News

Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Calls with Shipping and Airline Industry Leaders
3rd November 201

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today spoke with leaders from global shipping companies, including UPS, DHL, FedEx and TNT, to discuss enhanced air cargo screening and security efforts following last week’s disrupted attempt to conceal and ship explosive devices onboard aircraft bound for the United States. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1288810245939.shtm

Tunnel Task Force Discovers Cross Border Tunnel
3rd November 2010 (DEA)

The San Diego Tunnel Task Force uncovered a sophisticated 600-yard underground cross-border tunnel overnight. Approximately 30 tons of marijuana seized in the US and Mexico have been linked to the tunnel. Link: http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2010/sd110310.html

Stop. Think. Connect. Campaign Launches National Cybersecurity Public Service Announcement Challenge

WASHINGTON – The Stop. Think. Connect. campaign today launched its cybersecurity Public Service Announcement (PSA) Challenge, giving individuals the opportunity to submit their own short video encouraging Americans to do their part to stay safe and secure online. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1289251013381.shtm

Statement by Secretary Napolitano on Increased Security Measures
8th November 2010 (DHS)

"Following the thwarted terrorist plot last week to conceal and ship explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the U.S., the Administration took a number of immediate steps to increase security by tightening existing measures related to cargo bound for the United States. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1289237893803.shtm

CBP, EPA Work to Enforce the Clean Air Act
9th November 2010 (CBP)

Washington — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are collaborating to ensure that all imported vehicles and engines comply with Clean Air Act requirements. Link: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/11092010.xml

United States and Canada Meet for the 11th Cross-Border Crime Forum Ministerial
10th November 2010

WASHINGTON—Attorney General Eric Holder, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General Rob Nicholson and Canada's Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews met today to enhance continued engagement between the two countries during the 11th United States-Canada Cross-Border Crime Forum (CBCF) Ministerial. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1289417694543.shtm

Secretary Napolitano and USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas Announce Anti-Fraud Enhancements to E-Ver

WASHINGTON–Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas today announced the expansion of the E-Verify program's capabilities to include U.S. passport photo matching—further enhancing the integrity of the program by enabling E-Verify to automatically check the validity and authenticity of all U.S. passports and passport cards presented for employment verification checks. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1289422305190.shtm

Readout of Secretary Napolitano's Meeting with Travel and Tourism Industry Leaders 
12th November 2

Washington, D.C. - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today met with leaders of the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) to underscore the Department's continued commitment to partnering with the nation's travel and tourism industry to facilitate the flow of trade and travel while maintaining high security standards to protect the American people. Link: http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1289598064706.shtm

Agencies Work Together to Protect the Public from Unsafe Imports
21st November 2010 (CBP)

Dulles, Va. — Agency heads and other senior leaders from 10 federal agencies met today at the Interagency Import Safety Conference to focus on efforts to protect the health and safety of the American consumer and the environment from unsafe imports. Link: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/national/10212010_2.xml

National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated

28th July 2010 (DOD) This week the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps announced a decrease in activated reservists, while the Navy and Coast Guard announced an increase. The net collective result is 13,858 fewer reservists activated than last week. At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease. The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 75,298; Navy Reserve, 6,466; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 15,701; Marine Corps Reserve, 4,767; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 787. This brings the total National Guard and Reserve personnel who have been activated to 103,019, including both units and individual augmentees. Link: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13760

Air Force Announces F-35 Basing Proposal

28th July 2010 (DOD) The Department of the Air Force announced today its proposal to base 59 F-35 aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. This proposal is contingent upon the result of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS), which should be released in the early fall 2010, and includes the preferred alternative (Alt. 1A) of basing the 59 F-35 aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base main base. Flight operations will also be conducted at Duke and Choctaw Fields. Link: http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13755

FEMA All Hazard Preparedness Campaign Continues

28th August 2010 (FEMA) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- On Monday July 12, 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched an All Hazards Preparedness Campaign in hardware stores to advise people on how to rebuild implementing mitigation measures and prevent future damages. More than 1,600 persons have been reached and this effort will continue in stores located in the 10 municipalities designated to receive federal aid under FEMA’s Public Assistance program for Infrastructure damages, after the May 26-31, 2010 storms and flooding event. Link: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=52244

1st-Quarter 2010 Air Fare Data: Average 1st-Quarter Domestic Air Fares Increased 4.7% from 1st Quart

(DOT) Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - Average domestic air fares in the first quarter of 2010 increased to the second highest January-to-March level since 2001, rising 4.7 percent from the first quarter of 2009 (Table 1), the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. Link: http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2010/bts036_10/html/bts036_10.html

DOT Fines Comair for Violations of Denied Boarding Compensation Rules

26th July 2010 (DOT) The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty against Comair for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding (“bumped”) on oversold flights. Comair and affiliated carriers were ordered to cease and desist from further violations and Comair will pay a civil penalty of $275,000. Link: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot14610.html

Federal Highway Administration Proposes Rule for National Tunnel Inspection Safety Standards

21st July 2010 (DOT) WASHINGTON –Taking another important step to enhance driver safety, the Federal Highway Administration is requesting comment on a proposed new rule to establish national uniform standards for federal tunnel inspections. “Safety is our highest priority and this is an important step to make our tunnels even safer,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Establishing national standards will help us maintain a high level of safety and uniformity across the country in the inspection of tunnels.” Link: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/fhwa2810.html