Colleagues,
Today, our Department's Domestic Violent Extremism Internal Review Working Group is releasing a report following its comprehensive review of how we can best prevent, detect, and respond to potential threats related to domestic violent extremism within DHS. This Working Group was led by our Chief Security Officer and comprised of senior officials from across the Department.
Every day, you play a critical role in protecting the safety and security of communities across our country. You do so with honor, integrity, tireless dedication, extraordinary talent, and often at great personal sacrifice. It is my and every leader's responsibility to ensure that each and every one of you feels safe and secure at work, and that you have the tools and support necessary to execute our Department's critical mission.
Domestic violent extremism poses one of the most significant terrorism-related threats to the United States. To ensure we can continue executing our critical mission with honor and integrity, we will not tolerate hateful acts or violent extremist activity within our Department. The Working Group's internal review highlights key steps that our Department should take to better prevent, detect, and respond to potential violent extremist activity, including developing guidance as to what constitutes violent extremist activity and how to address it, improved workforce training for how to identify and report this activity, and the development of a centralized, DHS-wide investigative case management system and information sharing mechanism for investigating related allegations. These recommendations will better enable the Department to continue executing its critical mission and ensure all of you are safe and secure at work.
Our Department will implement the report's recommendations with urgency to include establishing baseline policies and guidance, promoting employee awareness, and enhancing methods to identify and address violent extremist activity while continuing to protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. We have already begun addressing many of the gaps identified in the report, including by updating related employee training modules. Throughout this process, Department and Component leadership will continue to work closely with you on this critical and time-sensitive effort.
Thank you for everything you do in service to our Department and our nation.
Alejandro N. Mayorkas
Secretary of Homeland Security
With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.