The State of Texas is one of the more complex homeland security challenges in the nation. Its vast size, unique role in the nation’s economy, proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, 1,200 miles of international border, and an ever-growing and diverse population pose a unique combination of threats that are not seen anywhere else in America.

In 2003, Governor Rick Perry established a Texas Homeland Security office in order to coordinate the resources and responses necessary to prevent, protect from, prepare for and respond to all threats of terrorism and disaster.

News & Announcements

• Wednesday, December 03, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Executive Order
  RP 80- Relating to state agencies using the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify System
  
• Wednesday, December 03, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry: Congress Must Act Immediately on Border Security
  Gov. Rick Perry today highlighted the ongoing need for the state's border security operations, and called on Congress to quickly pass a bill to provide the resources necessary to secure our southern border. In the absence of adequate federal resources, the governor reiterated Texas' commitment to using all available tools to enforce the law, and announced an executive order directing state agencies to use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of current and prospective employees.
• Thursday, November 20, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Statement by Gov. Perry on Executive Action by President Obama
  In Texas we know firsthand the problems brought by illegal immigration and bad federal policy. As we saw with the tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors who came across the border, a bad policy led to children being put at risk. The president's decision tonight will lead to more illegal immigration, not less. It is time for the president and Congress to secure our border, followed by meaningful reforms. There is no more time for political grandstanding.
• Tuesday, November 18, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Texas Leaders Extend State-Led Border Surge
  Having established the model for securing the border in the absence of effective federal action, Texas leaders have reached an agreement to extend the ongoing law enforcement surge through the end of the current fiscal year. Signed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker, the budget execution will marshal resources from a variety of state sources to enhance the state's efforts to secure the border region.
• Tuesday, November 04, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Recommends Guidelines for Health Care Workers Returning from Ebola-Endemic Areas
  Gov. Rick Perry today announced the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response has recommended guidelines for the monitoring of health care workers and others returning to Texas from Ebola-endemic areas in West Africa. The governor has directed Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. David Lakey to begin implementing these recommendations.
• Wednesday, October 29, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Welcomes Health Care Hero Back Home to Texas
  Early this morning, a nurse who has been working with Ebola patients in Sierra Leone returned home to Texas. While she currently shows no signs of the disease, her job in West Africa places her at "some" risk by CDC protocols. Upon her arrival at Austin-Bergstrom Airport, she was met by Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Friday, October 24, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Statement by Gov. Perry on Nina Pham Being Declared Ebola-Free
  "News that Ms. Pham is free of the Ebola virus is certainly reason to celebrate and I ask all Texans to join me in wishing her a full and speedy recovery. We thank her for her heroism and selflessness in the battle against Ebola. Rest assured, Texas will not let our guard down in doing everything necessary to protect our state and our citizens from this dangerous disease."
• Thursday, October 23, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response Holds First Public Hearing on Medical, Public Health Preparedness
  The Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response, under the direction of Dr. Brett P. Giroir, today held its first public hearing at the State Capitol. The hearing focused on preparedness for initial identification and isolation of patients - one of seven areas of concentration for the Task Force - and included invited testimony from witnesses representing professions and institutions involved in disease identification and response.
• Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • College Station, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Tours Advanced Manufacturing Facility with Capability to Rapidly Produce Life-Saving Drugs
  Gov. Rick Perry today toured the Texas A&M National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing, one of the pioneering vaccine and therapeutic manufacturing facilities that comprise the Texas A&M Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM).
• Tuesday, October 21, 2014 • Dallas, Texas • Press Release
  Gov. Perry Announces North Texas Ebola Treatment and Infectious Disease Bio Containment Facility
  Gov. Rick Perry today announced the creation of a state-of-the-art Ebola treatment and infectious disease bio containment facility in North Texas. Creation of such facilities was among the first recommendations made by the governor's recently named Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response in order to better protect health care workers and the public from the spread of pandemic diseases.
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