Latest news and press releases.
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Secretary Mayorkas to Travel to South Texas
On Thursday, August 12, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas will be in South Texas to receive operational updates and engage with the DHS frontline workforce. While in South Texas, Secretary Mayorkas will meet with local officials and community leaders.
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CWMD Delivers Updated Technology to Detect Radiological Threats
To improve our Nation’s defense against radiological threats, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) completed a technical refresh of 60 mobile Radiation Portal Monitors currently deployed and used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CWMD supplies CBP with this capability to scan cargo for potential radiological threats.
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CWMD Awards Funding to Detect Radiological Threats
To equip frontline operators with the radiological detection equipment, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) awarded the Helium-3 Alternative Implementation Backpack Program (HAIBP) Phase Three Full Rate Production contract to Target Systemelektronik/FLIR Systems.
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Readout of Secretary Mayorkas and Homeland Security Advisor Sherwood-Randall’s Roundtable with Officials and Community Leaders Two Years After the El Paso Massacre
Yesterday, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall met with community leaders for a discussion in remembrance of the second anniversary of the El Paso massacre.
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Biden Administration Commits Historic $3.46 Billion in Hazard Mitigation Funds to Reduce Effects of Climate Change
President Biden approved more than $3.46 billion to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change nationwide. This significant investment will be available for natural hazard mitigation measures across the 59 major disaster declarations issued due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
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Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on Deferred Enforcement Departure for Certain Residents of Hong Kong
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on Deferred Enforcement Departure for certain residents of Hong Kong.
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DHS is Largest Agency to Receive 12 Consecutive “A’s”
The Department of Homeland Security is proud to receive a grade of “A+” from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Annual Small Business Procurement Scorecard. This is the twelfth consecutive year DHS has earned a grade of “A” on the scorecard and the fifth consecutive year the Department has earned a grade of “A+,” the highest score possible.
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DHS Statement on Updated CDC Order
“As part the United States’ COVID-19 mitigation efforts, DHS will continue to process individuals in accordance with the CDC’s updated Title 42 Order. Title 42 is not an immigration authority, but a public health authority, and its continued use is dictated by CDC and governed by the CDC's analysis of public health factors."
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DHS Partners with Girl Scouts of the USA to Launch the 2021 Girl Scout Cyber Awareness Challenge
The Department of Homeland Security and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) launched the 2021 Girl Scout Cyber Awareness Challenge, a new initiative to encourage girls across the country to learn about cybersecurity and increase related awareness within their own communities, particularly around the growing threat of ransomware.
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DHS Releases New Resources to Combat Human Trafficking on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new resources aimed at combatting human trafficking and supporting victims. The new resources include the first-ever Continued Presence Resource Guide to assist federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies in supporting victims of human trafficking and advancing trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
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DHS Statement on Expedited Removal Flights for Certain Families
Asylum and other legal migration pathways should be readily available to those who need them, and this Administration is committed to fairly and efficiently considering asylum claims.
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Statement from Secretary Mayorkas on the Confirmation of Ur Mendoza Jaddou as Director of USCIS
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on the confirmation of Ur Mendoza Jaddou as Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis Meets with Officials in Puerto Rico to Discuss Emerging Threats and Opportunities for Collaboration
SAN JUAN – From July 25, 2021 to July 29, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Deputy Under Secretary in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), Stephanie Dobitsch, met with federal, territorial, and local homeland security, law enforcement, and emergency management partners in Puerto Rico to discuss priority threats impacting safety and security in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. State and local partners from the Department of Public Safety, including Puerto Rico’s Homeland Security Advisor (HSA), and the National Security State Information Center, discussed efforts to better integrate federal, territorial, and local information on threats to the area. The rise in drug trafficking, gun violence, and human smuggling were highlighted as key threats in the region. DHS and I&A will continue to strengthen the partnership and information sharing among federal and local officials to improve how threats are identified and can be mitigated.
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Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on the Arrival of the First Group of Afghan Nationals
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement after the first group of Afghan nationals who helped support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan arrived in Ft. Lee, Virginia
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Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on U.S. Strategy for Immigration
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement regarding the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America and the Collaborative Migration Management Strategy.
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Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on Arrests in Mexican Enforcement Operation Against a Transnational Criminal Organization
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement regarding today’s announcement by Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero about a recent enforcement operation in Mexicali, Baja California that resulted in the arrest of seven individuals for their alleged participation in a human smuggling Transnational Criminal Organization
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Joint Statement by Secretaries Mayorkas and Raimondo on President Biden’s New National Security Memorandum
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo released a joint statement on President Biden’s signing of a new National Security Memorandum, “Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems.”
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Secretary Mayorkas Statement on President Biden’s Nominations for Leadership Positions at DHS
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on President Biden’s nominations of Bill Valdez as DHS Under Secretary for Management and Erik Hooks as FEMA Deputy Administrator.
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DHS to Address Life, Safety, Environmental, and Operational Considerations for Specific Border Barrier Projects
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas approved four projects in the Rio Grande Valley, San Diego, and El Centro Sectors to address life, safety, environmental, and operational considerations related to the Department’s plan for the use of Border Barrier funds.
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DHS Statement on the Resumption of Expedited Removal for Certain Family Units
Beginning today, certain family units who are not able to be expelled under Title 42 will be placed in expedited removal proceedings. Expedited removal provides a lawful, more accelerated procedure to remove those family units who do not have a basis under U.S. law to be in the United States.
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CWMD Funds Design, Construction, and Deployment of Detection Equipment to Scan Cargo for Radiological and Nuclear Threats
The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) announced that its contract for Radiation Portal Monitor;(RPM) design, construction, and deployment would be awarded to K2 Construction Consultants, Inc.;(K2). A key element of protecting the Nation from potential threats is detecting and preventing them before they even clear our ports of entry. As cargo and conveyances are shipped into the U.S., RPMs provide a cost-effective means to scan incoming shipments for radiological and nuclear (rad/nuc) threats.
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DHS to Cancel Laredo Sector Border Barrier Contracts
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is terminating two border barrier contracts in the Laredo Sector that are not necessary to address any life, safety, environmental, or other remediation requirements, as described in the DHS Border Wall Plan implementing President Biden’s Proclamation.
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DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis Convenes the State and Local Intelligence Council in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Senior Official Performing the Duties of Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) and Coordinator for Counterterrorism, John D. Cohen, met with the State and Local Intelligence Council (SLIC) in Washington, D.C. on July 20-21, 2021. This was the first in-person meeting since the pandemic for the council.
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Readout of Secretary Mayorkas’s Meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan
On July 20, 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas met with King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan during the King’s trip to Washington, D.C.
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DHS Announces New Cybersecurity Requirements for Critical Pipeline Owners and Operators, Second Security Directive
In response to the ongoing cybersecurity threat to pipeline systems, DHS’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the issuance of a second Security Directive that requires owners and operators of TSA-designated critical pipelines that transport hazardous liquids and natural gas to implement a number of urgently needed protections against cyber intrusions.