Department+Of+Homeland+Security



Missions Statement- This Department of Homeland Security’s overriding and urgent mission is to lead the unified national effort to secure the country and preserve our freedoms.

Janet Napolitano-Secretary, Jane Holl Lute-Chief of Staff for Operations, Jan Lesher-Chief of Staff for Policy, Noah Kroloff- General Counsel (acting)

10 arrested during ICE-led operation in concord targeting gang members arrests include members and associates of ms-13 and brown pride street gangs. (April 2, 2009) (www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0904/090402concord.htm)

In N.C. ten foreign gang members with connections to violent acts were arrested yesterday after an ice operation. The operation was after foreign-born members. Of those arrested nine are nationals of mexico and one is from El salvador. They are all in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody. ICE felt that removing these street gang members would be an important step towards public security in North Carolina. There are still many transnational street gangs thriving throughout many areas of the united states, including suburban and rural areas. Most of these gangs are involved in crimes like robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and murder. ICE is working with law enforcement agencies on local, state, and federal levels in an ongoing initiative called Operation Community Shield to ensure further public safety.

Border Patrol Agents Work with Texas Troopers to Arrest 28 illegal aliens (April 8, 2009) (www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/04082009_10.xml)

Agents in Texas are working together to capture 28 illegal aliens. It began when agents working at the checkpoint located north laredo performed an immigration inspection of the tractor trailer driver. The agents decided to make another inspection of the vehicle and instructed to move the truck to a suggested area. Instead of following the directions the driver went another way. Agents pursued the truck to stop and they had to seize the truck. Troopers deployed spikes to stop the vehicle and it eventually stopped. The truck was searched and 28 illegal immigrants were found in the trailer. Everyone was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

21 Cuban Nationals indicted on alien smuggling charges(March 5, 2009) (http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0903/090305miami.htm)

21 Cuban Nationals have been indicted on alien smuggling charges and other related offenses. They attempted smuggling over 151 foreign nationals into the United States. The attempt was discovered during a U.S. ICE led investigation. 13 separate indictments were issued to a variety of different defendents. As a result of the efforts of ICE in their recent investigation, the number of indictments for alien smuggling increased from 125 to 217 in 2008. In 2007, there were only 60 indictments and 113 defendants.

Recommendation to President Obama I think Obama should try and beef up the borders so the amount of illegal aliens decreases. A lot of the illegal aliens are involved in crime because they have no way of getting work not being an american citizen. Most of them get involved in some way of crime to get money for them to live off of. Homeland Security needs many people involved otherwise the aliens will always beable to migrate over here. I do not think there is enough people involved on trying to stop the aliens from coming in to the usa. Just adding more checkpoints on the way across the border would help a little. Also should provide more thourough scans of the vehicles passing the border to try and stop them right on the spot.

President Obama should use more of their money to reinforcing there homeland security crew. Having more people at the borders could stop many from getting in. They should have full scans of the cars and the people in them everytime they cross a border to make sure that they are not trying to get in the country illegaly. We should also deport more aliens because not all of them are being deported only some of them. I do not think they should be allowed in illegaly and action should be taken place to prevent this problem.

(April 29, 2009) Testimony by Secretary Napolitano to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Federal Coordination in Response to the H1N1 Flu Outbreak (http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/testimony/testimony_1235577134817.shtm)

Secretary Of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano spoke to the senate today about the growing H1N1 (Swine Flu) flu outbreak. She spoke on how it was a cause for concern, but not panic. President Obama agrees there is a lot that is unknown about the outbreak and it is not known whether it will be a true pandemic. However, Napolitano explained that the Department of Homeland Security is taking aggressive action to deter outbreaks in school systems and restore confidence in pork products which are said to be safe. Also, Homeland Security is working close with the CDC to issue warnings for travel to mexico and check for ill crewmembers in the TSA. The department is also releasing 25% of the 50 million antivirals stockpiled. Napolitano concluded her statement with saying that securing the country is a responsibility every american must take in the months to come.

(May 4, 2009) Confirmed cases of H1N1 virus approach 1,000 ([])

There is growing concern from the healthcare community that the swine flu outbreak could gain a considerable amount of momentum in the weeks to come. Mexico, the epicenter of the virus, has had 509 cases and 19 fatalities that have been confirmed by the World Health Organization. Despite the large number of cases and growing concern globally, Mexican health officals have stated that the virus is in its declining phase. WHO officals have urged people to be careful although there are signs that the virus could be declining. Some have compared the H1N1 virus to the 1918 spanish flu which declined in the spring, only to return and claim over 40 million lives. Officals urge the public to not be overly concerned, but also not complacent with the situation. There is a large risk of an increase in momentum during the upcoming fall.

Officials Begin to Ease Up on Precautions (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124147750870285021.html) (May 5, 2009)

Officials across the U.S. have cut back some of the initial precautions taken to stop the spread of the new H1N1 influenza strain. Growing evidence has suggested that most cases of the virus have been somewhat mild. The CDC is currently considering reversing some of the regulations and closings put on public schools. Closing schools is said to be effective in slowing down disease spread but school officials are beginning to question whether or not the school time is worth losing. Many districts have begun to close individual schools that have a high risk of contagion rather than entire school districts.

Recommendation to President Obama

The H1N1 (or swine flu) virus is a serious concern that needs further research and control in order to assure homeland security. I would advise President Obama to continue precautions and encourage CDC participation to ensure that public offices and schools remain free of infection. I would also urge Obama to advise the public to continue taking precautions whenever possible to prevent further spread of the virus. Although there are signs that the virus is beginning to decrease in intensity, it is still a serious problem and should be continually treated in a very cautious manner.

I believe Obama should continue to advocate government sponsored education on reducing the risk of contagion between classmates in schools and colleagues in the workplace. Although many Americans know the importance of cleanliness throughout the day, these programs surely reinforce the idea and compel more people to practice cleanliness during this risky time. Obama should also continue working on getting as many antivirals as possible stockpiled.

Obama should be alert and attentive to the changes that the H1N1 influenza strain may undergo. Some health officials have suggested that it may follow the pattern of the Spanish Influenza of 1918, which began in Spring then came back with much more intensity in the following fall. This strain caused a global pandemic that claimed millions of lives. The executive branch needs to pay careful attention to any potentially disastrous virus, especially one that can be so infectious.

Questions

1. What is the name of the Department of Homeland Security supported agency that works on enforcing immigration and customs laws?

2. What is another name for the Swine Flu virus?

Budget- The 2009 budget for the Department Of Homeland Security is $50.5 billion. The main issues that the resources will be focused on for 2009 are protecting the nation from dangerous goods and people, protecting critical infrastructure, enhancing emergency response systems, and strengthening and unifying DHS management. Nuclear detection research and BioWatch are two new programs designed to help strengthen the nations protection against dangerous goods. Securing flight, law enforcment training, and border patrol are three important issues that the DHS intends to fund to secure the nation from dangerous people. New funding for FEMA's disaster workforce and new counterterrorist measures are issues that are also getting significant funding increases in order to protect infrastructure and strengthen emergency response.

History- Before 9/11/01 the Department stretched across the U.S. with more than 40 federal agencies. On September 20, 2001 President Bush addressed a joint session of congress in order to create an office of Homeland Security in the White house to coordinate state and federal law enforcement and develop counterterrorist strategies. Over the next few years, the Department's budget increased in order to continue efforts to strengthen security within the nation. SInce then, the department has broadened it's departments to include issues like narcotics and civil rights. After Hurricane Katrina, the Departments policies were reorganized once again to include more easily accessible emergency response. The most recent addition to Homeland Security has been the Cyber Security Center which monitors information shared across the web.