August 27, 2004 Homeland Security Presidential Directive/Hspd-11

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 27, 2004

August 27, 2004 Homeland Security Presidential Directive/Hspd-11

Subject: Comprehensive Terrorist-Related Screening Procedures

(1) In order more effectively to detect and interdict individuals known or reasonably suspected to be or have been engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism ("suspected terrorists") and terrorist activities, it is the policy of the United States to:

(a) enhance terrorist-related screening (as defined below) through

comprehensive, coordinated procedures that detect, identify,

track, and interdict people, cargo, conveyances, and other

entities and objects that pose a threat to homeland security,

and to do so in a manner that safeguards legal rights,

including freedoms, civil liberties, and information privacy

guaranteed by Federal law, and builds upon existing risk

assess-ment capabilities while facilitating the efficient

movement of people, cargo, conveyances, and other potentially

affected activities in commerce; and

(b) implement a coordinated and comprehensive approach to

terrorist-related screening -- in immigration, law enforcement,

intelligence, counterintelligence, and protection of the

border, transportation systems, and critical infrastructure --

that supports homeland security, at home and abroad.

(2) This directive builds upon HSPD-6, "Integration and Use of Screening Information to Protect Against Terrorism." The Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), which was established and is administered by the Attorney General pursuant to HSPD-6, enables Government officials to check individuals against a consolidated Terrorist Screening Center Database. Other screening activities underway within the Terrorist Threat Integration Center (TTIC) and the Department of Homeland Security further strengthen the ability of the United States Government to protect the people, property, and territory of the United States against acts of terrorism.

(3) In this directive, the term "terrorist-related screening" means the collection, analysis, dissemination, and use of information related to people, cargo, conveyances, and other entities and objects that pose a threat to homeland security. Terrorist-related screening also includes risk assessment, inspection, and credentialing.

(4) Not later than 75 days after the date of this directive, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretaries of State, Defense, Transportation, Energy, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and Agriculture, the Directors of Central Intelligence and the Office of Management and Budget, and the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to me, through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, a report setting forth plans and progress in the implementation of this directive, including as further described in sections 5 and 6 of this directive.

(5) The report shall outline a strategy to enhance the effectiveness of terrorist-related screening activities, in accordance with the policy set forth in section 1 of this directive, by developing comprehensive, coordinated, systematic terrorist-related screening procedures and capabilities that also take into account the need to:

(a) maintain no less than current levels of security created by

existing screening and protective measures;

(b) encourage innovations that exceed established standards;

threats and priorities;

(d) permit flexibility to incorporate advancements into screening

applications and technology rapidly;

(e) incorporate security features, including unpredictability, that

resist circumvention to the greatest extent possible;

(f) build upon existing systems and best practices and, where

appropriate, integrate, consolidate, or eliminate duplicative

systems used for terrorist-related screening;

(g) facilitate legitimate trade and travel, both domestically and

internationally;

(h) limit delays caused by screening procedures that adversely

impact foreign relations, or economic, commercial, or

scientific interests of the United States; and

(i) enhance information flow between various screening programs.

(6) The report shall also include the following:

(a) the purposes for which individuals will undergo

terrorist-related screening;

(b) a description of the screening opportunities to which

terrorist-related screening will be applied;

appropriate, the type of biometric identifier or other form of

identification or identifying information to be presented, at

particular screening opportunities;

(d) mechanisms to protect data, including during transfer of

information;

(e) mechanisms to address data inaccuracies, including names

inaccurately contained in the terrorist screening data

consolidated pursuant to HSPD-6;

(f) the procedures and frequency for screening people, cargo, and

conveyances;

(g) protocols to support consistent risk assessment and inspection

procedures;

(h) the skills and training required for the screeners at screening

opportunities;

(i) the hierarchy of consequences that should occur if a risk

indicator is generated as a result of a screening opportunity;

(j) mechanisms for sharing information among screeners and all

relevant Government agencies, including results of screening

and new information acquired regarding suspected terrorists

between screening opportunities;

(k) recommended research and development on technologies designed

to enhance screening effectiveness and further protect privacy

interests; and

(l) a plan for incorporating known traveler programs into the

screening procedures, where appropriate.

(7) Not later than 90 days after the date of this directive, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the heads of the Federal departments and agencies listed in section 4 of this directive, shall also provide to me, through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, a prioritized investment and imple-menta-tion plan for a systematic approach to terrorist-related screening that optimizes detection and interdiction of suspected terrorists and terrorist activities. The plan shall describe the scope, governance, principles, outcomes, milestones, training objectives, metrics, costs, and schedule of activities to implement the policy set forth in section 1 of this directive. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall further provide a report on the status of the implementation of the plan to me through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security 6 months after the date of this directive and shall thereafter report to me on such progress or any recommended changes from time to time as appropriate.

(8) In order to ensure comprehensive and coordinated terrorist-related screening procedures, the implementation of this directive shall be consistent with Government-wide efforts to improve information sharing. Additionally, the reports and plan required under sections 4 and 7 of this directive shall inform development of Government-wide information sharing improvements.

(9) This directive does not alter existing authorities or responsibilities of department and agency heads including to carry out operational activities or provide or receive information. This directive is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch of the Federal Government, and it is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040827-7.html

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