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Release Date: 11/25/03 00:00:00
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 25, 2003
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge today announced the official transfer of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) from the Transportation Security Administration to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The move enhances homeland security and re-enforces DHS's commitment to air security by fusing all of the investigative resources within the Border and Transportation Security Directorate at ICE, the largest investigative arm of Homeland Security. The move also expands Homeland Security's ability to respond to air security threats by creating a vastly larger surge potential of trained federal agents who can respond during times of crisis.
"This is the right move at the right time for the right reasons," said Secretary Ridge. "ICE offers the Air Marshal Service multiple investigative resources, such as better coordination with other law enforcement agencies and broader training opportunities. And the Air Marshals bring unique law enforcement and air security resources to ICE."
While touring the Federal Air Marshal training facility in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Secretary Ridge reiterated Homeland Security's commitment to the security of the flying public. "The Federal Air Marshals are but one part of a multi-layered security system for our nation's air passenger system," he said. "TSA and Homeland Security have taken numerous steps that have made our commercial air system far safer than it was before September 11th."
Besides adding thousands of new air marshals to fly on commercial airplanes, since September 11th, TSA and Homeland Security have worked in partnership with the airline industry to improve air security by:
Michael J. Garcia, ICE Acting Assistant Secretary, said that the FAMS are being integrated into ICE as one of six operational divisions dedicated to homeland security.
"This fusion of the FAMS into ICE will not only establish an integrated law enforcement presence in the aviation sector; it will enhance ICE's overall law enforcement capabilities and resources to enforce its mission, which is to detect and prevent vulnerabilities or violations that threaten the nation's homeland security," said Garcia. "Our goal at ICE is to create a seamless web of resources that can be used wherever the threat is greatest."
In order to prepare the FAMs for high-altitude surveillance, deterrence, and combat, the Federal Air Marshal Service sends each trainee to William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The stringent training program there includes behavioral observation, intimidation tactics, and close quarters self-defense. In addition, ICE Air Marshals are held to a higher standard for handgun accuracy than most federal law enforcement officers.
This page was last reviewed/modified on 11/25/03 00:00:00.