Secretary Napolitano Unveils Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request

The yearly federal budget process can seem overwhelming and frankly, a bit boring. A complicated series of numbers and investments submitted to Congress that - unless you've got a CPA - might not make a lot of sense, or even seem like they've got the slightest thing to do with you.  But the FY 2012 budget request unveiled today by Secretary Napolitano reveals dynamic priorities and efforts that will help protect our Nation from terrorism and threats, all while saving money for the American taxpayer - to the tune of over $800 million in efficiency and administrative savings.

And that's something we can all appreciate.

DHS' $57.0 billion fiscal year 2012 budget request is the culmination of major efforts taken to align DHS resources with a comprehensive strategy to meet our Nation's homeland security needs.  With the first ever Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, as well as the first ever Bottom-Up Review, the FY 2012 budget submission is phase 3 in our effort to strengthen the Department to ensure a safe, secure, and resilient homeland for you and your loved ones.

“On a daily basis, the Department of Homeland Security secures U.S. air, land, and sea borders; safeguards lawful trade and travel; secures federal networks; and disrupts and dismantles transnational criminal and terrorist organizations that engage in cross-border criminal activity,” said Secretary Napolitano. “The Department’s FY 2012 budget request allows us to continue to meet these evolving threats and challenges responsibly by prioritizing our essential operational requirements – while reflecting an unprecedented commitment to fiscal discipline that maximizes the effectiveness of every security dollar we receive.”

Secretary Napolitano unveiled several key priorities in the FY2012 Budget request:

Preventing Terrorism and Enhancing Security
From additional TSO's and Federal Air Marshals, to expanding watch list vetting at airports, to funding 12 new multi-modal Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Teams, the budget provides the funding necessary to help DHS continue with our founding mission of guarding against terrorism through a layered safety and detection system.

Securing and Managing Our Borders
We intend to support the 21,370 Border Patrol agents and the 21,186 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers who daily risk their lives to secure our ports of entry and our land and maritime borders.  Funding effective surveillance technology across the high trafficked areas of the Southwest border, as well as investing in cutters, response boats, and multiple aircraft will help us meet our security needs in the air, land, and sea.

Enforcing and Administering our Immigration Laws
We are focused on smart and effective enforcement of our immigration laws, as well as streamlining the legal immigration process.  The FY 2012 budget request will enable ICE to fund 33,400 detention beds, remove more than 200,000 dangerous criminal aliens, and deploy Secure Communities program to 96% of all jurisdictions nationally.  Not only that, funds will support programs engaging in English language and citizenship education, while also cracking down on employers who knowingly and repeatedly break the law by hiring illegal workers.

Safeguarding and Security Cyberspace
Whether at home or at work, we want you to be safe every time you log on.  That's why the FY 2012 budget invests in the expedited deployment of EINSTEIN 3 to prevent and detect intrusions on government computer systems, as well as fund the development of a cybersecurity workforce dedicated to protecting against and responding to national cybersecurity threats and hazards.  We need to be better able to combat cyber crime, target large-scale producers and distributors of child pornography, and prevent attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure, and the FY 2012 budget will enable us to do just that.

Ensuring Reslience to Disasters
We are the front line responders in the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or any large-scale emergency.  In order to ensure quick recovery efforts, the FY 2012 budget provides funding for state and local preparedness grants, and provides funds to rehire laid off firefighters and retain veteran first responders.  FEMA benefits from the FY 2012 budget as well, receiving funds to continue their hard work developing ready-to-go response plans to catastrophic events.

Providing Essential Support to National and Economic Security
Did you know that DHS - through the U.S. Secret Service - provides support to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children? Or that ICE and CBP lead the way in protecting U.S. intellectual property rights?  With funding from the FY 2012 budget, we can continue to be leaders in these areas, strengthening efforts to protect intellectual property, as well as offer assistance to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, leading detailed forensics investigations involving missing and exploited children.

Nearly every facet of your life is protected in one way or another by the efforts of DHS.  With the new budget for 2012, DHS can continue its mission of keeping your homeland safe, secure, and resilient.

Want to know more? Check out the full DHS FY 2012 budget request at www.dhs.gov/dhs-budget.