Latest news and press releases.
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2021: A Strong Year of Progress at the Department of Homeland Security
In the Biden-Harris Administration’s first year, DHS has made tremendous progress in its efforts to protect the American public and administer the laws of our nation. Our efforts to date have strengthened our ability to uphold our laws and our values. We have rescinded policies that do not reflect our values, brought offices back to life, issued new directives, and reconstructed entire operations in order to bolster the security of our nation and the diverse communities we serve. Much work remains, which we approach with energy and optimism.
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DHS Launches First-Ever Cyber Safety Review Board
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the establishment of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB), as directed in President Biden’s Executive Order 14028 on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity. The CSRB is an unprecedented public-private initiative that will bring together government and industry leaders to elevate our nation’s cybersecurity.
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U.S. Departments of Energy, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development Launch Joint Effort With Puerto Rico to Modernize Energy Grid
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) joined the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to launch a new effort to accelerate work to strengthen the island’s grid resilience and advance new initiatives to enhance Puerto Rico’s energy future.
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Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort Pickett, Virginia
Yesterday, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Fort Pickett, Virginia as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.
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DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking Report Highlights Increases in Arrests and Seizures
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) annual report, highlighting many of the Department’s efforts during the last Fiscal Year (FY 2021) to enhance identification and screening for human trafficking, improve protection and assistance to victims, increase investigations and enforcement actions, and provide training, outreach, and engagement.
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DHS Takes Action to Combat Forced Labor and Hold Companies Accountable for Exploiting Workers
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a new Withhold Release Order and two new forced labor Findings.
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Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement and video on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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DHS Announces Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for First Half of Fiscal Year
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of 20,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. These visas are for U.S. employers that are facing irreparable harm without additional workers and seeking to employ additional workers on or before March 31, 2022.
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Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Camp Atterbury, Indiana
Yesterday, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.
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Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Yesterday, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.
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Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
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DHS Helps Law Enforcement Spot and Respond to Human Trafficking
On Thursday, January 20, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) hosted state and local law enforcement officers from the Gainesville, FL area for a Human Trafficking Awareness Training (HTAT).
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Readout of Secretaries Mayorkas and Cardona’s Meeting with HBCU Presidents on International Day of Education
On International Day of Education, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona hosted a discussion with presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from across the nation to share information on grant programs, training resources, research opportunities, and other tools available to HBCUs to strengthen campus safety and security.
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DHS Advances Biden-Harris Efforts to Stop Flow of Goods Produced by Forced Labor
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced, as part of its implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), that it will seek public input to inform the Department’s continued efforts to prohibit goods from being imported into the United States that are produced with forced labor in the People’s Republic of China, including in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
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DHS Expands Opportunities in U.S. for STEM Professionals
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced 22 new fields of study have been added to the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to enhance the contributions of nonimmigrant students studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and support the growth of the U.S. economy and innovation.
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U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Education Release Toolkit of Federal Resources to Help Rebuild Puerto Rico’s School Infrastructure
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Department of Education released a toolkit outlining federal resources available to help Puerto Rico recover and rebuild safe, healthy, and modernized school facilities. The Departments of Energy and Labor, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, also collaborated on the toolkit.
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DHS to Require Non-U.S. Individual Travelers Entering the United States at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals to be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Beginning on January 22, 2022, DHS will require non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide. These new restrictions will apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for both essential and non-essential reasons. They will not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.
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Department of Homeland Security Announces Climate Change Professionals Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the creation of a new Climate Change Professionals Program to recruit recent graduates and current federal employees to support the Department’s growing focus on adapting to climate change and improving resilience. The program is one of many new activities under the umbrella of the DHS Climate Change Action Group, established in 2021 by Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
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United States Coast Guard Transitions to State-of-the-Art Financial Management System
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Management Directorate announced that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) has recently transitioned to an updated integrated financial, procurement, and asset management system, called the Financial System Modernization Solution (FSMS). The new system includes automated and integrated controls, a common appropriations structure and accounting line, standard business practices, up-to-date security, and functionality that will assist the USCG in overseeing their annual budget of more than $12 billion more efficiently and effectively.
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DHS Statement on the Importance of Seeking Safety and Support Regardless of Immigration Status Following Recent Wildfires in Colorado
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the areas affected by the devastating wildfires in Colorado.
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Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Fort Bliss, Texas
Yesterday, the last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Fort Bliss, Texas as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base.
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Operation Allies Welcome Announces Departure of Last Afghan Nationals from Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
The last group of Afghan nationals temporarily housed at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia as part of Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) departed the base. Marine Corps Base Quantico is the second of eight Department of Defense (DOD) installations supporting the resettlement of Afghan nationals that are also known as “safe havens” to complete operations.
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ICE Announces Use of Body Worn Cameras in New Pilot Program
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a pilot program in select cities where ICE law enforcement officers will begin to wear body worn cameras for pre-planned operations.
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DHS Statement on the Importance of Seeking Safety and Support Regardless of Immigration Status Following Recent Severe Weather in the South and Midwest
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the areas affected by the devastating severe weather and tornadoes in Kentucky and throughout the South and Midwest.
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DHS to Address Life, Safety, Environmental, and Remediation Requirements for Border Barrier Projects Previously Undertaken by DoD
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas authorized U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to move forward with activities necessary to address life, safety, environmental, and remediation requirements for border barrier projects previously undertaken by the Department of Defense (DoD) and located within the Border Patrol’s San Diego, El Centro, Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, and Del Rio Sectors. The activities will be undertaken in accordance with the Department’s plan for the use of border barrier funds.