Today we will learn why Congress acted in 1986 to create employer sanctions and why they have never been adequately enforced. The system that we have structured begs and creates this pool of illegal immigration because we have not fixed the system of legal immigration. And frankly, I think it's important in this instance, particularly talking about employment, employers, worksites, to note that the origins of our immigration cycle, at least that of the 1800's, late 1800's and early 1900's, were people seeking opportunity, economic opportunity, and those who fled persecution." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard M. Stana, Terence P. Jeffrey, Carl W. Hampe, and Jennifer Gordon.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-49: Diversity Visa Program: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, June 15, 2005

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  John N. Hostettler: "Today the Subcommittee will examine the Diversity Visa or 'DV' program. At this hearing, we will review the history of the program and its implementation. The DV program, part of the Immigration Act of 1990, was designed to increase diversity in the U.S. immigrant population by providing visas to nationals of countries that have had low immigration rates to the United States. Applicants for the DV program participate in a lottery in which the winners are selected through a computer-generated random drawing. Annually, approximately 50,000 aliens enter under the program. The program is not without its critics however. Some experts have argued that the program is susceptible to fraud and manipulation." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Bruce A. Morrison, Howard J. Krongard, Mark Krikorian, Rosemary Jenks, Bob Goodlatte, and Sheila Jackson Lee.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• S. Hrg. 108-824: Transportation and Border Security, Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session, April 9, 2003

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  The purpose of this hearing is to examine transportation and border security. Committee Chairman, Senator John McCain, made the following remarks in his opening statement, "there are many dimensions to this [border security] problem, ranging from the incredible healthcare costs that our healthcare facilities on our border and across the State are forced to bear, to the human tragedy of 134 Mexican citizens dying in the desert trying to cross into the United States last year, to the plight of the ranchers and citizens who live down there who are constantly subjected to an incredible situation where people in SUVs are just driving through the fences and across their property. Some of them are drug smugglers, some of them we have no idea who they are." The witness for this hearing was Hon. Tom Ridge, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• S. Hrg. 109-65: Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Strengthening Our National Security, Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, May 17, 2005

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  From the opening statement of John Cornyn: "Our Nation's immigration and border security system is badly broken. It leaves our borders unprotected, threatens our national security, and makes a mockery of the rule of law. The system, notwithstanding the efforts recently to try to improve the situation, has suffered unfortunately from years of neglect, and in a post-9/11 world, we cannot tolerate this situation any longer. National security demands a comprehensive solution to our immigration system, and that means both a stronger enforcement and reasonable reform of our immigration laws. We must solve this problem, and we must solve it now. For too long, the debate over immigration has divided Americans of good will into two camps: those who are angry and frustrated by our failure to enforce the rule of law, and those who are angry and frustrated that our immigration laws do not reflect reality. But both camps, in my view, are right. This is not an either/or proposition. We need stronger enforcement and reasonable reform of our immigration laws." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Tom Coburn, Russell Feingold, Dianne Feinstein, Edward M. Kennedy, Jon Kyl, Patrick J. Leahy, Asa Hutchinson, John McCain, Mark K. Reed, Margaret D. Stock, Gene McNary.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-67: Reducing the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism: A Review of the Department of Energy's Global Threat Reduction Initiative: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, May 24, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Ed Whitfield: "Today the hearing will review DOE's Global Threat Reduction Initiative. The GTRI program provides an additional layer of defense on top of the effort of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. While the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is primarily focused on detecting nuclear material at our borders, the GTRI program is focused on identifying, removing, and securing vulnerable nuclear material before the terrorists can even attempt to smuggle it into our country...The GTRI program has identified 25 research reactors here in the U.S. that will be converted from highly enriched uranium fuel. Already 11 reactors have been converted, including two domestic research reactors which were announced last month at Texas A&M University and the University of Florida. HEU is a major threat because it could be used in a nuclear bomb that could produce a catastrophic explosion. However, the threat of a radiological dispersion device that contaminates an area with a smaller amount of radiological material is also a major concern. The GTRI program is working closely with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to identify, recover, and dispose of sealed sources here in the U.S...NRC is working to upgrade security for sealed sources and has developed a national tracking system for high-risk sealed sources in use across the country. I look forward to testimony from the NRC and the NNSA on these important programs today. I also look forward to input from witnesses from the Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Council on Foreign Relations, who will provide their input on the current status of the GTRI program's efforts to identify, remove, and secure nuclear materials." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Charles D. Ferguson, Paul Longsworth, Edward McGaffigan, Jr., and Joan B. Rohlfing.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 109-34: Islamic Extremism: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats of the Committee on the International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, April 27, 2005

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  From the opening statement of Elton Gallegly: "Let me say at the outset that the title of the hearing does not in any way suggest that Islam lends itself to extremism or that most Muslims, whether they live in Europe or anywhere else in the world, support terrorism or hold extremist views toward the Western society or the United States. However, we must face the fact that a small but growing number of people in Western Europe have joined jihadist groups. These groups pose a serious threat to the United States, U.S. interests in Europe and Europe itself. This hearing will examine the nature and extent of this threat. I am particularly interested in assessing which European countries face the greatest threat from Islamic extremist groups, the causes of religious extremism, the ties of groups in Europe to al-Qaeda and other Middle East and North African terrorist groups and the ability of these groups to carry out attacks. I view the cooperation between the United States and Europe as one of the bright spots in the transatlantic relationship. But I believe that we can and must do more, especially with respect to the sharing of intelligence on extremist groups, curtailing the travel of terrorists and the cutting off of their fundraising capacity. I also support a top-down review of the visa waiver program and on our border security program to make sure that the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the airlines are doing everything they can to prevent terrorists from entering the United States." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Peter Bergen, Matthew Levitt, Lorenzo Vidino, Claude Moniquet, Elton Gallegly, Robert Wexler, and Ted Poe.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 108-34: Integrity and Security at the Border, The US-Visit Program, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundres Eighth Congress, Second Session, January 28, 2004

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  The purpose of these hearings is to examine the US-Visit program. Subcommittee Vice-Chairwoman Kay Granger made the following remarks in her opening statement, "Today's business is to receive testimony regarding the new border management system to record the arrival and departure of foreign nationals into the U.S.--the United States Visitor and Immigrants Status Indicator Technology program, which we call US-VISIT. This hearing will have two panels. The subcommittee will hear first from Border and Transportation Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson from the Department of Homeland Security, and Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Maura Harty from the Department of State. We will then hear from a second panel comprised of James May, the president and CEO of the Air Transport Association; Kathleen Campbell Walker, a member of the board of directors of the El Paso Foreign Trade Association and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association; and Dennis Carlton, the director of Washington operations for the International Biometric Group." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Kay Granger, Loretta Sanchez, Christopher Cox, Jim Turner, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Norman D. Dicks, Jennifer Dunn, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Bill Pascrell, Jr., John B. Shadegg, John E. Sweeney, Asa Hutchinson, Maura Harty, James May, Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dennis Carlton, Edward K. Pultorak, and J. Clark Robinson.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 108-253: Visa Revocations II: Still Porous, Slow to Fix, Hearing before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relalations of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, July 13, 2004

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  The purpose of these hearings is to examine visa revocations. Subcommittee Chairman Christopher Shays made the following remarks in his opening statement, "Entry by a non-citizen into the United States is a privilege, not a right. For a variety of reasons, a request for a visa may be denied. If those reasons arise only after a visa is issued, it can be revoked. The discretionary process of visa revocation is an important tool used by the Departments of State and Homeland Security, DHS, to protect our borders. But when a visa is revoked after the alien has arrived here, what happens? Thirteen months ago, at a hearing on visa revocation as a counter-terrorism tool, the General Accounting office, GAO, described a process riddled with flawed communications within and between agencies. Poor coordination and haphazard followup meant suspected terrorists who entered the United States were not being tracked or removed. Parallel inconsistent data systems treated visa revocation actions differently, creating confusion about the number, as well as the status of aliens no longer welcome here." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jess T. Ford, Tony Edson, Donna A. Bucella, Robert M. Jacksta, Robert Schoch, Dennis J. Kucinich, and Christopher Shays.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 108-41: Department of Homeland Security's Border and Transportation Security (BTS) Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2005, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, March 17, 2004

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  The purpose of this hearing is to examine the Department of Homeland Security's Border and Transportation Security (BTS) budget proposal for fiscal year 2005. Committee Chairman Dave Camp made the following remarks in his opening statement, "Today's business is to receive testimony regarding the fiscal year 2005 budget request for the Border and Transportation Security Directorate, BTS, mission and its various programs. [...] We look forward to the opportunity to ask you some specific questions regarding the BTS budget and how various programs and funding will impact the strategic objectives of the Department." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dave Camp, Loretta Sanchez, Christopher Cox, Jim Turner, Donna M. Christensen, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Edward J. Markey, John Shadegg, Lamar S. Smith, Asa Hutchinson, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Mark Souder.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• S. Hrg. 109-117; Serial No. J-109-23: The Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Serving Our National Economy: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border and Security and Citizenship of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Ninth Congress, May 26, 2005

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  From the opening statement of John Cornyn: "Today, we continue our review of the immigration system. Our immigration and border security system is, I think the evidence is clear, badly broken. In a post-9/11 world, we simply do not have the luxury of accepting the status quo any longer. National security demands a comprehensive solution to our immigration system, and that means both stronger enforcement and reasonable reform of our immigration laws. We must solve this problem, and we must solve it now. First, we must recognize that in the past we simply have not devoted the funds, resources, and manpower to enforce our immigration laws and protect our borders. That must change, and that will change. As history amply demonstrates, reform without enforcement is doomed to failure. No discussion of comprehensive immigration reform is possible without a clear commitment to and a substantial and dramatic escalation of our efforts to enforce the law." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John Cornyn, Edward M. Kennedy, Patrick J. Leahy, Thomas J. Donahue, Daniel Griswold, Steven J. Law, Douglas S. Massey, and Albert Zapanta.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 108-30: Plugging the Gaps in Border Security, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security of the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session, October 16, 2003

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  The purpose of this hearing is to examine gaps in border security. Subcommittee Chairman Dave Camp made the following remarks in his opening statement, "Today's business is to receive testimony regarding the new border security initiative announced by Secretary Ridge on September 2, creating One Face at the Border; and the subcommittee will first hear from Commissioner Robert Bonner in his first public hearing on this new proposal. We will then hear from a second panel comprised of the National Treasury Employees, represented by Tom Keefe; the American Federation of Government Employees, represented by Tom Kuhn; and the California Farm Bureau Federation, represented by Bill Pauli." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dave Camp, Loretta Sanchez, Christopher Cox, Jim Turner, Norman D. Dicks, Jennifer Dunn, Bob Goodlatte, Kay Granger, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Edward J. Markey, Robert Bonner, Tom Keefe, Tom Kuhn, Bill Pauli, and Donna M. Garren.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 108-240: Creating Secure Borders and Open Doors: A Review of DHS-State Collaboration on U.S. Visa Policy, Hearing before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, September 9, 2004

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  The purpose of this hearing is to examine collaboration between the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security regarding U.S. visa policy. Committee Chairman Tom Davis made the following remarks in his opening statement, "Lest we think this is a trivial matter, next to issues concerning Social Security, visa delays tend to be the most requested issue when it comes to casework within our districts. We have heard in prior hearings about the serious impact visa delays have on U.S. businesses, on tourism, institutions of higher learning, the science community, and many others. Today, however, the committee will examine the collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department in the establishment and implementation of U.S. visa policy, and how this collaboration is mitigating the delays to facilitate business and tourism while at the same time ensuring security." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Clark Kent Ervin, Janice Jacobs, C. Stewart Verdery, Jr., Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers, Elijah E. Cummings, Tom Davis, and Henry A. Waxman.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005
• Serial No. 108-20: Best Business Practices for Securing America's Borders, Hearing of the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security before the Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session, July 23, 2003

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  The purpose of this hearing is to examine best business practices for securing America's borders. Subcommittee Chairman Dave Camp made the following remarks in his opening statement, "Today's hearing will examine the progress being made by the Department of Homeland Security in securing our land and maritime borders, with special focus on efforts to utilize the technology and skill from the private sector. The witnesses will evaluate programs and policies such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, CTPAT; the Container Security Initiative, CSI; and Fast and Secure Trade, FAST, as well as provide an overview of available technology." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dave Camp, Kay Granger, Christopher Cox, Benjamin J. Cardin, Jennifer Dunn, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Edward J. Markey, Loretta Sanchez, W. Scott Gould, Katz, Houssam Salloum, and Richard Stephens.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2005