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Crime Control: The Federal Response [Updated September 23, 2003]
"Federal crime control efforts traditionally have been directed at problems transcending state boundaries concerned, with maintaining law and order in areas subject exclusively to federal jurisdiction or of national concern. During the 107th Congress, authorities of the Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), were enhanced to deal with homeland security and anti-terrorism problems arising from the September 11, 2001 attacks. Provision made in the USA Patriot Act, P.L. 107-56, was one of the first federal responses to the war on terrorism after the attack. Congress also heightened the authority to secure the Nation's lands and borders through the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 on November 25, 2002."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Bryant, JoAnne
2003-09-23
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Homeland Security: Risks Facing Key Border and Transportation Security Program Need to Be Addressed: Report to Congressional Committees
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to establish a program to strengthen management of the pre-entry, entry, status, and exit of foreign nationals who travel to the United States. The goals of the program, known as the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT), are to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, enhance national security, and adhere to U.S. privacy laws and policies. GAO was asked to determine, among other things, whether the plan satisfies these conditions and to provide observations about the plan and DHS's management of the program. DHS's fiscal year 2003 US-VISIT expenditure plan and related documentation partially satisfied the conditions imposed by the Congress, which include meeting the capital planning and investment control review requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). GAO also identified 10 factors affecting US-VISIT and concluded that the program is a very risky endeavor. Some risk factors are inherent to the program, such as its mission criticality, its size and complexity, and its enormous potential costs. Others, however, arise from the program's relatively immature state of governance and management. Because of the risk factors, GAO concluded that it is uncertain that US-VISIT will be able to measurably and appreciably achieve DHS's stated goals for the program. Further, DHS's near-term investment in the program is at risk of not delivering promised capabilities on time and within budget and not producing mission value commensurate with investment costs.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-09-19
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Homeland Security: Information Sharing Responsibilities, Challenges, and Key Management Issues, Statement of Robert F. Dacey, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science, and Research and Development and the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security, Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives,
This document only contains prepared testimony from Robert F. Dacey, GAO ("Information Sharing Responsibilities, Challenges, and Key Management Issues [GAO-03-1165T]), Denise Swink, Acting Director of the Office of Energy Assurance, Department of Energy, Robert Liscouski, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection Acting Director, National Cyber Security Division Department of Homeland Security, and Colonel Michael McDaniel, Assistant Adjutant General for Homeland Security, State of Michigan.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-09-17
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Transportation Security: Federal Action Needed to Enhance Security Efforts, Statement of Peter Guerrero, Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, Testimony before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate
"The attacks on September 11, 2001, illustrate the threats to and vulnerabilities of the transportation system." GAO examined the challenges in securing the transportation system and the federal role and actions in transportation security and concluded that securing the nation's transportation system is fraught with challenges. The transportation system crisscrosses the nation and extends beyond our borders to move millions of passengers and tons of freight each day. The extensiveness of the system as well as the sheer volume of passengers and freight moved makes it both an attractive target and difficult to secure. Addressing the security concerns of the transportation system is further complicated by the number of transportation stakeholders that are involved in security decisions, including government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels and thousands of private sector companies. Further exacerbating these challenges are the financial pressures confronting transportation stakeholders. It will take the collective effort of all transportation stakeholders to meet existing and future transportation challenges. Since September 11, transportation stakeholders have acted to enhance security. TSA has recently focused more on the security of the maritime and land transportation modes and is planning to issue security standards for all modes of transportation. DOT is also continuing their security efforts. However, the roles and responsibilities of TSA and DOT in securing the transportation system have not been clearly defined, which creates the potential for overlap, duplication, and confusion as both entities move forward with their security efforts.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-09-09
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Information Security: Challenges in Using Biometrics: Testimony by Keith A. Rhodes, Chief Technologist, Applied Research and Methods, before the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and the Census, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
One of the primary functions of any security system is the control of people into or out of protected areas, such as physical buildings, information systems, and our national border. Technologies called biometrics can automate the identification of people by one or more of their distinct physical or behavioral characteristics. Last year, GAO conducted a technology assessment on the use of biometrics for border security. GAO was asked to testify about the issues that it raised in the report on the use of biometrics in the federal government, and the current state of the technology. Biometric technologies are available today that can be used in security systems to help protect assets. However, technology and people must work together as part of an overall security process. GAO found that three key considerations need to be addressed before a decision is made to design, develop, and implement biometrics into a security system: (1) decisions must be made on how the technology will be used; (2) a detailed cost-benefit analysis must be conducted to determine that the benefits gained from a system outweigh the costs; and (3) a trade-off analysis must be conducted between the increased security, which the use of biometrics would provide, and the effect on areas such as privacy and convenience. Security concerns need to be balanced with practical cost and operational considerations as well as political and economic interests.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-09-09
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Security: Counterfeit Identification and Identification Fraud Raise Security Concerns, Testimony by Robert J. Cramer, Managing Director, Office of Special Investigations, before the Senate Committee on Finance
This testimony summarizes some of our recent investigations that demonstrate security vulnerabilities that exist because counterfeit identification can be easily produced and used to create fraudulent identities. It is based in part on the recently issued restricted report Security: Vulnerabilities Found in Driver's License Applications Process. This also encompasses results from security tests GAO has performed over the past 3 years. These tests revealed security weaknesses at federal buildings and other facilities, airports and our nation's borders, and exposed identity fraud vulnerabilities in both the Social Security number (SSN) application process and in the administration of federal gun control laws. A number of these problems have been addressed by the responsible agencies. In summary, GAO found that (1) government officials generally did not recognize the documents presented as counterfeits, (2) some government officials failed to follow security procedures and were not alert to the possibility of identity fraud, and (3) identity verification procedures are inadequate. GAO's investigations revealed that homeland security is vulnerable to identity fraud and, unless action is taken, individuals who intend to cause harm can easily exploit these vulnerabilities. Additionally, identify fraud has a range of other consequences including potential fraud in voting, obtaining credit and federal benefits, and in many other areas.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-09-09
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Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at Dulles International Airport [September 3, 2003]
This transcript includes the September 3, 2003 remarks of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge at Dulles International Airport in which he discusses aviation security, and border security with an emphasis on customs, INS, and USDA screening processes.
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2003-09-03
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Office of Management and Budget: 2003 Report to Congress on Combating Terrorism
This report provides funding and programmatic information on the executive branch's efforts to combat terrorist activity both domestically and overseas. Agencies categorized their funding data based on the six strategic mission areas defined in the National Strategy for Homeland Security, as discussed below. In addition, agencies identified activities from which reported funding supports efforts to defend against terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), improve critical infrastructure protection (CIP) efforts, or provide for federal continuity of operations (COOP) in the event of a national emergency. For classification purposes, we continue to combine the funding amounts for the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. This funding is labeled throughout the Report as Defense. Combating terrorism activities include both antiterrorism (defensive measures used to combat terrorism) and counterterrorism (offensive measures used to combat terrorism), both domestically and abroad. Combating terrorism is divided into two primary categories, homeland security (HS) and overseas combating terrorism (OCT), and encompasses all funding for defense against WMD, improvements to CIP, and provision for federal COOP. Homeland security programs focus on activities within the United States and its territories, or on activities in support of domestically-based systems and processes. The Homeland Security Council (HSC) coordinates these activities government-wide. Overseas combating terrorism focuses on activities outside the United States. The National Security Council (NSC) coordinates these activities government-wide. Together, the two areas comprise the overall combating terrorism budget for the federal government. The mission areas are Intelligence and Warning, Border and Transportation Security, Domestic Counterterrorism, Protecting Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets, Defending Against Catastrophic Threats, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Combating Overseas Terrorism, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Continuity of Operations.
United States. Office of Management and Budget
2003-09
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Progress Report on the Global War on Terrorism
The White House has issued this progress report that covers issues related to homeland security. Topics covered include attacking terrorist networks at home and abroad including defeating leadership and personnel, denying a safe haven in Afghanistan, and eradicating financing. On the homeland security front, discussion of the creation and implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reduction of the US vulnerability to terrorism on its shores by implementing Operation Liberty Shield and increasing tracking and monitoring measures in border security. Additionally, enhancement of emergency preparedness procedures and response capabilities by supporting programs for first responders and revamping the National Response Plan. The last section of the report covers the strengthening and sustenance of the international fight against terrorism with the participation of over 170 nations and regional efforts (efforts within specific countries and nations) and diminishing the underlying conditions that terrorists exploit.
United States. White House Office
2003-09
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Organizational Change for the Intelligence Community Supporting Maritime Homeland Security and Defense: Developing a Domestic Maritime Intelligence Network
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the United States has conducted the missions of Homeland Security and Defense abroad, rather than within its borders. While keeping conflict outside of our borders is preferred, the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 have illustrated that this is not always possible. The missions of Maritime Homeland Security and Defense have gained significant importance in the overall national security of the United States. In order to effectively support these missions, an effective intelligence apparatus must exist which is adapted to the Information Age. Terrorist groups are using the network forms of organization, with significant advantages over traditional hierarchies within the U.S. government. Effectively organizing the various agencies involved in domestic maritime intelligence will require rapid movement of intelligence to the operational customer. The most effective way to organize these agencies to support Maritime Homeland Security and Defense is to create a domestic maritime intelligence network.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Storey, Bradley J.
2003-09
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United States Land Border Security Policy: The National Security Implications of 9/11 on the 'Nation of Immigrants' and Free Trade in North America
The 9/11 terrorist attacks spawned heated debates about border security roles in preventing terrorism. The United States is generally known as a nation of immigrants, "welcoming those seeking economic and religious freedom." This thesis explores the effects or three policy options (increased manpower/ financial resources for border inspection agencies, technology, and private sector-government cooperation) on the prevention of terrorism within U.S. borders. It also explores the effects of those policy options on trade flows and the movement of legitimate people across international borders. Scope is limited to land border security policy from 1990-2003. Three case studies are included: (1) the Border Patrol's "prevention through deterrence" strategy, which began in 1994 and benefited from a monumental increase in manpower/financial resources to the INS; (2) an analysis of which border technology options are the most secure and inexpensive means of preventing illegal immigration, stopping the introduction of contraband into the United States, and maintaining legitimate flows of commerce/people that have increased since the passage of NAFTA; and (3) an analysis of why private sector-governmental partnerships that both increase transportation security while lowering border wait times developed on the U.S.-Canadian border but not on the U.S.-Mexican border.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Butikofer, Nathan R.
2003-09
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Is Saudi Arabia a Nuclear Threat?
Saudi Arabia may become one of the next states to acquire nuclear weapons. The Saudis have the challenge of securing a large border area with a relatively small populace against several regional adversaries, The 1979 Iranian Revolution and subsequent overthrow of the Shah, a U.S. ally, sent shock waves across the Gulf states and prompted the Saudis to increase defense spending and purchase the longest-range ballistic missile in the Gulf region: the Chinese CSS-2. These missiles have since reached the end of their life cycle and the Saudi regime has since considered their replacement. This thesis examines the potential for the Saudis to replace their aging missile force with a nuclear- tipped inventory. The United States has provided for the external security of the oil Kingdom through informal security agreements, but a deterioration in U. S.-Saudi relations may compel the Saudis to acquire nuclear weapons in order to deter the ballistic missile and WMD capabilities of its regional adversaries. Saudi Arabia has been a key pillar of the U.S. strategy in the Persian Gulf however, a nuclear Saudi Arabia would undermine the efforts of the NPT and could potentially destabilize the Persian Gulf by initiating a new arms race in the region.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McDowell, Steven R.
2003-09
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 2144: Aviation Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2003
"CBO estimates that H.R. 2144 would authorize the appropriation of $7.7 billion over the 2004-2008 period for programs related to aviation security. Those programs would be administered by the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, primarily through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $6.9 billion over the next five years, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. We also estimate that H.R. 2144 would increase offsetting receipts and direct spending, but by less than $500,000 annually. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues. H.R. 2144 contains intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). However, CBO estimates that any costs imposed on state, local, or tribal governments would not be significant and would not exceed the threshold for intergovernmental mandates established by that act ($59 million in 2003, adjusted annually for inflation). The bill would benefit public airports by authorizing funds to reimburse them for costs they incur to assist the TSA. H.R. 2144 would impose a private-sector mandate as defined in UMRA on owners of domestic and foreign aircraft repair stations. The cost of this mandate would be determined by the standards to be set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. CBO cannot estimate the direct cost of the mandate as the new standards have not been established. Thus, CBO cannot determine whether the costs to the private sector would exceed the annual threshold established by UMRA for private-sector mandates ($117 million in 2003, adjusted annually for inflation). The bill may also impose a mandate on certain companies that are involved in shipping air cargo."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2003-08-14
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Visa Issuances: Policy, Issues, and Legislation [Updated August 4, 2003]
"Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, considerable concern has been raised because the 19 terrorists were aliens who apparently entered the United States legally despite provisions in immigration laws that bar the admission of terrorists. Fears that lax enforcement of immigration laws regulating the admission of foreign nationals into the United States may continue to make the United States vulnerable to further terrorist attacks have led many to call for revisions in the policy as well as changes in who administers immigration law. Foreign nationals not already legally residing in the United States who wish to come to the United States generally must obtain a visa to be admitted, with certain exceptions noted in law. Prior to establishment of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), two departments -- the Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) -- each played key roles in administering the law and policies on the admission of aliens. Although DOS Consular Affairs remains the agency responsible for issuing visas, DHS' Bureau of Citizenship and Immigrant Services approves immigrant petitions, and DHS's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection inspects all people who enter the United States. In FY2002, DOS issued approximately 6.2 million visas and rejected over 2.2 million aliens seeking visas. The President's proposal for DHS, H.R. 5005 as introduced, would have bifurcated visa issuances so that DHS would set the policies, giving the DHS Secretary exclusive authority through the Secretary of State to issue or refuse to issue visas and retaining responsibility for implementation in DOS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
2003-08-04
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Homeland Security and US Civil-Military Relations
America's post-9/11 obsession with securing the "homeland" shifted the domestic political landscape, including American civil-military relations. The American model of civil-military relations has been characterized by a contract according to which the military defends the nation's borders while domestic police keep order at home. "On September 11," in the words of DoD Transformation "czar" Arthur K. Cebrowski, "America's contract with the Department of Defense was torn up and a new contract is being written." This Strategic Insight describes some of the forces compelling military changes in the historical context of US civil-military relations. Although the military itself may resist change, institution-building (outside and within that organization) and attitudinal changes in response to massive terrorist attacks at home cannot but alter American civil-military relations. Much of the shift in American politics since 9/11 has to do with the nature and requirements of homeland security: it is both public and private, interagency (involving a number of government elements) and civil-military. Implementing the new national security strategy will require cooperation across sectors of activity and jurisdictions of authority. The quality of America's civil-military relations will be a factor in the effectiveness of America's "war on terror," while by the same token, the conduct of the war will irrevocably shape those relations. Given the US military lead in homeland defense, civilian control of the military should be a topic of particular interest to anyone concerned with the function of democracy in wartime.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Contemporary Conflict
Guttieri, Karen
2003-08-01
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Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China 2003
"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
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War On Drugs: Legislation in the 108th Congress and Related Developments [Updated July 27, 2003]
"In recent years, Congress has taken an increasingly punitive stance toward drug addicts and casual users alike. A different approach has been taken by certain countries in Europe and elsewhere that are experimenting with less restrictive policies such as decriminalization and 'harm reduction' measures. The 108th Congress will receive strong encouragement from the Executive Branch to continue the all-out war on drugs. [...] Other drug control issues likely to be taken up in the first session include the drug control budget for FY2004 and confirmation by the Senate of a new head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to the move of the previous DEA administrator to the position of Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security in the new Department of Homeland Security. Additional issues that could be considered by the 108th Congress include state ballot initiatives regarding medical marijuana and drug treatment in lieu of incarceration, the effects of state budget deficits on the states' drug control efforts, and the impact of the anti-terrorism effort on the drug war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eddy, Mark
2003-07-23
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Remarks by Secretary Ridge to the Commonwealth Club of California [July 23, 2003]
This transcript includes the July 23, 2003 remarks of Secretary Ridge to the Commonwealth Club of California. He discusses progress in intelligence sharing, infrastructure protection, border security, aviation security, ports/waterways, and community preparedness.
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2003-07-23
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Border Security: New Policies and Increased Interagency Coordination Needed to Improve Visa Process, Statement of Jess T. Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Citizenship
Since September 11, 2001, visa operations have played an increasingly important role in ensuring the national security of the United States. The Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Justice, as well as other agencies, are involved in the visa process. In two reports, GAO [Government Accountability Office] assessed the effectiveness of the visa process as an antiterrorism tool. In the report on the visa process as an antiterrorism tool, GAO found that the Department of State did not provide clear policies on how consular officers should balance national security concerns with the desire to facilitate legitimate travel when issuing visas; and the Departments of State and Justice disagreed on the evidence needed to deny a visa on terrorism grounds. In the second report, GAO found that the State Department had revoked visas for terrorism concerns but that: The revocation process was not being used aggressively to alert homeland security and law enforcement agencies that individuals who entered the country before their visas were revoked might be security risks; and the process broke down when information on revocations was not being shared between the Department of State and appropriate immigration and law enforcement officials. GAO recommended that the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Departments of State and Justice, develop specific policies and procedures for the interagency visa revocation process to ensure that when State revokes a visa because of terrorism concerns, the appropriate units within the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and the FBI are notified immediately and that proper actions are taken.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-07-15
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International Trade: Mexico's Maquiladora Decline Affects U.S.-Mexico Border Communities and Trade; Recovery Depends in Part on Mexico's Actions. GAO Highlights
After growing rapidly during the 1990s, Mexican maquiladoras experienced a sharp decline after October 2000. By early 2002, employment in the maquiladora sector had contracted by 21 percent and production had contracted by about 30 percent. The decline was particularly severe for certain industries, such as electronics, and certain Mexican cities, such as Tijuana. The downturn was felt on the U.S. side of the border as well, as U.S. exports through U.S.-Mexico land border ports fell and U.S. employment in manufacturing and certain other trade-related sectors declined. The cyclical downturn in the U.S. economy has been a principal factor in the decrease in maquiladora production and employment since 2000. Other factors include increased global competition, particularly from China, Central America, and the Caribbean; appreciation of the peso; changes in Mexico's tax regime for maquiladoras; and the loss of certain tariff benefits as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Maquiladoras face a challenging business environment, and recent difficulties have raised questions about their future viability. Maquiladoras involved in modern, complex manufacturing appear poised to meet the industry's challenges. Still, experts agree that additional fundamental reforms by Mexico are necessary to restore maquiladoras' competitiveness. U.S. trade and homeland security policies present further challenges for maquiladoras.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-07
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Opening Comments of Secretary Ridge at the First Meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council [June 30, 2003]
From the comments of Secretary Tom Ridge: "Literally, let's go down to the borders and take a look at that challenge, with regard to immigration or with regard to commercial integration between Canada and Mexico. The President has said many times we need to provide greater security at the borders. If we do it right, we might be able to facilitate commerce. There are a lot of venues we need to visit and we will let you and the chairman and the vice-chairman decide where they should be."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2003-06-30
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Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security [Updated June 25, 2003]
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) requires the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (EPR) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate federal emergency management activities. This report examines the law which consolidates federal emergency authorities and resources into EPR--but not terrorism preparedness activities, which are administered by the Border and Transportation Security Directorate within DHS. This report provides summaries of and references to the entities that constitute EPR, as well as brief statements of issues that may come before the 108th Congress.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.; Bea, Keith; Morgan, Daniel (Daniel L.)
2003-06-25
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Border Security: New Policies and Procedures Are Needed to Fill Gaps in the Visa Revocation Process, Statement of Jess T. Ford, Director, International Affairs and Trade, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
The National Strategy for Homeland Security calls for preventing the entry of foreign terrorists into our country and using all legal means to identify; halt; and where appropriate, prosecute or bring immigration or other civil charges against terrorists in the United States. GAO reported in October 2002 that the Department of State had revoked visas of certain persons after it learned they might be suspected terrorists, raising concerns that some of these individuals may have entered the United States before or after State's action. Congressional requesters asked GAO to (1) assess the effectiveness of the visa revocation process and (2) identify the policies and procedures of State, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that govern their respective actions in the process.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-06-18
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Homeland Security: Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security in Balancing its Border Security and Trade Facilitation Missions, Statement of Richard M. Stana, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Infrastructure and Border Security, Select Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
Richard M. Stana discusses "the longstanding challenge of balancing our nation's security and commercial needs, an issue that is especially important in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that changed the nation's security environment. Addressing this challenge now falls principally to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Border and Transportation Security directorate. Within this directorate, the responsibility has been assigned primarily to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP). BCBP consists of the inspections component of the former U.S. Customs Service; the Border Patrol and Inspections components of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); and a former component of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)."
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-06-16
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War On Drugs: Legislation in the 108th Congress and Related Developments [Updated June 9, 2003]
"In recent years, Congress has taken an increasingly punitive stance toward drug addicts and casual users alike. A different approach has been taken by certain countries in Europe and elsewhere that are experimenting with less restrictive policies such as decriminalization and 'harm reduction' measures. The 108th Congress will receive strong encouragement from the Executive Branch to continue the all-out war on drugs. [...] Other drug control issues likely to be taken up in the first session include the drug control budget for FY2004 and confirmation by the Senate of a new head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to the move of the previous DEA administrator to the position of Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security in the new Department of Homeland Security. Other issues could also be the subject of congressional studies, investigations, and oversight hearings, if not legislation. These include state ballot initiatives regarding medical marijuana and drug treatment in lieu of incarceration, the effects of state budget deficits on the states' drug control efforts, and the impact of the anti-terrorism effort on the drug war. Other current developments concerning the war on drugs, both in the Executive Branch and elsewhere, are of likely interest to the 108th Congress. These include the President's drug-control strategy for FY2004, the success of the drug war as measured by national surveys of drug use, and actions taken by DEA against industrial hemp products and medical marijuana providers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Eddy, Mark
2003-06-09
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Border Security: New Policies and Procedures are Needed to Fill Gaps in the Visa Revocation Process, Report to Congressional Requesters
Analysis indicates that the U.S. government has no specific written policy on the use of visa revocations as an antiterrorism tool and no written procedures to guide State in notifying the relevant agencies of visa revocations on terrorism grounds. State and INS have written procedures that guide some types of visa revocations; however, neither they nor the FBI have written internal procedures for notifying their appropriate personnel to take specific actions on visas revoked by the State Department. State and INS officials could articulate their informal policies and procedures for how and for what purpose their agencies have used the process to keep terrorists out of the United States, but neither they nor FBI officials had policies or procedures that covered investigating, locating, and taking appropriate action in cases where the visa holder had already entered the country. The lack of formal, written policies and procedures may have contributed to systemic weaknesses in the visa revocation process that increase the probability of a suspected terrorist entering or remaining in the United States. In a review of the 240 visa revocations, it was found that (a) appropriate units within INS and the FBI did not always receive notification of the revocations; (b) lookouts were not consistently posted to the agencies' watch lists of suspected terrorists; (c) 30 individuals whose visas were revoked on terrorism grounds entered the United States either before or after revocation and may still remain in the country;7 and (d) INS and the FBI were not routinely taking actions to investigate,8 locate, or resolve the cases of individuals who remained in the United States after their visas were revoked. On March 1, 2003, the Secretary of Homeland Security became responsible for issuing regulations and administering and enforcing provisions of U.S. immigration law relating to visa issuance.11 Therefore, we are making recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, to ensure that when State revokes a visa because of terrorism concerns, the appropriate units within State, Homeland Security, and the FBI are notified immediately and that the appropriate actions are taken. Homeland Security agreed that the visa revocation process should be strengthened as an antiterrorism tool and said that it looked forward to working with State and Justice to develop and revise current policies and procedures that affect the interagency visa revocation process.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-06
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Asserting National Sovereignty in Cyberspace: The Case for Internet Border Inspection
National sovereignty is a fundamental principle of national security and the modern international system. The United States asserts its national sovereignty in many ways including inspecting goods and people crossing its borders. However, most nations including the United States have not implemented any form of border inspection and control in cyberspace. This thesis builds a case that national sovereignty inherently and logically gives a sovereign state, such as the United States, the right to establish appropriate Internet border inspection stations. Such stations would be used to inspect only legally vetted inbound traffic, and block contraband, in a fashion analogous to the current system for inspection of people and goods that cross U.S. borders in the physical world. Normal traffic crossing the border would have no content inspected and no record would be kept of its passing. This thesis answers key questions about feasibility, proposes a high level structure for implementation, and describes how such a system might be used to protect reasonable and legitimate interests of the United States including both security and individual rights. One chapter will build the logical case for Internet border inspection, and others chapters will discuss technical, legal, and political feasibility.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Upton, Oren K.
2003-06
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Transportation Security: Federal Action Needed to Help Address Security Challenges: Report to Congressional Requesters
Securing the nation's transportation system is fraught with challenges. The transportation system crisscrosses the nation and extends beyond our borders to move millions of passengers and tons of freight each day. The extensiveness of the system as well as the sheer volume of passengers and freight moved makes it both an attractive target and difficult to secure. Addressing the security concerns of the transportation system is further complicated by the number of transportation stakeholders that are involved in security decisions, including government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, and thousands of private sector companies. Further exacerbating these challenges are the financial pressures confronting transportation stakeholders. For example, the sluggish economy has weakened the transportation industry's financial condition by decreasing ridership and revenues. The federal government has provided additional funding for transportation security since September 11, but demand has far outstripped the additional amounts made available. It will take a collective effort of all transportation stakeholders to meet existing and future transportation challenges. Since September 11, transportation stakeholders have acted to enhance security. At the federal level, TSA primarily focused on meeting aviation security deadlines during its first year of existence and DOT launched a variety of security initiatives to enhance the other modes of transportation. For example, the Federal Transit Administration provided grants for emergency drills and conducted security assessments at the largest transit agencies, among other things. TSA has recently focused more on the security of the maritime and land transportation modes and is planning to issue security standards for all modes of transportation starting this summer. DOT is also continuing their security efforts. However, the roles and responsibilities of TSA and DOT in securing the transportation system have not been clearly defined, which creates the potential for overlap, duplication, and confusion as both entities move forward with their security efforts.
United States. General Accounting Office
2003-06
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USDA Homeland Security Efforts
This document provides highlights of measures taken by the USDA in response to the attacks of 9/11, focusing on the creation of the Homeland Security Council within the USDA. Efforts have focused on three key areas: food supply and agricultural production, USDA facilities, and USDA staff and emergency preparedness. The document examines the steps that the USDA is taking to protect U.S. borders from invasive pests and diseases as well as to ensure successful rapid responses to animal and crop disease outbreaks and pest infestations.
United States. Department of Agriculture
2003-06
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Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Security Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests [Updated May 29, 2003]
"The South Caucasus region has been the most unstable in the former Soviet Union in terms of the numbers, intensity, and length of ethnic and civil conflicts.
Other emerging or full-blown security problems include crime, corruption, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and narcotics trafficking. The regional governments have worked to bolster their security by combating terrorism, limiting political dissent they view as threatening, revamping their armed forces, and seeking outside assistance and allies. Most in Congress have supported U.S. assistance to bolster independence and reforms in the South Caucasus, but questions remain about the suitability, scope, emphasis, and effectiveness of U.S. involvement. Congressional support for the security of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh (NK; a breakaway region of Azerbaijan mostly populated by ethnic Armenians) led in 1992 to a ban on most U.S. government-to-government aid to Azerbaijan. Congress authorized a presidential waiver to the ban after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, to facilitate U.S.-Azerbaijan anti-terrorism cooperation. Congressional support for U.S. engagement with the region was reflected in 'Silk Road Strategy' legislation in FY2000 (P.L.106-113) authorizing greater policy attention and aid for conflict amelioration, humanitarian needs, economic development, transport and communications, border control, democracy, and the creation of civil societies in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Congress regularly has earmarked foreign aid to Armenia, funded a border and customs security program for Georgia, and upheld a South Caucasus funding category to encourage conflict resolution, provide for reconstruction assistance, and facilitate regional economic integration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2003-05-29
