MICHAEL T. MCCAUL. TEXAS BENNIE G. THOMPSON, MISSISSIPPI
CHAIRMAN 

 

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May 17, 2018

The Honorable Kirstjen M. Nielsen
Secretary

US. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC. 20016

Secretary Nielsen,

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a unique and vital role in the national security
of the United States. It is vital that the Department ensure adequate safeguards are in place to
ensure vulnerable or compromised products or services are not introduced into its supply chain.

On April 16, 2018, the Department of Commerce imposed a denial of export privileges against
ZTE for making false statements to the US. Government.1 On May 2, 2018 the Department of
Defense announced that it would prohibit the sale of communications equipment and services
manufactured or sold by Huawei and ZTE corporations on military installations. Speci?cally, the
Department announced that, ?Huawei and ZTE devices may pose an unacceptable risk to
Department?s personnel, information and mission.?2

I write to request detailed information on the Department of Homeland Security?s progress in
identifying and mitigating the threat posed by the ZTE and Huawei Corporations. Because of the
seriousness of this issue, I reSpectfully request answers to the following questions no later than
June 14, 2018:

1. Does the Department of Homeland Security have restrictions in place related to DHS
procurement and use of ZTE and Huawei products and services?

2. Does the Department, including any components or contractors, utilize ZTE or Huawei
products or services?

 

1 Press Release, ?Secretary Ross Announces Activation of ZTE Denial Order in Response to Repeated False
Statements to the US Government,? US Department of Commerce, April 16, 2018.

2 Stu Woo and Gordon Lubold, ?Pentagon Orders Stores on Military Bases to Remove Huawei, ZTE Phones,? The
Walt Street Journal, May 2, 2018.

3. Has the Department issued guidance to DHS personnel, contractors, and partners on the
threat posed by these devices, even for personal or at home use?

4. Provide the Committee with an assessment of the threat these products pose, and the
threat posed by Huawei and ZTE Corporations.

5. Are there other international and foreign telecom and software providers which pose
similar threats? If so, who are they?

6. Provide all relevant supporting documents for your assessments, including Department and
component analysis of the threat.

Thank you for you timely attention to this issue. Should you or your staff have any questions on
this issue, please contact Mr. Alan Carroll, Senior Professional Staff, of the Committee on
Homeland Security at (202) 226-8417.

Sincerely,


MM 

MICHAEL T. 
Chairman