Category: Homeland Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Redesignation Allows Additional Newly Eligible Yemeni Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents 

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from September 4, 2024, to March 3, 2026, due to country conditions in Yemen that prevent individuals from safely returning.

After consultation with interagency partners, Secretary Mayorkas determined that an 18-month extension and redesignation of Yemen for TPS is warranted because ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions continue to support Yemen’s TPS designation, and that the extension and redesignation are not contrary to the national interest of the United States.

“Yemen has been in a state of protracted conflict for the past decade, severely limiting civilians’ access to water, food, and medical care, pushing the country to the brink of economic collapse, and preventing Yemeni nationals living abroad from safely returning home,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “The steps the Department of Homeland Security has taken today will allow certain Yemenis currently residing in the United States to remain and work here until conditions in their home country improve.”

The redesignation of Yemen for TPS allows an estimated 1,700 Yemeni nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) who have been continuously residing in the United States since July 2, 2024 to file initial applications for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible.

The extension of TPS for Yemen allows approximately 2,300 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 3, 2026, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. This extension and redesignation does not apply for anyone who was not already in the United States on July 3, 2024.

The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about registering for TPS as a new or current beneficiary under Yemen’s extension and redesignation. The Federal Register notice explains eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedures necessary for current beneficiaries to re-register and renew EADs, and for new applicants to submit an initial application under the redesignation and apply for an EAD.

Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Yemen, or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen, so that eligible students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 status through the TPS designation period.

Current TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through March 3, 2026, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from July 10, 2024, through September 9, 2024, to ensure they keep their TPS and employment authorization. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new Employment Authorization Document before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through September 3, 2025, the validity of EADs previously issued under Yemen’s TPS designation.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Yemen. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of July 10, 2024 do not need to file either application again. If USCIS approves a pending Form I-821 or Form I-765 filed under the previous designation of TPS for Yemen, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through March 3, 2026, and issue an EAD valid through the same date.

Under the redesignation of Yemen, eligible individuals who do not have TPS may submit an initial Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, during the initial registration period that runs from July 10, 2024 through March 3, 2026. Applicants also may apply for TPS-related EADs and for travel authorization. Applicants can request an EAD by submitting a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with their Form I-821, or separately later.

Since the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule was issued in early June, over 24,000 noncitizens have been removed or returned to more than 20 countries. All irregular migration journeys are extremely dangerous, unforgiving, and often result in loss of life. DHS will continue to enforce U.S. laws and will return noncitizens who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON –Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its “Guide to Operational Security for Election Officials.” This essential guide aims to enhance the security of election infrastructure by providing a thorough overview of operational security (OPSEC) within the election context, highlighting potential risks and offering practical mitigation measures.

Operational security is a systematic approach to identifying and protecting sensitive information, data, or capabilities within an organization.  Without robust safeguards, sensitive information can be inadvertently or deliberately exposed and exploited by threat actors, potentially impacting the ability of election workers to fulfill their duties, exposing voters’ personally identifiable information (PII) and enabling unauthorized access to internal systems and facilities.

By incorporating OPSEC principles into daily election operations and fostering a culture of security awareness, election workers can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosures while maintaining a transparent elections process and responding to public inquiries.  The guide emphases the importance of viewing data from an adversary’s perspective to holistically assess and mitigate potential threats.

“CISA provides various training programs for election workers, including secure practices, incident response planning, and de-escalation techniques.” said CISA Special Advisor to the Director for Election Security Cait Conley. “This guide is another excellent resource CISA provides the public with to keep our elections safe and secure.”

Key points from the Guide:

• OPSEC is critical for protecting election infrastructure from exposure to potential threat actors.
• Embedding OPSEC principles in daily operations helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
• Training and awareness of OPSEC principles enable election workers to understand and manage aggregated risks effectively.
• The guide provides real-world examples and mitigation activities to strengthen operational security. 

To learn more, visit #Protect2024 on CISA.gov.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

From June 30 to July 1, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas traveled to Panama City, Panama to lead the United States Presidential Delegation to the inauguration of the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino. Secretary Mayorkas was joined in representing the U.S. Government by U.S. Ambassador to Panama Mari Carmen Aponte, Secretary of the United States Navy Carlos Del Toro, U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Julieta Valls Noyes, and Special Assistant to the President & Coordinator for the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection Marcela Escobari.

The United States has enjoyed a flourishing strategic relationship with Panama for over 100 years and commends the people of Panama for their participation in the democratic process. The Biden-Harris Administration looks forward to expanding bilateral cooperation with President Mulino and confronting key regional issues, to include tackling corruption and organized crime, promoting inclusive economic growth, and working together to safely and humanely manage hemispheric migration. To this end, yesterday the United States and Panama announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin a new U.S. Department of State-funded foreign assistance program to address irregular migration in the region. This program will help the Panamanian government to remove foreign nationals who do not have a legal basis to remain in Panama. Additionally, during their first bilateral meeting, Secretary Mayorkas congratulated President Mulino on his inauguration and the two leaders committed to ensuring robust bilateral cooperation on a range of issues that will benefit both countries.

During the visit Secretary Mayorkas also met with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles to further cooperation with DHS on areas of mutual interest, including migration management and counterterrorism.

DHS looks forward to building upon these productive discussions and commitments as we continue working to strengthen our partnerships with Panama and Costa Rica to further our shared strategic security interests.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Funding Boosted from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda Will Support 656 Resilience Projects Nationwide

WASHINGTON — President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell today announced the 656 project selections for $1 billion in climate resilience funding as part of his Investing in America agenda. The selections through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program will help state, Tribal, local and territorial governments address current and future risks from natural disasters including extreme heat, wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes and increased flooding.

“Every American community faces risks from extreme weather, and the DHS workforce and our partners across the Administration will always be there for communities in their time of need,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Investing in preparedness and resilience today can help keep our country safe tomorrow. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program grants are a lifeline for communities across the country, funding projects big and small — from major flood mitigation projects to shaded bus shelters. The impact of these projects will ultimately be measured in lives saved and disasters averted.”

“We’ve already seen an unprecedented level of extreme weather events this season, and with more expected on the way, we’re encouraged to see increased interest in communities applying for FEMA’s BRIC program,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to extra funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FEMA is now better situated to help communities, especially those that are disadvantaged and disproportionately impacted by climate change, invest in resilience. FEMA will remain focused on getting these critical infrastructure dollars to the communities that need it the most.”

This effort highlights the importance of FEMA’s continued commitment to putting “people first” and helping communities, families, and businesses build climate resilience. It also aligns with the 2024 FEMA Year of Resilience theme to build capacity to withstand tomorrow’s hazards.

To strengthen America’s climate resilience, President Biden secured more than $50 billion for climate resilience and adaptation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act and established a National Climate Resilience Framework, which is advancing locally tailored, community-driven climate resilience strategies. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contributed approximately $398 million to today’s announcement. Overall, the President’s Investing in America agenda provides FEMA nearly $7 billion to help communities proactively reduce their vulnerability to climate-fueled events and natural hazards.

Of the approximately $674 million in 56 national competition selections, more than half of the selections use nature-based solutions and other natural ways to combat climate change, restore and protect wetlands and to harness nature to enhance climate resilience. FEMA announced this funding opportunity in October 2023 alongside an $800 million Flood Mitigation Assistance opportunity. Selections for Flood Mitigation Assistance will be made later this year.

This year’s selections cover a variety of natural hazards, including extreme heat, flooding and earthquakes. The top three funded project types are:

• Flood control for $395 million across 28 projects, designed to eliminate or reduce flood damage;
• Utility and infrastructure protection for $237 million across 30 projects, like elevating pumping stations, enhancing power poles, strengthening water towers and floodproofing utility plants;
• Building code-related projects for $55 million across 129 projects for enforcement and adoption of more modern, hazard-resistant building codes. This is the greatest number of projects FEMA has ever selected for building code-related activities in a grant cycle. These funds were reserved as a non-competitive set-aside for states, Tribes and territories, resulting in a 180% increase in requests for adoption and enforcement funding.

Below is a sample of selections from across the nation of projects that cover these hazards. The full list of selections can be found at FEMA.gov:

• The Eastwick Near-Term Flood Barrier Project, led by the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, will boost resilience by mitigating flood risks in Eastwick. Eastwick, a previous recipient of non-financial BRIC technical assistance, is vulnerable to a number of flooding sources.
• Shaded bus shelters in Washington, D.C. will mitigate the effects of extreme heat. The project will install 20 shaded bus stops in urban heat islands to ensure bus users can access this essential community service during extreme heat days. By targeting public transit, the project will safeguard residents as they commute to work, run errands, fulfill other daily obligations and help to protect historically low-income communities from the effects of extreme heat.
• The East Elmhurst Cloudburst project in New York City will use innovative control measures to manage extreme stormwater events and reduce local flooding. These include porous concrete parking and bike lanes, as well as green infrastructure and on-site storage.
• The Magalia Dam retrofit project in Paradise, California, will build seismic resilience. The project will reinforce the dam to better withstand earthquakes so the dam can continue providing its critical benefits.
• The Slaughterhouse Creek Flood Mitigation project in Montana will include channel improvements and culvert replacements. The project will have an improved channel designed to contain flooding.
• West Virginia is a first-time BRIC national competition applicant. The Rand Flooding Storm Sewer Improvements project will upgrade community infrastructure to address critical drainage issues.
• The Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation. Crisfield, Maryland — a previous selection for Direct Technical Assistance — aims to boost resilience by improving flood protection through a 5-mile-long tidal flood protection barrier and a new internal drainage system. This project will improve flood protection, stormwater management and wetland health.
• Decatur, Georgia, make major roadways safer from floods and improve access for emergency vehicles. The current culverts can lead to roads becoming impassable or washed-out during storms. This grant will upgrade culverts on major roadways to stay open during severe weather.
•  A blend of nature-based solutions and infrastructure improvements will boost flood resilience along the Big Ditch stream corridor in the city of Goldsboro, North Carolina. The project will upgrade road culverts and expand a restored floodplain. This will make homes safer from flooding as well as improve water quality and provide new wildlife habitat and more equitable access to recreational resources.

Assistance for States, Territories and Tribal Nations

Beyond the national competition, FEMA selected an additional 600 projects totaling $208 million. In addition to a maximum $2 million for every state and territory, these funds also include approximately $55 million for building code activities and $67 million for Tribal Nations. Another $116 million for states, Tribes, territories and the District of Columbia to administer these grants brings to the total to $1 billion. For a complete list of selections, visit FEMA.gov.

FEMA is also announcing 93 Tribes, local communities and territories across all 10 FEMA regions that will receive non-financial direct technical assistance to help build community-wide resilience through the BRIC program. This more than doubles the number of recipients from last year. Through the Direct Technical Assistance program, FEMA will provide guidance to disadvantaged communities facing climate risks to ensure no community is left behind in the opportunity to build climate resilience. For a full list of communities, visit FEMA.gov.

Trends in Equity, Extreme Heat, Nature-Based Solutions and Other Top Funded Projects

These selections further underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equity and environmental justice. These awards will assist the most disadvantaged communities in building resilience to climate change and extreme weather events like hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and extreme heat.

Extreme Heat: Among the 656 projects, 12 selections will mitigate the effects of extreme heat for a total of nearly $13 million. In addition to the shaded bus stops in Washington, D.C, other examples include providing resilient power systems to places like saferooms and senior living and medical facilities that provide climate control. Given the growing risks posed by extreme heat impacts, FEMA encourages more States, Tribes and territories to apply for extreme heat projects during future grant cycles.

Justice 40: Of the available funding, $587 million is benefitting Justice40 communities that are overburdened by pollution and marginalized by underinvestment. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative aims to deliver 40% of funding to these communities.  Since 2020, FEMA has seen an upward trend of exceeding its Justice40 goals. This year, disadvantaged communities accounted for 67% of the total selections and 70% of the national competition.

Community Disaster Resilience Zones: Additionally, $127 million will benefit Community Disaster Resilience Zones. The Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act — signed into law by President Biden in 2022 — allows FEMA to identify U.S. Census tracts that are most at risk from the effects of natural hazards and climate change.

Nature-Based Solutions: For this grant cycle, 57% of selected projects incorporate nature-based solutions — practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote resilience — across nine FEMA regions. About 84% of those nature-based solution projects will be in Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities, Community Disaster Resilience Zones or disadvantaged communities.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is releasing an update to the agency’s Marine Transportation System Resilience Assessment Guide (MTS Guide) with a new, more accessible web-based tool for stakeholders in the maritime domain. The Resilience Assessment Resource Matrix provides users of the MTS Guide with a curated list of more than 100 off-the-shelf tools, methods, data sources, and useful examples from various government agencies, research labs, industries, and academic institutions based on their selected scale, scope, and objective to better understand and plan resilience assessments of maritime infrastructure systems and functions. 

Released in May 2023, the MTS Guide provides a comprehensive methodology to facilitate resilience assessments across various aspects of the maritime domain. It offers valuable insights and tools for scoping and planning resilience assessments for individual ports, networks of ports, and the inland marine transportation system. The MTS Guide incorporates advanced analysis techniques and is supported by relevant case studies, which demonstrate real-world application. This resource enables stakeholders to make more informed decisions about strengthening resilience by enhancing their understanding and management of potential risks and challenges faced by the industry. 

Today’s update adds important new resources and tools to better evaluate and address the resilience of port networks as well as the inland marine transportation system.

For more information on the MTS Guide Executive Summary, visit Marine Transportation System Resilience Assessment Guide.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – This weekend, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a removal flight to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) of Chinese nationals. This was the first large charter flight since 2018 and was conducted in close coordination with the National Immigration Administration of the PRC. DHS continues to work with the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security and National Immigration Administration on additional removal flights.

DHS enforces our immigration laws and delivers tough consequences for those who do not have a lawful basis to remain, consistent with international obligations. On June 4, President Biden issued a Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of certain noncitizens across the Southern border. As a result, the Border Patrol’s 7-day encounter average has decreased more than 40%, and DHS has operated more than 120 international repatriation flights to more than 20 countries—including this one. A majority of all Southwest Border encounters during the past three fiscal years resulted in a removal, return, or expulsion.

“We will continue to enforce our immigration laws and remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “People should not believe the lies of smugglers.”

This removal flight is the result of Secretary Mayorkas’ continued efforts to engage the PRC on areas of mutual interest. Together, the United States and PRC are working to reduce and deter irregular migration and to disrupt illicit human smuggling through expanded law enforcement efforts. DHS regularly engages counterparts throughout the hemisphere and around the world to accept repatriations of nationals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States and take other steps to reduce irregular migration, promote safe, lawful, and orderly pathways, and hold transnational criminal networks accountable for abusing our lawful trade and travel systems and the smuggling and exploitation of vulnerable people. To that end, the United States also welcomes the recent announcement from Ecuador to require visas for passport holders from the PRC given smugglers’ efforts to exploit that route.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the United States and Panama announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin a new U.S. Department of State-funded foreign assistance program to address irregular migration in the region. This program will help the Panamanian government to remove foreign nationals who do not have a legal basis to remain in Panama. This assistance seeks to reduce unprecedented irregular migration through the Darien region, through which over 520,000 migrants transited in 2023. 

The new arrangement between the United States and Panama advances collaboration on migration management, including support for safe and effective Panamanian repatriation operations that include protection screening. The removal flight program is part of the comprehensive regional approach to address irregular migration. Due to the unique mission set, DHS will support training and capacity building to strengthen and institutionalize safe, humane repatriation processes in Panama. 

“Irregular migration is a regional challenge that requires a regional response,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “As the United States continues to secure our borders and remove individuals without a legal basis to remain, we are grateful for our partnership with Panama to manage the historic levels of migration across the Western Hemisphere.” 

Under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the United States is working with 21 partners throughout the region to take coordinated actions to promote stability, expand lawful pathways and provide individuals with options to stay where they are, and humanely manage borders throughout the Americas.   

DHS continues to enforce U.S. immigration laws and deliver tough consequences for those who do not have a lawful basis to remain in the United States, consistent with international obligations. On June 4, President Biden issued a Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of certain noncitizens across the Southern border. As a result, the Border Patrol’s 7-day encounter average has decreased more than 40%, and DHS has operated more than 120 international repatriation flights to more than 20 countries. A majority of all Southwest Border encounters during the past three fiscal years resulted in a removal, return, or expulsion.   

The United States continues to urge migrants seeking to come to the United States to take advantage of the lawful pathways and processes that have been made available and significantly expanded.  People should not put their lives in the hands of callous smugglers and cross our border unlawfully only to be removed. 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help Federally recognized Tribal Nations become more resilient to cyber threats

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), announced more than $18.2 million in Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP) awards to assist Tribal Nations with managing and reducing systemic cyber risk and threats. These are the first-ever Tribal Cybersecurity Grants to be awarded. The grant program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the more than 30 grant awards represent the largest number of awards ever provided by the Department to Tribal Nations in a single grant program.

“For far too long, Tribal Nations have faced digital and cybersecurity threats without the resources necessary to build resilience,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security’s first-ever Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program awards announced today – made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – will help tribes and tribal communities ensure they have the tools to assess risks, implement solutions, and increase cyber defenses.”

Digital threats impacting American Indian and Alaska Native tribes are increasing and becoming more complex, and tribal sovereignty creates unique cybersecurity challenges for these communities who have been consistently underfunded and under-resourced. This program is another example of a unified approach across DHS. This FEMA-administered program leverages CISA’s capabilities to support grant recipients.

“With these first-ever Tribal Cybersecurity Grants, we are not just addressing immediate needs, but also reinforcing the infrastructure that supports the sovereignty and resilience of Tribal Nations,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This funding, benefitting the largest number of tribal recipients to build cybersecurity resilience in FEMA’s history, is a testament to our dedication to a safer, more secure future for all communities.”

“These grants will help Tribal Nations combat the growing cyber threats they face every day and build resilience for their critical infrastructure,” CISA Director Jen Easterly said. “We’re proud to work with our federal partners to help Tribal Nations strengthen their cybersecurity.”

The Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program will fund efforts to establish critical governance frameworks for Tribal Nations to address cyber threats and vulnerabilities, identify key vulnerabilities and evaluate needed capabilities, implement measures to mitigate the threats, and develop a 21st-century cyber workforce across local communities.

All Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program recipients are required to participate in a limited number of free services provided by CISA. These services are:

• Cyber Hygiene Vulnerability Scanning – Evaluates external network presence by continuous scanning public, static internet protocol (IPs) for accessible services and vulnerabilities.
   
• Nationwide Cybersecurity Review – A free, anonymous, annual self-assessment designed to measure gaps and capabilities of a recipient’s cybersecurity programs.

The grants will significantly improve national resilience to cyber threats by giving Tribal Nations much-needed resources to address network security and take steps to protect against cybersecurity risks to help them strengthen their communities. In addition, federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for millions more in tribal cybersecurity funding that will be announced later this year.

On Sept. 27, 2023, FEMA published the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) and since then received a total of 73 applications totaling $56,553,628 in funding requests. The awardees announced today are:

For more information and resources on the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program, visit CISA’s Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program page and FEMA’s Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program page.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

On June 26, 2024, high school and college students led the movement to protect their local communities as they showcased their ideas to prevent targeted violence and terrorism during the Invent2Prevent (I2P) Spring 2024 competition finals.  

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), I2P empowers youth to play a pivotal role in preventing targeted violence and creating more resilient local communities. The student teams presented their projects to judges from academia, education, and government sectors to win funds to further their initiatives.   

“Preventing targeted violence is a top priority for the Department of Homeland Security, and we are committed to working with and empowering our partners across the nation to do so,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo. “The Invent2Prevent program is a critical part of this work, and this event demonstrates our support for youth-led initiatives to develop innovative, community-based programs to reduce targeted violence and terrorism at campuses and communities across the country.” 

During the final event, the University of Maryland College Park won at the collegiate level, and Penn Manor High School won at the high school level.  

The University of Maryland’s project, infOasis, equips teens with the media literacy skills needed to engage with digital content thoughtfully, critically, and responsibly. “I’m so thankful for such an amazing opportunity to help enhance our homeland security and make a tangible impact on my peers,” said Zoe Cross, University of Maryland student. “infOasis has a such a bright future ahead of it and I can’t wait to continue the mission of empowering teens through critical thinking skills.” 

Penn Manor High School’s project, Friday Fun, transforms study halls into periods for students and teachers to engage in prosocial activities to decrease stress and social isolation. “I2P not only widened our perspectives, but it was inspiring as young people to be included in the conversation of how to protect our communities,” Fatuma Mussa, Penn Manor High School student said. 

In total, students from 53 universities and high schools competed nationwide for the Spring 2024 competition. Each team identified opportunities to improve the health and wellness of their schools, campuses, and communities and then developed a relevant initiative to decrease the likelihood of violence. 

“I’m so inspired by the students who participated in the spring competition at a challenging time for schools and universities,” said CP3 Director Bill Braniff. “Targeted violence and terrorism are preventable, and these students showed us and the rest of the nation that by investing in strengths, like coping skills, critical thinking, relationship building, heightened community awareness, and physical and mental wellness we can sow the seeds of prevention.” 

Since Invent2Prevent began in 2021, more than 1,200 students have participated, representing 119 universities across 33 states and the District of Columbia, along with 138 high schools from 26 states.  

Previous I2P finalists have applied for a year-long sustainment program to build on their projects’ successes. So far, 13 collegiate teams have participated in the sustainment program. One past winner that participated in the sustainment program, George Washington University (GWU), won third place with its Talk with Me: Debate to Deflate Hate project in 2023. The sustainment program helped to create a nationwide debate competition to combat hate and promote civil discourse.  

As a part of the competition, four educators and approximately 50 college and high school students submitted written arguments for how best to address hateful rhetoric in schools while respecting free speech and academic freedom. During lunch hour of the Spring I2P final, the top two students with the best speeches debated live for prize money on whether social media poses a detriment to national security or protects lives.  

I2P finalists can also apply for a DHS CP3 Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant to further increase their impact. So far, more than $2.6 million in grants have been awarded to support and sustain student-developed programs.  

The following are the complete results for the Spring 2024 final competition: 

University Competition  

1st Place, University of Maryland College Park: The team developed infOasis to fill the critical gaps in media literacy education. The project created a unique set of online toolkits with interactive modules and fun, modern mini games to enhance media literacy skills. The toolkit is free and accessible for everyone, but undergraduate college students are the target demographic. Many college students struggle to detect manipulative content due to the volume of information they are exposed to when entering college. Through this hands-on learning experience, InfOasis helps students gain and apply critical thinking skills when consuming or creating media.  

2nd Place, Missouri State University: The team created the C.R.A.N.E. Project (Creating Resilient Atmospheres through Natural Exercise) to prevent bullying and social isolation in schools through physical exercise. Research has shown that students who feel lonely can also have an associated increase in aggressive behavior or a lack of inhibition. This tool helps students release anger or negative thoughts in a healthier way by participating in yoga or martial arts. Teachers received videos of yoga and martial arts by certified instructors to share with their students and were educated on the benefits of mindfulness. The project focuses on 4th-8th grade students because the team found that they are most susceptible to issues like social isolation and anxiety and need effective coping mechanisms.  

3rd Place, Ohio Dominican University: The team’s Shelve the Hate: a Toolkit for Action project empowers librarians to play a pivotal role in the fight against targeted violence and online mobilization to violence. SHELVE stands for See, Hear, Evaluate, Learn, Voice, and Empower – a call to action to educate today’s youth and raise awareness about preventing this violence. The toolkit provides resources, ideas, guides, graphics, research, and links to national organizations that share ways to prevent targeted violence. Through a website, middle school, high school, college, and community librarians can share these tools with fellow educators, parents, and students. In this way, the project seeks to empower libraries as a natural gathering place to centralize prevention efforts.  

High School Competition  

1st Place, Penn Manor High School: The team’s Friday Fun project seeks to create positive emotions among students and teachers to reduce stress and social isolation. High school students and teachers engaged in prosocial activities, like group games, friendship-making bracelets, door-decorating, “Fast Friends” BINGO, and pet-therapy. The project is based on the broaden and build theory in positive psychology, which suggests that when people enjoy themselves, they tend to feel positive emotions, which can increase their well-being and resilience. Through these activities, the team seeks to create connections and a sense of community, protective factors that can decrease the likelihood of violence. They hope to use this as an opportunity to increase awareness of mental health and the importance of checking-in on peers.   

2nd Place, Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women: The team’s Bridging the Gap project aims to reduce tension between youth of color and police officers in downtown Brooklyn, New York. A survey of 116 students at the school showed that over 90% did not feel safe in the presence of police officers. To lower this tension, the student team created unique one-pagers and presentations for 500 students and 30 officers that explain the need for improving relationships and how to do so. The team also held a field day event for students and officers where they were able to break down barriers, begin to form relationships, and create a safer and more resilient community.  

3rd Place, Englewood S.T.E.M. High School: The team created Mind Over Mad-Her as an anti-violence initiative to reduce female-on-female bullying in high school. It seeks to bring young women together by identifying and celebrating their commonalities and differences. The team made zero-cost group therapy available to both victims and perpetrators of female bullying. This therapy supports the development of positive coping skills and empathy that offset negative feelings. The project supports young women to recognize how traumatic experiences can subconsciously influence the way they handled anxiety and insecurity.   

If you are interested in having your school participate in future competitions, please contact CP3StrategicEngagement@hq.dhs.gov for more information on how to apply and create a project.  

References herein to non-governmental organizations are for informational purposes only. References do not constitute an official endorsement of the organization or project, its work, or its product or services by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or Federal Government.   

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

On 20-21 June 2024, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union hosted the EU-U.S. Ministerial Meeting on Justice and Home Affairs in Brussels. The United States was represented by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Under Secretary for Homeland Security Robert Silvers. The European Union was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, as well as the Belgian Minister for Justice, Paul Van Tigchelt, the Minister for the Interior, Annelies Verlinden, and the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor. The meeting reaffirmed the strong transatlantic bonds and the joint commitment to a regular dialogue and close cooperation on Justice and Home Affairs, including on transnational organized crime, terrorism, irregular migration, and support to Ukraine.

The meeting made clear the commitment of both parties to transatlantic cooperation in addressing the global threat posed by drug trafficking. Discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to reinforce the resilience of logistical hubs and to deepen bi-regional international law enforcement and judicial cooperation, including on cocaine and synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl.

The European Union and the United States reaffirmed their unwavering long-term support to Ukraine as it bravely defends itself against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression, including through enhanced cooperation in the pursuit of justice, as well as enforcement of sanctions and export controls. In light of the G7 Justice Ministers’ Pledge to support Anti-Corruption efforts for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, they also reconfirmed their intent to continue joint endeavors in providing support to Ukraine on strengthening rule of law, justice reforms and anti-corruption efforts, as Ukraine advances on its European path.

Both sides also focused on addressing irregular migration, with a view to fight migrant smuggling and trafficking networks, building on the call to action of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling launched in November 2023.

Both sides welcomed further progress on the negotiations for an EU-U.S. agreement facilitating access to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings, and look forward to advancing and completing those negotiations. They also reiterated their commitment to combat child sexual abuse.

The European Union and the United States discussed their common efforts to counter terrorism, including the importance of information sharing, and addressed radicalization and the nexus with disinformation. Participants also exchanged views on supporting inclusive and resilient democracies and addressing foreign malign influence, which requires concerted efforts and appropriate tools.

Finally, both sides reiterated their commitment to transatlantic visa free travel for all citizens of the European Union and the United States.

Recalling the progress made and the need to face global challenges together, the European Union and the United States committed to continue their constructive dialogue and meet again in Poland in the first half of 2025.