Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
The Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC) today held its eleventh meeting, convening college and university presidents, academic leaders and interagency partners to provide the Secretary of Homeland Security and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) senior leadership with recommendations on homeland security matters.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Community Partnerships Director George Selim addresses DHS’ priorities and key actions to Counter Violent Extremism
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Protection and National Preparedness Grants Program Directorate Assistant Administrator Brian Kamoie addresses DHS and FEMA’s overall efforts to assist states, tribes, territories, and localities in preparing for and responding to terrorist attacks and incidents of mass violence.
Today, Secretary Johnson announced the new Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Grant Program to support community-led initiatives across the country to build resilience to the threat of violent extremism.
One of the most powerful images I can show people is the front page of the Washington Post in December of 2014. A photo of two parents, both with downcast eyes and the quote, "We were just frozen," when they learned their three teenagers had run away from home to join Islamic State militants in Syria. This is part of a growing number of Americans who are attempting to travel to Syria or Iraq to join the Islamic State. And we anticipate more as recruiters from the Islamic State target youth on social media.
I thank the House Homeland Security Committee, in particular Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson, for their work examining the critical issue of foreign terrorist fighters traveling to Syria and Iraq. The report published by the Committee’s bipartisan task force is an important assessment of how we in the U.S. government can enhance our efforts to counter the foreign terrorist fighter threat. As noted in the report, the Department of Homeland Security has undertaken much of what is recommended.
Violent extremism - that which is inspired by foreign terrorist groups and that which is rooted in a range of domestic-based radical ideologies - pose a persistent and unpredictable threat to our homeland. Countering violent extremism has become a key focus of DHS’s work to secure the homeland. Last year I appointed a Department-wide coordinator for our efforts to counter violent extremism. As Secretary of Homeland Security, I am also personally committed to this mission, having traveled to Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, northern Virginia and suburban Maryland to meet with community leaders as part of this effort. We heard many strongly-held views, generated conversations, and built some bridges.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Under Secretary Francis Taylor addresses the foreign fighter threat and current efforts to disrupt terrorist travel.
WASHINGTON — Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and other senior members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concluded their participation in the three-day White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).
WASHINGTON — Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson met with French Minister of Interior Bernard Cazeneuve on the margins of the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) to discuss a range of shared global security-related priorities, including counterterrorism, foreign fighters, and the importance of information sharing in the aftermath of the tragic terrorist incidents in Paris in January. Secretary Johnson expressed support for the government and citizens of France, and reinforced the importance of the U.S.- European security relationship in joint counterterrorism efforts.
