Category: Homeland Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Burma for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from May 26, 2024, to November 25, 2025, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Burma that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about how to register as a new first-time applicant or current beneficiary for TPS under Burma’s extension and redesignation.

After consultation with interagency partners, Secretary Mayorkas determined that an 18-month TPS extension and redesignation are warranted because conditions that support Burma’s TPS designation are ongoing. Burma’s democratically elected civilian government was overthrown in a military coup on February 1, 2021, giving rise to further widespread violence that continues to put individuals in Burma at significant risk. Burma also continues to face challenges in the provision of food, access to health care, and economic stability. 

Accompanying this announcement is a Special Student Relief notice for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Burma 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.

The extension of TPS for Burma allows approximately 2,300 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through November 25, 2025, if they continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements. The redesignation of Burma for TPS allows an estimated 7,300 additional nationals of Burma (or individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Burma) to file initial applications to obtain TPS, if they are otherwise eligible and if they established residence in the United States on or before March 21, 2024, and have continued to reside in the United States since then.

Re-registration is limited to individuals who previously registered for and were granted TPS under Burma’s prior designation. Current beneficiaries under TPS for Burma must re-register in a timely manner during the 60-day re-registration period from March 25, 2024, through May 24, 2024, to ensure they keep their TPS and employment authorization.

The Department of Homeland Security recognizes that not all re-registrants may receive a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before their current EAD expires and is automatically extending through May 25, 2025, the validity of EADs previously issued under Burma’s TPS designation. When the registration period for TPS for Burma opens on March 25, 2024, new registrants who are granted TPS and who filed an approved Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, under this announcement for extension and redesignation will be issued an EAD for 18 months that will be valid through November 25, 2025.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to process pending applications filed under previous TPS designations for Burma. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a related Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, as of March 25, 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 Burma, USCIS will grant the individual TPS through November 25, 2025, and issue an EAD valid through the same date.

Under the redesignation of Burma, 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 March 25, 2024, through November 25, 2025. 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. 

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. 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The first step in this focused initiative includes an analysis of similarities and differences between the recommendations of the DHS Report on Harmonization of Cyber Incident Reporting to the Federal Government, and the cybersecurity incident reporting framework under the NIS 2 Directive in the EU

WASHINGTON – Today, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and European Commission’s Directorate General for Communications, Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CONNECT) announced an initiative to compare cyber incident reporting elements that will inform cyber incident reporting requirements by the US, and European Union (EU) under the NIS 2 Directive. This transatlantic collaboration between the US and EU builds on their efforts to secure their people, critical infrastructure, and businesses against detrimental cyber activities.

The joint report developed by DHS and DG CONNECT, with support from their respective cybersecurity agencies, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the European Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), provides a comparative assessment and factual overview of recommendations from the U.S. Cyber Incident Reporting Council and the 2023 DHS report on Harmonization of Cyber Incident Reporting to the Federal Government and EU’s Directive 2022/2555 on measures for high level of cybersecurity across the Union (i.e., NIS 2 Directive) by identifying the main similarities and divergences. The findings in this report will help inform DHS and DG CONNECT’s approach to evaluating cyber incident reporting processes in the future. The report identifies six main areas for comparative analysis between the DHS’s report and the EU’s Directive, including: (i) definitions and reporting thresholds, (ii) timelines, triggers and types of cyber incident reporting, (iii) contents of cyber incident reports, (iv) reporting mechanisms, (v) aggregation of incident data, and (vi) public disclosure of cyber incident information.

“Cyber incidents do not recognize borders and multinational companies are often required to report incidents across numerous jurisdictions. We are committed to harmonizing incident reporting rules domestically and with like-minded partners like the European Union whenever feasible. Our approach will allow governmental authorities to get the information they need to provide cyber defense while streamlining the process for victim organizations,” said Robert Silvers, DHS Under Secretary for Policy and Chair of the Cyber Incident Reporting Council.

“With the new NIS 2 Directive we created streamlined and future- proof European baseline cybersecurity rules, including on incident reporting, to the benefit of all stakeholders. Across the Atlantic, we seek to work together to compare relevant reporting requirements, including the form or format of information requested seeking ways to minimize the administrative burden on reporting entities,” said Roberto Viola, EC Director-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology.

This initiative – which aligns with the 2024 Joint Statement between Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton –marks the beginning of a process to align transatlantic cyber incident reporting where feasible. DHS & DG CONNECT invite industry from both the US and EU to share their input and reactions to our joint collaboration and approach to evaluating cyber incident reporting processes.

“This domain is critical as relevant government authorities must have access to information about cyber incidents that impact their citizens or otherwise raise safety and security concerns. Moreover, we recognize that over the next months, both the United States and the European Union will continue the work to put mandatory reporting regimes into effect, including by implementing more precise provisions on the process for incident reporting, content of the reports and timelines. It is important to stay connected on these issues and align where possible,” added Lorena Boix Alonso, EC Director for Digital Society, Trust and Cybersecurity.

“Over the next year our teams plan to continue our cooperation on a more technical level, including by mapping elements such as cybersecurity incident taxonomies, reporting templates, and the content of reports and formats. We will conduct an in-depth crosswalk of the DHS-developed Model Reporting Form against the NIS 2 required contents of reports to identify where there is overlap and disparities in the types of data being requested. As we continue these efforts moving forward, we must remain agile and adapt to the quickly evolving cyber threat landscape as nothing remains static in our digital world for long,” said Iranga Kahangama, DHS Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience.

The Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA), signed into law by President Biden in 2022, established the Cyber Incident Reporting Council (CIRC), led by DHS to “coordinate, deconflict, and harmonize Federal incident reporting requirements, including those issued through regulations.” The CIRC, which is chaired by DHS and includes representation from more than 30 agencies, outlined a series of actionable recommendations on how the U.S. Government can streamline and harmonize the reporting of cyber incidents to better protect the nation’s critical infrastructure. In 2023, DHS provided a report to Congress including recommendations of the Council entitled Harmonization of Cyber Incident Reporting to the Federal Government.

In January 2023, the NIS 2 Directive entered into force, giving EU Member States 21 months to transpose it into national law. The NIS 2 Directive builds on the requirements of its predecessor, Directive (EU) 2016/1148, concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union (the NIS Directive), in force since 2016, but it raises the EU common level of ambition on cyber-security, through a wider scope, clearer rules and stronger supervision tools. The NIS 2 Directive harmonizes, strengthens, and streamlines security and incident reporting requirements for a larger number of entities, which are critical for the European economy and society.

The full report is available on DHS.gov.

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

In partnership with the City of New Orleans, with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), is hosting a multiday readiness event from Monday, March 18, through Friday, March 22. The purpose of this initiative is continuous collaboration, preparedness, and improvements for local, state, and federal first responders to address tactical, radiological, nuclear, and chemical scenarios and to enhance future operations.  

The City of New Orleans will remain proactive in ensuring continued public safety preparations for all major special events, such as Mardi Gras and the upcoming Super Bowl LIX, slated for Feb. 9, 2025. For instance, Mardi Gras is a designated Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) 2 event. SEAR ratings determine the risk level for events that may be considered potential threat targets and help to determine the security resources needed. This SEAR 2 rating allowed the City to receive additional federal support and public safety resources. 

“CWMD and DHS have a proud history of leading federal efforts – in close coordination with state and local officials – to ensure the public safety during special events, such as the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras,” said Assistant Secretary for CWMD Mary Ellen Callahan. “Providing equipment and training to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement and first responders is one of CWMD’s primary functions to protect the nation from weapons of mass destruction. We truly appreciate the City of New Orleans’ inclusion in this exercise and their proactive steps to ensure their readiness for Super Bowl LIX.” 

“The City of New Orleans is proud to host our state and federal partners for these critical exercises and discussions,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “As all our major cultural events continue to draw larger crowds, and as we prepare for Super Bowl LIX, it is vital that our local agencies remain in lockstep with all partners at the table. These preparations are necessary to continue to demonstrate how New Orleans is an international model for hosting and executing major events and festivals safely and successfully.” 

DHS’s CWMD spearheaded coordination efforts for this week’s initiative, working closely with approximately 13 federal, state, and local public safety agencies within New Orleans. Together, they identified operational needs, aligned strategic goals, and devised a comprehensive event for the entire region. 

To ensure seamless integration and consistency across events, DHS’s CWMD collaborated with regional partners, meticulously selecting scenarios that would test and enhance preparedness for multiple potential threats. 

The weeklong event in New Orleans will showcase the collaborative efforts from every level of the nation’s protective infrastructure, from local first responders to federal assets. It aims to bring agencies together under realistic conditions, promoting a managed, coordinated response. This achievement underscores the importance of professional relationships across agencies, collaborative support within the National Response Framework, and the diligent pursuit of bringing all stakeholders together. 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announces today the availability of the Repository for Software Attestation and Artifacts that software producers who partner with the federal government can use to upload software attestation forms and relevant artifacts. Last week, CISA and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced the secure software development attestation form, which enables software producers serving the federal government to attest to implementation of specific security practices.  

Software integrity is key to protecting federal systems from malicious cyber actors seeking to disrupt our nation’s critical functions. This new repository will help federal agencies employ software from producers that attest to using sound secure development practices.  

“Software underpins nearly every service our government delivers on behalf of the American people. This is why CISA and our partners are working to transform federal cybersecurity practices by advancing strong software development security practices for the software upon which Americans depend,” said Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Eric Goldstein. “The repository for software attestation and artifacts will enable a standardized process for agencies and software producers that provides transparency on the security of software development. We look forward to further refining the process to continue elevating software security across the federal enterprise.”   

OMB Memorandum M-22-18,” Enhancing the Security of the Software Supply Chain through Secure Software Development Practices,” and OMB Memorandum M-23-16, “Update to Memorandum M-22-18,” limit agencies’ ability to use software that is not developed using secure practices. The attestation form will allow software producers to confirm that they follow those practices. 

For more information, please visit: Secure Software Development Attestation Form. 

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.   

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

DHS Will Launch Three Pilot Projects to Test AI Technology to Enhance Immigration Officer Training, Help Communities Build Resilience and Reduce Burden for Applying for Disaster Relief Grants, and Improve Efficiency of Law Enforcement Investigations 

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Chief Information Officer and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen announced the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) first “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap.” The roadmap details DHS’s 2024 plans, including to test uses of the technologies that deliver meaningful benefits to the American public and advance homeland security, while ensuring that individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties are protected.  

As part of the roadmap, DHS announced three innovative pilot projects that will deploy AI in specific mission areas.  Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will test AI to enhance investigative processes focused on detecting fentanyl and increasing efficiency of investigations related to combatting child sexual exploitation.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will deploy AI to help communities plan for and develop hazard mitigation plans to build resilience and minimize risks.  And, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use AI to improve immigration officer training.  

“The unprecedented speed and potential of AI’s development and adoption presents both enormous opportunities to advance our mission and risks we must mitigate,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The DHS AI roadmap and pilots will guide our efforts this year to strengthen our national security, improve our operations, and provide more efficient services to the American people, while upholding our commitment to protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy. What we learn from the pilot projects will be beneficial in shaping how the Department can effectively and responsibly use AI across the homeland security enterprise moving forward.” 

The roadmap lays out DHS’s initiatives in AI, describes the potential of AI technologies across the Department, and offers clearer visibility into the Department’s approach to AI, while underscoring the Department’s commitment to responsible utilization. 

The AI roadmap outlines three lines of effort DHS is using to guide its work:  

• Responsibly leverage AI to advance Homeland Security missions while protecting individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties – DHS is committed to ensuring that its use of AI fully respects privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights, is rigorously tested to avoid bias, disparate impact, privacy harms, and other risks, and that it is understandable to the people we serve. 
   
• Promote Nationwide AI Safety and Security – Advances in AI will revolutionize the delivery of essential goods and services upon which Americans rely. AI can create tremendous efficiencies and benefits for citizens, but it can also present new and novel risks. To protect U.S. cyber networks and critical infrastructure, DHS will help govern the safe and responsible development and use of AI. 
   
• Continue to lead in AI through strong cohesive partnerships – DHS will foster strong relationships with private sector, academia, State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal  governments, international partners, non-government organizations, research institutions, and thought leaders to accelerate the development and deployment of AI solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by the DHS. In line with the DHS’s commitment to transparency and visibility into the Department’s vision for AI and to ensuring responsible use, DHS will continue to share information and engage with communities, advocates, and partners to demonstrate responsible AI use.  

 DHS’s three new pilot programs will allow the Department to assess the efficacy of AI in improving its mission capabilities. Each pilot team is partnering with privacy, cybersecurity, and civil rights and civil liberties experts throughout their development and evaluation process. This work will inform Department-wide policies on AI governance. DHS offices and agencies submitted dozens of proposals for consideration to the Chief AI Officer, who selected three pilots that would best support evaluating the effectiveness of Large Language Models (LLM) and Generative AI technology at DHS. 

The new pilot programs announced today will:   

• Transform Security Investigative Processes, Unlock Data-Driven Insights, and Improve Mission Outcomes – HSI’s pilot project will strengthen their investigative processes by introducing a LLM-based system designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of summaries investigators rely upon. The LLM-based system will leverage open-source technologies to allow investigators to more quickly summarize and search for contextually relevant information within investigative reports. The pilot could lead to increases in detection of fentanyl-related networks, aid in identification of perpetrators and victims of child exploitation crimes, and surface key patterns and trends that could further HSI’s vital work. 
   
• Bolster Planning Assistance for Resilient Communities – FEMA will launch a GenAI pilot to create efficiencies for the hazard mitigation planning process for local governments, including underserved communities. Hazard mitigation plans are not only a foundational step that communities can take to build their resilience but can be lengthy to produce and challenging for communities that lack resources to do so. The pilot will specifically support State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial governments’ understanding of how to craft a plan that identifies risks and mitigation strategies as well as generate draft plan elements—from publicly-available, well-researched sources — that governments could customize to meet their needs. This pilot could lead to more communities having the ability to submit grant applications for funding to become more resilient and reduce disaster risks.  
   
• Enhance Immigration Officer Training through Generative AI – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is developing an interactive application that uses GenAI to improve the way the agency trains immigration officer personnel. USCIS will generate dynamic, personalized training materials that adapt to officers’ specific needs and ensure the best possible knowledge and training on a wide range of current policies and laws relevant to their jobs. The goal is to help enhance trainees’ understanding and retention of crucial information, increase the accuracy of their decisionmaking process, and limit the need for retraining over time.  

The roadmap and announcement of pilot programs are the latest in the Department’s ongoing AI initiatives.  

In February, Secretary Mayorkas and CIO Hysen announced the Department’s first-ever hiring sprint to recruit 50 AI technology experts to help build teams that will help better leverage AI responsibly across strategic areas of the homeland security enterprise. These include efforts to counter fentanyl, combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, deliver immigration services, secure travel, fortify our critical infrastructure, and enhance our cybersecurity. DHS has received a strong response to date and is in the process of reviewing. interviewing, and hiring AI technologists to support mission-enhancing initiatives. The Department continues to accept applications on dhs.gov/AI. 

Last year, DHS established the Department’s first AI Task Force and named CIO Hysen its first Chief AI Officer. Informed by the Task Force’s work over the past 11 months, DHS has identified areas where AI can enhance the effectiveness of the Department’s efforts — helping pave the way for this roadmap and these new projects. The Task Force’s focus is on DHS’s entire mission space. For instance, it is working to enhance the integrity of our supply chains and the broader trade environment by helping deploy AI to improve cargo screening, the identification of imported goods produced with forced labor, and risk management. The Task Force is also charged with using AI to better detect fentanyl shipments, identify and interdict the flow of precursor chemicals around the world, and disrupt key nodes in criminal networks.  

The Department’s latest efforts follow President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,” signed in October2023. The EO directed DHS to promote the adoption of AI safety standards globally, protect U.S. networks and critical infrastructure, reduce the risks that AI can be used to create weapons of mass destruction, combat AI-related intellectual property theft, and help the United States attract and retain skilled talent, among other missions. The President has directed DHS to establish an AI Safety and Security Advisory Board to support the responsible development of AI. This Board will bring together preeminent industry experts from AI hardware and software companies, leading research labs, critical infrastructure entities, and the U.S. government. This Board will issue recommendations and best practices for an array of AI use cases to ensure AI deployments are secure and resilient. 

To read the DHS AI Roadmap, visit: AI Roadmap | Homeland Security (dhs.gov).  

To learn more about how DHS uses AI technologies to protect the homeland, visit Artificial Intelligence at DHS.  

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Public Awareness Blue Campaign Nearly Doubled National Partnerships in Last Fiscal Year 

DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking Releases FY 2023 Annual Report

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its third Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) Annual Report, highlighting the Department’s successful efforts to train more than 275,000 individuals, including aviation and transportation personnel, law enforcement partners, and nonprofit organizations, to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and take action to stop this heinous crime. The Annual Report outlines the Department’s role as a global leader in the fight against human trafficking through a wide range of efforts including victim identification and assistance, criminal investigations, civil enforcement actions, intelligence and analysis, training and public education, and external outreach.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the Department of Homeland Security expanded efforts to educate the public on human trafficking. CCHT led 135 training and outreach events for the DHS workforce and law enforcement partners with more than 14,000 participants. The Blue Campaign hosted 194 public awareness trainings with 19,626 participants from the federal government, non-governmental organizations, law enforcement, and general public – more than double the number conducted in the previous fiscal year. The Blue Campaign launched 63 new partnerships – a 46% increase over FY22 – including with higher education associations like Florida International University and Phoenix Dream Center, the nation’s largest human trafficking recovery program for young adults. 

By further expanding our trainings and partnerships and educating more of the public than the previous year, CCHT has better positioned DHS to improve its counter human trafficking efforts, including investigating and prosecuting perpetrators. DHS agencies arrested 2,610 individuals for human trafficking-related offenses and assisted 731 human trafficking victims. DHS personnel supported 1,044 human trafficking-related indictments and their work led to 519 convictions.

“Human trafficking is more than a violation of law; the exploitation of vulnerable people is also a violation of our basic humanity,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We are bringing the full weight of our Department’s resources to bear in our fight against this heinous crime, rescuing victims and holding perpetrators accountable. The work of our Center for Countering Human Trafficking brings all of us in the Department together with our partners in communities across the country and the world to achieve this critical mission.”

“The CCHT Annual report represents more than just statistics and accomplishments,” said CCHT Director Cardell T. Morant. “This report reflects the continuous commitment of DHS, and our ongoing collaboration with our partners to advance counter-human trafficking law enforcement operations, protect victims and enhance prevention efforts through training and outreach.”

In FY2023:

• DHS Blue Campaign conducted 194 trainings on the indicators of human trafficking and how to report suspected cases, reaching more than 19,000 individuals.
• DHS Blue Campaign facilitated the training of more than 260,000 aviation personnel through Blue Lightning Initiative partnerships.
• DHS Blue Campaign’s online resources led to over 2,200 calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and HSI Tip Line via its “Click to Call” campaign.
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated 1,282 criminal investigations related to sex trafficking and forced labor, leading to 2,610 arrests.
• HSI approved Continued Presence for 382 individuals, allowing eligible trafficking victims to lawfully remain in the United States.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped 256 shipments of goods, valued at almost $7 million, suspected to have been made wholly or in part with forced labor.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services granted T nonimmigrant status to 2,181 victims of human trafficking and to 1,495 family members of victims.
• The U.S. Secret Service significantly increased the number of Ambassadors for the Childhood Smart program. These employee volunteers made over 700 presentations to children and adults on personal and internet safety, reaching over 43,900 individuals — an increase of 122% over FY 2022.

Launched in 2020, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking coordinates the efforts of 16 DHS offices and components to combat human trafficking through law enforcement operations, victim protection and support, intelligence and analysis, and public education and training programs. Through the Blue Campaign, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking leads the Department’s national public awareness effort to combat human trafficking.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is encouraged to report it to law enforcement – tips can be submitted anonymously online or by calling 866-347-2423. Individuals can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or humantraffickinghotline.org.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued the following statement regarding the European Union’s adoption of a regulation that would prohibit products made with forced labor from being sold in the European Union market.

“I applaud the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union for joining us in promoting responsible trade that protects and advances the rights of workers around the world. The regulation adopted across the European market will strengthen our joint enforcement efforts and make it harder for unscrupulous companies to profit from forced labor, while helping to ensure the resilience and predictability of our interconnected supply chains.

“Forced labor is a modern form of slavery, a monstrous affront to human rights and human decency that has no place in our supply chains or in those of our partners. The Department of Homeland Security is proud to lead the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to combat forced labor in our supply chains, help level the playing field for U.S. businesses, and work towards the eradication of forced labor across the world.

“DHS and our colleagues across the U.S. government will continue to work closely with our international partners to hold those who perpetrate forced labor practices accountable, and keep the global supply chain fair, just, and secure for all.” 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The FY 2025 Budget provides critical resources to combat terrorism, secure our borders, strengthen disaster resilience, continue investment in cybersecurity and promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and much more 

DHS needs Congress to pass the Senate’s bipartisan border security agreement, enabling DHS to hire more CBP, ICE, and USCIS personnel and provide new tools to fix our broken immigration system and help secure the border  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today submitted to Congress the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, which provides $62.2 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, the Budget provides $22.7 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to respond to major disasters and emergencies, and $4.7 billion for the Southwest Border Contingency Fund to resource border security and immigration enforcement efforts along the Southwest border. When accounting for the effects of the Southwest Border Contingency Fund, the Budget request for DHS is an increase of 10 percent above FY 2023. The budget includes a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) fee proposal that, if enacted, would decrease the discretionary funding request by $1.6 billion. 

However, DHS’s border security and immigration enforcement efforts along the Southwest border desperately require the additional funds requested by the Administration and included in the Senate’s bipartisan border security legislation, which would provide DHS with approximately $19 billion to fund additional personnel, facilities, repatriation capabilities, and other enforcement resources.

“The President’s Budget, in combination with the Senate’s bipartisan border security legislation, is vital to meeting the needs of our workforce and the challenges we face. The President’s Budget prioritizes staying ahead of the diverse and complex threats facing the homeland and highlights our unwavering dedication to protecting the security of the American people,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “This budget invests in our homeland security today and lays the groundwork to protect the American people well into the future. It supports efforts to advance the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence across DHS, as well as our work to protect against malicious cyber threats to Federal networks and critical infrastructure. The President’s Budget continues to invest in the security of our borders, even as we continue to call on Congress to pass the February bipartisan border security legislation to provide urgently needed resources and tools to our frontline personnel. It also includes funding to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and its precursors; protect the trade that is vital to our economic strength; build resilience to climate change and strengthen recovery from natural disasters; counter threats from the PRC and bolster our support for allies in the Indo-Pacific; and invest in the dedicated and professional workforce of the Department of Homeland Security.” 

At the Department of Homeland Security, the Budget will:  

Advance Our Mission to Combat Terrorism.  The President’s Budget supports the Department’s continued efforts to combat terrorism, both domestically and abroad.  The FY 2025 Budget funds the DHS Special Events Program, a critical program that gathers information on more than 57,000 special events, conducts risk assessments, coordinates Departmental and federal support thereto, and ensures that relevant information sharing occurs.  The FY 2025 Budget provides $25.9 billion to meet core budget requirements of critical funding to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This funding would support CBP’s mission to protect the Nation from acts of terrorism and criminality with constant vigilance at and between the Nation’s POEs. As the principal criminal investigative agency within the DHS, the funding would support ICE, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with overseeing its responsibility to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle terrorist networks threatening or exploiting the customs and immigration laws of the United States.  The President’s Budget also supports continued operational funding for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Operations, whose mission program encompasses activities to detect, deter, prevent, and disrupt terrorist attacks, and other criminal acts in the maritime domain. It includes antiterrorism, response, and select recovery operations.

Help Secure the Border and Facilitate Lawful Trade and Immigration. The President’s Budget provides critical resources to secure our border while enforcing immigration laws that safeguard Americans from national security and public safety threats and support a humane, orderly immigration system. The Budget provides $25.9 billion to meet core budget requirements of CBP and ICE. This funding provides $2.5 billion to ICE-HSI to enhance investigative capabilities to combat Transnational Criminal Organizations that engage in the smuggling of humans, narcotics including fentanyl, firearms, and money.  Additionally, the Budget invests $210 million to increase staffing capacity at the Southwest border, $86 million for CBP air and marine operational support, and $127 million for modernizing border security technology such as deploying new Integrated Surveillance Towers. The Budget also provides $145 million to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to support timely processing of up to 125,000 refugee cases.  

DHS reiterates previously submitted funding requests that are critical to secure the border, build immigration enforcement capacity, combat fentanyl and address domestic needs like natural disaster response, which Congress has failed to act on.  Among them, the October funding request, which includes $8.7 billion for border, immigration, and counter fentanyl requirements and $9.2 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Notably, the Administration’s border supplemental request includes funding to build capacity in the areas of border security, immigration enforcement, and countering fentanyl. DHS strongly supports the additional $19 billion in funding proposals included in the Senate’s bipartisan border legislation that would, among other things, enable DHS to hire more CBP agents and officers, ICE enforcement and investigative personnel, and USCIS asylum officers and provide new tools to bolster the Department’s efforts to secure and manage the border.  

Invest in Cybersecurity Protection and Emergency Communications. The President’s Budget continues to support the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s mission to secure cyberspace and protect against malicious threats capable of compromising and disrupting Federal networks and critical infrastructure. The Budget includes $3 billion for programs strengthening cybersecurity, infrastructure security, and emergency communications. Notably, $470 million is provided for the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program that enhances the overall security posture of federal networks and $116 million towards implementing the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act, which requires critical infrastructure entities to report cyberattacks. 

Responsibly Deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology. The FY 2025 Budget includes $5 million for the Department’s Chief AI Officer (CAIO). The CAIO is responsible for setting priorities and directing policies and oversight for the responsible use of AI across DHS. To support this work, last month, the Department announced its first-ever hiring sprint to recruit 50 AI technology experts in 2024. The new DHS “AI Corps” will leverage this new technology across priority missions of the homeland security enterprise including efforts to counter fentanyl, combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, secure travel, fortify our critical infrastructure, enhance our cybersecurity, and deliver immigration services.

Invest in a Disaster-Resilient Nation. The President’s Budget continues to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) mission to help people before, during, and after disasters. In addition to the $22.7 billion allocated to the Disaster Relief Fund, the Budget provides $3.2 billion in FEMA grants to improve disaster resilience and preparedness strategies at the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial government level. It also provides additional resources for community-wide climate resilience initiatives. This includes an increase of $51 million for Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis, which will further expand FEMA’s inventory and leverage those maps to help communities better prepare for future conditions. 

Protect the Homeland from Threats of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The President’s Budget supports the mission of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), which protects the country from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. The Budget provides $418 million to CWMD for its mission. This includes $181 million to fund programs supporting public and private sector organizations to improve technical capabilities and increase knowledge of CBRN threats. 

Increase Coast Guard Presence in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Budget provides $263 million to expand Coast Guard operations in the Indo-Pacific along three primary lines of effort: increased presence, maritime governance, and meaningful engagement. This investment supports acquisition of two Fast Response Cutters and increases training and engagement with partners, enabling the Service to transition from episodic to persistent presence in the region. 

Modernize TSA Pay and Workforce Policies. The President’s Budget continues to improve security effectiveness and efficiency and honor previous commitments to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) workforce to continue to pay them at a level that is commensurate to their general schedule federal counterparts. The Budget includes $1.5 billion to ensure TSA employees do not suffer a pay differential. In anticipation of an increase in aviation passenger volume in FY 2025, the Budget also provides $356 million for additional Transportation Security Officers to staff airport checkpoints and $90 million for Checkpoint Property Screening System programs to more reliably detect aviation threats.  

Secure Special Events and the 2024 Presidential Campaign. The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) continuously evaluates threats and reallocates resources based on the changing threat environment. The Budget includes $70 million for Secret Service operations related to the 2024 Presidential Election to ensure the safety of major candidates, nominees, their spouses, and nominating conventions.  It also provides USSS $16 million to procure necessary assets, personnel, and establish cross-agency communication centers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Finally, the Budget includes $19 million for other planned NSSEs that Secret Service is charged with protecting. 

For more information on the President’s FY 2025 Budget, please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/  

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna and two National Guardsmen.

“We are devastated by the tragic death of Border Patrol Agent Chris Luna, a heroic public servant who lost his life Friday in a helicopter crash while on a Border Patrol mission in Texas. Two National Guardsmen were also killed, and one National Guardsman was seriously injured.

“Every single day, our Border Patrol Agents place themselves in harm’s way so that the rest of us can be safe and secure. My thoughts, and the deepest condolences of our Department, are with Agent Luna’s family, loved ones, and colleagues, and with those of the National Guardsmen who lost their lives. We hope for the injured servicemember’s swift recovery, and hold our National Guard colleagues and their families in our thoughts as well.”

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued the following statement following U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton’s decision to allow the Biden-Harris Administration’s parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to continue.

“We are pleased that today’s court ruling means that the parole processes for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela will continue. These processes — a safe and orderly way to reach the United States — have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of these individuals encountered at our southern border.  It is a key element of our efforts to address the unprecedented level of migration throughout our hemisphere, and other countries around the world see it as a model to tackle the challenge of increased irregular migration that they too are experiencing.

“We will continue to deliver strengthened consequences for those who attempt to circumvent lawful pathways on land or at sea. Do not believe the lies of smugglers. Those who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States will be subject to prompt removal, a minimum five-year bar on admission, and potential criminal prosecution for unlawful reentry. Migrants should continue to use safe and orderly lawful pathways and processes that have been expanded under the Biden-Harris Administration.”