Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
This past holiday weekend, as increased numbers of Americans traveled by domestic commercial air, the men and women of TSA worked hard to keep passengers moving through security checkpoints, and keep them safe. Particularly in the current global threat environment, we are not compromising or short-cutting aviation security, while meeting increased travel volume.
On June 18-22, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas will travel to Israel to address cybersecurity cooperation and other critical matters of importance to our two countries.
Today I thank Congress for approving our $28 million reprogramming request for TSA, which will allow us to more effectively and efficiently screen the increased number of travelers at U.S. airports. I would especially like to thank Chairman John Hoeven, Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, Chairman John Carter, and Ranking Member Lucille Roybal-Allard for their efforts to ensure the approval of this request.
The Directive will allow EU Member States to collect and analyze Passenger Name Records. This will help law enforcement prevent criminals and terrorists from boarding planes, and will improve Europe’s ability to prevent attacks against aviation targets.
Effective today we will begin to require the use of more electronic passports, or e-Passports, by all travelers coming to the United States from the 38 countries that participate in our Visa Waiver Program.
Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson met with Attorney General of the State of Qatar His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri and Qatari Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Mohammed Jaham Al Kuwari to discuss a range of shared homeland security-related issues, including aviation security and counterterrorism cooperation.
Recognizing the continuing challenges to the security of our peoples and our countries, and that a collective approach is required to address these challenges, on February 16-17, 2016 United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch and United States Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson jointly hosted the Five Country Ministerial and the Quintet of Attorneys General meetings with their counterparts.
Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson met with Canadian Minister of Transport Marc Garneau to discuss continued cooperation on transportation security, maritime safety, and cross-border travel.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Security Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Darby LaJoye addresses TSA’s role in airport access control and, in particular, aviation worker credentialing at the Nation’s airports.
Yesterday, Sunday, I was in New York City to observe first-hand the NYPD's active shooter exercise in the City’s subway system. That exercise, planned weeks ago, was partially funded by the Department of Homeland Security, and it highlights the many different ways our Department supports state and local law enforcement counterterrorism activities.
