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

Earlier this month, the Private Sector Office, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami and the Federal Bureau of Investigation coordinated a DHS for a Day event for 12 university presidents from across the country representing the National Security Higher Education Advisory Board (NSHEAB), a public-private partnership coordinated by the FBI. 

As part of the event, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided tours of the Port of Miami and the Miami International Airport, highlighting DHS’ efforts to strengthen security while promoting the flow of legitimate trade and travel.  

The program also featured a panel discussion with representatives from DHS and the Department of State on the international student process.

NSHEAB members shared experiences from international students at their schools and provided recommendations to improve the entry process. To support the implementation of these recommendations, DHS will continue to use its Study in the States website to provide information to international students and academic officials on the international student process. Launched in September 2011, Study in the States serves as a central online information hub for DHS and its agency partners to provide up-to-date information on student visa and exchange visitor programs.

Posted by Mark Weatherford, Deputy Undersecretary for Cybersecurity

Last week, I discussed the recently-introduced Cybersecurity Act of 2012 and the aspects of the legislation that would enhance the protection of the federal executive branch networks and help keep the American public safe from theft, fraud, and loss of personal and financial data. Today I’d like to discuss how the legislation would improve the security and resiliency of the nation’s critical infrastructure -- from banking and financial systems, to power plants and electric grids, to transportation and shipping hubs.

DHS leads the nation’s critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity efforts, but the federal government cannot do it alone. The vast majority of critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, and the landscape is constantly changing as new and more sophisticated threats emerge. DHS is focused on building and strengthening partnerships across all levels of government and with the private sector in order to improve information sharing, support cyber incident response, and make cyberspace fundamentally safer and more secure.

The Cybersecurity Act of 2012 clarifies DHS’ authority to provide assistance to industry and state, local, tribal and territorial governments and establishes a risk mitigation framework to ensure that companies providing the Nation’s most essential services are instituting a baseline level of cybersecurity. This proposal would leverage the expertise of the private sector requiring the Nation’s most critical infrastructure adopt the cybersecurity practices and technologies that work best on their networks.

It also removes barriers to sharing cybersecurity information between industry and the federal government by providing immunity from other laws for the purpose of sharing such cybersecurity information with DHS. At the same time, the legislation mandates robust privacy oversight, including criminal penalties for misuse, to ensure that voluntarily shared information does not impinge on individual privacy and civil liberties.

The Cybersecurity Act of 2012 aligns closely with the Administration’s cybersecurity legislative proposal, and will allow DHS and our partners to continue to work together to secure cyberspace, protect our nation’s critical infrastructures, and advance our economic and security interests.

Posted by Secretary Napolitano



Earlier this week, I traveled to Arizona and Texas with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner David Aguilar to see DHS operations at the Southwest Border.

We visited the Port of Hidalgo, Pharr Bridge, CBP’s Air and Marine Branch, and the Border Patrol Forward Operating Base near Falcon Heights where we saw firsthand some of CBP’s capabilities along the Southwest border and recent investments in personnel, technology, and infrastructure. I had the privilege of hearing from and personally thanking some of the dedicated men and women on the front lines. They work hard every day, at great personal risk, to keep the communities along the border and our entire nation safe.

Protecting communities along on our borders is vital to our homeland security, as well as to our economic prosperity. Over the past three years, the Obama Administration has deployed significant resources and worked closely with partners at all levels—including other federal agencies, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement, the private sector and the government of Mexico- to secure our border.

This work is making a real difference. Nationwide, illegal immigration attempts, as measured by Border Patrol apprehensions, have decreased 53 percent in the past three years, and are less than 20 percent of what they were at their peak. Seizures of illegal drugs, currency, and weapons are all up, while violent crime in some of our largest border cities and communities has remained flat or fallen over the past decade.

As we move forward, we’ll continue to work to ensure our borders are safe and secure, while facilitating the legitimate trade and travel that is so essential to our economy.

By Mark Weatherford, Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity

On Wednesday, I discussed the recently-introduced Cybersecurity Act of 2012 and the ways it will help keep the American public safe from theft, fraud and loss of personal and financial data.  Another important component in the proposed legislation addresses one of DHS’ core cybersecurity missions – securing the federal executive branch networks.

Protecting the “dot-gov” domain is critical because it’s not only where the government does its own business and maintains essential functions, but it’s also where we provide services to the American people.  One of the ways DHS helps to secure these networks is through the National Cybersecurity Protection System, which leverages sophisticated intrusion detection capabilities.  We also provide onsite technical assistance to help agencies bolster their own cybersecurity defenses and respond to incidents when they happen.  The proposed legislation would enable DHS to be more effective and efficient in its protection of federal networks by clarifying DHS’ authorities in this space and enabling better sharing of cybersecurity information from other federal agencies to DHS.  At the same time, strong privacy and civil liberties protections have been incorporated into the proposal to protect the rights of federal employees and other uses of federal systems.

Supporting Federal civilian departments and agencies in enhancing their cybersecurity posture is a priority for the Obama Administration as evidenced in the President’s FY 2013 budget request, which allocates an additional $200 million above FY 2012 to further reduce risk in the Federal cyber domain.  This funding will enable improved continuous monitoring at departments and agencies, and support other critical cybersecurity capabilities to thwart advanced, persistent cyber threats. The legislation would further this effort by modernizing the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) to focus agencies’ network security efforts on the implementation of actual security measures instead of  costly and ineffective paperwork exercises.

None of these robust cybersecurity operations are possible without a world-class workforce.  Over the past two years, DHS has increased the size of its cybersecurity workforce by approximately 500 percent, and the Department’s FY 2013 budget request continues to support high-quality, cost-effective cybersecurity education and training to develop and grow a robust cybersecurity workforce. The proposed legislation will enhance DHS’s ability to attract and retain cybersecurity professionals to execute our complex and challenging mission by providing additional hiring and compensation flexibilities.

Cybersecurity is complex and always changing.  The Cybersecurity Act of 2012 aligns closely with the Administration’s proposal and serves to better define what is expected of DHS and what tools are at our disposal to accomplish the cybersecurity mission. In short, it will enable us to execute on our current mission more efficiently and effectively to protect the federal government’s computer networks.

By Mark Weatherford, Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity

Last week, Deputy Secretary Lute discussed the risks we face as a result of our interconnected world and some of the ways legislation recently introduced in the Senate would make cyberspace safer and more secure.  Today I want to highlight more specifically what the proposed legislation would mean for the American public.  In the coming days I’ll also explain how the Administration’s would improve the security of the nation’s critical infrastructure and the federal government’s networks and information systems under this proposal.

The proposed legislation would protect the American people by giving law enforcement the tools they need to thwart cyber criminals by clarifying what a computer crime is, what the penalties are, and make prosecution of these crimes easier.  It includes mandatory minimum penalties for attacks on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computers that affect critical infrastructure.  By strengthening and clarifying existing laws, the  legislation would enable the prosecution of cyber criminals who routinely victimize individual Americans and threaten our economic, homeland and national security.

The Senate legislation would also protect the American people from fraud and theft of information by establishing a national data breach standard requiring businesses that have suffered an intrusion to notify affected individuals if the intruder had access to consumers’ personal information.  This will allow individuals to take steps right away in the event their credit card, bank account, or Social Security number is stolen.  It will also replace a patchwork of state laws and give a more complete picture of the scope of cybercrimes nationwide.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.  These new and evolving threats require the engagement of our entire society.  The recent proposal will provide the tools and clarity that the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement, and the American public need to ensure cyberspace is a safe and secure environment for everyone.

Posted by Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute

Today, we are more interconnected than ever before - in an instant, we can communicate with a friend on the other side of the world, shop online, and research any topic. These global networks are critical to our economy, allowing us to communicate, travel, and power our homes.

But this increased interconnectivity also presents an increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse to which no country, industry, community, or individual is immune.
DHS is committed to ensuring that cyberspace is safe and secure, enables innovation and prosperity, and protects privacy and civil liberties. Together with public and private sector partners, we are working to build a safe, secure cyberspace where the American way of life can thrive.

To that end, DHS’s cybersecurity mission is two-fold: first, we work with the private sector, states, and municipalities to support the cybersecurity efforts of critical infrastructure owners and operators. Second, we are responsible for securing networks for federal civilian departments and agencies – the .gov domain.
President Obama has proposed legislation that would give us the tools to execute our cybersecurity mission more effectively. This legislative proposal focuses on clarifying authorities, collaborating with the private sector, and driving measurable progress and outcomes.

The President’s proposal would establish national standards, protect federal networks, and allow DHS to provide enhanced voluntary assistance to our private sector and state, local, tribal, and territorial government partners. At the same time, it includes important safeguards to protect the privacy and civil liberties of the American public.

Over the coming weeks, we will discuss in this proposal in greater detail, and highlight more of the work we are already doing every day to secure cyberspace.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility in which all players have a role to play – government, private sector, and individuals. By making it easier to work together, we will better be able to protect cyberspace and the critical infrastructure upon which we all rely.

If you’re hunting for a job, you’ll want to use every tool you can to ensure that you’re ready. Since we first launched Self Check less than a year ago, one of the most frequent questions we’ve heard is, "When can I use Self Check in my state?"

The wait is now over. Self Check is now available nationwide in both English and Spanish.

Starting today, job hunters in every state across the country, as well as Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, will be able to use Self Check to confirm their employment eligibility status.

More and more employers use E-Verify to confirm their new hires’ work eligibility. You can use Self Check to confirm your work eligibility, see if there are any discrepancies in your records, and learn how to fix them before searching for a job. For more information, please visit the Self Check website at http://www.uscis.gov/selfcheck.

Publicado por Andrew Lorenzen-Strait, defensor del pueblo y asesor principal, Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement o ICE)

Es un honor para mí haber sido nombrado hoy el primer defensor del pueblo del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE). A medida que el ICE continúa implementando reformas respecto a detenciones y otros programas relacionados con la aplicación de la ley, mi equipo y yo nos desempeñaremos como punto de contacto para las personas, incluidos quienes son parte de procesos de inmigración, entidades no gubernamentales y otros grupos comunitarios y de propugnación que tienen inquietudes, preguntas, recomendaciones o asuntos importantes que deseen plantear.

Aunque este nuevo cargo será un desafío, considero que producirá beneficios significativos tanto para el ICE como las partes interesadas. Mientras nos esforzamos por producir significativos cambios de política en la asignación de recursos para el cumplimiento de las leyes de inmigración y destinarlos a prioridades sensatas, la implementación de procesos y medidas de política que le dan prioridad a la salud y seguridad de los detenidos bajo nuestra custodia y a la vez aumentar la supervisión federal, además de la mejora de las condiciones de confinamiento en nuestro sistema de detención, me esforzaré por aumentar y mejorar el diálogo con la comunidad interesada.

He dedicado la mayor parte de mi vida al servicio público. Comencé a trabajar para el ICE en el 2008, primero como asesor y analista de política relacionada a la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración, detención y menores de edad, y recientemente como asesor principal de la división de administración de detenciones de Operativos de Control y Deportación (Enforcement and Removal Operations o ERO). Previamente, ejercí como abogado y fui homenajeado como Abogado del Año de Maryland por servicios pro bono por mi trabajo con Community Legal Services del condado Prince George.

En mi nuevo cargo, tendré cuatro responsabilidades principales:

• Ayudar a las personas y partes interesadas en la comunidad a presentar sus quejas e inquietudes de acuerdo a la política y forma de operar de la agencia, en particular, las inquietudes relacionadas con las medidas del ICE para velar por el cumplimiento de la ley que afectan a ciudadanos estadounidenses;
• Informar a las partes interesadas sobre la política, programas y proyectos de ERO, además de propiciar un mejor entendimiento sobre la misión y valores fundamentales de ERO;
• Fomentar la participación de las partes interesadas y encontrar socios para facilitar la comunicación, promover la colaboración y solicitar comentarios sobre proyectos y operativos para velar por el cumplimiento de las leyes de inmigración, y
• Asesorar a los líderes del ICE sobre las conclusiones, inquietudes, recomendaciones y prioridades de las partes interesadas, con relación a mejoras a los esfuerzos y actividades para velar por el cumplimiento de las leyes de inmigración.

Asumo este nuevo cargo con gran entusiasmo y me siento orgulloso de esta agencia por valorar los comentarios de la comunidad y poner énfasis en la transparencia y la facilidad de acceso, a la vez que el ICE continúa concentrándose en medidas de aplicación de sentido común y reformas sensatas de política. Espero que me comuniquen sus preguntas, comentarios e inquietudes. Estoy aquí para ayudarlos.

Posted by Andrew Lorenzen-Strait, Public Advocate & Senior Advisor, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Today, I am honored to be named U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s first-ever public advocate. As ICE continues to implement detention reforms and other enforcement-related initiatives, my staff and I will serve as a point of contact for individuals, including those in immigration proceedings, NGOs, and other community and advocacy groups, who have concerns, questions, recommendations or important issues they would like to raise.

While this new role will be challenging, I believe it will reap significant rewards for ICE as well as for stakeholders. As we work to enact significant policy changes to focus the agency’s immigration enforcement resources on sensible priorities, implement policies and processes that prioritize the health and safety of detainees in our custody while increasing federal oversight, and improve the conditions of confinement within the detention system, I will strive to expand and enhance our dialogue with the stakeholder community.

I have committed the greater part of my life to public service. Since 2008, I have served with ICE, first as an advisor and analyst on policies related to immigration enforcement, detention and juveniles, and most recently as the senior advisor for Enforcement and Removal Operation’s (ERO) detention management division. Prior to that, I served as an attorney and was recognized as the Maryland Attorney of the Year for Pro Bono Service working with Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County.

In my new position, I will have four main duties:

• Assist individuals and community stakeholders in addressing complaints and concerns in accordance with agency policies and operations, particularly concerns related to ICE enforcement actions that affect U.S. citizens;
• Inform stakeholders on ERO policies, programs and initiatives, and enhance understanding of ERO’s mission and core values;
• Engage stakeholders and build partnerships to facilitate communication, foster collaboration and solicit input on immigration enforcement initiatives and operations; and
• Advise ICE leadership on stakeholder findings, concerns, recommendations and priorities as they relate to improving immigration enforcement efforts and activities.

I am thrilled to assume this new role and proud of this agency for valuing community input and emphasizing transparency and accessibility as ICE continues to pursue common sense enforcement priorities and sound policy reforms. I hope you’ll reach out to me with your questions, comments and concerns. I am here to assist you.

Posted by Public Affairs

On February 1, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced charges against 12 defendants for participating in a $250 million cell phone cloning scheme. U.S. Secret Service’s New York Field Office recently investigated a sophisticated operation in which information from the cell phone accounts of tens of thousands of people is stolen to support a black market in international calling.

“These charges show our commitment to protecting the privacy of consumers and safeguarding the integrity of international telecommunications networks,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

The Secret Service is recognized worldwide for its investigative expertise and for its aggressive and innovative approach to the detection, investigation and prevention of financial crimes. While payment methods have changed over the years – from coin and paper currency, to checks, credit cards, and now, online transactions – the Secret Service remains committed to safeguarding the payment and financial systems of the United States.

“Through the use of strong investigative techniques and practices, the Secret Service and its law enforcement partners in multiple jurisdictions successfully thwarted further criminal activity and brought these perpetrators to justice,” said Brian Parr, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s New York Field Office.

Each of the 12 defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison.

Posted by John Morton, Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)


On the eve of Super Bowl XLVI, ICE has already scored a victory. Through Operation Fake Sweep, a nationwide enforcement operation targeting stores, flea markets and street vendors selling counterfeit game-related sportswear, we seized more than 42,692 NFL trademarked items with a record-breaking value of $4.86 million – up from $3.72 million last year.

In addition we seized the domain names of 291 illegal Internet websites selling counterfeit NFL merchandise largely made overseas and 16 websites engaged in illegal streaming of live sporting events and pay-per-view events over the Internet, including the Super Bowl. This is the largest number of websites we have ever seized in a single operation.

Intellectual property (IP) thieves undermine the U.S. economy and jeopardize public safety. American jobs are being lost, American innovation is being diluted and organized criminal enterprises are profiting from their increasing involvement in IP theft.

Discerning consumers should know that counterfeiters are more pervasive and more sophisticated than ever before. The fake merchandise and the bogus websites look authentic. The prices are discounted, yet not ridiculously low. So even a savvy consumer might not realize he or she is being duped. These are new tricks of the counterfeiting trade.

In sports, players must abide by rules of the game, and in life, individuals must follow the laws of the land. Our message is simple: abiding by intellectual property rights laws is not optional; it's the law

Posted by Secretary Napolitano

The Department of Homeland Security is proud to help secure Super Bowl XLVI. This week, I joined officials from the National Football League (NFL) in Indianapolis to announce DHS’s continued partnership with the NFL on our “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign.



As part of this partnership, we work with law enforcement partners, the NFL, event staff and volunteers, and the public to help ensure the safety and security of everyone who is in town for the big game.

Our message is simple: if you see something that doesn’t look right—an unattended bag or package, a person behaving in a suspicious manner, a vehicle that seems out of place—report it to the authorities.



Time and again, we see the value of this kind of public vigilance in thwarting terrorism and crime, including foiled plots against the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Spokane, Washington and more recently at the Fort Hood military base in Killeen, Texas.

At the Super Bowl, “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign graphics will appear on the videoboard and televisions throughout Lucas Oil Stadium on game day. Safety messaging will be printed in game programs and fan guides for staff, players, and volunteers. The “If You See Something, Say Something ™” advertisements are also featured throughout Indianapolis at the airport, hotels, restaurants, bars, and on buses, magazines and visitor guides.



We’re also supporting Super Bowl security in other ways, helping Lucas Oil Stadium and other entertainment and hospitality venues throughout the Indianapolis identify address potential risks; providing “First Observer” anti-terrorism and security awareness training to more than 8,000 stadium staff and volunteers; helping secure transit to and from the stadium with our Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams; and scanning all of the cargo entering the stadium for contraband such as narcotics, weapons, and explosives.

Security is a shared responsibility and each citizen has a role to play in identifying and reporting suspicious activities and threats. Through efforts like “If You See Something, Say Something™”, we can engage everyone, including Super Bowl fans, in our homeland security efforts.



So while you’re watching the game this weekend, remember—if you see something, say something.