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29 April 2003

Ridge Announces New U.S. Entry-Exit System

(Fact sheet outlines department's progress in first 100 days) (2620)
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced plans April 29
for a new U.S. entry-exit system called U.S. VISIT, designed to make
entering the United States easier for legitimate tourists, students
and business travelers, while making it more difficult to enter the
country illegally. The system is to use biometric identifiers such as
photographs, fingerprints and iris scans.
Following is the text of a fact sheet on progress made by the new
Department of Homeland Security to strengthen security and improve
services during its first 100 days:
(begin fact sheet)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Press Secretary
April 29, 2003
DHS ANNOUNCES NEW 'US VISIT SYSTEM' FOR TRAVELERS AS THE DEPARTMENT
MARKS ITS FIRST 100 DAYS
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced the launch of the new
U.S. VISIT system as he discussed the Department's first 100 days. In
a speech in Washington, the Secretary outlined the Department's plan
to create a new entry-exit system backed by 21st century technology.
The U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indication Technology system
(U.S. VISIT) is designed to make entering the U.S. easier for
legitimate tourists, students and business travelers, while making it
more difficult to enter the U.S. illegally through the implementation
of biometrically authenticated documents.
Drawing heavily on developing technologies and scientific
capabilities, the system will utilize a minimum of two biometric
identifiers, such as photographs, fingerprints or iris scans, to build
an electronic check in/check out system for people coming to the U.S.
to work, study or visit. The U.S. VISIT system will replace the
currently existing NSEERS program, integrate the SEVIS program, and
encompass the Congressional requirements of the automated entry exit
system.
The U.S. VISIT System is a critical new border security and
enforcement tool that will capture point of entry and exit information
on visitors. The system will be in its first phase of operation at
international air and sea ports of entry by the end of 2003.
Progress in First 100 Days
Since its inception on January 24, 2003, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security has:
-- Orchestrated and launched Operation Liberty Shield, the first
comprehensive, national plan to increase protections of America's
citizens and infrastructure;
-- Deployed new technologies and tools at land, air and sea borders;
-- Set up the Homeland Security Command Center, a national 24-7 watch
operation;
-- Launched the Ready campaign, a national multimedia public
information program designed to build a citizen preparedness movement
by giving Americans the basic tools they need to better prepare
themselves and their families and encouraging them to "Be Ready;" and
since its launch, Ready.gov has become one of the most visited sites
in America;
-- Expedited distribution of millions of dollars in grant monies to
states and cities with more to come;
-- Initiated a comprehensive reorganization of the border agencies as
well as other administrative measures to increase departmental
services and capabilities;
-- Completed transition of majority of component agencies into the
Department in the largest federal reorganization since World War II
and;
-- Conducted a series of listening sessions at strategic ports
throughout the U.S. and began development of the vessel, facility and
port security plans required by the Maritime Security Act of 2002.
Other accomplishments to strengthen security and improve services:
Border, Transportation and Port Security
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inaugurated the
Federal Flight Deck Officer Training Program. The first class
concluded on April 19th, with 44 pilots certified to carry firearms in
the cockpit as Federal Flight Deck Officers. The training was
conducted at the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
All front-line Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
inspectors across the country have received radiation pagers that
alert them to the presence of radioactive material.
CBP acquired and deployed additional "A-STAR" and "HUEY" helicopters
to bolster enforcement efforts along the U.S. Southern border.
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a
special operation to identify and remove persons with unknown or
questionable identities with access to restricted areas of military
installations. The effort called Operation Joint Venture, resulted in
37 arrests, of which 28 were removed from the United States.
Operation "Green Quest," a multi-agency task force led by ICE,
continued its efforts to dismantle the financial infrastructure of al
Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Another ICE initiative,
Project Shield America, also continued. This effort prevents sensitive
U.S. technology and munitions from falling into the hands of
terrorists and other U.S. adversaries. Under this initiative, ICE
agents partner with U.S. manufacturers and exporters to guard against
illegal arms exports. The ICE Office of Air and Marine Interdiction
(OAMI) provided 24-7 airspace security coverage over Washington, D.C.
During Operation Liberty Shield, OAMI expanded this mission to include
airspace security coverage over New York City as well.
TSA screeners at Denver International Airport developed a pilot
program, "Tots Friendly," designed to put children at ease as they go
through security. The program is being evaluated for possible
nationwide expansion.
Working with other federal agencies and private industry, TSA took
steps to improve customer service by coordinating screening across
different forms of transportation. For example, passengers who are
disembarking from cruise ships in Miami can now have their baggage
screened for their flight home right at the dock as they depart from
their cruise.
Secretary Ridge held bilateral meetings with UK Home Secretary David
Blunkett, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister, John Manley, and Mexico's
Secretary of Interior, Santiago Creel, to continue progress on
security initiatives of mutual interest.
Coast Guard
Coast Guard forces served on the leading edge of maritime security for
Operation Liberty Shield by providing maritime security off our shores
and in our harbors. During this effort, Coast Guard units escorted
1,809 ferry boats and passenger ships, and conducted 1,597 air and
12,049 surface patrols, respectively. Coast Guard sea marshals and
security teams boarded 1,059 merchant ships to assure their safe
transit into and out of U.S. ports.
In April, the Coast Guard awarded a $140 million shore-based response
boat contract, which will dramatically improve Coast Guard
capabilities. This contract calls for the delivery of up to 700 new
vessels that will be capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots (46 miles
per hour), have an enclosed cabin for crew protection allowing for
all-weather operations, weapons mounting capability for light machine
guns and less than lethal technology, state of the art navigation
systems and a communications system enabling Coast Guard personnel to
communicate with other homeland security partners.
The Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON)
was tasked to develop airborne use-of-force tactics to counter
possible terrorist threats, and operating guidelines for the
employment of HITRON assets for homeland security missions. HITRON was
originally developed for counter-drug operations and is comprised of
fully armed MH-68 helicopters capable of providing precision disabling
fire, lethal fire, as well as close in suppression fire.
Coast Guard cutters and over 1,100 personnel deployed to the U. S.
Central and European Commands continue to participate in coalition
efforts to bring freedom to Iraq.
Since March 1st, the Coast Guard has: * Interdicted 172 Haitians, 196
Dominicans, 213 Cubans and two Ecuadorians who were trying to
illegally enter the U.S.; * * Seized 17,878 lbs of cocaine and 1,500
lbs pounds of marijuana destined for the U.S. and; * * Documented five
significant violations of domestic fishing vessels and made three
catch seizures (totaling 44,310 lbs of Atlantic sea scallops and 1,200
lbs of summer flounder) as a result of illegal fishing activity.
In the wake of the most challenging ice season in 25 years, Coast
Guard icebreaking cutters, in concert with their Canadian
counterparts, worked to keep critical Great Lakes sea lanes open,
permitting passage for 619 ore carriers and other vessels carrying
cargo worth an estimated $620 million in this economically vital
region.
Emergency Preparedness
Since March 1st, EP&R processed, and the President declared, six major
disaster declaration requests and 12 emergency declaration requests
related to various events, including the President's Day snowstorm.
Following President Bush's emergency declarations for Texas and
Louisiana after the Space Shuttle Columbia incident, Secretary Ridge
directed FEMA to lead the federal effort to help protect public health
and safety, recover debris and reimburse the affected localities. With
the help of more than 6,000 people, the effort produced 30,000 pieces
of debris totaling almost 43,000 pounds to assist NASA with its
investigation. FEMA also reimbursed Texas and Louisiana for almost $3
million in associated expenses.
FEMA accepted 19,949 applications requesting more than $2 billion from
the Assistance to Firefighters Grants program (AFG). Grant
announcements are expected to be made in late May after a peer review
process. The AFG has approximately $750 million to distribute to an
estimated 8500 fire departments over the next twelve months to help
better train, equip and prepare our nation's firefighters.
The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) expanded its training
partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
include integrated emergency management for bioterrorism, Incident
Command System (ICS) training for federal, state and local public
health agencies and health care-specific, exercise-based training for
specific jurisdictions. A new facility FEMA acquired during the
Homeland Security transition, the Noble Training Center in Anniston,
Alabama, will host some of this training.
FEMA trained a record number of leaders from volunteer fire
departments for its Volunteer Incentive Program. This reflects a 42%
rise in admissions for the program.
FEMA's National Fire Academy trained 27 FBI agents and investigators
at an Arson Training Course to help improve their investigatory
skills. The training included use of site burn buildings, scenario
simulation labs, classroom and NFA curriculum.
To improve on-site management of federal assets in the immediate
aftermath of an incident, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) initiated plans for the rapid deployment of DHS Incident
Management Teams.
To significantly strengthen DHS emergency response capabilities, FEMA
began incorporating Domestic Emergency Support Teams, Nuclear Incident
Response Teams, the National Disaster Medical System and the Strategic
National Stockpile into its planning and response capabilities.
In support of Operation Liberty Shield, EP&R enhanced operational
readiness of the National Interagency Emergency Operations Center
(NIEOC), Regional Operations Centers, National Disaster Medical
System, Domestic Emergency Support Teams and other specialized support
teams.
Citizen Corps signed a partnership with the U.S. Junior Chamber
(Jaycees) to raise public awareness about emergency preparedness,
first aid, disaster response training and volunteer service.
Citizen Corps initiated a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire
Council to work together to raise public awareness about emergency
preparedness, fire hazards, volunteer service programs and the
development of fire safety training.
Citizen Corps has added 13 additional states and territories and 191
local governments to the Citizen Corps Council roster. This brings the
total of Citizen Corps Councils to 41 and 449 respectively.
For the first time in more than eight years, the National Flood
Insurance Program is operating in the black and currently has surplus
funds, which it has begun investing through the U.S. Treasury.
FEMA delivered the first set of digital flood map products to the Map
Service Center. These new tools are integral to the emergency planning
of local communities.
Intelligence and Infrastructure
DHS' Intelligence Analysis and Infrastructure Protection division
(IA&IP) and its industry and government partners eliminated the
SendMail vulnerability that was threatening email servers.
IA&IP implemented a plan to conduct standardized vulnerability
assessments for all critical infrastructure sectors. Vulnerability
assessments will build to a rate of eight per week, spanning all
critical infrastructure industries.
IA&IP began a major organizational initiative to implement the
requirements of the Homeland Security Act and the National Strategies
to Secure Physical Assets and Cyber Space by creating an office
dedicated to cyber security.
Collaborated on legislative initiatives to establish DHS as the lead
for Chemical Site and Nuclear Site Security and developed and
submitted to the Federal Register for review the proposed Critical
Infrastructure Information (CII) to guide DHS' handling of private
sector information.
Integrated the legacy operations of the NIPC, CIAO, NCS and Energy
Assurance Office, and developed the functional organizational
components of the IA and IP directorates.
Science and Technology
DHS' Science & Technology division (S&T) established the Biowatch
program in several metropolitan areas across the country. The Biowatch
program employs devices to detect terrorist agents like anthrax in
time to distribute life-saving pharmaceuticals to affected citizens.
S&T released the first Homeland Security Broad Agency Announcement
through the Technical Support Working Group for rapid prototyping of
off-the-shelf or nearly off-the-shelf technologies for use by DHS
agents in the field.
Guidelines for technical performance and testing of radiation
detection equipment were also developed by S&T.
Pilot programs to test radiation detection equipment were launched at
various sites in cooperation with the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey.
Initiated the Homeland Security Fellowship Program, which provides
scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees
in the physical, biological, and social and behavioral sciences and
interested in careers aligned with the mission and objectives of the
Department. For more information, please visit www.orau.gov/dhsed.
S&T created the Homeland Security National Laboratory composed of all
the incoming DHS labs across the country.
Citizenship and Immigration
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) has now
developed the technology to accept electronic filing as an option for
two of the most commonly submitted immigration forms - the application
for replacement "green card" (Form I-90) and the application for
Employment Authorization (Form I-765). These forms were selected in
part because filings of these applications represent over 30 percent
of the total number of applications filed with BCIS annually. The
system will go online shortly.
Approximately 165,000 new citizens have been processed in the months
of January, February, March and April. In May alone, BCIS plans to
conduct over 290 ceremonies and the naturalization of approximately
50,000 citizens.
BCIS also processed approximately 6,500 requests for expedited
citizenship for military applicants since July 2002. In the last 30
days, eight requests have been processed for posthumous citizenship,
which is granted to non-citizens whose death resulted from injury or
disease incurred while on active duty with U.S. Armed Forces during
specified periods of military hostilities.
BCIS launched a pilot project to standardize the English, government,
and United States history tests administered to citizenship
applicants. The first phase of the two-stage pilot focused on the
English language test. Five cities participated in this first phase of
the naturalization pilot: Newark, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Antonio
and Atlanta.
Reorganization and Administration
CBP consolidated incoming agencies into a single face of government at
ports of entry by establishing a new organizational framework
involving Interim Port Directors to integrate all of the incoming
border agencies into one chain of command.
ICE combined all the investigative functions of Customs, Immigration
and the Federal Protective Service into one bureau. ICE has taken
steps to provide a single point of contact within DHS for U.S.
Attorneys and other law enforcement agencies.
National Communications System (NCS), National Infrastructure
Protection Center (NIPC) and the Federal Computer Incident Response
Center (FedCIRC) combined their watch and warning functions into a
single, more effective "virtual" watch.
DHS launched the effort to create a new human resources management
system that merges the personnel and pay systems of all DHS component
agencies into a single system. The new system will be completed by the
end of the year.
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)