Posted by FEMA Public Affairs

Posted by the Stop. Think. Connect. Campaign



Today, the DHS Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign announced a new partnership with Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) America to protect millions of children from online threats by encouraging internet safety.

Using the resources of the largest child safety program of its kind in the world, the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign will train D.A.R.E. officers to talk to kids and parents in their communities about cybersecurity, and provide them with the Stop.Think.Connect. Community Outreach Toolkit - an all-inclusive resource with simple tips and tools they can use to stay safe while using the Internet.

DHS remains committed to encouraging all Americans to take an active role in promoting online safety. In the coming months, DHS will continue to expand the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign to encourage Americans to keep themselves, their families, and their friends safe and secure online.

For more information visit D.A.R.E. America and the Stop. Think. Connect. Campaign.

Posted by Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector, Douglas A. Smith

DHS for a Day participants observe a U.S. Coast Guard demonstration. (DHS Photo)

Homeland security is a responsibility shared across a broad range of partners, including the private sector. In support of our continued efforts to strengthen our security in collaboration with America’s businesses, schools and industries, DHS recently hosted the fourth DHS for a Day event in Seattle on July 19th.

This event showcased the everyday work of DHS’ frontline agents and highlighted key opportunities for businesses, academia, and our private sector partners to fully participate in making our nation more secure and resilient.

In the morning, participants from across sectors and industries gathered at the Washington State Fusion Center. Following briefings from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Secret Service on their operations in Seattle and role in the wider homeland security enterprise, representatives from the Seattle fusion center presented on their continued efforts to get critical information out of Washington and into the hands of our partners on the frontlines. The presentation inspired active dialogue about information sharing and how government partners, fusion centers and the private sector can work together during an emerging incident.

After the fusion center, participants traveled to the Seattle Amtrak station where Transportation Security Administration Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) hosted a Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) Team demonstration. VIPR Teams are comprised of the FAMs, surface transportation security inspectors, behavior detection officers, and explosives detection canine teams. The teams work with local law enforcement to augment security, provide a deterrent presence, and introduce an element of unpredictability to disrupt potential terrorist planning activities .

Following this, we headed to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Base in Seattle for a series of presentations highlighting the USCG mission and capabilities. The highlight was the MH-65 helicopter search and rescue demonstration with support from a 45 foot Medium Response Boat.

During a working lunch, CBP presented on their operations in Seattle. Similar to the Fusion Center, the presentation sparked an active discussion, this time about screening for incoming cargo. We then traveled to a seaport where participants were given the opportunity to see cargo being screened first hand.

FEMA also presented in the early afternoon, highlighting the importance of preparedness,, and the role of the private sector community in disaster response. Additionally, the group toured one of FEMA’s Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) vehicles–all-in-one command centers used to coordinate response activities in the aftermath of devastating disasters.

The last stop of the day was SEA-TAC Airport. CBP and TSA both hosted a variety of demonstrations, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the security and customs process for airline passengers.

As the DHS for a Day event demonstrated, knowledge, not only about how DHS works, but about the entire homeland security mission, is vital in ensuring that the private sector is fully involved in our efforts to keep America secure.

Posted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Director Kumar Kibble, and Senior Counselor to the Secretary Alice Hill.

Last week, we joined the Polaris Project to launch CBP’s “Don’t be Fooled” campaign. As part of the Department’s continued efforts to engage a broader audience in our efforts to combat human trafficking, "Don’t Be Fooled" will utilize award-winning public service announcements (PSAs) to educate the public on human trafficking in targeted communities throughout the country.

Today the PSAs, titled "Masquerade" and "Bird Cage" respectively, will begin airing in Florida, Georgia and the Washington, D.C., metro area. The PSAs were created and adapted by CBP from those previously used in Central America and Mexico to raise awareness among potential victims of human trafficking, and are intended to encourage the American public to remain aware and take appropriate action if they witness human trafficking in their own communities.











These videos are one part of DHS’ Blue Campaign to raise awareness and protect the victims of human trafficking, and both CBP and ICE play critical roles in these efforts—from screening travelers entering the United States, to investigating human trafficking activity domestically and training law enforcement abroad. Through the commitment of our employees and officers, and with the collaboration of partners such as the Polaris Project, we will continue to pursue all avenues to end human trafficking and protect its victims.

For more information on DHS’ work to combat human trafficking, visit: http://www.dhs.gov/humantrafficking.

Posted by Public Affairs

Today, the Obama Administration announced the release of the President’s Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime. In the words of the message from President Obama that accompanies the Strategy: “This strategy is organized around a single, unifying principle:  To build, balance, and integrate the tools of American power to combat transnational organized crime and related threats to our national security—and to urge our partners to do the same.

As the Cabinet agency charged with securing our nation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays an integral role in the Obama Administration’s efforts to combat transnational organized crime (TOC) both at home and with our partners abroad.

Due to the DHS’s mission, the Department is uniquely positioned to leverage and deploy resources of many components in the fight against TOC, while working closely with other federal, state and local agencies, foreign governments and partners in the private sector.

The most effective way of curbing corruption and other illicit activities, including cybercrime, drug and human trafficking, and terrorism, is through enhanced intelligence gathering and information sharing throughout the federal government. Examples include:

• In November 2010, the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis established the Border Intelligence Fusion Section (BIFS)—in collaboration with the Departments of Justice and Defense, and the U.S. intelligence community— to provide law enforcement, border enforcement, and investigative agencies with multi-source intelligence to support investigations and operations conducted along the Southwest border.
• In support of this strategy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is implementing a new "Illicit Pathways Attack Strategy," which will prioritize, and integrate its authorities and resources in a focused and comprehensive manner to attack criminal organizations along the entire pathway, or continuum of crime, both at home and abroad.  

Once TOC threats have been identified, the Department works with our partners to interdict them through strengthened interdiction, investigations, and prosecutions. Some examples of these include:

• Cybercrime—As a result of close collaboration with the private sector regarding developing technologies and trends in the financial payments industry, the U.S. Secret Service has apprehended individuals charged with committing some of the world’s most advanced cybercrimes.
• Securing our borders—In 2006, ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) worked with other federal, state, local, and foreign partners to establish the BEST, in order to break down TOC networks that attempt to conduct illegal activities across and along our borders. Since the inception of this initiative, there are now 21 BESTs spread out along the Southwest and Northern borders as well as at major seaports.  .

In addition to securing our nation’s Southwest and Northern borders to disrupt drug trafficking, DHS has multiple maritime agreements with our international partners to facilitate cooperation in counterdrug operations in U.S. and foreign waters. Earlier this month, DHS unveiled an unprecedented cross-component Maritime Operations Coordination plan to enhance the Department’s coordination capabilities, and the U.S. Coast Guard utilizes intelligence gathered across the federal government to intercept and apprehend traffickers before they reach the United States.

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

Posted by Public Affairs

Yesterday – joined by Carie Lemack, cofounder of Global Survivors Network; Mary Fetchet, Executive Director of Voices of September 11th; and Stephanie Cowin, Program Manager of Voices of September 11th – Secretary Napolitano hosted a conference call with family members of 9/11 victims, following the release of the DHS 2011 Progress Report on Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations.  During the call she provided an overview of the progress the Department and our partners have made since 9/11 to secure the nation, and engaged in a conversation and Q&A with the call participants.

During the discussion Secretary Napolitano also reiterated the Department’s and this Administration’s commitment to supporting family members of 9/11 victims nearly 10 years after that tragic day.

Secretary Napolitano meets and hosts a conference call with family members of 9/11 victims. (L to R) Carie Lemack, Stephanie Cowin, Mary Fetchet and Secretary Napolitano. (DHS Photo)

Posted by Public Affairs

From power grids to trading floors, every aspect of the Nation’s critical infrastructure is dependent on information technology to operate. That’s why securing critical IT infrastructure is so important to our homeland and economic security, public health and safety, and public confidence.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security and the Information Technology Sector Coordinating Council, which includes representatives from major IT companies, released three IT Sector risk management strategies to address risks to the Nation’s IT infrastructure as part of an ongoing collaboration between government and private-sector stakeholders.  The first of these strategies relates to domain name resolution (DNS) services and was released last month. It allows Internet users to access services, such as Web pages, e-mail, instant messages, and files, by typing in a host name instead of the more difficult to remember IP address.  Almost all Internet communications today rely on the DNS, making it as critical to the Internet as the Global Positioning System (GPS) is to navigation. 

The strategies inform industry and government organizations of the IT Sector’s risk management priorities and activities by identifying risk responses and prioritizing risk mitigations. They address products and services, incident management, and Internet routing.  Completing these strategies ensures that public and private sector resources are applied where they can most effectively respond to the threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences facing critical IT Sector functions.

The IT Sector Products and Services Risk Management Strategy includes a portfolio of risk mitigation activities, such as:

• Enhancing supply chain delivery mechanisms to minimize counterfeiting and tampering;
• Developing, establishing, and/or adopting IT Sector standards and/or best practices;
• Increasing awareness among buyers and suppliers of IT products and services of the need to manage business risk.

The IT Sector Incident Management Strategy includes a portfolio of risk mitigation activities, such as:

• Improving redundancy and distribution of resources and data;
• Educating the workforce to recognize falsified information and validate sources (training and awareness); and
• Investing in or developing alternative data delivery capabilities to use when primary ones are unavailable.

The IT Sector Internet Routing Risk Management Strategy includes a portfolio of risk mitigation activities, such as:

• Formulating and applying appropriate local routing policy;
• Taking extensive steps to secure facilities from physical attacks and natural disasters; and
• Developing a comprehensive incident management and incident recovery plan.

These IT assessments and risk management strategies are key not just to protecting the IT sector, but protecting all the critical infrastructure and key resource sectors that we rely on every day. All of these strategies are in response to a national-level IT Sector risk assessment produced by government and the private-sector IT experts.

Posted by Secretary Napolitano

Today, I am releasing a new report outlining the Department of Homeland Security’s progress implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. This year – seven years after the release of the 9/11 Commission’s report, and in recognition of the 10th anniversary of September 11th – our report details the advancements by DHS and its partners in strengthening the homeland security enterprise to better defend against evolving threats.

Now, ten years after the worst terrorist attacks ever on American soil, America is stronger and more resilient than ever before. But threats from terrorism persist. And challenges remain.

Over the past decade, we have made great strides to secure our nation against a large attack or disaster, to protect our critical infrastructure and cyber networks, and to engage a broader range of Americans in the shared responsibility for security. Together with our many partners across the Federal government, the public and private sectors, and in communities across the country, and around the world, DHS has worked to build and strengthen a homeland security enterprise that mitigates and defends against dynamic threats, minimizes risks, and maximizes our ability to respond to – and recover from – attacks and disasters of all kinds.

We have made significant progress in:

• Expanding Information Sharing
• Strengthening Airline Passenger Pre-screening
• Targeting Terrorist Travel
• Enhancing Screening for Explosives
• Protecting Cyber Networks and Critical Physical Infrastructure
• Bolstering the Security of U.S. Borders and Identification Documents
• Ensuring Robust Privacy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Safeguards

Together, these efforts have provided a strong foundation to protect communities from terrorism and other threats, while safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Americans.

We recognize and thank the many men and women of DHS, all of our partners, and the law enforcement officers and emergency management professionals who work on the frontlines everyday protecting America, at home and abroad. Read the Department’s full 2011 progress report.

Posted by Blogger Bob, TSA

Back in February, I posted about how we had begun testing Automated Target Recognition (ATR) software for millimeter wave Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT). The testing started at the Transportation Security Lab (TSL) back in the fall of 2010, and after piloting the software in the field (ATL, DCA, and LAS) we’re ready to start rolling it out!

Over the next few months, the software will be installed on every millimeter wave imaging technology unit in the field.  Future millimeter wave units will come with the new software already installed.  There are currently nearly 500 AIT units in the field (both backscatter and millimeter wave), and there are plans to roll out even more later this year. As far as backscatter units, there are plans to test similar software in the fall.

If you’re not familiar with ATR, it works with our imaging technology (Body Scanners) and eliminates passenger-specific images and replaces them with the generic outline of a person.  Here’s how it works: You step into the AIT machine and the new software will auto-detect potential threats and show their location. The image is on a monitor that is attached to the AIT unit in public view. Because this eliminates privacy concerns, we no longer have to place an officer in a separate room to view the images.





We are always looking for new technology and procedures that will both enhance security while strengthening privacy protections. That’s why we worked with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) and private industry to develop the software. For more information about TSA and advanced imaging technology, visit www.tsa.gov/ait.

Posted by Public Affairs

Every day, state and major urban area fusion centers receive, analyze, disseminate, and gather homeland security information in order to protect our local communities. 

Fusion centers enable DHS and other federal partners to connect with state, local and tribal law enforcement and homeland security partners to collaborate on terrorism, crime and other homeland security issues.

For instance at the end of June, the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC)  played an instrumental role in the arrest of an individual suspected of placing two bombs at a local bookstore.

In June 2011, the Lakewood Police Department was notified about an incident at a bookstore at a Colorado mall.  Due to the nature of the crime, the Lakewood Police Department notified the FBI of the incident who then activated the local Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The JTTF is led by the FBI and comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.  After the JTTF collected preliminary information, it was sent to the fusion center and distributed nationwide and to Terrorism Liaison Officers (TLO) requesting information that might relate to the incident. 

Later that same day, the suspect crashed his vehicle on a highway in Clear Creek County, CO.  A Colorado State Trooper, who is also a TLO, investigated the crash and took the suspect into custody on charges related to menacing and driving under the influence of alcohol.  Less than 24 hours later, the Colorado fusion center released additional information about a possible suspect in the bookstore incident, including information about the suspect’s vehicle.  When the trooper received this information he suspected that the driver he had arrested was the suspect in the bookstore mall bombing.  He contacted the fusion center to provide this information, which in turn, notified the JTTF.  The suspect was later charged with crimes related to threatening public safety related to the placing of the bombs in the bookstore.

This event shows the important role of information sharing and fusion centers in our nation’s homeland security effort.  Hometown security is essential to homeland security.  DHS support of fusion centers like the one in Colorado empowers local officials to better protect their communities and the nation from evolving security threats.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) Director Warren Stern met with representatives of the European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) to discuss the progress of the Illicit Trafficking Radiation Assessment Program+10 (ITRAP+10).  This joint program is designed to evaluate the performance of available radiation detection equipment in an effort to combat the threat of illicit radiological and nuclear weapons and materials.

Through ITRAP+10, the United States and international partners work to ensure that testing standards are clearly defined, comprehensive and realistic in order to provide decision makers and private sector stakeholders with reliable detection system performance information as well as possible methods to enhance equipment performance. To date, 27 manufacturers from 11 different countries have offered nearly 100 instruments for participation in the ITRAP+10 tests.

Today’s meeting finalized testing procedures, including the selection of evaluation criteria that incorporates both national and international standards.  In a series of performance tests over the next year, the JRC will evaluate eight categories of equipment at their facility in Italy while DNDO will test nine categories of equipment in the US at the Department of Energy’s National Laboratory sites.

DHS is responsible for developing the US nuclear detection architecture and advancing the nation’s nuclear forensics capability. Other U.S. national partners supporting the ITRAP+10 are the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST), the Department of Energy, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.  DHS and the JRC have also partnered on issues such as nuclear detection technologies, nuclear forensics, and detection architectures.

Posted by FEMA Public Affairs 

Yesterday, Secretary Napolitano visited Minot, North Dakota to see firsthand the damage caused by the recent severe flooding. Her visit follows Deputy Administrator Serino’s visit to Minot on June 29. The Secretary encouraged Minot residents to continue to register for federal disaster assistance and reiterated the federal government's commitment to continue supporting Minot for the long haul. She also encouraged anyone  interested in helping the people of Minot and across North Dakota to send donations through organizations like the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army or the Minot Area Recovery Fund.


Minot, ND, July 13, 2011 -- Secretary Janet Napolitano speaks to the media and holds up a sign with the FEMA registration information. She strongly urged affected residents in eligible counties to apply for assistance.

We wanted to provide you with a brief overview of her day -- and her thoughts on helping North Dakota in the long recovery process ahead. 

An Aerial Tour
The Secretary began her visit with a helicopter tour over Minot and surrounding areas impacted. She witnessed the extensive flood damage to hundreds of homes, schools, churches, farmland, and other community areas devastated by the disaster. 

Learning from Local Leaders



Minot, ND, July 13, 2011 -- Secretary Janet Napolitano listens to Minot Mayor, Curt Zimbelman, at a meeting with North Dakota Gov Jack Dalrymple and local officials after doing an aerial survey of the areas still under water in Minot and surrounding towns. Napolitano and other FEMA officials promised to continue to provide assistance to residents affected by recent floods. 

Secretary Napolitano also met with the state and local officials leading the recovery efforts, including Governor Jack Dalrymple, the mayors of Minot and Burlington, and many other local officials. They discussed some of the priorities the state and community are facing as they move forward, such as reopening schools and grocery stores. With so many homes flooded, temporary housing that can withstand the harsh winters of North Dakota is another major concern. The Secretary ensured that the government would work quickly with the state to provide temporary housing to survivors that meets their needs. 

A Visit with the Media
After the meeting, the Secretary joined the governor and mayors for a press conference for local media. 

Here are a few media stories about her visit:

• "We are here for the duration," Fargo Forum
• "Federal assistance for flood recovery," Minot Daily News 
• "Napolitano views flood area," KXMX CBS

Secretary Napolitano thanked the Governor and local officials for their hard work, and explained: "We are all standing behind the people of Minot, behind the people of the surrounding area, and the people of North Dakota… We will make sure that everything that can be done is being done, and is being done as quickly as possible."

Minot, ND, July 13, 2011 -- Secretary Janet Napolitano and North Dakota Governor Jack Dalyrmple appear at a press conference with local ,state and other federal officials. Napolitano and Dalyrmple did an aerial survey of the areas still under water in Minot and the surrounding towns. Napolitano and FEMA officials promised to continue to provide assistance to residents affected by recent floods.

At FEMA, we remain committed to supporting the survivors and local officials in recovering from the devastating floods in Minot. FEMA officials on the ground have been working hard to register survivors for temporary housing assistance, low-interest loans, and other forms of disaster assistance, and we’ll be there as long as it takes to help the Minot community recover and rebuild.

Posted by Stop. Think. Connect.

Recently there’s been a reported rise in the number of cyber incidents suspected to be the result of social engineering, a tactic which involves approaching an individual, either online or in person, and manipulating them into providing personal information that can be used to break into a computer network or assume someone’s identity.

Such schemes can be as brazen as tricking you into handing over a password or as seemingly harmless as asking what kind of software you use or the name of the person responsible for maintaining your computer network. Perpetrators may pose as coworkers, repair men, IT staff or other outsiders with an apparent legitimate need to know such information.

To avoid becoming a victim of a social engineering attack:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited contacted from individuals seeking internal organizational data or personal information.
• Do not provide personal information or passwords over email or on the phone.
• Do not provide information about your organization.
• Pay attention to website URLs that use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs. .net).
• Verify a request’s authenticity by contacting the company directly.
• Install and maintain anti-virus software, firewalls, and email filters.

If you think you are a victim of a social engineering attack:

• Report the incident immediately.
• Contact your financial institution and monitor your account activity.
• Immediately change all of your passwords.
• Report the attack to the police, and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (http://ftc.gov) and US-CERT (http://www.us-cert.gov/).

Stop. Think. Connect. Protect yourself and help keep the web a safer place for everyone.  For more information on the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign, please visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.

As part of Secretary Napolitano’s vision for One DHS, the Department today unveiled an cross-component Maritime Operations Coordination (MOC) plan to enhance the Department’s coordination capabilities when responding to threats against the United States.

The plan—which will strengthen coordination, planning, information sharing, and intelligence integration for maritime operations among the U.S. Coast Guard (UCSG), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—was jointly signed by, USCG Commandant Admiral Robert Papp, Jr., CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin, and ICE Director John Morton. Each of these DHS component agencies has unique responsibilities in preparing for and responding to a terrorist attack or other incident in or near U.S. waters, making effective coordination among these agencies essential.

The MOC plan focuses on improved collaboration across five key sectors:

• Coordination
• Planning
• Information sharing
• Intelligence integration
• Response activities

In addition, the plan outlines the need for a layered approach to security while underscoring the importance of working in tandem with federal, state, local, tribal, territorial and international partners.

Learn more about Maritime Security Policy.

This week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) celebrated America’s 235th birthday by welcoming more than 24,000 new citizens  in nearly 350 naturalization ceremonies around the globe.

Watch a special video from USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas commemorating this important week for America and its newest citizens:

At a ceremony in Cincinnati last week, Director Mayorkas spoke about the spirit of independence: “This spirit, along with our founding ideals of freedom and democracy, has allowed us to achieve great success as a nation of immigrants. Immigrants come to America in search of opportunity, and by taking the Oath of Allegiance, they embrace the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.”

Aboard the USS Midway in San Diego, 200 members of the U.S. armed forces took the Oath of Allegiance in front of a crowd of 2,000 people in a ceremony honoring Gulf War veterans.

Keeping with USCIS’s commitment to bring immigration services to the troops wherever they serve, members of the U.S. armed forces took the Oath of Allegiance to become citizens at military-only ceremonies in Baghdad, Kabul, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

46 naval recruits graduating from basic training were naturalized at the Recruit Training Command of Great Lakes Naval Station.

USCIS also held special ceremonies at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States were debated and adopted; the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta; the National World War II Museum in New Orleans; the USS Constitution in Charlestown, Mass.; George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens in Mount Vernon, Va.; and SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla.

New U.S. citizens on the infield of McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox

Our newest Americans hail from all corners of the globe; some came to the United States to join family members, others sought professional or educational opportunities, and some in search of refuge from conflicts or hardships in their homelands. Each chose to make the United States their adopted home, and together, this week they all took the meaningful step of becoming U.S. citizens.

For more information on the citizenship process, please visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center and USCIS home page.

Posted by the DHS Blue Campaign

On Wednesday, June 29, members of the DHS Blue Campaign were honored to host the State Department’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Heroes at our headquarters to learn more about their incredible work to help fight human trafficking. Each year, the Department of State honors individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. These individuals are NGO workers, lawmakers, police officers, and concerned citizens who are committed to ending modern slavery. They are recognized for their tireless efforts – despite resistance, opposition, and threats to their lives – to protect victims, punish offenders, and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their countries and abroad.

This year’s heroes traveled to Washington D.C. from countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guatemala, Namibia, Nepal, the Philippines and Singapore to share their stories and be honored by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the release of the State Department’s 2011 TIP Report on Monday, June 27th. 

During the meeting, hosted by Senior Counselor to Secretary Napolitano Alice Hill, the heroes each spoke briefly about their backgrounds and work to help end modern slavery—from Ms. Charimaya Tamang of Nepal, a human trafficking survivor who, at 16, was the first person in Nepal to personally file a human trafficking case with the Nepalese district police and eventually won her case in a landmark decision, to Mr. Leonel Dubon from Guatemala, who established the Children’s Refuge House, which provided shelter and services to 51 girls in 2010 alone. Ms. Bridget Lew Tan, a TIP Hero from Singapore who whose Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics has provided food, shelter, advocacy and legal counsel to more than 50,000 migrants since 2004, spoke to the need of governments to make NGOs equal partners in anti-human trafficking efforts. 

These stories help shed light on the state of international efforts to end human trafficking throughout the globe, and provided important insight into how differences in government structure, culture, and public resources can play a role in each society’s anti-human trafficking efforts.

The discussion was candid and, for many Blue Campaign members, touching. Senior Counselor Hill closed the session by noting that many of the members of the DHS Blue Campaign work “behind desks” for the majority of their workday. “Sometimes it is hard to believe you are making a difference,” Senior Counselor Hill said to the TIP Heroes, “but meeting with all of you today, who work tirelessly and directly with victims across the globe, we are reminded that, yes, with commitment and passion each of us can make a difference.”

Posted by Public Affairs

Secretary Napolitano was in Vienna today to meet with her international counterparts and deliver remarks to a joint meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council (PC) and Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC)—the world’s largest regional security organization.

She underscored the Obama administration’s commitment to partnering with the international community on issues such as preventing and combating terrorism, improving border security and management, fighting the illicit trafficking of drugs, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and strengthening cybersecurity initiatives.

During her remarks, the Secretary highlighted the Department’s work with the OSCE to further strengthen international efforts and to address transnational threats and support OSCE programs to fight terrorism and violent extremism while ensuring a continued respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

While in Vienna, Secretary Napolitano met with Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner to discuss the close collaboration between the United States and Austria to combat terrorism. She highlighted the important role that information sharing, including the analysis of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, plays in protecting the traveling public against acts of terrorism and combating serious transnational crime. She also reiterated the Obama administration’s continued commitment to strengthening security while protecting the individual privacy of passengers.


Secretary Napolitano also met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General David Waller to discuss DHS’ partnership with the IAEA to strengthen nuclear security cooperation and combat threats from nuclear and radiological terrorism.

After her official meetings, the Secretary joined Ambassador Davies and staff from the U.S. Embassy at an early 4th of July Celebration wrapping up her trip to Spain and Austria.

Posted by Public Affairs

A BRAVE camera undergoes a test to determine its ability to withstand high temperatures.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate awarded a SAFETY Act designation to Visual Defence USA, Inc. for its blast-resistant video system designed for use in mass transit vehicles. This marks the first time a product has received both a SAFETY Act designation and a SECURE certification.

The Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act is designed to ensure that legal liability does not deter potential manufacturers or sellers of anti-terrorism technologies from developing, deploying, and commercializing potentially life-saving technologies, while also guaranteeing that a technology works as advertised and effectively supports a homeland security mission. Virtual Defence’s Blast Resistant Autonomous Video Equipment (BRAVE) camera achieved this designation because of the support it provides to investigators in the event of a mass-transit incident. Similar to the well-known “black box” recording devices found in airplanes, BRAVE cameras could be installed in trains, buses and subways.

In April 2011, BRAVE became the first technology to receive SECURE certification. This program promotes cooperative relationships between DHS and the private sector in developing products or services that meet homeland security needs in the context of a dynamic marketplace. Such a joint designation is just one example of successful public-private partnerships that are supporting the homeland security mission.