U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528 Homeland Security Privacy Office, Mail Stop 0655 July 10, 2019 SENT BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO: foia@americanoversight.org Austin R. Evers Executive Director 1030 15th Street, NW Suite B255 Washington, DC 20005 Re: 2017-HQFO-01146 Dear Mr. Evers, This is the final response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), dated July 31, 2017, and received by this office on August 1, 2017. You are seeking a copy of all emails containing the term “solar panel” or “solar panels,” with the search being limited to the immediate Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Deputy Secretary. A search of DHS’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) for documents responsive to your request produced a total of 396 pages. Of those pages, I have determined that 307 pages of the records are releasable in their entirety, 37 pages are partially releasable, and 52 pages are withheld in their entirety pursuant to Title 5 U.S.C. § 552 (b)(5), (b)(6), and (b)(7)(E), FOIA Exemptions 5, 6, and b7(E). FOIA Exemption 5 protects from disclosure those inter- or intra-agency documents that are normally privileged in the civil discovery context. The three most frequently invoked privileges are the deliberative process privilege, the attorney work-product privilege, and the attorney-client privilege. After carefully reviewing the responsive documents, I determined that portions of the responsive documents qualify for protection under the:  Deliberative Process Privilege The deliberative process privilege protects the integrity of the deliberative or decisionmaking processes within the agency by exempting from mandatory disclosure opinions, conclusions, and recommendations included within inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters. The release of this internal information would discourage the expression of candid opinions and inhibit the free and frank exchange of information among agency personnel. FOIA Exemption 6 exempts from disclosure personnel or medical files and similar files the release of which would cause a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. This requires a balancing of the public’s right to disclosure against the individual’s right to privacy. The privacy interests of the individuals in the records you have requested outweigh any minimal public interest in disclosure of the information. Any private interest you may have in that information does not factor into the aforementioned balancing test. Exemption 7(E) protects records compiled for law enforcement purposes, the release of which would disclose techniques and/or procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law. You have a right to appeal the above withholding determination. Should you wish to do so, you must send your appeal and a copy of this letter, within 90 days of the date of this letter, to: Privacy Office, Attn: FOIA Appeals, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane, SW, Mail Stop 0655, Washington, D.C. 20528-0655, following the procedures outlined in the DHS FOIA regulations at 6 C.F.R. Part 5 § 5.8. Your envelope and letter should be marked “FOIA Appeal.” Copies of the FOIA and DHS FOIA regulations are available at www.dhs.gov/foia. Additionally, you have a right to seek dispute resolution services from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) which mediates disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation. If you are requesting access to your own records (which is considered a Privacy Act request), you should know that OGIS does not have the authority to handle requests made under the Privacy Act of 1974. You may contact OGIS as follows: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001, e-mail at ogis@nara.gov; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at 1-877-684-6448; or facsimile at 202-7415769. Provisions of FOIA allow DHS to charge for processing fees, up to $25, unless you seek a waiver of fees. In this instance, because the cost is below the $25 minimum, there is no charge. If you need any further assistance or would like to discuss any aspect of your request, please contact our office with your request and refer to 2017-HQFO-01146. You may send an e-mail to foia@hq.dhs.gov, call 202-343-1743 or toll free 1-866-431-0486, or you may contact our FOIA Public Liaison in the same manner. Sincerely, j~ Y~L~ 1 ...1.. James Holzer Deputy Chief FOIA Officer Enclosure(s): Responsive Records (396 pages) Page 0001 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000001 Page 0002 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000002 Page 0003 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000003 Page 0004 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act /\MERICAi\ pVERSIGHT DHS-17-0305-A-000004 Page 0005 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000005 Page 0006 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000006 Page 0007 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000007 Page 0008 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000008 Page 0009 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000009 Page 0010 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000010 Page 0011 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000011 Page 0012 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000012 Page 0013 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000013 Page 0014 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000014 Page 0015 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000015 Page 0016 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000016 Page 0017 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000017 Page 0018 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000018 Page 0019 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000019 Page 0020 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000020 Page 0021 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000021 Page 0022 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000022 Page 0023 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000023 Page 0024 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000024 Page 0025 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000025 Page 0026 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000026 Page 0027 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000027 Page 0028 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000028 Page 0029 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000029 From: ] "Nielsen, Kirstien (b)(6) fevay ] Tot "Neumann, Elizabeth fers) ow6) Subject: RE: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Date:/2017/04/11 09:28:53 Priority: Normal Already on it! M From: Nielsen, Kirstjen Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:26 AM To: Taylor, Miles[by6)_] Neumann, Elizabeth Subject: RE: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Miles Tahnks! From: Taylor, Miles Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:22 AM To: Nielsen, Kirstjen Neumann, Elizabeth b)(6) Subject: FW: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 FYI. We knew this GAO report was coming. ®)6) b)(5) M From:((b)(6) Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:09 AM To: Barsa, John (6)(6) ] Gorka, Katie [Oe Taylor, Miles Kendall, Sarah (b)(6) Subject: FW: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 FYSA GAO: DHS MUST EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF CVE WORK. FedScoop (4/10, Ehlinger) details a report by the GAO that found DHS “has been working to counter violent extremism online and offline, but it has no means of measuring if its overall effort is actually helping.” The GAO auditors wrote, “Although DHS-17-0305-A-000030 GAOwas able to determine the status of the 44 CVE tasks, it was notable to determine if the United States is better off today than it was in 2011 as a result of these tasks.” Feds Haven’t Evaluated If Efforts To Counter Extremism Actually Work, Watchdog Says By Samantha Ehlinger FedScoop, April 10, 2017 The federal government has been working to counter violent extremism online and offline, but it has no means of measuring if its overall effort is actually helping, a congressional watchdog says. And the government task force created in part to evaluate that work hasn’t established how to assess “overall progress,” said the Government Accountability Office in a new report. The government has been working to counter violent extremism (CVE) through a variety of ways, according to the GAO, such as trying to develop relationships with the tech and social media industries. Auditors checked the status of 44 tasks to address CVE domestically outlined in a 2011 Strategic Implementation Plan. The GAO found the government had implemented nearly half of those activities. “Although GAO was able to determine the status of the 44 CVE tasks, it was not able to determine if the United States is better off today than it was in 2011 as a result of these tasks,” the auditors note in the report. “As of December 2016, there had been no comprehensive assessment of the federal government's CVEefforts’ effectiveness,” the report says, later adding that “according to CVE Task Force officials, they do not believe that assessing the overall effectiveness of the federal CVEeffort is their responsibility.” But the task force is well positioned to do so, the GAO said. The watchdog recommended the Department of Homeland Security secretary and attorney general direct the CVE Task Force to develop a strategy with “measurable outcomes for CVE activities,” and to “establish and implement a process to assess overall progress in CVE, including its effectiveness.” DHS and the Department of Justice both agreed with the recommendations. Some activities in the tech space werestill very much in progress, according to the report, including “reaching communities in the digital environment.” “For example, DHS aims to build relationships with the high-tech and social media industry and continues to meet with officials to discuss how to address violent extremism online,” the auditors wrote. “In providing a status update on such activities, DHS recognized this as an area that continues to need attention.” Thereis also work being done, still, to make moretraining available for communities to fight against extremists online, the auditors said. The report adds that DHS officials “noted making initial progress with YouTube and the Los Angeles Police Department in developing campaigns against violent extremism, but recognized this as an area that continues to need attention.” Oneof two tasks that had not yet seen any action wasthe idea to learn from former violent extremists. “According to DHS officials, legal issues regarding access to former violent extremists are being explored and DOJ will lead this task moving forward,” the report reads. DHS-17-0305-A-000031 From: Bulletin Intelligence Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 5:01:46 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) To: DHS@BulletinIntelligence.com Subject: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 The Homeland Security News Briefing TO: THE SECRETARY AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 5:00 AM EDT TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING DHS NEWS: + Administration To Temporarily Halt Reports On Immigration Cooperation. + Fourth, Ninth Circuits Reviewing Trump's Revised Travel Order. + DHS Information Leads To Arrest Of Fugitive Former Mexican Governor In Italy. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: + California State Legislature Responds In Dispute Over ICE Courthouse Arrests. + Tacoma Immigrant Detainees Engage In Hunger Strike. + NYTimes: As California Heads Toward Becoming “Sanctuary State,” Other States May Follow. + Maryland “Sanctuary State” Legislation Withdrawn. + Study ShowsRising Immigration Arrests. + Somali Ambassador To US Says 4,000 Somali Nationals Marked For Deportation. + New Polaris Report Details Exploitation Of Hotel Workers. + Gov. Abbott: Gang Initiative Is Separate From Immigration Issues. + Dozens Of Maine Lawyers Urge An End To Courthouse Arrests By ICE. + Chicago's “Little Village” Seeks To “Tamp Down” On Immigration Fears. + Rumors Of ICE Raids Impacting Immigrant Communities. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: + CBP Says Border Wall Prototypes Will Be Built Near San Diego. + Lawmakers Express Concern Over Cost Of Acquiring Private Lands For Border Wall. + Rio Grande Border Crossings Lowest In 17 Years. + + + + + + + Border Patrol Exchanges Gunfire With Man At Las Cruces Checkpoint. CBP: Assaults Against Border Patrol Officers Double. Secretary Kelly To Decide On Fate Of Visa Waiver Program For Chinese, Russian Tourists. Border Patrol Agent Files Counterclaim Over 2014 Confrontation With Navy SEAL. Huffington Post: Mexican Woman Seeking Asylum Repeatedly Turned Away By CBP. Yahoo: Other Countries May Retaliate For “Extreme Vetting” Procedures. NPR Interviews NASA Engineer Over Border Cell Phone Search. + Arizona Republic: Border Wall Covered In Solar Panels Could Benefit US, Mexico. + NYTimes: Extreme Vetting Proposals Are Foolish. + De La Hoya Uses Boxing Ad To “Taunt” Trump On Border Wall. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: + TSA Training New Air Marshals For First Time Since 2011. + TSA, Local Law Enforcement Called In To Handle Marijuana Found In Luggage. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: + Federal Assessment Of Pennsylvania Snowstorm Damage Requested. DHS-17-0305-A-000032 US CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES: + Some Tech Firms Pay H-1B Workers More Than Prevailing Wage. IMMIGRATION: + Tennessee Considering In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants. + WPost A1: Pope Placing Church In Opposition To Policies Regulating Immigration. US COAST GUARD: + US Southern Command, Coast Guard: More Funding Needed To Stop Flow Of Drugs Into The US. + Coast Guard: No Timetable For Recovering Sunken Barge Near Port Of Oakland. + Tampa Bay Times: Mystery Surrounds Death Of Fishing Captain. SECRET SERVICE: + USAToday: Secret Service Needs To Address White House Security Faster. + Groups Sue To Obtain White House Visitors Logs. + Trump Has Taken More Getaways In First 81 Days Than Obama, Bush, And Clinton Did. + Palm Beach Considers Taxing Mar-a-Largo Club To Cover Trump Security Expenses. DIRECTORATE FOR MANAGEMENT: + GAO: DHS Acauisitions Improve, Additional Changes Needed. TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS: + + + + + Suspect In Threats To Jewish Organizations Pleads Not Guilty. Administration To Sell Planes To Nigeria For Boko Haram Fight. Egypt Declares Nationwide State Of Emergency. Trump Expresses Condolences For Swedish Truck Attack Victims. Tsarnaev Was Approached By Men WhoIdentified Themselves As FBI Agents In 2011. CYBER NEWS: + Arrest Of Russian Hacker In Spain Follows Global Anti-Spam Investigation. + Hackers Targeting Amazon Marketplace Third-Party Sellers. + Additional Alleged NSA Hacking Tools Released Online. + Dallas Emergency Siren System Breach Believed To Be “White-Hat” Hack. + Personal Information Stolen In Wonga Data Breach. + FDA, Industry Increasingly Concerned About Hacking Attacks On Medical Devices. + Methods Used In Attempted Union Bank OfIndia Heist Resemble Those In Bangladesh Central Bank Heist. + Mugica: Electronic Voting Systems Not At“Significant Risk” Of Cyberattack. COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM: + GAO: DHS Must Evaluate Effectiveness Of CVE Work. NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS: + Administration Leaves Open Option Of Further Military Action In Syria. + WPost A1: Uptick In Civilian Casualties Exacerbates Criticism Of US. + McMaster: “Full Range Of Options” On Table To Deal With North Korea. + South Korean Presidential Race Shows Movement Toward People’s Party Candidate. + WSJournal Analysis: Haley Emerging As A Major Foreign Policy Voice Of Administration. + G-7 Unable To Produce Joint Declaration On Energy And Climate Due To Ongoing US Review. + Le Pen Denies France’s Responsibility For WWII-Era Rounding-Up Of Jews. + Venezuelan Opposition Activists Resume Protests Despite Easter Week. + China Prohibits Mainland Visit By Wife Of Detained Taiwanese Activist. + Experts Question Value Of UN-Backed Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Leading DHS News: DHS-17-0305-A-000033 ADMINISTRATION TO TEMPORARILY HALT REPORTS ON IMMIGRATION COOPERATION. The 1es (4/10, Nixon, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that the Trump Administration “will p publication of a weekly report spotlighting cities and counties thatfail to cooperate with federal immigration officials...after several jurisdictions questioned the accuracy ofthe data.” The report was mandated by an executive order that the President signed just daysinto his term. FOURTH, NINTH CIRCUITS REVIEWING TRUMP’S REVISED TRAVEL ORDER. Politico (4/10, Gerstein, 2.46M) reports that the legality of President Trump’s revised travel order is currently under consideration by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court “said it will conduct an en banc hearing May 8 in Richmond on the federal government's appeal of a Maryland-based judge’s ruling blocking Trump's ban on issuance of visas to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries.” Politico indicates that such hearings normally go before a three-judge panel but that an “en banc session will involve 15 judges hearing the case.” The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Kendall, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) reports an en banc hearing will likely speed up the resolution of the case, which would likely lead to an appeal to the US Supreme Court. Fox News (4/10, Singman, 11.07M) reports Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading a 15-state coalition to defend President Trump’s revised executive order on immigration. Paxton, other state attorneys general and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Friday filed “a friend-of-the-court amicus brief to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,” in which they “laid out constitutional and federal statutory provisions defending Trump's authority.” In a statement, Paxton said, “The president's revised immigration order is constitutional, lawful, addresses the 9th Circuit's concerns and is a vital step in securing our borders.” DHS INFORMATION LEADS TO ARRESTOF FUGITIVE FORMER MEXICAN GOVERNORINITALY. es (4/10, Povoledo, Malkin, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports Tomas Yarrington ive ex-governor of the Mexican state Tamaulipas, was captured in Italy on Monday after beingon the run since 2012 on charges of money laundering and racketeering. The Times mentions, “Italian officials had learned that Mr. Yarrington was likely to be hiding in Italy in February, through Interpol, acting on information gathered by the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement: CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE RESPONDS IN DISPUTE OVER ICE COURTHOUSE ARRESTS. Times The LosAngeles (4/10, Ulloa, 4.52M) reports California’s legislature sent a letter to US officials last week in which they “ask[ed] U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly to identify the state’s statutes or ordinances that they perceive as designed to prohibit or obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration law.” The letter was sent from a lawyer with Covington & Burling, a “private firm hired by the state Senate and Assembly.” The Timessays the legislature's letter was in a response to letter from Sessions and Kelly “in which they admonished California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye” for writing a letter that “spoke out against federal immigration agents she said had been ‘stalking’ courthouses to makearrests.” TACOMA IMMIGRANT DETAINEES ENGAGE IN HUNGER STRIKE. The Tacoma (WA) News Tribune (4/10, Ocker, 215K) reports, “More than 100 immigrants detained at the Northwest Detention Center on Tacoma’s Tideflats started a hunger strike Monday to protest conditions at the facility, according to an immigrant rights group.” The three-day hunger strike is “intended to get concessions in terms of food, care and legal access, according to a letter from detainees released by the NWDC Resistance.” ICE spokeswoman Rose Richeson is quoted assaying, “ICE fully respects the rights of all people to voice their opinion without interference and does not retaliate in any way against hunger strikers.” KPTV-TV Portland, OR (4/10, 215K) reports online that ICE released a statement that explained if detainees are “found to go without eating for 72 hours, they will become subject to the agency’s protocols for handling hunger strikes,” which includes counseling about the “related medical risks” associated with the strike. The Wi tte _(( (4/10, Pein, 139K) provides additional coverage. DHS-17-0305-A-000034 NYTIMES: AS CALIFORNIA HEADS TOWARD BECOMING “SANCTUARY STATE,” OTHER STATES MAY FOLLOW. The NewYork Times (4/10, Medina, Bidgood, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) analyzes the current legislative battle in California over “sanctuary state” legislation, and reports that other states may follow California's lead. The Times says, “While California is moving more decisively and quickly than any other state, bills that restrict cooperation with immigration officials have been introducedin several legislatures throughout the country, including in Illinois, Maryland, Nevada and NewYork.” The Times. explains that the pending California legislation “prohibits local law enforcement agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, report or arrest people for immigration violations.” The Times adds that opponents of the “sanctuary state” legislation “argue that the state will effectively force the immigration authorities to make morearrests in public, where other immigrants who have not been convicted of any crime could also be swept up.” MARYLAND “SANCTUARY STATE” LEGISLATION WITHDRAWN. The Washington Times(4/10, Noble, 272K) reports, “A proposal to turn Maryland into a ‘sanctuary state’ bylimiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities died in the State House on Monday after lawmakers withdrewthe bill.” Gov. Larry Hogan had vowed to vetoit, and Attorney General Sessions criticized the measure. The Baltimore Sun (4/10, Wood, 714K) provides additional coverage. STUDY SHOWS RISING IMMIGRATION ARRESTS. International Business Times (4/10, Wright, 814K) reports on a Pew Research Center study showing that “while the number of arrests for other federal offenses have plummeted sharply in the last 10 years,” immigration arrests have soared. According to the study, “one in every two federal arrests were related to some type of immigration-related violation in 2014, the most recent month available for applicable data.” By contrast, the Times says that there were 22 percent fewer immigration-related arrests in 2004, which represented 28 percent of all arrests at the time. The Times adds, “ICE has been ramping up its enforcement of national immigration laws since late January,” and says that “arrests, detentions and deportations have continued at a high rate ever since.” Breitbart (4/10, Mason, 2.02M) also details the report by Pew Research. SOMALI AMBASSADOR TO US SAYS 4,000 SOMALI NATIONALS MARKED FOR DEPORTATION. Newsweek(4/10, Gaffey, 862K) reports the Somali ambassador to the US Ahmed Isse Awad said that immigration authorities have marked “around 4,000 Somali nationals for deportation.” He further said mostof the targeted Somalis were “not in detention centers.” However, Awad did not provide any information on a deportation timeline for the Somali immigrants, according to Newsweek. ICE spokesman Brendan Raedy said, “While there has been anincrease in removals to Somalia, don’t think it would be accurate to attribute that to the [President Trump's] election.” NEW POLARIS REPORT DETAILS EXPLOITATION OF HOTEL WORKERS. The NewYork Times (4/10, Schwartz, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that a new analysis from Polaris has found that hotel “workers can sometimes be exploited by those who market in human trafficking, even within the United States.” In a review ofcalls to its National Human Trafficking Hotline between December 2007 and December 2016, Polaris found that “in non-sex-related cases involving workers in hotels, motels, resorts and casinos, 124 pertained to human trafficking, in which force, fraud or coercion were allegedly used to compel the victim to stay in their situation; and 510 cases involved workplace exploitation, including abuse and labor violations.” The Timessays, “Last year, federal officials arrested nearly 2,000 people for human trafficking in various commercial enterprises.” Out of the 2,000 cases, “over 400 trafficking victims wereidentified, according to Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” GOV. ABBOTT: GANG INITIATIVE IS SEPARATE FROM IMMIGRATION ISSUES. The AP (4/10) reports a newinitiative to “reduce gang violence in Houston won't be affected by reports of rising fear among Latinos of being detained by immigration authorities, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday.” a Abbott said law enforcement wouldn’t be “relying upon tip of some person out there who may be here illegally,” but “added that state agents won't target potential witnesses over their immigration status.” DOZENS OF MAINE LAWYERS URGE AN END TO COURTHOUSE ARRESTS BY ICE. The AP (4/10) reports that dozens of lawyers in Maine on Monday sent a letter urging an endthe practice of courthouse DHS-17-0305-A-000035 arrests by ICE, “in the wake of the detention of an asylum seeker in Portland.” The ACLU said that 179 lawyers in Maine sent the letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. CHICAGO'S “LITTLE VILLAGE” SEEKS TO “TAMP DOWN” ON IMMIGRATION FEARS. NBC News (4/9, Gamboa, 2.67M) reports that Chicago-area business leadersare trying to “tamp down” on the immigration fears that they say have been driving an economic slowdown. The piece highlights the drop in business in the city’s “Little Village,” which is a “2’2-mile stretch of quinceafiera shops, restaurants, shoe andclothing stores, dental offices and other businesses.” According to NBC News, business owners are telling immigrants “there are no arrests going on in the neighborhood, that the Chicago police and local agencies don’t cooperate with the feds or question the immigration orcitizenship status of residents because Chicago is a sanctuary city.” NBC says the business owners are calling on the mayor and police chief “to dispel anxieties.” RUMORS OF ICE RAIDS IMPACTING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (4/10, 1.27M) reports rumors of ICE raids on social media have led immigrants in Minnesota to “shu[n] interactions with government.” The Star Tribune says advocates are “trying to strike a delicate balance” by holding “Know Your Rights” seminars and “urging immigrants to prepare in case they get arrested or deported.” Advocates are also “trying to rein in hearsay and maintain trust in local law enforcement.” Customs and Border Protection: CBP SAYS BORDER WALL PROTOTYPES WILL BE BUILT NEAR SAN DIEGO. The Los Angeles Times (4/10, Molnar, Winkley, 4.52M) reports that US Customs and Border Protection confirmed Monday that “President Trump's proposed wall with Mexicowill kick off in the San Diego border community of Otay Mesa.” The community “is home to oneof two border crossings in San Diego and will be the site where 20 chosen bidders will erect prototypes of the envisioned wall.” Border Patrol spokesman Ralph DeSio “did not say exactly where the construction will take place, saying only that it would occur in the Otay Mesa area.” DeSio “added that plans were subject to change.” CBP said winners“will be selected around June 1.” LAWMAKERS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER COST OF ACQUIRING PRIVATE LANDS FOR BORDER WALL. Congressional Quarterly (4/10, Subscription Publication, 967) reports lawmakers are expressing concern over the potential high costof seizing private lands to build a wall along the southern US border. CQ says the Administration has “requested funding in fiscal 2018 to hire 20 lawyers that would help acquire land needed to secure the 2,000-mile southern border, but the threat of eminent domain — the process by which the government seizes private property — has remained somewhat under the radar.” CQ cites testimony from Secretary Kelly last week to the Senate wherehe said the border wall may be facing some “eminent domain issues,” and there “may be places wehave to do it.” CQ adds that Kelly’s statements “represented the administration's clearest sign to datethat it is considering seizing land to fulfill Trump's promise for a wall.” Democrats, who oppose the wall, are “warning the administration that taking property from private citizens will be costly, ineffective and unpopular.” RIO GRANDE BORDER CROSSINGS LOWEST IN 17 YEARS. The Los Angeles Times (4/10, Jarvie, 4.52M) reports that “the number of immigrants caught crossing illegally into the United States has dropped dramatically” over the past year, declining by 64 percent to “the lowest monthly number in 17 years.” Reasons for the drop include “a rise in smuggling fees,” tightened security, and “President Trump’s aggressive stance on securing the border.” Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called the decline “no accident,” and the White House said that Trump's “commitment to securing our border and supporting law enforcement is already showing results.” Few changes in enforcement have actually taken place, however, and analysts say a change in perception has led to the decline. Some believe the slowdown in immigration is temporary, after many “took advantage of the political climate in the United States toward the end of last year” and aimed “to cross the border before Trump took office,” the Times writes. DHS-17-0305-A-000036 BORDER PATROL EXCHANGES GUNFIRE WITH MAN AT LAS CRUCES CHECKPOINT. The El Paso (TX) Times (4/10, 149K) reports Border Patrol agents exchanged gunfire with a man crossing through the Las Cruces checkpoint on Sunday. The man was driving through the checkpoint and was referred to secondary inspection. CBP “said the man brandished a handgun during questioning and fired one gunshot through his vehicle in the direction of Border Patrol agents.” Border Patrol returned fire and struck the man, who “remained hospitalized Monday.” The AP (4/10) reports similarly. CBP: ASSAULTS AGAINST BORDER PATROL OFFICERS DOUBLE. The WashingtonExaminer (4/10, Giaritelli, 400K) details statistics released by CBP that show assaults against Border Patrol officers has “doubled in the first six months of fiscal year 2017 compared to the same period of the previous year.” CBP “reported 462 assaults against its officers from Sept. 31, 2016 through March 31, 2017 compared to 190 at the same time a year earlier.” SECRETARY KELLY TO DECIDE ON FATEOF VISA WAIVER PROGRAM FOR CHINESE, RUSSIAN TOURISTS. Marianas Variety (4/11, Villahermosa) reports Secretary Kelly “will decide whether the CNMI visa-waiver program for Chinese and Russian tourists will continue, according to Brian J. Humphrey, director of field operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” In an interview on Monday, Humphrey “said the visa-waiver program will continue in the meantime.” BORDER PATROL AGENT FILES COUNTERCLAIM OVER 2014 CONFRONTATION WITH NAVY SEAL. The Los Angeles Times (4/10, Davis, 4.52M) reports a Border Patrol agent has filed a counterclaim against former Navy SEAL Alton Jones stemming from a 2014 confrontation near the Border Fence. The Times says Jones went for a jog near the fence and the jog “ended in a violent confrontation between the former Navy SEAL and Border Patrol agents, a night in a holding cell and dueling lawsuits being fought in San Diego federal court.” Jones alleged “excessive useof force, violation of free speech, false imprisonment, battery by a peaceofficer, negligence and violation of the federal public records act, among other claims” in his lawsuit filed last summer. A Border Patrol agentfiled a counterclaim “alleging he was the one who suffered physically and emotionally.” The Times says, “It is the first time a federal agent has countersued seeking damages for pain and suffering in such a scenario in San Diego.” HUFFINGTON POST: MEXICAN WOMAN SEEKING ASYLUM REPEATEDLY TURNED AWAY BY CBP. The Huffington Post (4/10, Planas, 237K) reports that legal groups have accused Customs and Border Protection agents “of turning away asylum-seekers at the border.” The Post highlights the case of a 30-year-old Mexican woman repeatedly turned away despite requesting asylum “because she feared for her life and her four children.” According to the Post, under federal law, border authorities are required to allow those requesting asylum into the country, “where they are to be granted aninterview with an asylum officer from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.” The attorney for the Mexican woman, Nicole Ramos, said, “It’s shocking that you have federal law enforcement officials — people who are charged with upholding the law and bellyache all the time about immigrants crossing illegally — [and] that they are breaking the law themselves.” YAHOO: OTHER COUNTRIES MAY RETALIATE FOR “EXTREME VETTING” PROCEDURES. Yahoo! News (4/10, Pegoraro, 8.62M) reports a newbill in Congress may prevent CBP from searching the phones of US citizens at the border, but “the Trump administration maystill choose to gather foreigners’ social media passwords, a policy known as extreme vetting.” Yahoo says extreme vetting procedures may lead other countries to subject Americans to the “very same treatment.” NPR INTERVIEWS NASA ENGINEER OVER BORDER CELL PHONE SEARCH. NPR (4/10, 1.92M) interviewed NASA engineer and American citizen Sidd Bikkannavar about his experience at the Houston airport in January, where he was asked to producehis cell phone for a search. Bikkannavar said the experience will make him “question how much really trust the government.” NPR adds that the screening of cell phones has been “amped up” in recent years. ARIZONA REPUBLIC: BORDER WALL COVERED IN SOLAR PANELS COULD BENEFIT US, MEXICO. The Arizona Republic (4/10, 1.1M) editorializes that a proposal to cover the border wall with solar panels could benefit both the US and Mexico. The Republic says if President Trump “wants to honor DHS-17-0305-A-000037 his promise to build a wall, let's be creative and daring.” The Republic concludes, “Imagine using the fierce desert sun, which has claimed the lives of so many migrants, to enrich two neighboring countries with good jobs and clean energy.” NYTIMES: EXTREME VETTING PROPOSALS ARE FOOLISH. The NewYork Times (4/10, Board, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) in an editorial argues that the Trump Administration’s plans for “enhanced screening” of travelers are really “an arbitrary breach ofprivacy” and arenot likely to “make the United States any safer.” The Times saysit would be expensive to conduct enhanced screening, and “travelers with malicious intent” may simply defeat at least some of it by means of “decoy phones or by deleting any questionable content on their devices before traveling.” DE LA HOYA USES BOXING AD TO “TAUNT” TRUMP ON BORDER WALL. The NewYork Times (4/10, Haberman, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports former world champion Oscar De La Hoya, is using an ad on DirecTV and Dish Network to promote a Cinco de Mayo weekend match between Saul Alvarez and Julio César Chavez Jr., both of Mexican descent, “to taunt” President Trump. De La Hoya said in a telephone interview said the ad’s image of the two boxers bursting through a concrete wall “was a direct hit to Donald Trump.” Transportation Security Administration: TSA TRAINING NEW AIR MARSHALS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011. Newsweek (4/10, O'Connor, 862K) reports TSA has “begun training its first new class of federal air marshals since 2011 after avoiding budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump.” The future-marshals will be put through a “rigorous” 16-week training course where“recruits [will] practice identifying and neutralizing suspected terrorists onboard airplanes.” The Washington Post (4/9, Aratani, 11.43M) reports on the “special Transportation Security Administration school in Atlantic City,” where the air marshal trainees will undergo a 16-week course on shooting with precision, “being able to blend in and quietly size up passengers to determine who might be a threat.” Michael LaFrance, assistant supervisory air marshal in charge at the TSA’s Atlantic City training center, said the goal of the course is practice real-life situations to sharpen trainees’ instincts. TSA, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CALLED IN TO HANDLE MARIJUANA FOUND IN LUGGAGE. The New York Times (4/10, Weed, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports some passengers “take the risk” of transporting marijuana in carry-on or checked baggage “because searching for marijuana is not on the [TSA's] to-do list.” TSA spokesman Bruce Anderson explained that the agency focuses on “terrorism and security threats to the aircraft and its passengers.” Anderson addedthat TSAwill contact local law enforcement to deal with marijuana found in a passenger's luggage. Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEDERAL ASSESSMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA SNOWSTORM DAMAGE REQUESTED. The WilkesBarre (PA) TimesLeader (4/10, O'Boyle, 114K) reports Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Monday that emergency officials in his state have asked their federal government counterparts to conduct a formal assessment of recent snowstorm damage. Wolf's announcement is also covered in an online WBRE-TV Wilkes-Barre, PA (4/10, 1K) article. US Citizenship and Immigration Services: SOME TECH FIRMS PAY H-1B WORKERS MORE THAN PREVAILING WAGE. The San Francisco Chronicle (4/10, Thadani, 2.2M) reports on an analysis it conducted that showed a number of Bay Area companies in the most recent fiscal year “offered to pay H-1B recipients amounts similar to — or, in some cases, significantly more than — the prevailing wage.” While noting that wages are “calculated by the Department of Labor based on conditions such as skill level and location,” the Chronicle, however, cites experts as saying that the characterization of H-1B visa holders as “underpaid foreign workersis DHS-17-0305-A-000038 dangerous for a program that Silicon Valley has come to rely on to staff many engineering positions — often at six-figure salaries.” Immigration: TENNESSEE CONSIDERING IN-STATE TUITION FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. The AP a (4/10, Binkley) reports Tennessee’s legislature is considering bill to join the 20 states that offer cheaper in-state college tuition to undocumented immigrants, an idea experts say “has been accepted bystates at both ends of the political spectrum.” Supporters say the tuition benefit boosts Latino enrollment and helps the “students contribute to the economy.” However, “opponents say the policy wrongly rewards immigrants who entered the countryillegally,” takes college slots from UScitizens, and attracts undocumented immigrants. Author Advocates Supporting Dreamers Seeking Higher Education. Author Richard Whitmire, in an op-ed in USA Today (4/10, 5.28M), writes that applications to THEDREAM.US, which “offers modest college scholarships to undocumented ‘Dreamers,” shows that they will not “self-deport.” Furthermore, with program participants having a college success rate that “far exceeds the national rate,” there is “a lesson for states unwilling to grant in-state tuition to Dreamers,” critics of Deferred Action for Childhood Action, and the federal government, which denies them tuition aid: “these budding Americans” are worth nurturing. WPOST A1: POPE PLACING CHURCH IN OPPOSITION TO POLICIES REGULATING IMMIGRATION. The Washington Post (4/10, A1, Faiola, Bailey, 11.43M) reports on its front page that Pope Francis “is rallying to the side of migrants” at a time when “politicians around the world including President Trump take an increasingly hard line on immigration.” And “Catholic cardinals, bishops and priests are emerging as some of the mostinfluential opponents of immigration crackdowns’ while Francis is “emphasizing his support for their [immigrants] rights in sermons, speeches and deeds.” The Post, cites Newark Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, and Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich as opposing President Trump’s policies regarding immigration. In Rome, Cardinal Peter Turkson, has said that “the Vatican was counting on the U.S. Catholic Church — as well as checks and balances — to stop Trump's policies.” US Coast Guard: US SOUTHERN COMMAND, COAST GUARD: MORE FUNDING NEEDED TO STOP FLOW OF DRUGS INTO THE US. Business Insider (4/10, Woody, 3.42M) details recent congressional testimony from military and Coast Guard leaders concerning being “under-resourced and overwhelmed by the flow of drugs and contraband coming north.” Business Insider says the Coast Guard and US Southern Command “have been strained by the scope of their duties and limitations on their budgets,” which has lead to the inability to stop two-thirds of the drug shipments that head to the US. Business Insider quotes Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles Ray from testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee in February. Ray said “resource constraints and a lack of capable surface assets allow the US Coast Guard to only attack our target [in] 30% of the knowncases that we have goodintelligence, really highconfidence intelligence.” Ray added, “As a result of the lack of resources, last year, we were prevented from getting after 580 known smuggling events, and those shipments made their way north.” COAST GUARD: NO TIMETABLE FOR RECOVERING SUNKEN BARGE NEAR PORT OF OAKLAND. The San Jose (CA) Mercury News (4/10, Harris, 654K) reports, “A plug is continuing to prevent leaking of fuel from a sunken freight barge south of the Bay Bridge off the Port of Oakland but when the vessel will be raised has not been determined, officials said Monday.” The Coast Guard said it may be several days before the barge is brought to the surface. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Adam Stanton is quoted as saying, “Every case is different.” TAMPA BAY TIMES: MYSTERY SURROUNDS DEATH OF FISHING CAPTAIN. The Tampa Bay(FL) Times (4/10, Varn, 785K) reports on the case of Tarpon Springs, Florida, fishing captain Gregory Lasnier, DHS-17-0305-A-000039 who was found dead in his boat's pilot house on February 26, “hundreds of miles from any of his normal fishing spots.” The Times says the case remains a mystery, as no investigation has revealed what happened aboard Lasnier’s ship, the Daniel , during the ten days it was at sea. The Times adds that the Coast Guard was not able to recover the ship, or Lasnier’s body when they first responded to the vessel because the boat was taking on water, according to Lt. Comdr. Ryan Kelley. Secret Service: USA TODAY: SECRET SERVICE NEEDS TO ADDRESS WHITE HOUSE SECURITY FASTER. In an editorial, USA Today (4/10, Board, 5.28M) writes that the length of time that will have elapsed between the 2014 breach of the White House and the start to the construction of a stronger, higher fence set for 2018 is “ridiculous,” even for “bureaucrats known to move at a glacial pace.” In the meantime, the March 10 incident in which a man armed with two cans of Mace scaled the White House fence and roamed the grounds for 17 minutes made the Secret Service look “like a TV parody of inept cops.” With the agency's investigation ongoing, USA Today saysthat “something is apparently still very wrong on the White House grounds — something that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.” On behalf of the men and women of the Secret Service, Acting Director William Callahan writes ina USA Today (4/10, Callahan, 5.28M) op-ed that the White House complex “is, and remains, secure” even in light of the March 10 security breach. Callahan calls the agency “uncompromising in its commitment to overcoming, adapting, and improving” in “the few instances” it “performs at less than 100%.” The agency has prioritized staffing, training, and technological enhancements, such as the planned-for replacement of the historical White House fence, to improve security in the wake of breaches. GROUPS SUE TO OBTAIN WHITE HOUSE VISITORS LOGS. The Hill (4/10, Shelbourne, 1.25M) reports the National Security Archive, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University are suing the Trump Administration under the Freedom ofInformation Act, alleging the Secret Service has not provided the logs that show whois visiting the White House despite FOIA requests. The groups are seeking records on whovisited the White House as well as who met with the President “at his private properties in New York and Florida.” Reuters (4/10, Stempel) reports the complaint says the Obama Administration released such logs on a delayed basis. Newsweek (4/10, Lanktree, 862K) reports, “At the moment, the Secret Service doesn’t keep track of guests at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where he regularly meets with world and national leaders.” Additional coverage is provided byPolitico (4/10, Gerstein, 2.46M), Bloomberg Politics (4/10, Van Voris, 201K), and the Tampa Bay(FL) Times (4/10, Leary, 785K). TRUMP HAS TAKEN MORE GETAWAYS IN FIRST 81 DAYS THAN OBAMA, BUSH, AND CLINTON DID. The New York Times (4/10, Yourish, Lai, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that, despite his “years ofcriticizing former President Barack Obama for playing golf and going on private getaways,” in his first 81 days President Trump “has already done moreof both” than Obama, former President George W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton during that period. CNN (4/10, Merica, 29.79M) reports President Trump’s travel to Mar-a-Lago has “cost over an estimated $20 million in his first 80 days as president, putting the president on pacein his first year of office to surpass former President Barack Obama’s spending ontravel for his entire eight years.” PALM BEACH CONSIDERS TAXING MAR-A-LARGO CLUB TO COVER TRUMP SECURITY EXPENSES. The AP (4/10) reports Palm Beach County, Florida commissioners “are sotired of spending money,” mostly on law enforcement overtime, due to President Trump’s frequent visits to Mar-a-Lago, that County Commissioner Dave Kerner suggested making the resort “a special taxing district and imposing a levy onthe resort to pay the president's security costs.” Meanwhile, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said, “ am sure they will get around to” reimbursing the county for its expenses. However, Trump supporters argue the county recoups the money “through added visitors lured by the frequent exposure DHS-17-0305-A-000040 and his visits show he cares about the area.” Directorate For Management: GAO: DHS ACQUISITIONS IMPROVE, ADDITIONAL CHANGES NEEDED. Federal Times (4/10, 117K) details the annual assessment of DHS’ acquisition programs by the GAO. The Times reports the GAO found that DHS’ major acquisition programs “now have schedule andcost goals established for the first time, and over half are on track to meet their department-approved baseline.” The Times adds, however, that the GAO found that some acquisitions “could have [benefited] from earlier requirements definition and more well-documented and insightful decision-making processes.” The GAOalso “recommended that DHS define technical requirements before establishing baselines andbetter clarify when and how to report a performance breach to help provide insight into and correct causes of poor outcomes.” Terrorism Investigations: (4/10, Whitehouse, 3.82M) reports that in a Federal court hearing on Monday, Juan Thompson pleaded not guilty to charges related to bomb threats he allegedly made against Jewish community centers and institutions, often in the name of his ex-girlfriend. Federal prosecutor Jacob Warren told the Manhattan judge that Thompson was well-equipped for cyber-stalking, and that investigators are recovering information from 25 electronic devices seized from the defendant's St. Louis, Missouri, home. Thompson, a 32-year-old former journalist with The Intercept, allegedly launched the bomb threat campaign to retaliate against the ex-girlfriend for a restraining order she placed against him. ADMINISTRATION TO SELL PLANES TO NIGERIA FOR BOKO HARAM FIGHT. The AP (4/10, Lardner, Faul) reports President Trump has decided to “move forward with the sale” of “up to 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft” to Nigeria to help with its fight against Boko Haram. The Administration will formally notify Congress “within weeks.” The planes, equipped with “sophisticated targeting gear,” will cost “nearly $600 million.” The Obama Administration had planned to approve the sale in January, but “it was abruptly put on hold,” after a bombing of a refugee camp in which over 100civilians were killed. The Washington Post (4/10, Gibbons-Neff, 11.43M) also reports the Administration is expected to go ahead with the sale, which “has been in the works for more than a year.” It quotes an unnamed “State Department official” saying, “the United States is committed to working with Nigeria and its neighbors to combat Boko Haram, protect civilians, respond to the humanitarian emergency in the region, and help restore governance in the affected areas.” Reuters (4/10, Zengerle, Onuah) reports the plane is “an agile, propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance and surveillance as well as attack capabilities.” EGYPT DECLARES NATIONWIDE STATE OF EMERGENCY. The AP (4/10, Michael) reports Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared a three-month nationwide state of emergency as partof his effort “to ease public anger and take a tougher stand against Islamic extremists” after the church bombings. In addition, the Interior Ministry announced “it killed seven Islamic State militants in an exchange of gunfire during a security operation in the southern city of Assiut.” Yet, says the AP, an existing state of emergency in the Sinai Peninsula “has failed to halt near daily attacks against police and security forces by the Islamic State group.” The New York Times (4/10, Walsh, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports ISIS is seeking “a new battleground whereit can start to proclaim victory again” and has identified Egypt's cities and its Christians as a newtarget, but “few believe it can succeed.” The Times says the size of Egypt, its mostly Sunni population, and lack of “popular support for a bloody pogrom” against the Christians all weigh against ISIS, yet given the “wide security gaps” in Egypt, its “Christians seem likely to bear the brunt of the Islamic State’s ambitions.” The Times says that the emergency declaration is not expected to have much effect as Egypt has frequently been under an emergency declaration. WPost: Trump Should Reconsider support Foral-Sissi. The Washington Post (4/10, 11.43M) in an editorial urges President Trump “to reconsider” his support for Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, DHS-17-0305-A-000041 because, it says the bombings of churches show “the inability of the Sissi regime to defeat Egypt's Islamic State affiliate,” and “its failure to protect a vulnerable minority that has been singled out by theterrorists.” The Post says Sissi has “the most repressive regime in Egypt's modern history,” but, it argues that “has driven recruits into the terrorists’ ranks.” Rather than suppressing terror, the Post argues that Sissi “is steadily leading his country toward chaos.” Pope Will Still Travel To Egypt Despite Attacks, ISIS Threats. In continuing coverage of two suicide 14.63M) reported that ISIS has claimed responsibilityandis spreading“fear across the Christian world with threats of more to come.” Despite the ISIS threat, Pope Francis still plans to travel to Egypt at the end of the month. Israel Closes Border Crossing With Egypt. Fox News Special Report (4/10, 1.53M) reported that families of the 44 victims of Sunday’s attacks are “demanding answers from Egypt's President el-Sisi, who declared a state of emergency last night.” Connor Powell reported that while Sisi “boasted” to Fox News last week about his record of combating extremism, the “violence appears to be spreading on the restless Sinai peninsula to Egypt's cities.” Powell added that the instability is also affecting Egypt's neighbors, with Israel closing its border crossing with Egypt “after a rocket was fired from the Sinai and reports of an imminent terrorist attack.” The Washington Post (4/10, Raghavan, 11.43M) reports “Israel closed its southern border with Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Monday and urged Israeli holiday-makers to leave Egypt.” The Post explains that “Egypt's Islamic Stateaffiliate...is based in Sinai.” Meanwhile, mournersat funerals following the attacks on Christian churches “claimed the government has failed to protect” Christians in Egypt. TRUMP EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR SWEDISH TRUCK ATTACK VICTIMS. In a conversation with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on Sunday, President Trump expressed his condolences to the families of the four people killed in last week's truck attack in Stockholm, the AP (4/10) reports. Trump wished a “speedy recovery” to the other victims wounded in the attack. According to a White House statement, Trump and Lofven “agreed to maintain and strengthen the already close partnership between the United States and Sweden in the global fight against terrorism.” Meanwhile, the NewYork Times (4/10, Anderson, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports, Swedish prosecutors publicly identified the suspected driver as 39-year-old Rakhmat Akilov, an Uzbek national who applied for and was denied asylum last year. Akilov’s court-appointed attorney, Johan Eriksson, asked the Stockholm District Court on Monday to remove him from the case because his client “has expressed the explicit wish to be defended by a lawyer who is Sunni Muslim.” The attack prompted debates about howto prevent a future attack and address the approximately 12,000 rejected asylum seekers who, like Akilov, went “underground” to avoid deportation. TSARNAEV WAS APPROACHED BY MEN WHO IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS FBI AGENTS IN 2011. NBC News(4/10, 2.67M) reports that the FBI “released a summary ofan interview summary that agents conducted with Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev in April 2011, two years before the April 2013 bombing, and it includes Tsarnaev's claim that four mysterious men claiming to be FBI agents had previously tried to contact him.” According to NBC, “The FBI agent who prepared the document wrote that Tsarnaev said four ‘young, handsome men in suits’ had previously approached a person whose name was redacted by the FBI, saying they wanted to speak to Tamerlan Tsarnaev and claimed they were FBI.” The Boston Globe (4/10, Valencia, 1.08M) reports that, in addition to Tsarnaev, “another person, whose name was redacted from the FBI report, told agents that the four mysterious men had spoken with the unnamed person and asked for Tsarnaev.” The Globe notes that the FBI “previously acknowledged that it interviewed Tsarnaev in early 2011 at the request of a foreign government, later confirmed to be Russia, ‘based on information that he was a follower of radical Islam.” The Boston Herald (4/11, 509K) reports that Tsarnaev told the agents that he “did not have many Muslim friends,” and “did not think there could be anyIslamic radicals in Cambridge.” The AP (4/10) and WFXT- DHS-17-0305-A-000042 TV Boston (4/10, 248K) also cover the release of the interview summary. Cyber News: ARREST OF RUSSIAN HACKER IN SPAIN FOLLOWS GLOBAL ANTI-SPAM INVESTIGATION. The AP (4/10) reports that on Monday, the Justice Department said it is “working to dismantle a global computer network that sent hundreds of millions of spam emails worldwide each year,” and Pyotr Levashov, “the Russian man alleged to be at the head of the scheme, was arrested Friday in Spain.” According to DOJ, “the sprawling Kelihos botnet, which at times was made up of more than 100,000 compromised computers...sent phony emails advertising counterfeit drugs and work-at-home scams, harvested users’ logins andinstalled malwarethat intercepted their bank account passwords.” Levashov’s wife “told Russia’s RT broadcaster that he was being linked to America’s 2016 election hacking,” but DOJ officials say “there was no such connection.” The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Gauthier-Villars, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) also reports that Justice Department officials said the arrest was entirely a criminal matter. Nevertheless, citing McClatchy, NBC News(4/10, 2.67M) reports that an unidentified “former high-ranking U.S. intelligence official” said the arrest was “part of a broad attack on Russian hackers, some of whom may have information on the election hacking.” The New York Times (4/10, Schwirtz, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that on Friday, “Spanish police burst into the hotel room where the spammer was staying with his wife and child and arrested him. Simultaneously, cybersecurity operatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and several private companies took down his online network of tens of thousands of virus-infected computers.” Times calls Levashov “one of the world’s most pernicious email spammers,” and adds that the take-down of his servers effectively ended “a vast criminal enterprise.” Reuters (4/10, Volz, Menn) says Levashov, “who haslong been considered the likely identity of an online persona known as Peter Severa, spent years listed as among the world’s 10 mostprolific computer spammers by Spamhaus, a spam-tracking group.” Reuters adds that “the Kelihos operation was the first targeting a botnet to use a recent judicial rule change that allows the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation to obtain a sole search warrant to remotely access computers located in anyjurisdiction, potentially even overseas,” whereas “previously such warrants could only be used within a judge’s jurisdiction.” New Haven Office, as well as Alaska’'s U.S. Attorneys.” NBCNews(4/10,2. the WallStreetJournal (4/10, Gauthier-Villars, Subscription Publication, 6.37M), and AFP (4/10) all cover the arrest in Spain and the wider investigation. 2.67M)reports, “Hackers have zeroed in on the growing number ofthird-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace, reportedly using stolen logins to swipe thousands of dollars from some merchants.” Hackers have recently “ramped up their attacks by taking over dormant accounts and changing the bank account information,” then posting “nonexistent merchandise at bargain prices” to collect cash. NBC Newsadds, “Buyers can get a refund, but the scam hits sellers hard, since they’re on the hook for reimbursing customers who never received their merchandise.” A source familiar with the matter is cited saying Amazon is working to make sure sellers do not have to bear the financial burden of the attacks. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Stevens, McMillan, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) reports that the attacks stem mainly from password and email credentials from previously hacked accountsthat are sold on the “dark web.” ADDITIONAL ALLEGED NSA HACKING TOOLS RELEASED ONLINE. McClatchy (4/10, Johnson, 74K) reports the hacking group known as the Shadow Brokers“released another set oftools it said were designed by the top-secret National Security Agency” to break into computers as well as “a list of servers it said the tools had infected.” Despite cybersecurity experts having varied assessments of the leaked DHS-17-0305-A-000043 material, “several agreed that it would give global foescrucial information about American hacking abilities and plans.” The release was accompanied by “a rambling, rant-filled statement” that said the group sought to push President Trump into remaining loyal to his followers and promoting anti-globalism. According to Rendition Infosec, Russia and the Shadow Brokers are almost certainly connected. DALLAS EMERGENCY SIREN SYSTEM BREACH BELIEVED TO BE “WHITE-HAT” HACK. Fox News (4/10, Rogers, 11.07M) reports, “The hack that set off emergency sirens across Dallas on Friday night may be the work of a so-called white-hat hacker, according to a cybersecurity expert.” Fox News adds, “While specific details of the attack have notyet been released, there is speculation that a white-hat hacker may be behind the incident.” Votiro CEOItay Glick is quoted saying, “I believe that in this case this hacker ‘signaled’ the alarm that something was wrong within the emergency network in order to alert officials to the fact that the current IT infrastructure is weak and vulnerable to attacks.” Slate’s (4/10, 1.83M) “Future Tense” blog says, “It was an interesting security breach notjust because it was loud but also because it targeted an emergency alert system.” Future Tense cites reporting from the Dallas Newsindicating that the system was breached “by broadcasting tones via radio or telephone signal on the specific frequency that was used to communicate with the warning sirens.” PERSONAL INFORMATION STOLEN IN WONGA DATA BREACH. International Business Times (UK. (4/10, Dellinger, 430K) reports, “Short-term lender Wonga has informed its customers that personal information from a quarter of a million accounts has been stolen in a data breach.” IBT says, “While none of the information may lead to a direct fraud committed against anyof the users, it is still shocking to have a dataset about one’s life exposed in such a way, especially when the information was trusted to a business that failed to protect it.” The information can nonetheless “can be cross-referenced with the number of previous database breaches that have occurred in recent years that often include passwords and logins,” making breaches like this one “exponentially more compromising’ for those who use the “same password across multiple accounts.” FDA, INDUSTRY INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT HACKING ATTACKS ON MEDICAL DEVICES. TheHill (4/10, Harper, Extra, 1.25M) reports that “regulators and medical-device-makers are bracing for an expected barrage of hacking attacks,” as hackers have turned their attention “to a new vulnerability: medical devices like pacemakers and insulin pumps.” According to the Hill, the Food and Drug Administration “has become increasingly concerned about the issue andis working to coordinate with other agencies on howto respond if a serious medical device hack wereto occur.” Suzanne Schwartz, associate director for science and strategic partnerships at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, says, “This is what we said to manufacturers; one should consider the environment a hostile environment, there are constant attempts at intrusion ... and they have to be hardened.” The article points out that Johnson & Johnson “had to tell its customers that its insulin pumps had a security vulnerability that hackers could use to access the device and cause a potentially fatal overdose of insulin” last Fall. METHODS USED IN ATTEMPTED UNION BANK OF INDIA HEIST RESEMBLE THOSE IN BANGLADESH CENTRAL BANK HEIST. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Steinberg, Parussini, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) reports that cyberthieves who attemptedto steal $170 million from Union Bank of India Ltd.’s computer system used methods strongly reminiscent of the Bangladesh central bank heist. The similarities underscore concerns about recent attacks onfinancial institutions, some of which have been linked to North Korea-affiliated groups, the Journal says. MUGICA: ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS NOT AT “SIGNIFICANT RISK” OF CYBERATTACK. Smartmatic founder and CEO Antonio Mugica writes in Newsweek (4/10, Mugica, 862K) that allegations of Russian interference in last year’s presidential election “has led countries to assume that hacking emails is the same as hacking an electronic voting platform,” an inference Mugica says“is false...and we are in real danger of dismissing the benefits of election technology because of confusion around the threat of cyber security.” Mugica says, “When election technology is properly designed, cyber attacks...are not a significant risk.” Mugica adds, “Despite using technology that was at least 10 years old, no significant incidents occurred in the 2016 elections.” He expresses worry that pen-and-paper systems, DHS-17-0305-A-000044 “wherethe possibilities for mistakes and fraud are endless,” are “being touted as a safer alternative to election technology.” Mugica contends, “The challenge of conducting credible elections should be solved via more and better technology, not less,” and concludes that “electronic voting technology protects the integrity of votes and our democracy.” Countering Violent Extremism: GAO: DHS MUST EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF CVE WORK. FedScoop (4/10, Ehlinger) details a report by the GAOthat found DHS “has been working to counter violent extremism online and offline, but it has no means of measuring if its overall effort is actually helping.” The GAO auditors wrote, “Although GAOwas able to determine the status of the 44 CVE tasks, it was not able to determine if the United States is better off today than it was in 2011 as a result of these tasks.” National Security News: ADMINISTRATION LEAVES OPEN OPTION OF FURTHER MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA. Top Administration officials on Monday indicated the US could carry out further military action against Syria if President Bashar al Assad’s regime continues efforts to harm civilians. Media coverage highlights that White House press secretary Spicer mentioned the use of barrel bombsas a potential responsetriggering act, which reporting says broadens and possibly lowers the previous threshold for US military action in the country. Coverage also places Secretary of State Tillerson’s upcoming visit to Moscowin the context of US efforts to dissuade Russia from continuing its support of Assad. On the CBS Evening News (4/10, story 6, 2:35, Pelley, 11.17M), Margaret Brennan reported the White House “vowedto respond if...Assad continued to use chemical weapons,” and the Administration “added barrel bombs to its red line.” USA Today (4/10, Jackson, Korte, 5.28M) reports Spicer said Monday that the US is prepared to take additional action against Syria if Damascus continues to use chemical weapons and barrel bombs. Spicer said “The sight of people being gassed and blown away by barrel bombs ensures that if we seethis kind of action again, we hold open the possibility of future action.” Townhall (4/10, Barkoukis, 402K) quotes Spicer as also saying, “If you gas a baby, if you put a barrel bomb into innocent people, think you will see a responsefrom this president.” Spicer, according to Bloomberg Politics (4/10, Sink, 201K), “emphasized Monday that further US attacks on Syria remain a possibility, pledging decisive and proportional responses to actions deemed unacceptable by Trump.” However, Spicer did not give specifics regarding what actions by Syria would lead to a military response. Bloomberg quotes Spicer as saying, “The president's been very clear that he’s going to keep his cards close to his vest, but make no mistake, he will act.” The WashingtonPost (4/10, Johnson, Parker, 11.43M) says that while Spicer “lumped barrel bombs in the same category as chemical weapons on three separate occasions” during his Monday briefing, “he later insisted that his comments should notbe interpreted as a change in USpolicy.” Spicer explained, “Nothing has changed in our posture.” He added, “The president retains the option to act in Syria against the Assad regime whenever it is in the national interest, as was determined following that government's use of chemical weapons against its own citizens. And as the president has repeatedly made clear, he will not be telegraphing his military responses.” Jeff Zeleny reported on CN’ Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that an Administration official “tried to...walk back” Spicer’s comment, with theofficial “saying, look, it does not represent a newred line. It does not represent a newsort ofstipulation for military action here.” Politico (4/10, McCaskill, 2.46M) says Spicer “declared” that Trump's foreign policy doctrine remains “America First” despite recent decisions regarding Syria. Spicer said “the Trump doctrine is something that hearticulated throughout the campaign, which is that America’s first.” Spicer added that the US will not “become the world policeman” but will protect the country’s economic and security interests. The Washington Times (4/10, Boyer, 272K) reports Spicer indicated the use of weapons of mass destruction is a threat to the US as the weapons could be seized by ISIS. Spicer said, “The proliferation and the spread [of WMD] to other groups is a clear danger to our country. We've gotto contain that.” DHS-17-0305-A-000045 Spicer added that ISIS is “the number one threat that America faces” in the region. Still, the New York Post (4/10, Moore, 3.82M) reports that when askedif the Administration’s goal is to remove Assad from power, Spicer said he “can’t imagine a stable and peaceful Syria where Assad is in power.” Breitbart (4/10, Key, 2.02M) quotes Spicer as saying that the focus in Syria is “twofold,” with the goal of “defeating ISIS” and “creating the political environment necessary for the Syrian people to have new leadership there.” while visiting an Italian memorial to a Nazi massacrethat killed children the US would punish those who carry out attacks against civilians. In a segment that focused on Tillerson’s upcoming trip to Moscow, NBCNightly News(4/10, story 3, 2:20, Holt, 16.61M) showed Tillerson saying, “We rededicate ourselves to holding to account any and all who commit crimes against the innocents anywhere in the world.” Defense Secretary Mattis, according to the New YorkPost (4/10, Moore, 3.82M), issued “a threat directed” at Assad when he said, “The Syrian government would beill-advised ever again to use chemical weapons.” According to Reuters (4/10, Wroughton, Torbati), Tillerson’s visit to Moscow today “will be an early test of whether” the Administration can “use any momentum generated” from the missile strike “to craft and execute a strategy to end” the Syrian conflict. Tillerson, Reuters says, “is charged with avoiding a major US confrontation with Russia while exacting some concessions” from Putin. USA Today (4/10, Dorell, 5.28M) reports that Tillerson’s meeting with Russian officials will include an effort to find “common ground with Russia on ending Syria's long civil war” and the future of Assad. USA Today says “both goals will be extraordinarily tough to achieve” as Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been Assad’s strongest ally” and the Russian military “has provided him a major boost against rebels since 2015.” However, USA Today adds, Putin “may be more open to a deal” after the US missile strike in Syria, the “global condemnation” that followed Syria’s chemical weapon attack, and Washington's “suggest[ion]” that Moscow was complicit in the attack. However, Fox News Special Report (4/10, 1.53M) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov placed blame on Washington when he said in a statement that the US has shown a “complete reluctance” to cooperate on Syria “and take into account each other’s concerns and interests.” CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) reported that State Department officials say “Tillerson’s message in Moscow: Russia bears responsibility for Assad’s actions.” This comes as the US is looking for “direct evidence” that Russian commanders knew about the planned chemical attack. NBC Nightly News (4/10, story 3, 2:20, Holt, 16.61M) reported, “A major point of contention is Russia’s inaction against the Syrian regime’s deadly chemical attack last week.” The AP (4/10, Burns, Baldor) reports a “senior USofficial” said Monday that the US “has concluded Russia knew in advance of Syria’s chemical weapons attack last week.” The official, according to the AP, indicated that a Russian drone was flying over a hospital as victims of the attack werearriving for treatment. Townhall (4/10, Rousselle, 402K) reports the official said a Russian-made plane then bombed the hospital to cover up evidence of the chemical weapons being used. The Washington Times (4/10, Mufioz, 272K) reports the White House “pushed back” against the report, “saying the issue was still open.” A “senior administration official” said, “At this time, there is no US intelligence community consensus that Russia had foreknowledge of the Syrian chemical attack.” Sen. Chris Murphy said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that “of course” Assad was responsible for the chemical attack, and the “Russians were complicit.” However, he said he does not support regime change in Syria if it involves US military intervention because that “just misremembersall of the lessons from our attempt to do something similar in Iraq.” Murphy also voiced opposition to the US responding to the Syrian regime carrying out barrel bomb attacks, stating, “If we're going to go in and respond to every single human rights violation inside Syria then let's be honest about what we're proposing to do,” which would be “invading Syria” with “hundreds of thousands of UStroops” and “carrying out the job until that’s done.” Rep. Will Hurd said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that the US needs to have a “diplomatic discussion with the Russians and makesure that the Russians realize that al-Assad is a problem for them.” He added that “there are tools we can useunilaterally but” the US can also work “to build a coalition of many of our European partners to put additional pressure on Russia to make sure they back away of their support” of Assad. DHS-17-0305-A-000046 Bill O’Reilly, in his “Talking Points Memo” on Fox News’ O'Reilly Factor (4/10, 767K), said, “You can see President Trump and the Pentagon sending signals that if world order is threatened on, America may respond. It's a damn shame we'rethe only country willing to take that stance.” Former Speaker of the House NewGingrich said on Fox News’ Hannity (4/10, 535K) “If the Russians get in the way, they are going to gethit as part of the process. As for the Iranians? They are listed every singly or by the State Department as a leading sponsor of terrorism in the world. So what is new? They say ‘death to America,’ they mean ‘death to America.’ At some point down the road, they might try to do something. Again, they would run a much bigger risk of massive American retaliation than their capacity to inflict harm on us.” NYTimes A1: US Providing “Mixed Messages,” Trump “Has Not Been Heard From.” The New York Times (4/10, A1, Baker, Harris, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports onits front page that while the Administration “has spoken with multiple voices as it seeks to explain its evolving policy” on Syria, Trump “has not been heard from.” The Times says Tillerson and Spicer sent “the latest mixed messages” on Sunday as the Secretary of State “outlined a dramatically interventionist approach” and Spicer said the US would take military action if Syria used barrel bombs in addition to chemical weapons. Such a policy, the Times adds, “would be a far more sweeping standard for American leadership” that Trump's previously espoused “America First” policy. The New York Times (4/10, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) also editorializes that statements from top Administration officials since the US missile strike in Syria have “only deepened the confusion over his intentions, next steps and the legal basis for his unilateral use of force in the middle of that complicated, intractable civil war.” The Times adds that “the administration will have to do better than this.” G7 Foreign Ministers Seek Clarity On US Policy Regarding Syria. Reuters (4/9, Balmer) reports the G7foreign ministers met in Italy on Monday for its annual meeting as Europe and Japan were “seeking clarity from the United States on anarray of issues, especially Syria.” Reuters says the meeting will provide Italy, Germany, France, Britain, Canada, and Japan “their first chance to grill” Tillerson on whether the USis “committed” to removing Assad. The AP (4/10, Lawless, Lederman) says the US missile strike “drew support from other Western leaders who have been uncertain what to make of Trump’s foreign policy.” Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said Sunday that Europe’s support for the strike “contributed to a ‘renewed harmony’ between the UnitedStates andits partners.” Elise Labott reported on CNN’s Situation Room (4/10, 554K) the decision to replace former National a Security Adviser Michael Flynn with Lt. Gen. HR McMaster “is giving allies little bit of comfort, as was the strike in Syria.” She continued that there was a “perception” that former President Obama “was retreating from the Middle East, and now you have a President...who took decisive action,” so foreign diplomats “do see some positive trends.” However, she added, “I will say who is not so happy though are Trump’s populist kind of right-wing supporters abroad. You saw Marine le Pen...and Nigel Farage” speaking “very derogatorily” about the strikes in Syria. Mattis Defends Scope Of Military Action. ABC World News Tonight (4/10, story 3, 3:30, Muir, 14.63M) reported that Syrian planes were “taking off again from that very airfield targeted by UScruise missiles last Thursday night” as, according to the Washington Times (4/10, Mufioz, 272K), Mattis and other military leaders “downplay[ed] recent reports that the American naval strike did little to deter [Syria’s] military operations.” Mattis said the missile strikes were “a measured response to the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons.” USA Today (4/10, Michaels, 5.28M) says the Pentagon indicated that Syria will be unable to sustain operations at the Shayrat air base due to damage to its fuel supplies and other equipment. Mattis said, “The Syrian government has lost the ability to refuel or rearm aircraft at Shayrat airfield.” Barbara Starr reported on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that the Pentagon is “saying that 20 aircraft were damaged or destroyed” in the US missile strikes on the Syrian airbase. Starr continued, “Could they be repaired? Could they fly again? Could Syrians bring in additional aircraft from other areas? Certainly. All of the above.” Lawmakers Consider Appropriateness Of Military Action. Congressional lawmakers continued to expresstheir views on the legality and appropriateness of the US missile strikes during appearances on DHS-17-0305-A-000047 a cable shows. Sen. Cory Gardner told MSNBC's Morning Joe (4/10, 270K) “this was legal strike, a deterrence effort.” However, Gardner added, “There should be a well thought-out plan presented from the White House to Congress, if necessary, seeking our approval. We need to have that plan. It needs to be supported by the international community so we can see an end to the Assad regime.” Sen. Jack Reed said on CNN’s The Lead (4/10, 320K) “it was important to respond to the despicable behavior of the Syrian regime, Assad regime, but it hasn’t changedthe facts on the ground, which is Assad controls significant territory.” However, Murphy said on CNN'sSituationRoom (4/10, 554K), “I think that’s a messy business that the United States should notbe involved in, at least from a military standpoint.” Murphy said the US should “put political pressure on Russia andIran to try to get a political process in place that may allow for Assad to stay for a short period of time and transition to a new leader.” Polls: Majority Of Americans Approve OfMissile Strike. The New York Post (4/10, Woods, 3.82M) reports a CBS Newspoll released Monday shows that 57 percent of Americans approve of the US missile strike against Syria, but the majority are also “wary of any further US military action in the country.” The Postsays the poll indicates that “many Americans support the attack because they believe” Syria’s use of chemical weapons “was an immoral act,” but “Americans were divided” on “whether the attacks posed a direct threat to the US.” The Washington Post (4/10, Clement, 11.43M) reports a Washington Post-ABC Newspoll shows that Americans “narrowly support missile strikes,” while “most oppose additional military efforts to remove” Assad. The poll indicates that 51 percent support the missile stick, compared with 40 percent opposing. The Post says that 51 percent support “a policy of trying to remove Assad,” the number drops to 35 percent who want the USto use “more military force to do so.” Missile Strike Leads To “Speculation Of Hidden Motives And Hoaxes.” The New York Times (4/10, Qiu, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports the missile strike “has fueled speculation of hidden motives and hoaxes” as websites such as Infowars “are calling the chemical attack that drew the United States fire a ‘false flag’ operation” and liberal blogs “have pointed to the strike as evidence of ‘wag the dog’ diversion tactics..” The Times provides a summary of some of the theories, but quotes Eurasia Group founder lan Bremmer as saying he is not “buying any of them” as they fit preconceived beliefs and motives. In his Washington Post (4/10, 11.43M) column, Dana Milbank says “speculation without evidence is at best distraction, and at worst it allows Trump’s defenders to discredit the whole story about Trump’s contacts with Russia and Russia’s attemptsto tilt the election his way.” Milbank says that Trump’s behavior “has shown that he’s capable anything,” but “we don’t need to speculate” as “Putin did conspire to help Trump win the presidency.” APAnalysis: Increased “Friction” With Iran Highlights “Challenge” For Washington. The AP (4/10, Salama, Schreck) reports the US missile strike “risked raising tensions with Iran,” which “condemned” the action and “raised the possibility of consequences.” The APsays “the friction underscores a challenge for Washington” as “deeper US involvement in Syria means greater chances of direct conflict with an often unpredictable and aggressive Iranian foe.” The AP adds that “retaliatory measures by Iran could have ripple effects in the region” with Iran possibly “targeting everything from US Navy warships to US-allied Arab governments.” USMilitary Makes Adjustments To Protect Its Forces. Reuters (4/10, Stewart, Ali) reports USofficials said Monday that the US “has made slight adjustments to its military activities in Syria to strengthen protection of American forces” following the missile strikes. Pentagon spokesman Col. John Thomas said the US commander in charge of the effort, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, has been “calling in the resources that he needs” to protect US forces. Thomas said the USstrikes in Syria had become more defensive and the pace slowedsince Friday, but that likely will not “last for very long” and there has not been any attempts by Syria orits allies to retaliate against US forces. WSJournal Analysis: Sunni Gulf Monarchies Do Not Have Ability Lead In Syria. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Stancati, Abi-Habib, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) says the US can not counton the Sunni Gulf monarchies to lead the process of organizing and supporting the Syrian rebels as those countries no longer have the required political will and military leverage. The Journal says the Syrian DHS-17-0305-A-000048 rebels supported by Saudi Arabia and Qatar are struggling more than anytime in the past and the Saudiled regional collation is involved in a longer-than-expected and costly conflict in Yemen. Syrians Asking Why World Only Cares About Plight After Chemical Attack. USA Today (4/10, McTighe, 5.28M) reports survivors of the Syrian chemical attack last week were asking why the world “only occasionally pays attention when there are high-profile atrocities” perpetrated daily. USA Today quotes Syrians as saying they want more focus ontheir daily struggles. The CBSEvening News (4/10, story 7, 2:05, Pelley, 11.17M) reported, “Among those killed in last week's nerve gas attack were the loved ones of Abdel Hameed al-Youssef.” When Youssef was asked if the US missile strikes “will make any difference,” he replied, “I thought it was a goodstart.” However, he added that “the regime air strikes haven't stopped.” Seib: Trump’s Foreign Policy Becoming Conventional. n his WallStreet Journal (4/10, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) column, Gerald Seib says Trump’s approach to foreign policy is beginning to appear conventional as the missile strike against Syria was something that would be considered mainstream and received bipartisan support. Seib adds that the military action against Syria, distancing from Russia, refraining from a trade war with China, not withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, not moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and sending anaircraft carrier group closer to North Korea are moves that a more conventional Republican and possibly Hillary Clinton would have also made. Wolfowitz, Harman Praise Missile Strike, Says US Now NeedsStrategy. n a Wall Street Journal (4/10, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) op-ed, former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says Trump demonstrated American willingness to lead in the region and the President mustfollow the military action with a broad diplomatic effort. In National Review (4/10, Herman, 696K), Arthur Herman says the USmissile strike “put the US squarely back in the game of Middle East politics.” However, Herman adds that “what must come next is a new regional strategy for the USthat is very different from the one adopted by President Obama.” The US, Herman says, mustformulate a strategy “that backs up diplomatic coalition-building with US military strength.” According to Herman, US allies in the region “have been clamoring for help from Washington for years” and Trump “now hasthe opportunity to provide it.” WPost Fact Checker: Rice’s January Comment On Syrian Chemical Weapons WasMisleading. \n the Washington Post(4/10, 11.43M) “Fact Checker” feature, Glenn Kessler concludes that then-NSA Susan Rice’s January 16 comment that the Obama Administration was “able to get the Syrian government to voluntarily and verifiably give up its chemical weapons stockpile” is essentially false: Just four days earlier, the Treasury Department “sanctioned Syrian officials for use of chlorine in warfare.” A Rice associate said that Rice’s comment “refer[red] to Syria’s ‘declared’ chemical weapons,” but “the reality is that there were continued chemical-weapons attacks by Syria — and that US and international officials had good evidence that Syria had not been completely forthcoming in its declaration.” Vespa, Murphy Criticize Obama’s Syria Policy. Matt Vespa writes in Townhall (4/10, 402K) that the Obama Administration's “disastrous Syrian policy...did nothing to stop bloodshed or hold any one accountable for that matter because it probably would have led to a military decision that President Obama didn’t want to make.” Vespa says that while the Obama Administration was “peddling the notion that ‘100 percent’ of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles were removed and destroyed, some officials now admit that they knew some were still left in the country.” Vespa cites a Washington Examiner (4/10, Westwood, 400K) story from Sunday that quotes former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken as saying, “We always knew wehad not gotten everything, that the Syrians had not been fully forthcoming in their declaration.” Sen. Chris Murphy said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K), “I blame the Obama Administration” for the situation in Syria. “They hada policy in Syria that did not work in part because they prolonged the conflict by putting just enough military support in to keep it going.” WPOST A1: UPTICK IN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES EXACERBATES CRITICISM OF US. On its front page, the Washington Post (4/10, Ryan, 11.43M) reports that in recent weeks, the Pentagon has struggled to account for civilian casualties resulting from the air campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. DHS-17-0305-A-000049 Theuptick in civilian deaths has not only enabled ISIS “to advance its ownversion ofthe events,” but also prompted human rights groups to challenge President Trump’s acceleration of the campaign and adjustments to the rules of engagement. MCMASTER: “FULL RANGE OF OPTIONS” ON TABLE TO DEAL WITH NORTH KOREA. CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) reported that Kim Jong-un, in response to the return of the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group, is “vowing to accelerate his nuclear weapons program, and he could launch his sixth nuclear test any moment.” Meanwhile, National Security Adviser HR McMaster said the US has a “full range of options” to deal with North Korea's nuclear threat. Military officials are reportedly “worried” the US may respond to a North Korean launch by “taking out the missile and the launch pad, which might trigger an assault on South Korea” by Kim’s military. CNN’s Situation Room (4/10, 554K) reported that US and South Korean officials say the North may conduct another nuclear test at “any time,” especially with the country’s “most important holiday of the year,” the Day of the Sun, coming on Saturday, when the nation will honor the birth of North Korea’s founding father, Kim Il-sung. The New York Post (4/10, Perez, 3.82M) reports North Korean officials, in response to the return of the US Navystrike group, said it is “ready to react to any mode of war desired by the US.” Rep. Will Hurd said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that he believes the US “can achieve true cooperation with the Chinese” on the North Korean threat. Sen. Cory Gardner said on MSNBC's Morning Joe (4/10, 270K), “I hope that in the coming days and weeks we will see emerge from China a plan to deal with Kim Jong-un’s nuclear stockpile and how China is going to take responsibility for the situation in North Korea.” Gardner later added on MSNBC's Morning Joe (4/10, 270K) that if Kim Jong-un were suddenly not the leader of North Korea, “I think there is a question of who would follow him. In conversations I've had with experts on North Korea, don’t think anybody has that answer.” Newt Gingrich said on Fox News’ Hannity (4/10, 535k), “I think frankly the best result in North Korea and Syria is to somehowget the military to replace the dictator. In both cases, you would have a more stable and morerational government. But this is very, very risky stuff, because the world is really risky.” South Korean Official: China Agreed To Boost Sanctions If North Conducts MoreTests. The New York Times (4/10, Choe, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports on Monday, China and South Korea have agreed to “tougher sanctions” on North Korea should it conduct “nuclear or intercontinental ballistic missile tests,” according to South Korea’s Kim Hong-kyun after meeting with China’s Wu Dawei. Kim said, “Both sides agreed” that if North Korea conducts suchtests, “there should be strong additional measures.” The Times also recounts Secretary of State Tillerson’s weekend remark that the USstrike on a Syrian airfield should be noticed by others. China Deploys Troops To Border With North Korea. n a story that led the Drudge report Monday evening, the Daily Mail (4/10, McLaughlin, 4.59M) reports that China “has deployed 150,000 troops to the North Korean border” in response to the US missile strike against Syria, “widely interpreted as a warning to North Korea.” The soldiers will “handle North Korean refugees and ‘unforeseen circumstances’.” In addition, “Wu Dawei, China’s Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs, met with his South Korean counterpart on Monday.” Secretary Tillerson had said following last week’s summit with China, “We need to allow them time to take actions.” Parents Of Ohio Student Held In North Korea Appeal To TrumpFor Help. USA Today (4/10, Shesgreen, 5.28M) reports Fred Warmbier, father of Otto Warmbier, a University of Virginia student from Wyoming, Ohio, who has been held in North Korea since January 2016, asked President Trump to help with his release after saying that the State Department had “absolutely not” helped. Warmbier was sentencedto “15 years hardlabor for allegedly trying to steal a political banner.” State Department spokeswoman Julia Mason said that it “continues to actively work to secure his earliest possible release.” She explained that the US works with the Embassy of Sweden in North Korea andthat “A representative from the Swedish Embassy ... last visited Mr. Warmbier on March 2, 2016.” SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL RACE SHOWS MOVEMENT TOWARD PEOPLE’S PARTY CANDIDATE. The Washington Post(4/10, Fifield, 11.43M) reports that recent polls show significant movement in the South Korean presidential race from last week when Moon Jae-in, nominee of the DHS-17-0305-A-000050 Democratic Party, held “a strong lead” with “hardly a rival in sight.” Now, Ahn Cheol-soo, nominee of the a “center-left” People’s Party, has closed to “within a few points of Moon” and poll published in the “conservative Chosun Ilbo, South Korea’s biggest newspaper,” had him leading 34 to 32 percent, while a Yonhap-KBS poll on Sunday showed “Ahn at 36.8 percent against Moon’s 32.7 percent.” WSJOURNAL ANALYSIS: HALEY EMERGING AS A MAJOR FOREIGN POLICY VOICE OF the role of US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the Trump Administration’s foreign policy. The Journal says that Haley is becoming oneof the Administration's foreign policy leaders as a public voice for the Administration. According to unnamed USofficials, Haley has the backing of President Trump to explain and defend USpolicy, making statements without having to wait for approval, and some say shebelieves herself an equal to Secretary of State Tillerson. G-7 UNABLE TO PRODUCE JOINT DECLARATION ON ENERGY AND CLIMATE DUE TO ONGOING US REVIEW. Reuters (4/10, Jewkes, Sisto) reports the Trump Administration prevented the G-7 ministers from approving a joint declaration on energy and climate change, because, as Italian industry and energy minister Carlo Calenda said, the US is conducting a reviewof its climate change policies, and, said Calenda, “While this is under way, the United States reserves its position on these key priorities.” He did say that European Union countries continue to support the Paris climate agreement. Reuters cited an unnamed source saying that US Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s unwillingness to approve the joint declaration “showed the isolation of the United States,” but Calenda said, “The talks were constructive and there was no friction.” LE PEN DENIES FRANCE’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR WWII-ERA ROUNDING-UP OF JEWS. The New York Times (4/10, Nossiter, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports France's far-right presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, said in a Sunday interview that her nation was not “responsible for the Vél d’Hiv” roundup of nearly 13,000 Jewsin Paris during World War II. “If there was responsibility,” she continued, “it is with those who werein power at thetime, it is not with France. France has been mistreated, in people’s minds, for years.” Le Pen’s remarks triggered “a small eruption in an already heated campaign,” and threatened “to derail her yearslong effort aimed at ‘un-demonizing’ her” National Front party “just as she is emerging as a strong contender in this month’s presidential election.” VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS RESUME PROTESTS DESPITE EASTER WEEK. The AP (4/10, Sanchez) reports thousands of protesters continued their ongoing demonstrations against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday, the start of Easter Week and a day that Venezuelans typically spend at home or on vacation. A dozen protesters were injured and 18 were detained. On Sunday, Maduro urged the opposition to reconsider a dialogue and stressed his willingness to support regional elections. Citing the lack of a formally-established election time line, opposition leaders rejected Maduro’s remarks and urged supporters to forego their Easter Week plans and continue pressuring the government. CHINA PROHIBITS MAINLAND VISIT BY WIFE OF DETAINED TAIWANESE ACTIVIST. The New York Times (4/10, Horton, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports Lee Ching-yu, the wife of detained Taiwanese rights activist Lee Ming-cheh, said at a news conference that China’s Ministry of Public: Security canceled her travel permit without explanation, preventing her from boarding a Monday afternoon flight into mainland China. She explained that the purpose of her visit was to inquire about her husband's status and deliver his high blood pressure medication. She also claimed a “fixer” contacted her through unofficial channels and pledged to release Lee Ming-cheh in exchange for her silence. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office recently confirmed Lee Ming-cheh was detained for alleged“activities harmful to national security,” but officials have not clarified those activities. EXPERTS QUESTION VALUE OF UN-BACKED KHMER ROUGE TRIBUNAL. The New York Times (4/10, Mydans, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that since its formal inception in 2006, the United Nations-backed tribunal tasked with prosecuting the deaths of more than 1.7 million Cambodians under the Khmer Rouge has convicted only three people and cost nearly $300 million. Experts have long criticized the tribunal as ineffective and susceptible to the Cambodian government's political influence. DHS-17-0305-A-000051 They also voiced “serious doubts” about whether indictments against three additional defendants will proceed. Less critical experts suggested the convictions, however few, still reinforce a sense ofjustice and play a critical role in Cambodia's recovery from “its traumatic past.” To keep the email to a manageable size, the national news summary is available on the website. Copyright 2017 by Bulletin Intelligence LLC Reproduction or redistribution without permission prohibited. Content is drawn from thousands of newspapers, national magazines, national and local television programs, radio broadcasts, social-media platforms and additional forms of open-source data. Sources for Bulletin Intelligence audience-size estimates include Scarborough, GfK MRI, comScore, Nielsen, and the Audit Bureau of Circulation. Data from and access to third party social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andothers, is subject to the respective platform’s terms of use. Services that include Factiva content are governed by Factiva’s terms of use. The DHS News Briefing is published seven days a week by Bulletin Intelligence, which creates custom briefings for government and corporate leaders. We can be found on the Web at BulletinIntelligence.com, or called at (703) 483-6100. E sender d Nielsen, Kirsten {(6)(6) eee 7 (ever 1 foyer Sent Date: 2017/04/11 09:26:24 Delivered Date: 2017/04/11 09:28:53 DHS-17-0305-A-000052 "Taylor, Miles (66) fb) " "Neumann, Elizabeth {(b)(6) l [exe Subject: FW: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Date: 2017/04/16 23:11:07 Priority: Normal Miles We were likely going to discus this tomorrow.. will find a new time wit! If not, will find a time © From: Taylor, Miles Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:22 AM To: Nielsen, Kirstjen Neumann, Elizabeth Subject: FW: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 FYI. We knew this GAO report was coming. b)(5) M Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:09 AM To: Barsa, John{ey6) (eye) Gorka, Katie (oe) } Taylor, Miles Kendall, Sarah Subject: FW: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 FYSA GAO: DHS MUST EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF CVE WORK. FedScoop (4/10, Ehlinger) details a report by the GAOthat found DHS “has been working to counter violent extremism online and offline, but it has no means of measuring if its overall effort is actually helping.” The GAO auditors wrote, “Although GAOwas able to determine the status of the 44 CVE tasks, it was not able to determine if the United States is better off today than it was in 2011 as a result of these tasks.” Feds Haven’t Evaluated If Efforts To Counter Extremism Actually Work, Watchdog Says By Samantha Ehlinger FedScoop, April 10, 2017 DHS-17-0305-A-000053 The federal government has been working to counter violent extremism online and offline, but it has no means of measuring if its overall effort is actually helping, a congressional watchdog says. And the government task force created in part to evaluate that work hasn't established how to assess “overall progress,” said the Government Accountability Office in a new report. The government has been working to counter violent extremism (CVE) through a variety of ways, according to the GAO, such as trying to develop relationships with the tech and social media industries. Auditors checked the status of 44 tasks to address CVE domestically outlined in a 2011 Strategic Implementation Plan. The GAO found the government had implemented nearly half of those activities. “Although GAO wasable to determine the status of the 44 CVE tasks, it was not able to determine if the United States is better off today than it was in 2011 as a result of these tasks,” the auditors notein the report. “As of December 2016, there had been no comprehensive assessment of the federal government's CVEefforts’ effectiveness,” the report says, later adding that “according to CVETask Force officials, they do not believe that assessing the overall effectiveness of the federal CVEeffort is their responsibility.” But the task force is well positioned to do so, the GAO said. The watchdog recommended the Department of Homeland Security secretary and attorney general direct the CVE Task Force to develop a strategy with “measurable outcomes for CVE activities,” and to “establish and implement a process to assess overall progress in CVE, including its effectiveness.” DHS and the Department of Justice both agreed with the recommendations. Some activities in the tech space werestill very much in progress, according to the report, including “reaching communities in the digital environment.” “For example, DHS aims to build relationships with the high-tech and social media industry and continues to meet with officials to discuss how to address violent extremism online,” the auditors wrote. “In providing a status update on such activities, DHS recognized this as an area that continues to need attention.” There is also work being done, still, to make moretraining available for communities to fight against extremists online, the auditors said. The report adds that DHS officials “noted making initial progress with YouTube and the Los Angeles Police Department in developing campaigns against violent extremism, but recognized this as an area that continues to need attention.” Oneof two tasks that had not yet seen any action wasthe idea to learn from former violent extremists. “According to DHS officials, legal issues regarding access to former violent extremists are being explored and DOJ will lead this task moving forward,” the report reads. From: Bulletin Intelligence Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 5:01:46 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) To: DHS@BulletinIntelligence.com Subject: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Tuesday, April 11, 2017 DHS-17-0305-A-000054 The Homeland Security News Briefing TO: THE SECRETARY AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 5:00 AM EDT TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING DHS NEWS: + Administration To Temporarily Halt Reports On Immigration Cooperation. + Fourth, Ninth Circuits Reviewing Trump's Revised Travel Order. + DHS Information Leads To Arrest Of Fugitive Former Mexican Governor In Italy. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT: + California State Legislature Responds In Dispute Over ICE Courthouse Arrests. + Tacoma Immigrant Detainees Engage In Hunger Strike. + NYTimes: As California Heads Toward Becoming “Sanctuary State,” Other States May Follow. + Maryland “Sanctuary State” Legislation Withdrawn. + Study ShowsRising Immigration Arrests. + + + + + Somali Ambassador To US Says 4,000 Somali Nationals Marked For Deportation. New Polaris Report Details Exploitation Of Hotel Workers. Gov. Abbott: Gang Initiative Is Separate From Immigration Issues. Dozens Of Maine Lawyers Urge An End To Courthouse Arrests By ICE. Chicago's “Little Village” Seeks To “Tamp Down” On Immigration Fears. + Rumors Of ICE Raids Impacting Immigrant Communities. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: + CBP Says Border Wall Prototypes Will Be Built Near San Diego. + Lawmakers Express Concern Over Cost Of Acquiring Private Lands For Border Wall. + Rio Grande Border Crossings Lowest In 17 Years. + Border Patrol Exchanges Gunfire With Man At Las Cruces Checkpoint. + CBP: Assaults Against Border Patrol Officers Double. + Secretary Kelly To Decide On Fate Of Visa Waiver Program For Chinese, Russian Tourists. + Border Patrol Agent Files Counterclaim Over 2014 Confrontation With Navy SEAL. + Huffington Post: Mexican Woman Seeking Asylum Repeatedly Turned Away By CBP. + Yahoo: Other Countries May Retaliate For “Extreme Vetting” Procedures. + NPR Interviews NASA Engineer Over Border Cell Phone Search. + Arizona Republic: Border Wall Covered In Solar Panels Could Benefit US, Mexico. + NYTimes: Extreme Vetting Proposals Are Foolish. + De La Hoya Uses Boxing Ad To “Taunt” Trump On Border Wall. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: + TSA Training New Air Marshals For First Time Since 2011. + TSA, Local Law Enforcement Called In To Handle Marijuana Found In Luggage. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY: + Federal Assessment Of Pennsylvania Snowstorm Damage Requested. US CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES: + Some Tech Firms Pay H-1B Workers More Than Prevailing Wage. IMMIGRATION: + Tennessee Considering In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants. + WPost A1: Pope Placing Church In Opposition To Policies Regulating Immigration. DHS-17-0305-A-000055 US COAST GUARD: + US Southern Command, Coast Guard: More Funding Needed To Stop Flow Of Drugs Into The US. + Coast Guard: No Timetable For Recovering Sunken Barge Near Port Of Oakland. + Tampa Bay Times: Mystery Surrounds Death Of Fishing Captain. SECRET SERVICE: + USA Today: Secret Service Needs To Address White House Security Faster. + Groups Sue To Obtain White House Visitors Logs. + Trump Has Taken More Getaways In First 81 Days Than Obama, Bush, And Clinton Did. + Palm Beach Considers Taxing Mar-a-Largo Club To Cover Trump Security Expenses. DIRECTORATE FOR MANAGEMENT: + GAO: DHS Acquisitions Improve, Additional Changes Needed. TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS: + Suspect In Threats To Jewish Organizations Pleads Not Guilty. + Administration To Sell Planes To Nigeria For Boko Haram Fight. + Egypt Declares Nationwide State Of Emergency. + Trump Expresses Condolences For Swedish Truck Attack Victims. + Tsarnaev Was Approached By Men WhoIdentified Themselves As FBI Agents In 2011. CYBER NEWS: + + + + Arrest Of Russian Hacker In Spain Follows Global Anti-Spam Investigation. Hackers Targeting Amazon Marketplace Third-Party Sellers. Additional Alleged NSA Hacking Tools Released Online. Dallas Emergency Siren System Breach Believed To Be “White-Hat” Hack. + Personal Information Stolen In Wonga Data Breach. + FDA, Industry Increasingly Concerned About Hacking Attacks On Medical Devices. + Methods Used In Attempted Union Bank OfIndia Heist Resemble Those In Bangladesh Central Bank Heist. + Mugica: Electronic Voting Systems Not At“Significant Risk” Of Cyberattack. COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM: + GAO: DHS Must Evaluate Effectiveness Of CVE Work. NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS: + Administration Leaves Open Option Of Further Military Action In Syria. + WPost A1: Uptick In Civilian Casualties Exacerbates Criticism Of US. + + + + + + + + McMaster: “Full Range Of Options” On Table To Deal With North Korea. South Korean Presidential Race Shows Movement Toward People’s Party Candidate. WSJournal Analysis: Haley Emerging As A Major Foreign Policy Voice Of Administration. G-7 Unable To Produce Joint Declaration On Energy And Climate Due To Ongoing US Review. Le Pen Denies France's Responsibility For WWII-Era Rounding-Up Of Jews. Venezuelan Opposition Activists Resume Protests Despite Easter Week. China Prohibits Mainland Visit By Wife Of Detained Taiwanese Activist. Experts Question Value Of UN-Backed Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Leading DHS News: ADMINISTRATION TO TEMPORARILY HALT REPORTS ON IMMIGRATION COOPERATION. The New York Times (4/10, Nixon, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that the Trump Administration “will temporarily stop publication of a weekly report spotlighting cities and counties thatfail to cooperate with federal immigration officials...after several jurisdictions questioned the accuracy ofthe data.” The report was mandated by an executive order that the President signed just daysinto his term. DHS-17-0305-A-000056 FOURTH, NINTH CIRCUITS REVIEWING TRUMP’S REVISED TRAVEL ORDER. Politico (4/10, Gerstein, 2.46M) reports that the legality of President Trump’s revised travel order is currently under consideration by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court “said it will conduct an en banc hearing May 8 in Richmond on the federal government's appeal of a Maryland-based judge's ruling blocking Trump's ban on issuance of visas to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries.” Politico indicates that such hearings normally go before a three-judge panel but that an “en banc session will involve 15 judges banc hearing will likely speed up the resolution of the case, which would likely lead to an appeal to the US Supreme Court. Fox News(4/10, Singman, 11.07M) reports Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is leading a 15-state coalition to defend President Trump’s revised executive order on immigration. Paxton, other state attorneys general and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant on Fridayfiled “a friend-of-the-court amicus brief to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,” in which they “laid out constitutional and federal statutory provisions defending Trump’s authority.” In a statement, Paxton said, “The president’s revised immigration order is constitutional, lawful, addresses the 9th Circuit's concerns and is a vital step in securing our borders.” DHS INFORMATION LEADS TO ARREST OF FUGITIVE FORMER MEXICAN GOVERNOR IN ITALY. The New York Times (4/10, Povoledo, Malkin, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports Tomas Yarrington Ruvalcaba, the fugitive ex-governor of the Mexican state Tamaulipas, was captured in Italy on Monday after being onthe run since 2012 on charges of money laundering and racketeering. The Times mentions, “Italian officials had learned that Mr. Yarrington was likely to be hiding in Italy in February, through Interpol, acting on information gathered by the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement: CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE RESPONDS IN DISPUTE OVER ICE COURTHOUSE ARRESTS. The Los Angeles Times (4/10, Ulloa, 4.52M) reports California's legislature sent a letter to US officials last week in which they “ask[ed] U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly to identify the state’s statutes or ordinances that they perceive as designed to prohibit or obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration law.” The letter was sent from a lawyer with Covington & Burling, a “private firm hired by the state Senate and Assembly.” The Timessays the legislature's letter was in response to a letter from Sessions and Kelly “in which they admonished California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye” for writing a letter that “spoke out against federal immigration agents she said had been ‘stalking’ courthouses to makearrests.” TACOMA IMMIGRANT DETAINEES ENGAGE IN HUNGER STRIKE. The Tacoma (WA) News Tribune (4/10, Ocker, 215K) reports, “More than 100 immigrants detained at the Northwest Detention Center on Tacoma’s Tideflats started a hunger strike Monday to protest conditions at the facility, according to an immigrant rights group.” The three-day hunger strike is “intended to get concessions in terms of food, care and legal access, according to a letter from detainees released by the NWDC Resistance.” ICE spokeswoman Rose Richeson is quoted as saying, “ICE fully respects the rights ofall people to voice their opinion without interference and does not retaliate in any way against hunger strikers.” KPTV-TV Portland, OR (4/10, 215K) reports online that ICE released a statement that explained if detainees are “found to go without eating for 72 hours, they will become subject to the agency’s protocols for handling hunger strikes,” which includes counseling about the “related medical risks” associated with the strike. The Willamette (OR) Week (4/10, Pein, 139K) provides additional coverage. NYTIMES: AS CALIFORNIA HEADS TOWARD BECOMING “SANCTUARY STATE,” OTHER STATES MAY FOLLOW. The NewYork Times (4/10, Medina, Bidgood, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) analyzes the current legislative battle in California over “sanctuary state” legislation, and reports that other states may follow California’s lead. The Times says, “While California is moving more decisively and quickly than any other state, bills that restrict cooperation with immigration officials have been introducedin several legislatures throughout the country, including in Illinois, Maryland, Nevada and New York.” The Times. DHS-17-0305-A-000057 explains that the pending California legislation “prohibits local law enforcement agencies from using resources to investigate, detain, report or arrest people for immigration violations.” The Times adds that opponents of the “sanctuary state” legislation “argue that the state will effectively force the immigration authorities to make morearrests in public, where other immigrants who have not been convicted of any crime could also be swept up.” MARYLAND “SANCTUARY STATE” LEGISLATION WITHDRAWN. The WashingtonTimes (4/10, Noble, 272K) reports, “A proposal to turn Maryland into a ‘sanctuary state’ bylimiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities died in the State House on Monday after lawmakers withdrewthe bill.” Gov. Larry Hogan had vowed to veto it, and Attorney General Sessions criticized the measure. The Baltimore Sun (4/10, Wood, 714k) provides additional coverage. reports on a Pew Research Center study showing that “while the number of arrests for other federal offenses have plummeted sharply in the last 10 years,” immigration arrests have soared. According to the study, “one in every two federal arrests wererelated to some type of immigration-related violation in 2014, the most recent month available for applicable data.” By contrast, the Times says that there were 22 percent fewer immigration-related arrests in 2004, which represented 28 percent of all arrests at the time. The Times adds, “ICE has been ramping up its enforcement of national immigration laws since late January,” and says that “arrests, detentions and deportations have continued at a high rate ever since.” Breitbart (4/10, Mason, 2.02M) also details the report by Pew Research. SOMALI AMBASSADOR TO US SAYS 4,000 SOMALI NATIONALS MARKED FOR DEPORTATION. Newsweek (4/10, Gaffey, 862K) reports the Somali immigration authorities have marked “around 4,000 mostof the targeted Somalis were “not in detention information on a deportation timeline for the Somali ambassador to the US Ahmed Isse Awad said that Somali nationals for deportation.” He further said centers.” However, Awad did not provide any immigrants, according to Newsweek. ICE spokesman Brendan Raedy said, “While there has been anincrease in removals to Somalia, don’t think it would be accurate to attribute that to the [President Trump's] election.” NEW POLARIS REPORT DETAILS EXPLOITATION OF HOTEL WORKERS. The NewYork Times (4/10, Schwartz, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that a new analysis from Polaris has found that hotel “workers can sometimes be exploited by those who market in human trafficking, even within the United States.” In a review of calls to its National Human Trafficking Hotline between December 2007 and December 2016, Polaris found that “in non-sex-related cases involving workers in hotels, motels, resorts and casinos, 124 pertained to human trafficking, in which force, fraud or coercion were allegedly used to compel the victim to stay in their situation; and 510 cases involved workplace exploitation, including abuse and labor violations.” The Times says, “Last year, federal officials arrested nearly 2,000 people for human trafficking in various commercial enterprises.” Out of the 2,000 cases, “over 400 trafficking victims wereidentified, according to Homeland Security Investigations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” GOV. ABBOTT: GANG INITIATIVE IS SEPARATE FROM IMMIGRATION ISSUES. The AP (4/10) reports a newinitiative to “reduce gang violence in Houston won't be affected by reports of rising fear among Latinos of being detained by immigration authorities, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday.” a Abbott said law enforcement wouldn't be “relying upon tip of some person out there who may be here illegally,” but “added that state agents won't target potential witnesses over their immigration status.” DOZENS OF MAINE LAWYERS URGE AN END TO COURTHOUSE ARRESTS BY ICE. The AP (4/10) reports that dozens of lawyers in Maine on Monday sent a letter urging an endthe practice of courthouse arrests by ICE, “in the wakeof the detention of an asylum seeker in Portland.” The ACLU said that 179 lawyers in Maine sent the letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. CHICAGO’S “LITTLE VILLAGE” SEEKS TO “TAMP DOWN” ON IMMIGRATION FEARS. NBC News (4/9, Gamboa, 2.67M) reports that Chicago-area business leaders aretrying to “tamp down” on the DHS-17-0305-A-000058 immigration fears that they say have been driving an economic slowdown. The piece highlights the drop in business in thecity’s “Little Village,” which is a stretch of quinceafiera shops, restaurants, shoe andclothing stores, dental offices and other businesses.” According to NBC News, business owners are telling immigrants “there are no arrests going onin the neighborhood, that the Chicago police and local agencies don’t cooperate with the feds or question the immigration orcitizenship status of residents because Chicago is a sanctuary city.” NBC says the business ownersare calling on the mayor and police chief “to dispel anxieties.” RUMORS OF ICE RAIDS IMPACTING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. The MinneapolisStar Tribune (4/10, 1.27M) reports rumorsof ICE raids on social media have led immigrants in Minnesota to “shu[n] interactions with government.” The Star Tribune says advocates are “trying to strike a delicate balance” by holding “Know Your Rights” seminars and “urging immigrants to prepare in case they get arrested or deported.” Advocates are also “trying to rein in hearsay and maintain trust in local law enforcement.” Customs and Border Protection: CBP SAYS BORDER WALL PROTOTYPES WILL BE BUILT NEAR SAN DIEGO. The Los Angeles Times (4/10, Molnar, Winkley, 4.52M) reports that US Customs and Border Protection confirmed Monday that “President Trump’s proposed wall with Mexicowill kick off in the San Diego border community of Otay Mesa.” The community “is home to one of two border crossings in San Diego and will be the site where 20 chosen bidders will erect prototypes of the envisioned wall.” Border Patrol spokesman Ralph DeSio “did not say exactly where the construction will take place, saying only that it would occur in the Otay Mesa area.” DeSio “addedthat plans were subject to change.” CBP said winners “will be selected around June 1.” LAWMAKERS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER COST OF ACQUIRING PRIVATE LANDS FOR BORDER WALL. Congressional Quarterly (4/10, Subscription Publication, 967) reports lawmakers are expressing concern over the potential high cost of seizing private lands to build a wall along the southern US border. CQ says the Administration has “requested funding in fiscal 2018 to hire 20 lawyers that would help acquire land needed to secure the 2,000-mile southern border, but the threat of eminent domain — the process by which the government seizes private property — has remained somewhat under the radar.” CQ cites testimony from Secretary Kelly last week to the Senate wherehe said the border wall may be facing some “eminent domain issues,” and there “may be places wehave to doit.” CQ adds that Kelly's statements “represented the administration's clearest sign to date thatit is considering seizing land to fulfill Trump's promise for a wall.” Democrats, who opposethe wall, are “warning the administration that taking property from privatecitizens will be costly, ineffective and unpopular.” RIO GRANDE BORDER CROSSINGS LOWEST IN 17 YEARS. The LosAngeles Times (4/10, Jarvie, 4.52M) reports that “the number of immigrants caught crossing illegally into the United States has dropped dramatically” over the past year, declining by 64 percent to “the lowest monthly number in 17 years.” Reasons for the drop include “a rise in smuggling fees,” tightened security, and “President Trump’s aggressive stance on securing the border.” Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called the decline “no accident,” and the White House said that Trump’s “commitment to securing our border and supporting law enforcement is already showing results.” Few changes in enforcement have actually taken place, however, and analysts say a change in perception has led to the decline. Some believe the slowdown in immigration is temporary, after many “took advantage of the political climate in the United States toward the end of last year” and aimed“to cross the border before Trump took office,” the Times writes. BORDER PATROL EXCHANGES GUNFIRE WITH MAN AT LAS CRUCES CHECKPOINT. The E! Paso (TX) Times (4/10, 149K) reports Border Patrol agents exchanged gunfire with a man crossing through the Las Cruces checkpoint on Sunday. The man was driving through the checkpoint and was referred to secondary inspection. CBP “said the man brandished a handgun during questioning and fired one gunshot through his vehicle in the direction of Border Patrol agents.” Border Patrol returned fire and struck the man, who “remained hospitalized Monday.” The AP (4/10) reports similarly. DHS-17-0305-A-000059 CBP: ASSAULTS AGAINST BORDER PATROL OFFICERS DOUBLE. The Washington Examiner (4/10, Giaritelli, 400K) details statistics released by CBP that show assaults against Border Patrol officers has “doubledin the first six months of fiscal year 2017 comparedto the same period of the previous year.” CBP “reported 462 assaults against its officers from Sept. 31, 2016 through March 31, 2017 compared to 190 at the same time a year earlier.” SECRETARY KELLY TO DECIDE ON FATEOF VISA WAIVER PROGRAM FOR CHINESE, RUSSIAN TOURISTS. Marianas Variety (4/11, Villahermosa) reports Secretary Kelly “will decide whether the CNMI visa-waiver program for Chinese and Russian tourists will continue, according to Brian J. Humphrey, director of field operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” In an interview on Monday, Humphrey “said the visa-waiver program will continue in the meantime.” BORDER PATROL AGENT FILES COUNTERCLAIM OVER 2014 CONFRONTATION WITH NAVY SEAL. The Los Angeles Times (4/10, Davis, 4.52M) reports a Border Patrol agent has filed a counterclaim against former Navy SEAL Alton Jones stemming from a 2014 confrontation near the Border Fence. The Times says Jones went for a jog near the fence and the jog “endedin a violent confrontation between the former Navy SEAL and Border Patrol agents, a night in a holding cell and dueling lawsuits being fought in San Diego federal court.” Jones alleged “excessive useof force, violation of free speech, false imprisonment, battery by a peaceofficer, negligence and violation of the federal public records act, among other claims” in his lawsuit filed last summer. A Border Patrol agent filed a counterclaim “alleging he was the one who suffered physically and emotionally.” The Times says, “It is the first time a federal agent has countersued seeking damagesfor pain and suffering in such a scenario in San Diego.” HUFFINGTON POST: MEXICAN WOMAN SEEKING ASYLUM REPEATEDLY TURNED AWAY BY CBP. The Huffington Post (4/10, Planas, 237K) reports that legal groups have accused Customs and Border Protection agents “of turning away asylum-seekers at the border.” The Post highlights the case of a 30-year-old Mexican woman repeatedly turned away despite requesting asylum “because she feared for her life and her four children.” According to the Post, under federal law, border authorities are required to allow those requesting asylum into the country, “where they are to be granted an interview with an asylum officer from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.” The attorney for the Mexican woman, Nicole Ramos, said, “It’s shocking that you have federal law enforcement officials - people who are charged with upholding the law and bellyache all the time about immigrants crossing illegally — [and] that they are breaking the law themselves.” YAHOO: OTHER COUNTRIES MAY RETALIATE FOR “EXTREME VETTING” PROCEDURES. Yahoo! News (4/10, Pegoraro, 8.62M) reports a newbill in Congress may prevent CBP from searching the phones of US citizens at the border, but “the Trump administration maystill choose to gather foreigners’ social media passwords, a policy known as extreme vetting.” Yahoo says extreme vetting procedures may lead other countries to subject Americans to the “very same treatment.” NPR INTERVIEWS NASA ENGINEER OVER BORDER CELL PHONE SEARCH. NPR (4/10, 1.92M) interviewed NASAengineer and American citizen Sidd Bikkannavar about his experience at the Houston airport in January, where he was asked to produce his cell phone for a search. Bikkannavar said the experience will make him “question how much really trust the government.” NPR adds that the screening of cell phones has been “amped up” in recent years. ARIZONA REPUBLIC: BORDER WALL COVERED IN SOLAR PANELS COULD BENEFIT US, MEXICO. The Arizona Republic (4/10, 1.1M) editorializes that a proposal to cover the border wall with solar panels could benefit both the US and Mexico. The Republic says if President Trump “wants to honor his promise to build a wall, let's be creative and daring.” The Republic concludes, “Imagine using the fierce desert sun, which hasclaimed the lives of so many migrants, to enrich two neighboring countries with good jobs and clean energy.” NYTIMES: EXTREME VETTING PROPOSALS ARE FOOLISH. The NewYork Times (4/10, Board, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) in an editorial argues that the Trump Administration’s plans for DHS-17-0305-A-000060 “enhanced screening” of travelers are really “an arbitrary breach of privacy” and arenot likely to “make the United States any safer.” The Times says it would be expensive to conduct enhanced screening, and “travelers with malicious intent” may simply defeat at least some of it by means of “decoy phones or by deleting any questionable content on their devices before traveling.” DE LA HOYA USES BOXING AD TO “TAUNT” TRUMP ON BORDER WALL. The NewYork Times (4/10, Haberman, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports former world champion Oscar De La Hoya, is using an ad on DirecTV and Dish Network to promote a Cinco de Mayo weekend match between Saul Alvarez and Julio César Chavez Jr., both of Mexican descent, “to taunt” President Trump. De La Hoya said in a telephone interview said the ad’s image of the two boxers bursting through a concrete wall “was a direct hit to Donald Trump.” Transportation Security Administration: TSA TRAINING NEW AIR MARSHALS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2011. Newsweek (4/10, O'Connor, 862K) reports TSA has “begun training its first new class of federal air marshals since 2011 after avoiding a budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump.” The future-marshals will be put through “rigorous” 16-week training course where“recruits [will] practice identifying and neutralizing suspected terrorists onboard airplanes.” The Washington Post (4/9, Aratani, 11.43M) reports on the “special Transportation Security Administration school in Atlantic City,” where the air marshal trainees will undergo a 16-week course on shooting with precision, “being able to blend in and quietly size up passengers to determine who might be a threat.” Michael LaFrance, assistant supervisory air marshal in charge at the TSA’s Atlantic City training center, said the goal of the course is practice real-life situations to sharpen trainees’ instincts. TSA, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CALLED IN TO HANDLE MARIJUANA FOUND IN LUGGAGE. The New York Times (4/10, Weed, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports some passengers“take the risk” of transporting marijuana in carry-on or checked baggage “because searching for marijuana is not on the [TSA's] to-do list.” TSA spokesman Bruce Anderson explained that the agency focuses on “terrorism and security threats to the aircraft and its passengers.” Anderson added that TSAwill contact local law enforcement to deal with marijuana found in a passenger's luggage. Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEDERAL ASSESSMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA SNOWSTORM DAMAGE REQUESTED. The WilkesBarre (PA) Times Leader (4/10, O'Boyle, 114K) reports Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Monday that emergency officials in his state have asked their federal government counterparts to conduct a formal assessment of recent snowstorm damage. Wolf's announcement is also coveredin an online WBRE-TV Wilkes-Barre, PA (4/10, 1K) article. US Citizenship and Immigration Services: SOME TECH FIRMS PAY H-1B WORKERS MORE THAN PREVAILING WAGE. The San Francisco Chronicle (4/10, Thadani, 2.2M) reports on an analysis it conducted that showed a number of Bay Area companies in the mostrecent fiscal year “offered to pay H-1B recipients amounts similar to — or, in some cases, significantly more than — the prevailing wage.” While noting that wages are “calculated by the Department of Labor based on conditions such as skill level and location,” the Chronicle, however, cites experts as saying that the characterization of H-1B visa holders as “underpaid foreign workersis dangerous for a program that Silicon Valley has come to rely on to staff many engineering positions — often at six-figure salaries.” Immigration: TENNESSEE CONSIDERING IN-STATE TUITION FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. The AP DHS-17-0305-A-000061 a (4/10, Binkley) reports Tennessee’s legislature is considering bill to join the 20 states that offer cheaper in-state college tuition to undocumented immigrants, an idea experts say “has been accepted bystates at both ends ofthe political spectrum.” Supporters say the tuition benefit boosts Latino enrollment and helps the “students contribute to the economy.” However, “opponents say the policy wrongly rewards immigrants who entered the country illegally,” takes college slots from UScitizens, andattracts undocumented immigrants. Author Advocates Supporting Dreamers Seeking Higher Education. Author Richard Whitmire, in an op-ed in USAToday (4/10, 5.28M), writes that applications to THEDREAM.US, which “offers modest college scholarships to undocumented ‘Dreamers,”” showsthat theywill not “self-deport.” Furthermore, with program participants having a college success rate that “far exceeds the national rate,” there is “a lesson for states unwilling to grant in-state tuition to Dreamers,” critics of Deferred Action for Childhood Action, and the federal government, which denies them tuition aid: “these budding Americans” are worth nurturing. WPOST A1: POPE PLACING CHURCH IN OPPOSITION TO POLICIES REGULATING IMMIGRATION. The Washington Post (4/10, A1, Faiola, Bailey, 11.43M) reports on its front page that Pope Francis “is rallying to the side of migrants” at a time when “politicians around the world including President Trump take an increasingly hard line on immigration.” And “Catholic cardinals, bishops and priests are emerging as some of the most influential opponents of immigration crackdowns” while Francis is “emphasizing his support for their [immigrants] rights in sermons, speeches and deeds.” The Post, cites Newark Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, and Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich as opposing President Trump's policies regarding immigration. In Rome, Cardinal Peter Turkson, has said that “the Vatican was counting on the U.S. Catholic Church — as well as checks and balances — to stop Trump's policies.” US Coast Guard: US SOUTHERN COMMAND, COAST GUARD: MORE FUNDING NEEDED TO STOP FLOW OF DRUGS INTO THE US. Business Insider (4/10, Woody, 3.42M) details recent congressional testimony from military and Coast Guard leaders concerning being “under-resourced and overwhelmed by the flow of drugs and contraband coming north.” Business Insider says the Coast Guard and US Southern Command “have been strained by the scope of their duties and limitations on their budgets,” which has lead to the inability to stop two-thirds of the drug shipments that head to the US. Business Insider quotes Coast Guard Vice Adm. Charles Ray from testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee in February. Ray said “resource constraints and a lack of capable surface assets allow the US Coast Guard to only attack our target [in] 30% of the knowncases that we have good intelligence, really highconfidence intelligence.” Ray added, “As a result of the lack of resources, last year, we were prevented from getting after 580 known smuggling events, and those shipments made their way north.” COAST GUARD: NO TIMETABLE FOR RECOVERING SUNKEN BARGE NEAR PORT OF OAKLAND. The San Jose (CA) Mercury News (4/10, Harris, 654K) reports, “A plug is continuing to prevent leaking of fuel from a sunken freight barge south of the Bay Bridge off the Port of Oakland but when the vessel will be raised has not been determined, officials said Monday.” The Coast Guard said it may be several days before the barge is brought to the surface. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Adam Stanton is quoted as saying, “Every case is different.” TAMPA BAY TIMES: MYSTERY SURROUNDS DEATH OF FISHING CAPTAIN. The Tampa Bay (FL) Times (4/10, Varn, 785K) reports on the case of Tarpon Springs, Florida, fishing captain Gregory Lasnier, who was found dead in his boat's pilot house on February 26, “hundreds of miles from any of his normal fishing spots.” The Times says the case remains a mystery, as noinvestigation has revealed what happened aboard Lasnier’s ship, the Daniel , during the ten days it was at sea. The Times adds that the Coast Guard was not able to recover the ship, or Lasnier’s body when they first responded to the vessel because the boat was taking on water, according to Lt. Comdr. Ryan Kelley. DHS-17-0305-A-000062 Secret Service: USA TODAY: SECRET SERVICE NEEDS TO ADDRESS WHITE HOUSE SECURITY FASTER. In an editorial, USA Today (4/10, Board, 5.28M) writes that the length oftime that will have elapsed between the 2014 breach of the White House and the start to the construction of a stronger, higher fence setfor 2018 is “ridiculous,” even for “bureaucrats known to move at a glacial pace.” In the meantime, the March 10 incident in which a man armed with two cans of Mace scaled the White House fence and roamed the grounds for 17 minutes made the Secret Service look “like a TV parody of inept cops.” With the agency's investigation ongoing, USA Today says that “something is apparently still very wrong on the White House grounds — something that needs to befixed sooner rather than later.” On behalf of the men and women of the Secret Service, Acting Director William Callahan writes in a USA Today (4/10, Callahan, 5.28M) op-ed that the White House complex “is, and remains, secure” even in light of the March 10 security breach. Callahan calls the agency “uncompromising in its commitment to overcoming, adapting, and improving” in “the few instances” it “performs at less than 100%.” The agency has prioritized staffing, training, and technological enhancements, such as the planned-for replacement of the historical White House fence, to improve security in the wake of breaches. GROUPS SUE TO OBTAIN WHITE HOUSE VISITORS LOGS. The Hill (4/10, Shelbourne, 1.25M) reports the National Security Archive, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University are suing the Trump Administration under the Freedom ofInformation Act, alleging the Secret Service has not provided the logs that show who is visiting the White House despite FOIA requests. The groups are seeking records on who visited the White House as well as who met with the President “at his private properties in New York and Florida.” Reuters (4/10, Stempel) reports the complaint says the Obama Administration released such logs on a delayed basis. Newsweek (4/10, Lanktree, 862K) reports, “At the moment, the Secret Service doesn’t keep track of guests at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where he regularly meets with world and national leaders.” Additional coverage is provided by Politico (4/10, Gerstein, 2.46M), Bloomberg Politics (4/10, Van Voris, 201K), and the Tampa Bay (FL) Times (4/10, Leary, 785K). TRUMP HAS TAKEN MORE GETAWAYS IN FIRST 81 DAYS THAN OBAMA, BUSH, AND CLINTON “years ofcriticizing former President Barack Obama for playing golf and going onprivate getaways,” in his first 81 days President Trump “has already done moreof both” than Obama, former President George W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton during that period. CNN (4/10, Merica, 29.79M) reports President Trump’s travel to Mar-a-Lago has “cost over an estimated $20 million in his first 80 days as president, putting the president on pacein his first year of office to surpass former President Barack Obama's spending ontravel for his entire eight years.” PALM BEACH CONSIDERS TAXING MAR-A-LARGO CLUB TO COVER TRUMP SECURITY EXPENSES. The AP (4/10) reports Palm Beach County, Florida commissioners “are so tired of spending money,” mostly on law enforcement overtime, due to President Trump's frequent visits to Mar-a-Lago, that County Commissioner Dave Kerner suggested making the resort “a special taxing district and imposing a levy on the resort to pay the president's security costs.” Meanwhile, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said, “ am sure they will get around to” reimbursing the county for its expenses. However, Trump supporters argue the county recoups the money “through added visitors lured by the frequent exposure and his visits show he cares about the area.” Directorate For Management: GAO: DHS ACQUISITIONS IMPROVE, ADDITIONAL CHANGES NEEDED. Federal Times (4/10, 117K) details the annual assessment of DHS’ acquisition programs by the GAO. The Times reports the GAO DHS-17-0305-A-000063 found that DHS’ major acquisition programs “now have schedule andcost goals established for the first time, and over half are on track to meet their department-approved baseline.” The Times adds, however, that the GAO found that some acquisitions “could have[benefited] from earlier requirements definition and more well-documented and insightful decision-making processes.” The GAOalso “recommended that DHS define technical requirements before establishing baselines andbetter clarify when and how to report a performance breach to help provide insight into and correct causes of poor outcomes.” Terrorism Investigations: SUSPECT IN THREATS TO JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS PLEADS NOTGUILTY. The New York Post (4/10, Whitehouse, 3.82M) reports that in a Federal court hearing on Monday, Juan Thompson pleaded not guilty to charges related to bomb threats he allegedly made against Jewish community centers and institutions, often in the name of his ex-girlfriend. Federal prosecutor Jacob Warren told the Manhattan judge that Thompson was well-equipped for cyber-stalking, and that investigators are recovering information from 25 electronic devices seized from the defendant's St. Louis, Missouri, home. Thompson, a 32-year-old former journalist with The Intercept, allegedly launched the bomb threat campaign to retaliate against the ex-girlfriend for a restraining order she placed against him. ADMINISTRATION TO SELL PLANES TO NIGERIA FOR BOKO HARAM FIGHT. The AP (4/10, Lardner, Faul) reports President Trump has decided to “move forward with the sale” of “up to 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft” to Nigeria to help with its fight against Boko Haram. The Administration will formally notify Congress “within weeks.” The planes, equipped with “sophisticated targeting gear,” will cost “nearly $600 million.” The Obama Administration had planned to approvethe sale in January, but “it was abruptly put on hold,” after a bombing of a refugee camp in which over 100civilians were killed. The Washington Post (4/10, Gibbons-Neff, 11.43M) also reports the Administration is expected to go ahead with the sale, which “has been in the works for more than a year.” It quotes an unnamed “State Department official” saying, “the United States is committed to working with Nigeria and its neighbors to combat Boko Haram, protect civilians, respond to the humanitarian emergency in the region, and help restore governance in the affected areas.” Reuters (4/10, Zengerle, Onuah) reports the plane is “an agile, propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance and surveillance as well as attack capabilities.” EGYPT DECLARES NATIONWIDE STATE OF EMERGENCY. The AP (4/10, Michael) reports Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared a three-month nationwide state of emergency as part of his effort “to ease public anger and take a tougher stand against Islamic extremists” after the church bombings. In addition, the Interior Ministry announced “it killed seven Islamic State militants in an exchange of gunfire during a security operation in the southern city of Assiut.” Yet, says the AP, an existing state of emergency in the Sinai Peninsula “has failed to halt near daily attacks against police and security forces by the Islamic State group.” battleground whereit can start to proclaim victory again” and has identified Egypt's cities and its Christians as a newtarget, but “few believe it can succeed.” The Times says the size of Egypt, its mostly Sunni population, and lack of “popular support for a bloody pogrom” against the Christians all weigh against ISIS, yet given the “wide security gaps” in Egypt, its “Christians seem likely to bear the brunt of the Islamic State’s ambitions.” The Times says that the emergency declaration is not expected to have much effect as Egypt has frequently been under an emergency declaration. WPost: Trump Should Reconsider support Foral-Sissi. The Washington Post (4/10, 11.43M) in an editorial urges President Trump “to reconsider” his support for Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, because, it says the bombings of churches show “the inability of the Sissi regime to defeat Egypt's Islamic State affiliate,” and “its failure to protect a vulnerable minority that has been singled out by the terrorists.” The Post says Sissi has “the most repressive regime in Egypt's modernhistory,” but, it argues that “has driven recruits into the terrorists’ ranks.” Rather than suppressing terror, the Post argues that Sissi “is steadily leading his country toward chaos.” DHS-17-0305-A-000064 Pope Will Still Travel To Egypt Despite Attacks, ISIS Threats. In continuing coverage of two suicide bombings at Christian Coptic churches in Egypt, ABC World News Tonight (4/10, story 4, 2:05, Muir, 14.63M) reported that ISIS has claimed responsibility and is spreading “fear across the Christian world with threats of more to come.” Despite the ISIS threat, Pope Francis still plans to travel to Egypt at the end of the month. Israel Closes Border Crossing With Egypt. Fox NewsSpecial Report (4/10, 1.53M) reported that families of the 44 victims of Sunday's attacks are “demanding answers from Egypt's President el-Sisi, who declared a state of emergency last night.” Connor Powell reported that while Sisi “boasted” to Fox News last week about his record of combating extremism, the “violence appears to be spreading on the restless Sinai peninsula to Egypt's cities.” Powell added that the instability is also affecting Egypt's neighbors, with Israel closing its border crossing with Egypt “after a rocket was fired from the Sinai and reports of an imminent terrorist attack.” The WashingtonPost (4/10, Raghavan, 11.43M) reports “Israel closed its southern border with Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Monday and urged Israeli holiday-makers to leave Egypt.” The Postexplains that “Egypt's Islamic Stateaffiliate...is based in Sinai.” Meanwhile, mournersat funerals following the attacks on Christian churches “claimed the government has failed to protect” Christians in Egypt. TRUMP EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR SWEDISH TRUCK ATTACK VICTIMS. In a conversation with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on Sunday, President Trump expressed his condolences to the families of the four people killed in last week’s truck attack in Stockholm, the AP (4/10) reports. Trump wished a “speedy recovery” to the other victims wounded in the attack. According to a White House statement, Trump and Lofven “agreed to maintain and strengthen the already close partnership between the United States and Sweden in the global fight against terrorism.” Meanwhile, the New York Times (4/10, Anderson, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports, Swedish prosecutorspublicly identified the suspected driver as 39-year-old Rakhmat Akilov, an Uzbek national who applied for and was denied asylum last year. Akilov’s court-appointed attorney, Johan Eriksson, asked the Stockholm District Court on Monday to remove him from the case because his client “has expressed the explicit wish to be defended by a lawyer who is Sunni Muslim.” The attack prompted debates about how to prevent a future attack and address the approximately 12,000 rejected asylum seekers who, like Akilov, went “underground” to avoid deportation. TSARNAEV WAS APPROACHED BY MEN WHO IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS FBI AGENTS IN 2011. NBC News (4/10, 2.67M) reports that the FBI “released a summary ofan interview summary that agents conducted with Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev in April 2011, two years before the April 2013 bombing, and it includes Tsarnaev’s claim that four mysterious men claiming to be FBI agents had previously tried to contact him.” According to NBC, “The FBI agent who prepared the document wrote that Tsarnaev said four ‘young, handsome men in suits’ had previously approached a person whose name was redacted by the FBI, saying they wanted to speak to Tamerlan Tsarnaev and claimed they were FBI.” The Boston Globe (4/10, Valencia, 1.08M) reports that, in addition to Tsarnaev, “another person, whose name was redacted from the FBI report, told agents that the four mysterious men had spoken with the unnamed person and asked for Tsarnaev.” The Globe notes that the FBI “previously acknowledged that it interviewed Tsarnaevin early 2011 at the request of a foreign government, later confirmed to be Russia, ‘based oninformation that he was a follower of radical Islam.” The Boston Herald (4/11, 509K) reports that Tsarnaev told the agents that he “did not have many Muslim friends,” and “did not think there could be anyIslamic radicals in Cambridge.” The AP (4/10) and WFXTTV Boston (4/10, 248K) also cover the release of the interview summary. Cyber News: ARREST OF RUSSIAN HACKER IN SPAIN FOLLOWS GLOBAL ANTI-SPAM INVESTIGATION. The DHS-17-0305-A-000065 AP (4/10) reports that on Monday, the Justice Department said it is “working to dismantle a global computer network that sent hundreds of millions of spam emails worldwide each year,” and Pyotr Levashov, “the Russian man alleged to be at the head of the scheme, was arrested Friday in Spain.” According to DOJ, “the sprawling Kelihos botnet, which at times was made up of more than 100,000 compromised computers...sent phony emails advertising counterfeit drugs and work-at-home scams, harvested users’ logins andinstalled malwarethat intercepted their bank account passwords.” Levashov’s wife “told Russia’s RT broadcaster that he was being linked to America’s 2016 election hacking,” but DOJ Officials say “there was no such connection.” The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Gauthier-Villars, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) also reports that Justice Department officials said the arrest was entirely a criminal matter. Nevertheless, citing McClatchy, NBC News (4/10, 2.67M) reports that an unidentified “former high-ranking U.S. intelligence official” said the arrest was “part of a broad attack on Russian hackers, some of whom may have information on the election hacking.” The New York Times (4/10, Schwirtz, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that on Friday, “Spanish police burst into the hotel room where the spammer was staying with his wife and child and arrested him. Simultaneously, cybersecurity operatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and several private companies took down his online network of tens of thousands of virus-infected computers.” Times calls Levashov “one of the world’s most pernicious email spammers,” and adds that the take-down of his servers effectively ended “a vast criminal enterprise.” Reuters (4/10, Volz, Menn) says Levashov, “who haslong been considered the likely identity of an online persona known as Peter Severa, spent years listed as among the world’s 10 mostprolific computer spammers by Spamhaus, a spam-tracking group.” Reuters adds that “the Kelihos operation was the first targeting a botnet to use a recent judicial rule change that allows the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation to obtain a sole search warrant to remotely access computers located in any jurisdiction, potentially even overseas,” whereas “previously such warrants could only be used within a judge’s jurisdiction.” KTVA-TV Anchorage, AK (4/10, 3K) reports that the investigation was “led by FBI’s Anchorage Office and (4/10, Gauthier-Villars, Subscription Publication, 6.37M), and AFP(4/10) all cover the arrestin Spain and the wider investigation. HACKERS TARGETING AMAZON MARKETPLACE THIRD-PARTY SELLERS. NBCNews (4/10, 2.67M) reports, “Hackers have zeroed in on the growing number of third-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace, reportedly using stolen logins to swipe thousands of dollars from some merchants.” Hackers have recently “ramped up their attacks by taking over dormant accounts and changing the bank account information,” then posting “nonexistent merchandise at bargain prices” to collect cash. NBC Newsadds, “Buyers can get a refund, but the scam hits sellers hard, since they're on the hook for reimbursing customers who never received their merchandise.” A source familiar with the matter is cited saying Amazon is working to makesure sellers do not haveto bear the financial burden of the attacks. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Stevens, McMillan, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) reports that the attacks stem mainly from password and email credentials from previously hacked accounts that are sold on the “dark web.” ADDITIONAL ALLEGED NSA HACKING TOOLS RELEASED ONLINE. McClatchy (4/10, Johnson, 74K) reports the hacking group known as the Shadow Brokers“released another set oftools it said were designed by the top-secret National Security Agency” to break into computers as well as “a list of servers it said the tools had infected.” Despite cybersecurity experts having varied assessments of the leaked material, “several agreed that it would give global foes crucial information about American hacking abilities and plans.” The release was accompanied by “a rambling, rant-filled statement” that said the group sought to push President Trump into remaining loyal to his followers and promoting anti-globalism. According to Rendition Infosec, Russia and the Shadow Brokers are almost certainly connected. DALLAS EMERGENCY SIREN SYSTEM BREACH BELIEVED TO BE “WHITE-HAT” HACK. Fox News DHS-17-0305-A-000066 (4/10, Rogers, 11.07M) reports, “The hack that set off emergency sirens across Dallas on Friday night may be the work of a so-called white-hat hacker, according to a cybersecurity expert.” Fox News adds, “While specific details of the attack have not yet been released, there is speculation that a white-hat hacker may be behind the incident.” Votiro CEO Itay Glick is quoted saying, “I believe that in this case this hacker ‘signaled’ the alarm that something was wrong within the emergency network in order to alert officials to the fact that the current IT infrastructure is weak and vulnerable to attacks.” Slate’s (4/10, 1.83M) “Future Tense” blog says, “It was an interesting security breach notjust becauseit was loud but also because it targeted an emergency alert system.” Future Tense cites reporting from the Dallas Newsindicating that the system was breached“by broadcasting tones via radio or telephone signal on the specific frequency that was used to communicate with the warning sirens.” (4/10, Dellinger, 430K) reports, “Short-term lender Wonga has informed its customers that personal information from a quarter of a million accounts has been stolen in a data breach.” IBT says, “While none of the information may lead to a direct fraud committed against any of the users, it is still shocking to have a dataset about one’s life exposed in such a way, especially when the information was trusted to a business that failed to protect it.” The information can nonetheless “can be cross-referenced with the number of previous database breaches that have occurred in recent years that often include passwords and logins,” making breaches like this one “exponentially more compromising” for those who use the “same password across multiple accounts.” FDA, INDUSTRY INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT HACKING ATTACKS ON MEDICAL DEVICES. The Hill (4/10, Harper, Extra, 1.25M) reports that “regulators and medical-device-makers are bracing for an expected barrage of hacking attacks,” as hackers have turned their attention “to a new vulnerability: medical devices like pacemakers and insulin pumps.” According to the Hill, the Food and Drug Administration “has become increasingly concerned about the issue and is working to coordinate with other agencies on howto respond if a serious medical device hack were to occur.” Suzanne Schwartz, associate director for science and strategic partnerships at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, says, “This is what we said to manufacturers; one should consider the environment a hostile environment, there are constant attemptsat intrusion ... and they have to be hardened.” The article points out that Johnson & Johnson “had to tell its customers that its insulin pumps had a security vulnerability that hackers could use to access the device and cause a potentially fatal overdose of insulin” last Fall. METHODS USED IN ATTEMPTED UNION BANK OF INDIA HEIST RESEMBLE THOSE IN BANGLADESH CENTRAL BANK HEIST. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Steinberg, Parussini, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) reports that cyberthieves who attempted to steal $170 million from Union Bank of India Ltd.’s computer system used methods strongly reminiscent of the Bangladesh central bank heist. The similarities underscore concerns about recent attacks onfinancial institutions, some of which have been linked to North Korea-affiliated groups, the Journal says. MUGICA: ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS NOT AT “SIGNIFICANT RISK” OF CYBERATTACK. Smartmatic founder and CEO Antonio Mugica writes in Newsweek (4/10, Mugica, 862K) that allegations of Russian interference in last year’s presidential election “has led countries to assume that hacking emails is the same as hacking anelectronic voting platform,” an inference Mugica says“is false...and we are in real danger of dismissing the benefits of election technology because of confusion around the threat of cyber security.” Mugica says, “When election technology is properly designed, cyber attacks...are not a significant risk.” Mugica adds, “Despite using technology that was at least 10 years old, no significant incidents occurred in the 2016 elections.” He expresses worry that pen-and-paper systems, “wherethe possibilities for mistakes and fraud are endless,” are “being touted as a safer alternative to election technology.” Mugica contends, “The challenge of conducting credible elections should be solved via more and better technology, not less,” and concludes that “electronic voting technology protects the integrity of votes and our democracy.” Countering Violent Extremism: DHS-17-0305-A-000067 GAO: DHS MUST EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF CVE WORK. FedScoop (4/10, Ehlinger) details a report by the GAOthat found DHS “has been working to counter violent extremism online and offline, but it has no means of measuring if its overall effort is actually helping.” The GAO auditors wrote, “Although GAOwas able to determine the status of the 44 CVE tasks, it was not able to determine if the United States is better off today than it was in 2011 as a result of these tasks.” National Security News: ADMINISTRATION LEAVES OPEN OPTION OF FURTHER MILITARY ACTION IN SYRIA. Top Administration officials on Monday indicated the US could carryout further military action against Syria if President Bashar al Assad’s regime continues efforts to harm civilians. Media coverage highlights that White House press secretary Spicer mentioned the useof barrel bombsas a potential responsetriggering act, which reporting says broadens and possibly lowers the previous threshold for US military action in the country. Coverage also places Secretary of State Tillerson’s upcoming visit to Moscowin the context of US efforts to dissuade Russia from continuing its support of Assad. On the CBS Evening News (4/10, story 6, 2:35, Pelley, 11.17M), Margaret Brennan reported the White House “vowedto respond if...Assad continued to use chemical weapons,” and the Administration “added barrel bombs to its redline.” USA Today (4/10, Jackson, Korte, 5.28M) reports Spicer said Monday that the US is prepared to take additional action against Syria if Damascus continues to use chemical weapons and barrel bombs. Spicer said “The sight of people being gassed and blown away by barrel bombs ensures that if we seethis kind of action again, we hold open the possibility of future action.” Townhall (4/10, Barkoukis, 402K) quotes Spicer as also saying, “If you gas a baby, if you put a barrel bomb into innocent people, think you will see a responsefrom this president.” Spicer, according to Bloomberg Politics (4/10, Sink, 201K), “emphasized Monday that further US attacks on Syria remain a possibility, pledging decisive and proportional responses to actions deemed unacceptable by Trump.” However, Spicer did not give specifics regarding what actions by Syria would lead to a military response. Bloomberg quotes Spicer as saying, “The president's been veryclear that he’s going to keep his cards close to his vest, but make no mistake, he will act.” The Washington Post (4/10, Johnson, Parker, 11.43M) says that while Spicer “lumped barrel bombs in the same category as chemical weapons on three separate occasions” during his Monday briefing, “he later insisted that his comments should not beinterpreted as a change in USpolicy.” Spicer explained, “Nothing has changed in our posture.” He added, “The president retains the option to act in Syria against the Assad regime whenever it is in the national interest, as was determined following that government's use of chemical weapons against its owncitizens. And as the president has repeatedly made clear, he will not be telegraphing his military responses.” Jeff Zeleny reported on CNN’s Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that an Administration official “tried to...walk back” Spicer’s comment, with theofficial “saying, look, it does not represent a newred line. It does not represent a newsort ofstipulation for military action here.” Politico (4/10, McCaskill, 2.46M) says Spicer “declared” that Trump's foreign policy doctrine remains “America First” despite recent decisions regarding Syria. Spicer said “the Trump doctrine is something that hearticulated throughout the campaign, which is that America’s first.” Spicer added that the US will not “become the world policeman” but will protect the country’s economic and security interests. The Washington Times (4/10, Boyer, 272K) reports Spicer indicated the use of weapons of mass destruction is a threat to the US as the weapons could be seized by ISIS. Spicer said, “The proliferation and the spread [of WMD] to other groups is a clear danger to our country. We've gotto contain that.” Spicer added that ISIS is “the number one threat that America faces” in the region. Still, the New York Post (4/10, Moore, 3.82M) reports that when askedif the Administration’s goal is to remove Assad from power, Spicer said he “can’t imagine a stable and peaceful Syria where Assad is in power.” Breitbart (4/10, Key, 2.02M) quotes Spicer as saying that the focus in Syria is “twofold,” with the goal of “defeating ISIS” and “creating the political environment necessary for the Syrian people to have new leadership there.” DHS-17-0305-A-000068 Meanwhile, the New York Times (4/10, Harris, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports Tillerson said while visiting an Italian memorial to a Nazi massacrethat killed children the US would punish those who carry out attacks against civilians. In a segment that focused on Tillerson’s upcoming trip to Moscow, NBC Nightly News (4/10, story 3, 2:20, Holt, 16.61M) showed Tillerson saying, “We rededicate ourselves to holding to account any andall who commit crimes against the innocents anywhere in the world.” directed” at Assad when he said, “The Syrian government would beill-advised ever again to use chemical weapons.” According to Reuters (4/10, Wroughton, Torbati), Tillerson’s visit to Moscow today “will be an early test of whether” the Administration can “use any momentum generated” from the missile strike “to craft and execute a strategy to end” the Syrian conflict. Tillerson, Reuters says, “is charged with avoiding a major US confrontation with Russia while exacting some concessions” from Putin. USA Today (4/10, Dorell, 5.28M) reports that Tillerson’s meeting with Russian officials will include an effort to find “common ground with Russia on ending Syria’s long civil war” and the future of Assad. USA Today says “both goals will be extraordinarily tough to achieve” as Russian President Vladimir Putin “has been Assad’s strongest ally” and the Russian military “has provided him a major boost against rebels since 2015.” However, USA Today adds, Putin “may be more open to a deal” after the US missile strike in Syria, the “global condemnation” that followed Syria’s chemical weapon attack, and Washington's “suggest[ion]’ that Moscow was complicit in the attack. However, Fox News Special Report (4/10, 1.53M) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov placed blame on Washington when he said in a statement that the US has shown a “complete reluctance” to cooperate on Syria “and take into account each other’s concerns and interests.” CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) reported that State Department officials say “Tillerson’s message in Moscow: Russia bears responsibility for Assad’s actions.” This comes as the USis looking for “direct evidence” that Russian commanders knew about the planned chemical attack. NBC Nightly News (4/10, story 3, 2:20, Holt, 16.61M) reported, “A major point of contention is Russia’s inaction against the Syrian regime's deadly chemical attack last week.” The AP (4/10, Burns, Baldor) reports a “senior USofficial” said Monday that the US “has concluded Russia knew in advanceof Syria’s chemical weapons attack last week.” Theofficial, according to the AP, indicated that a Russian drone was flying over a hospital as victims of the attack werearriving for treatment. Townhall (4/10, Rousselle, 402K) reports the official said a Russian-made plane then bombed the hospital to cover up evidence of the chemical weapons being used. The Washington Times (4/10, Mufioz, 272K) reports the White House “pushed back” against the report, “saying the issue was still open.” A “senior administration official” said, “At this time, there is no US intelligence community consensus that Russia had foreknowledge of the Syrian chemical attack.” Sen. Chris Murphy said on CNN’s Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that “of course” Assad was responsible for the chemical attack, and the “Russians were complicit.” However, he said he does not support regime change in Syria if it involves US military intervention because that “just misremembersall of the lessons from our attempt to do something similar in Iraq.” Murphy also voiced opposition to the US responding to the Syrian regime carrying out barrel bomb attacks, stating, “If we’re going to go in and respond to every single human rights violation inside Syria then let’s be honest about what we're proposing to do,” which would be “invading Syria” with “hundreds of thousands of UStroops” and “carrying out the job until that’s done.” Rep. Will Hurd said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that the US needs to have a “diplomatic discussion with the Russians and makesure that the Russians realize that al-Assad is a problem for them.” He added that “there are tools we can useunilaterally but” the US can also work “to build a coalition of many of our European partners to put additional pressure on Russia to make sure they back away of their support” of Assad. Bill O’Reilly, in his “Talking Points Memo” on Fox News’ O'Reilly Factor (4/10, 767K), said, “You can see President Trump and the Pentagon sending signals that if world order is threatened on, America may respond. It’s a damn shame we're the only country willing to take that stance.” Former Speaker of the House NewGingrich said on Fox News’ Hannity (4/10, 535K) “If the Russians get in the way, they are going to gethit as part of the process. As for the Iranians? They are listed every singly or by the State DHS-17-0305-A-000069 Department as a leading sponsor of terrorism in the world. So what is new? They say ‘death to America,’ they mean ‘death to America.’ At some point down the road, they might try to do something. Again, they would run a much bigger risk of massive American retaliation than their capacity to inflict harm on us.” NYTimes A1: US Providing “Mixed Messages,” Trump “Has Not Been Heard From.” The New York Times (4/10, A1, Baker, Harris, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports onits front page that while the Administration “has spoken with multiple voices asit seeks to explain its evolving policy” on Syria, Trump “has not been heard from.” The Times saysTillerson and Spicer sent “the latest mixed messages” on Sunday as the Secretary of State “outlined a dramatically interventionist approach” and Spicer said the US would take military action if Syria used barrel bombs in addition to chemical weapons. Such a policy, the Times adds, “would be a far more sweeping standard for American leadership” that Trump's previously espoused “America First” policy. The New York Times (4/10, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) also editorializes that statements from top Administration officials since the US missile strike in Syria have “only deepened the confusion over his intentions, next steps and the legal basis for his unilateral use offorce in the middle of that complicated, intractable civil war.” The Times adds that “the administration will have to do better than this.” G7 Foreign Ministers Seek Clarity On US Policy Regarding Syria. Reuters (4/9, Balmer) reports the G7foreign ministers met in Italy on Monday for its annual meeting as Europe and Japan were “seeking clarity from the United States on an array of issues, especially Syria.” Reuters says the meeting will provide Italy, Germany, France, Britain, Canada, and Japan “their first chance to grill” Tillerson on whether the USis “committed” to removing Assad. The AP (4/10, Lawless, Lederman) says the US missile strike “drew support from other Western leaders who have been uncertain what to make of Trump's foreign policy.” Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said Sunday that Europe’s support for the strike “contributed to a ‘renewed harmony’ between the United States andits partners.” Elise Labott reported on CNN’s Situation Room (4/10, 554K) the decision to replace former National a Security Adviser Michael Flynn with Lt. Gen. HR McMaster “is giving allies little bit of comfort, as was the strike in Syria.” She continued that there was a “perception” that former President Obama “was retreating from the Middle East, and now you have a President...who took decisive action,” so foreign diplomats “do see some positive trends.” However, she added, “I will say who is not so happy though are Trump’s populist kind of right-wing supporters abroad. You saw Marine le Pen...and Nigel Farage” speaking “very derogatorily” about the strikes in Syria. Mattis Defends Scope OfMilitary Action. ABC World NewsTonight (4/10, story 3, 3:30, Muir, 14.63M) reported that Syrian planes were “taking off again from that very airfield targeted by UScruise missiles last Thursday night” as, according to the Washington Times (4/10, Mufioz, 272K), Mattis and other military leaders “downplay[ed] recent reports that the American naval strike didlittle to deter [Syria’s] military operations.” Mattis said the missile strikes were “a measured response to the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons.” USA Today (4/10, Michaels, 5.28M) says the Pentagon indicated that Syria will be unable to sustain operations at the Shayrat air base due to damage to its fuel supplies and other equipment. Mattis said, “The Syrian government has lost the ability to refuel or rearm aircraft at Shayrat airfield.” Barbara Starr reported on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that the Pentagon is “saying that 20 aircraft were damaged or destroyed” in the US missile strikes on the Syrian airbase. Starr continued, “Could they be repaired? Could they fly again? Could Syrians bring in additional aircraft from other areas? Certainly. All of the above.” Lawmakers Consider Appropriateness Of Military Action. Congressional lawmakers continued to expresstheir views on the legality and appropriateness of the US missile strikes during appearances on cable shows. Sen. Cory Gardner told MSNBC's Morning Joe (4/10, 270K) “this was a legal strike, a deterrence effort.” However, Gardner added, “There should be a well thought-out plan presented from the White House to Congress, if necessary, seeking our approval. We need to havethat plan. It needs to be supported bythe international community so we can see an end to the Assad regime.” Sen. Jack Reed said on CNN's The Lead (4/10, 320K) “it was important to respond to the despicable behavior of the Syrian regime, Assad regime, but it hasn’t changedthe facts on the ground, which is Assad controls DHS-17-0305-A-000070 significant territory.” However, Murphy said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K), “I think that’s a messy business that the United States should notbe involved in, at least from a military standpoint.” Murphy said the US should “put political pressure on Russia andIran to try to get a political process in place that may allow for Assad to stay for a short period of time and transition to a new leader.” Polls: Majority Of Americans Approve Of Missile Strike. The New York Post (4/10, Woods, 3.82M) reports a CBS Newspoll released Monday showsthat 57 percent of Americans approve of the US missile strike against Syria, but the majority are also “wary of any further US military action in the country.” The Post says the poll indicates that “many Americans support the attack because they believe” Syria’s use of chemical weapons “was an immoral act,” but “Americans were divided” on “whether the attacks posed a direct threat to the US.” The WashingtonPost (4/10, Clement, 11.43M) reports a Washington Post-ABC Newspoll shows that Americans “narrowly support missile strikes,” while “most oppose additional military efforts to remove” Assad. The poll indicates that 51 percent support the missile stick, compared with 40 percent opposing. The Post says that 51 percent support “a policy of trying to remove Assad,” the number drops to 35 percent who want the US to use “more military force to do so.” Missile Strike Leads To “Speculation Of Hidden Motives And Hoaxes.” The New York Times (4/10, Qiu, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports the missile strike “has fueled speculation of hidden motives and hoaxes” as websites such as Infowars “are calling the chemical attack that drew the United States fire a ‘false flag’ operation” and liberal blogs “have pointed to the strike as evidence of ‘wag the dog’ diversion tactics..” The Times provides a summary of some of the theories, but quotes Eurasia Group founder lan Bremmer as saying he is not “buying any of them” as they fit preconceived beliefs and motives. In his Washington Post (4/10, 11.43M) column, Dana Milbank says “speculation without evidence is at best distraction, and at worst it allows Trump’s defenders to discredit the whole story about Trump's contacts with Russia and Russia’s attemptsto tilt the election his way.” Milbank says that Trump’s behavior “has shown that he’s capable anything,” but “we don’t need to speculate” as “Putin did conspire to help Trump win the presidency.” APAnalysis: Increased “Friction” With Iran Highlights “Challenge” For Washington. The AP (4/10, Salama, Schreck) reports the US missile strike “risked raising tensions with Iran,” which “condemned” the action and “raised the possibility of consequences.” The AP says “the friction underscores a challenge for Washington” as “deeper US involvement in Syria means greater chances of direct conflict with an often unpredictable and aggressive Iranian foe.” The AP adds that “retaliatory measures by Iran could have ripple effects in the region” with Iran possibly “targeting everything from US Navy warships to US-allied Arab governments.” USMilitary Makes Adjustments To Protect Its Forces. Reuters (4/10, Stewart, Ali) reports USofficials said Monday that the US “has made slight adjustments to its military activities in Syria to strengthen protection of American forces” following the missile strikes. Pentagon spokesman Col. John Thomas said the US commander in charge of the effort, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, has been “calling in the resources that he needs” to protect US forces. Thomas said the US strikes in Syria had become more defensive and the pace slowedsince Friday, but that likely will not “last for very long” and there has not been any attempts by Syria orits allies to retaliate against US forces. WSJournal Analysis: Sunni Gulf Monarchies Do Not Have Ability Lead In Syria. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Stancati, Abi-Habib, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) says the US can not count on the Sunni Gulf monarchies to lead the process of organizing and supporting the Syrian rebels as those countries no longer have the required political will and military leverage. The Journal says the Syrian rebels supported by Saudi Arabia and Qatar are struggling more than anytime in the past and the Saudiled regional collation is involved in a longer-than-expected and costly conflict in Yemen. Syrians Asking Why World Only Cares About Plight After Chemical Attack. USA Today (4/10, McTighe, 5.28M) reports survivors of the Syrian chemical attack last week were asking why the world “only occasionally pays attention when there are high-profile atrocities” perpetrated daily. USA Today DHS-17-0305-A-000071 quotes Syrians as saying they want more focus ontheir daily struggles. The CBS Evening News(4/10, story 7, 2:05, Pelley, 11.17M) reported, “Among those killed in last week’s nerve gas attack were the loved ones of Abdel Hameed al-Youssef.” When Youssef was asked if the US missile strikes “will make any difference,” he replied, “I thought it was a goodstart.” However, he added that “the regime air strikes haven't stopped.” Publication, 6.37M) column, Gerald Seib says Trump's approach to foreign policy is beginning to appear conventional as the missile strike against Syria was something that would be considered mainstream and received bipartisan support. Seib adds that the military action against Syria, distancing from Russia, refraining from a trade war with China, not withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, not moving the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and sending anaircraft carrier group closer to North Korea are moves that a more conventional Republican and possibly Hillary Clinton would have also made. Wolfowitz, Harman Praise Missile Strike, Says US Now NeedsStrategy. n a Wall Street Journal (4/10, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) op-ed, former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says Trump demonstrated American willingness to lead in the region and the President must follow the military action with a broad diplomatic effort. In National Review (4/10, Herman, 696K), Arthur Herman says the US missile strike “put the US squarely back in the game of Middle Eastpolitics.” However, Herman adds that “what must come next is a new regional strategy for the USthat is very different from the one adopted by President Obama.” The US, Herman says, must formulate a strategy “that backs up diplomatic coalition-building with US military strength.” According to Herman, US allies in the region “have been clamoring for help from Washington for years” and Trump “now hasthe opportunity to provide it.” WPost Fact Checker: Rice’s January Comment On Syrian Chemical Weapons WasMisleading. n the Washington Post (4/10, 11.43M) “Fact Checker” feature, Glenn Kessler concludes that then-NSA Susan Rice’s January 16 comment that the Obama Administration was “able to get the Syrian government to voluntarily and verifiably give up its chemical weapons stockpile” is essentially false: Just four days earlier, the Treasury Department “sanctioned Syrian officials for use of chlorine in warfare.” A Rice associate said that Rice’s comment “refer[red] to Syria’s ‘declared’ chemical weapons,” but “the reality is that there were continued chemical-weapons attacks by Syria — and that US andinternational officials had good evidence that Syria had not been completely forthcoming in its declaration.” Vespa, Murphy Criticize Obama’s Syria Policy. Matt Vespa writes in Townhall (4/10, 402K) that the Obama Administration's “disastrous Syrian policy...did nothing to stop bloodshed or hold any one accountable for that matter because it probably would have led to a military decision that President Obama didn’t want to make.” Vespa says that while the Obama Administration was “peddling the notion that ‘100 percent’ of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles were removed and destroyed, some officials now admit that they knew some were still left in the country.” Vespa cites a Washington Examiner (4/10, Westwood, 400K) story from Sunday that quotes former Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken as. saying, “We always knewwe had not gotten everything, that the Syrians had not been fully forthcoming in their declaration.” Sen. Chris Murphy said on CNN’s Situation Room (4/10, 554K), “I blame the Obama Administration” for the situation in Syria. “They had a policy in Syria that did not work in part because they prolonged the conflict by putting just enough military support in to keep it going.” WPOST A1: UPTICK IN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES EXACERBATES CRITICISM OF US. On its front page, the Washington Post (4/10, Ryan, 11.43M) reports that in recent weeks, the Pentagon has struggled to account for civilian casualties resulting from the air campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Theuptick in civilian deaths has notonly enabled ISIS “to advance its own version ofthe events,” but also prompted human rights groups to challenge President Trump's acceleration of the campaign and adjustments to the rules of engagement. MCMASTER: “FULL RANGE OF OPTIONS” ON TABLE TO DEAL WITH NORTH KOREA. CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) reported that Kim Jong-un, in response to the return of the USS Carl Vinson DHS-17-0305-A-000072 aircraft carrier strike group, is “vowing to accelerate his nuclear weapons program, and he could launch his sixth nuclear test any moment.” Meanwhile, National Security Adviser HR McMaster said the US has a “full range of options” to deal with North Korea’s nuclear threat. Military officials are reportedly “worried” the US may respond to a North Korean launch by “taking out the missile and the launch pad, which might trigger an assault on South Korea” by Kim’s military. CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) reported that US. and South Korean officials say the North may conduct another nuclear test at “any time,” especially with the country’s “most important holiday of the year,” the Day of the Sun, coming on Saturday, when the nation will honor the birth of North Korea’s founding father, Kim lIl-sung. The New York Post (4/10, Perez, 3.82M) reports North Korean officials, in response to the return of the US Navy strike group, said it is “ready to react to any mode of war desired by the US.” Rep. Will Hurd said on CNN's Situation Room (4/10, 554K) that he believes the US “can achieve true cooperation with the Chinese” on the North Korean threat. Sen. Cory Gardner said on MSNBC's Morning Joe (4/10, 270K), “I hope that in the coming days and weeks we will see emerge from China a plan to deal with Kim Jong-un’s nuclear stockpile and how China is going to take responsibility for the situation in North Korea.” Gardner later added on MSNBC's Morning Joe (4/10, 270K) that if Kim Jong-un were suddenly not the leader of North Korea, “I think there is a question of who would follow him. In conversations I’ve had with experts on North Korea, don’t think anybody has that answer.” Newt Gingrich said on Fox News’ Hannity (4/10, 535k), “I think frankly the best result in North Korea and Syria is to somehowget the military to replace the dictator. In both cases, you would have a more stable and morerational government. But this is very, very risky stuff, because the world is really risky.” South Korean Official: China Agreed To Boost Sanctions If North Conducts More Tests. The New York Times (4/10, Choe, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports on Monday, China and South Korea have agreed to “tougher sanctions” on North Korea should it conduct “nuclear or intercontinental ballistic missile tests,” according to South Korea’s Kim Hong-kyun after meeting with China’s Wu Dawei. Kim said, “Both sides agreed” that if North Korea conducts suchtests, “there should be strong additional measures.” The Times also recounts Secretary of State Tillerson’s weekend remark that the USstrike on a Syrian airfield should be noticed by others. China Deploys Troops To Border With North Korea. In a story that led the Drudge report Monday evening, the Daily Mail (4/10, McLaughlin, 4.59M) reports that China “has deployed 150,000 troops to the North Korean border” in response to the US missile strike against Syria, “widely interpreted as a warning to North Korea.” The soldiers will “handle North Korean refugees and ‘unforeseen circumstances’.” In addition, “Wu Dawei, China’s Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs, met with his South Korean counterpart on Monday.” Secretary Tillerson had said following last week’s summit with China, “We need to allow them time to take actions.” Parents Of Ohio Student Held In North Korea Appeal To Trump For Help. USAToday (4/10, Shesgreen, 5.28M) reports Fred Warmbier, father of Otto Warmbier, a University of Virginia student from Wyoming, Ohio, who has been held in North Korea since January 2016, asked President Trump to help with his release after saying that the State Department had “absolutely not” helped. Warmbier was sentenced to “15 years hard labor for allegedly trying to steal a political banner.” State Department spokeswoman Julia Mason said that it “continues to actively work to secure his earliest possible release.” She explained that the US works with the Embassy of Sweden in North Korea andthat “A representative from the Swedish Embassy ... last visited Mr. Warmbier on March 2, 2016.” SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL RACE SHOWS MOVEMENT TOWARD PEOPLE’S PARTY CANDIDATE. The Washington Post(4/10, Fifield, 11.43M) reports that recent polls show significant movement in the South Korean presidential race from last week when Moon Jae-in, nominee of the Democratic Party, held “a strong lead” with “hardly a rival in sight.” Now, Ahn Cheol-soo, nominee of the a “center-left” People’s Party, has closed to “within a few points of Moon” and poll published in the “conservative Chosun Ilbo, South Korea’s biggest newspaper,” had him leading 34 to 32 percent, while a Yonhap-KBS poll on Sunday showed “Ahn at 36.8 percent against Moon's 32.7 percent.” WSJOURNAL ANALYSIS: HALEY EMERGING AS A MAJOR FOREIGN POLICY VOICE OF DHS-17-0305-A-000073 ADMINISTRATION. The Wall Street Journal (4/10, Fassihi, Subscription Publication, 6.37M) reports on the role of US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the Trump Administration’s foreign policy. The Journal says that Haley is becoming oneof the Administration's foreign policy leaders as a public voice for the Administration. According to unnamed USofficials, Haley has the backing of President Trump to explain and defend USpolicy, making statements without having to wait for approval, and some say she believes herself an equal to Secretary ofState Tillerson. G-7 UNABLE TO PRODUCE JOINT DECLARATION ON ENERGY AND CLIMATE DUE TO ONGOING US REVIEW. Reuters (4/10, Jewkes, Sisto) reports the Trump Administration prevented the G-7 ministers from approving a joint declaration on energy and climate change, because, as Italian industry and energy minister Carlo Calenda said, the US is conducting a reviewof its climate change policies, and, said Calenda, “While this is under way, the United States reserves its position on these key priorities.” He did say that European Union countries continue to support the Paris climate agreement. Reuters cited an unnamed source saying that US Energy Secretary Rick Perry's unwillingness to approve the joint declaration “showed the isolation of the United States,” but Calenda said, “The talks were constructive and there was no friction.” LE PEN DENIES FRANCE’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR WWII-ERA ROUNDING-UP OF JEWS. The New York Times (4/10, Nossiter, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports France's far-right presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, said in a Sunday interview that her nation was not “responsible for the Vél d’Hiv” roundup of nearly 13,000 Jewsin Paris during World War Il. “If there was responsibility,” she continued, “it is with those who werein power at the time, it is not with France. France has been mistreated, in people’s minds, for years.” Le Pen’s remarkstriggered “a small eruption in an already heated campaign,” and threatened “to derail her yearslong effort aimed at ‘un-demonizing’ her” National Front party “just as she is emerging as a strong contender in this month’s presidential election.” VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS RESUME PROTESTS DESPITE EASTER WEEK. The AP. (4/10, Sanchez) reports thousands of protesters continued their ongoing demonstrations against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday, the start of Easter Week and a day that Venezuelans typically spend at home or on vacation. A dozen protesters wereinjured and 18 were detained. On Sunday, Maduro urged the opposition to reconsider a dialogue andstressed his willingness to support regional elections. Citing the lack of a formally-established election time line, opposition leaders rejected Maduro’s remarks and urged supporters to forego their Easter Week plans and continue pressuring the government. CHINA PROHIBITS MAINLAND VISIT BY WIFE OF DETAINED TAIWANESE ACTIVIST. The New York Times (4/10, Horton, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports Lee Ching-yu, the wife of detained Taiwanese rights activist Lee Ming-cheh, said at a news conference that China’s Ministry of Public Security canceled her travel permit without explanation, preventing her from boarding a Monday afternoon flight into mainland China. She explained that the purpose of her visit was to inquire about her husband’s status and deliver his high blood pressure medication. She also claimed a “fixer” contacted her through unofficial channels and pledged to release Lee Ming-cheh in exchange for her silence. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office recently confirmed Lee Ming-cheh was detained for alleged “activities harmful to national security,” but officials have not clarified those activities. EXPERTS QUESTION VALUE OF UN-BACKED KHMER ROUGE TRIBUNAL. The New York Times (4/10, Mydans, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that since its formal inception in 2006, the United Nations-backed tribunal tasked with prosecuting the deaths of more than 1.7 million Cambodians under the Khmer Rouge hasconvicted only three people and cost nearly $300 million. Experts have long criticized the tribunal as ineffective and susceptible to the Cambodian government's political influence. They also voiced “serious doubts” about whether indictments against three additional defendants will proceed. Less critical experts suggested the convictions, however few, still reinforce a sense ofjustice and play a critical role in Cambodia’s recovery from “its traumatic past.” To keep the email to a manageable size, the national news summary is available on the website. DHS-17-0305-A-000074 Copyright 2017 by Bulletin Intelligence LLC Reproduction or redistribution without permission prohibited. Content is drawn from thousands of newspapers, national magazines, national and local television programs, radio broadcasts, social-media platforms and additional forms of open-source data. Sources for Bulletin Intelligence audience-size estimates include Scarborough, GfK MRI, comScore, Nielsen, and the Audit Bureau of Circulation. Data from and access to third party social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others, is subject to the respective platform's terms of use. Services that include Factiva content are governed by Factiva’s terms of use. The DHS News Briefing is published seven days a week by Bulletin Intelligence, which creates custom briefings for government and corporate leaders. We can be found on the Web at BulletinIntelligence.com, or called at (703)483-6100. sender; Nielsen,Kirstjen Recipi _____{P)(6) Sent Date: 2017/04/16 23:11:07 DHS-17-0305-A-000075 Page 0076 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000076 Page 0077 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000077 Page 0078 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000078 Page 0079 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000079 Page 0080 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000080 Page 0081 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000081 Page 0082 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act 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DHS-17-0305-A-000203 REAL ID: -OPA continues to correct stories that suggest the enforcement schedule has changed andthat Secretary Kelly announced a newextension yesterday. The belowis being provided: STATEMENT: Secretary Kelly in recent testimony referenced a pre-existing grace period for REAL ID enforcement. Limited extensions, formally allowing federal agencies to accept drivers’ licenses from designated states, are valid through June 6, 2017. Following the expiration oflimited extensions, residents of newly non-compliant states can expect a short grace period through July 10, 2017, however SecretaryKelly did not announce any changesto the REAL ID enforcement schedule. Enforcement measureswill proceed as have been previously announced. Notable Clips: DHS Secretary Kelly says he’s not deporting Dreamers, suggests Congress grant full legalization (The Washington Times, 6/7/17) Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly said Wednesdaythat his agents are notactively trying to deport illegal immigrant Dreamers approvedfor tentative status President Obama’s 2012 deportation amnesty, and suggested Congress should find a way to grant them full legalization. Mr. Kelly declined to take a position on whether the programis legal, saying only that he’s heard from bothsides ofthe debate over the amnesty program, known as DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. LINK Judicial Watch sues Homeland Security to find out why sanctuary city reports stopped (The Washington Examiner, 6/7/17) Judicial Watch is suing the Department of HomelandSecurity for records relatedto the suspensionof reports naming sanctuarycities that don't comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's detainerpolicy. "Sanctuary cities are violating federal lawand putting public at risk. It's that simple," Judicial Watch President TomFitton said regarding the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. LINK Trump suggests border wall with solar panels (CNN, 6/7/17) President Donald Trump suggested his oft-promised border wall could be covered in solar panels in a meeting with congressional leaders, according to sources familiar with the conversation. Trumphad convened Republican leaders at the White House for a conversation about their legislative agenda, largely on health care and the debt ceiling. LINK Trump nominates David P. Pekoske to head TSA (The Washington Post, 6/7/17) President Trump on Tuesday nominated David P. Pekoske, the former Coast Guard vice commandant, to be the next administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. “David has extensive experience in strategy development, operational leadership, crisis management, risk assessment, financial management, and team building,” Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly said in a statement.LINK Trump admin looking at 71 airports for potential large electronics ban (CNN,6/7/17) The Trump administration is looking at 71 more airports for a potential large electronics ban -but the government is prepared to offer those countries alternatives before a banis put in place, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Wednesday. "Going forward, the planis to say, DHS-17-0305-A-000204 ‘These are the new minimumsecurity things that you needto do at yourairports, if you do that, then youcan fly to the United States directly,"" Kelly told a House committee. LINK “Clark, Alaina +) "Stoddard, Kaitlin ()(6) TOT V6) Subject: POLITICO's Morning Shift: DOL budget blues — Splitting the baby — SCOTUScheck-in Date: 2017/06/07 10:12:32 Type: Note By Ted Hesson 06/07/2017 10:00 AM EDT With help from Marianne LeVine, Mel Leonor and Ian Kullgren DOL BUDGETBLUES: Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta will testify this morning before a House Appropriation subcommittee about the Labor Department budgetin his first congressional appearance since his March confirmation hearing. Last month the White House proposed cutting the DOL budgetby 20 percent, including a 36 percent reduction in training and employment services. The proposed cuts to worker training would appear to contradict Acosta's public endorsementof apprenticeship programs and President Donald Trump's pledge to championthe interests of blue-collar America. Morning Shift expects Democrats and Republicans alike to give Acosta a hard time aboutthe training cuts; unlike other DOLdivisions, the agency's training and employmentservices division enjoys bipartisan support. The Trump budgetalso included a proposalto fund a paid parental leave program administered through the Labor Department's Unemployment Insurance System. It would provide six weeks' paid leave to both mothers andfathers, including adoptive parents. We'll be curious to see how that plays in the hearing. Although the budget will be the main discussion point, Acosta will also likely face questions abouthis decision to allow the fiduciary rule to take effect on Friday. The rule requires that broker dealers consider onlytheir client's best interest (not commissions and fees) whenproviding retirementadvice. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. in Rayburn 2358- C. Tunein here. GOOD MORNING. It's Wednesday, June 7, andthis is Morning Shift, POLITICO's daily tipsheet on employment and immigration policy. Sendtips, exclusives, and suggestions to thesson@politico.com, mlevine@politico.com, mleonor@politico.com, ikullgren@politico.com and tnoah@politico.com. Follow us on Twitter at @tedhesson, @marianne_levine, @MelLeonor, @JanKullgren and @TimothyNoah1. TRUMP ADMINTALKS H-1B OVERHAUL: The White House has been quietly working with the Justice Department on overhauling the H-1B program to better adhere to the administration's "Buy American, Hire American" order, sources told POLITICO Playbook. DHS-17-0305-A-000239 The federal government is considering forcing companies seeking employees under the H-1B visa program to advertise the jobs online first and hire U.S. workers before foreigners - even for these high-tech roles. The Trump administration is also discussing reducing the cap and duration for these visas, which would, in effect, make it more costly for companies to bring foreign workers from overseas. Other regulations include forcing H-1B employers to submit a report every six months on duties performed by the foreign worker. The administration could also seek to cut back "optional practical training," which currently allows STEM graduates to work in the U.S. for three years after graduation. The Justice Department and the White House did not respond to a request for comment. SPLITTING THE BABY: The conservative American Enterprise Institute and the liberal Brookings Institution have collaborated on a compromise plan for paid family leave. It grants eight weeks' leave to mothers and fathers with 70 percent wage replacement up to $600 a week. The proposal represents a middle ground between Bernie Sanders' campaign plan, which called for 12 weeks' paid leave, and President Donald Trump's six-week plan. It would be paid for through an increasein payroll taxes and reductions elsewherein the budget. "None of us found this compromise entirely to our liking," the think-tankers wrote. "A majority of the group would have supported something more generous. A minority wanted to limit any new benefit to something like $300 a week and to makeit available to low-income families only. But in these partisan times, we felt an obligation to work toward a compromise that all of us could support to some extent." Read the report here. SCOTUS CHECK-IN: This week, Illinois workers delivered two petitions to the Supreme Court asking justices to consider cases that involve compelled union dues and membership. The first case, Janus v. AFSCME, has the potential to overturn a 1977 decision that sanctioned the collection of fees from union non-members by public sector unions. The worker in that case, Mark Janus, argues that being forced to pay fees to a union he chooses not to belong to violates his First Amendment rights. Unions answer that such fees are necessary to cover non-members' share of costs associated with collective bargaining. The filing tees up the court for the sameissue it deadlocked onlast yearin Friedrichs v. California Teach ers / ssociation. With Neil Gorsuch nowon the court, it seems likely Januswill prevail. The second case, Hill v. SEIU, challenges anIllinois law that assigns the Service Employees International Union as the exclusive representative of home andchild care workers paid by the state through public assistance programs, often to take care of family members. The case isn't about non-members being required to pay mandatory fees - the Supreme Court rejected such fees for this class of providers in 2014's Harrisv. Quinn . Nowthe union non-members in this case are arguing that merely "being forced to associate with SEIU andits advocacy" violates their First Amendment rights. DHS-17-0305-A-000240 NLRB RULE SURVIVES CHALLENGE: A decision by the National Labor Relations Boardthat requires employers to sometimes disclose to unions statements made by employees in confidence cleared a challenge in the D.C. Circuit Court on Tuesday. The challenge was brought by Piedmont Gardens, a California nursing home found to have violated federal labor laws by withholding information it collected while investigating a worker who wasaccused ofsleeping on the job. Piedmont eventually fired the employee, and the union suedfor witness information and statements. The NLRB ruled that it would not apply the new rule to Piedmont - relying on precedent that protects confidential statements - but the employer challenged the new rule anyway, arguing it could face unfair labor charges under a cease-and-desist order by the board. In an opinion written by Judge Merrick Garland, the D.C. Circuit ruled that the order applied only to violations outside the scope ofthe newrule - andrefused to take up the challenge to the rule itself. Read the opinion here. ROADS PAVED BY GOLDMAN: Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein sent out a tweetin step with the Trump administration's push this week for a $1 trillion infrastructure bankrolled largely by states, cities and corporations. "Arrived in China, as always impressed by condition ofairport, roads, cell service, etc.," Blankfein tweeted. "US needs toinvest in infrastructure to keep up!" During his presidential campaign TrumpportrayedBlankfein as part of a "global power structure that is responsible for the economic decisions that have robbed our working class, stripped our country of its wealth, and put that moneyinto the pockets of a handful oflarge corporations and political entities," as Renae Merle points out in the Washington Post. "But Blankfein's most recent foray into social media is particularlyinteresting because New York-based Goldman Sachshas become a big player in the world of funding infrastructure projects," Merle explains. "Trump's infrastructure plan is being developedby a task force led by Goldman alum, Gary Cohn, who nowserves as director of the National Economic Council." Trump's infrastructure tour continues today with visits to Kentucky and Ohio. More on Goldman here. TODAY: KELLY BACK TO THE HILL: DHS Secretary John Kelly testifies today before the House Homeland Security Committee on the White Housefiscal year 2018 budget proposal andthe department's reauthorization. The hearing will take placein House Capitol Visitor Center (HVC), Room 210. Watch it here. SLOWDOWN FOR STARTUP? "A rule that would allowsome startup founders to stay in the U.S. and build their companies has been sentto the Office of Management and Budgetfor further review - a move that suggests the rule may be postponed, withdrawn or amended before it goes into effect in July," the San Francisco Chronicle's Trisha Thadani reports. "The International Entrepreneur Rule, the closest Silicon Valley has cometo a 'startup visa,' was approved by the Department of Homeland Security during President Barack DHS-17-0305-A-000241 Obama's last few hours in office," Thadani writes. "The point ofthe rule wasto give entrepreneurs whodo not qualify for existing visa programs a chance to stay in the United States to grow their businesses." More here. UBER ROUNDUP: CLEANING HOUSE: Uber fired 20 employees Tuesday following an investigation into sexual harassment claims, Bloomberg's Eric Newcomer reports. The embattled rideshare companyalso hired at least two senior executives in an effort to reboot its corporate strategy and branding, according to Bloomberg. "Law firm Perkins Coie LLP led the investigation, reviewing 215 human-resources claims; while it took no action in 100 instances, it's still probing 57 others," Newcomer reports. "Someof the people fired were senior executives, according to the person, who askednot to be identified discussing personnel matters. The company didn't name the employees who werelet go. "Aside from those fired, 31 employees are in counseling or training, while seven received written warnings from the company, an Uber spokesman said," according to Bloomberg. "The issues deal with harassment, discrimination, retaliation and other HR matters." Uber hired twoestablished female tech executives to join its executive team, "former Apple Inc. executive Bozoma Saint Johnas chief brand officer and Harvard Business School Professor Frances Frei as senior vice [president] for leadership andstrategy, Bloombergreports. The findings from a separate sexual harassment probe led by former Attorney General Eric Holder went to a subcommittee within Uber's board of directors, Bloomberg reports, but a summarylikely won't be made public until next week. Morehere. IRKED WITH UBER: The city of San Francisco issued subpoenas to Uber and Lyft "for a broad scopeof records on driving and business practices as part of an investigation to determine whether the ride-services companies have become a public nuisance," Reuters reported this week. "City Attorney Dennis Herrera said on Monday he was seeking records to investigate whether Uber and Lyft fail to adequately serve poor neighborhoods and the disabled and whethertheir drivers create hazards on the road." Morehere. IF MEXICO WON'T PAY: During a meeting with congressional leaders on Tuesday afternoon, President Trump floated the idea that the border wall could be adorned with solar panels, POLITICO's Josh Dawsey and Rachael Bade report. "It was unclear why Trump brought up the topic, but he presented the panels as a way to fund the wall, which is expected to costbillions of dollars, according to three people familiar with the conversation," POLITICO reports. "He didn't express certainty that it would happen - but that he'd heard it was a possible idea and wanted to see what others thought, said a senior official familiar with the White House meeting." DHS-17-0305-A-000242 The idea isn't as strange as it might sound. The Associated Press reported in April about one company's pitch for a solar-powered wall. "The panels would provide electricity for lighting, sensors and patrol stations along the wall," according to the AP. "Sales of electricity to utilities could cover the cost of construction in 20 years or less, according to the company. Power could also be sold to Mexico." The bigger question, of course, is whether Trumpwill get funding for any sort of border wall. He's asking for $1.6 billion toward the project in the fiscal year 2018 spendingbill, a fraction ofthe wall's estimated $20billion cost. More from POLITICO here. RUDY'S RECORDS: "The Justice Department is fighting a legal attempt to force disclosure of a campaign document that may haveserved asthe basis for [Trump's] travel ban executive orders," POLITICO's Josh Gerstein reports. "At issue is a policy memo former NewYork Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped to craft last yearin response to what he described as Trump's request for a way to carry out the Muslim banhe proposed, while doing so 'legally," writes Gerstein. "Plaintiffs in a Detroit-based suit challenging Trump's travel ban orders are demanding the proposal the group produced in mid-2016," he writes. "Lawyers for the ArabAmerican Civil Rights League say the memo could shed light on whetherthe executive orders Trump issued in January and March were motivatedby religious prejudice." More here. CATCH AND RELEASE CONTINUES: The Trump administration has said it's ended so-called "catch and release" immigration policies that let recently arrested migrants go free. But Daniel Bible, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official in South Texas, told Reuters that they're taking the same approach whendeciding who torelease to the public. "That's in large part because there are legal constraints on who can be detained and for howlong, due to a shortage of beds and a courtruling limiting the stay of women and children in custodyto 21 days," writes Julia Edwards Ainsley. "A separate court ruling limits detention time for immigrants whose countries refuse to repatriate them." More FAMILY DETENTION PLEA TO IVANKA: Amnesty International sent a letter today to Ivanka Trump that urges the president's daughter to intervene in the cases of families detained in Pennsylvania's Berks County Residential Center. The organization argues detention "should be a last resort" and that children should only be detained in "exceptional circumstances." "Infants, toddlers, children, mothers, fathers: At least 60 languish within Berks, some for more than 600 days," the letter reads. "Children have grown up there, learning to walk and celebrating multiple birthdays behind bars. Yet this is no place for children." Last month, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) fiercelycriticized the Trump administration for deporting a Honduran woman and her five-year-old son, both of whom had beenheld at the facility. DHS-17-0305-A-000243 "The gangs will target this mother and her child the moment they land in Honduras, yet Trump admin insists on this cruel policy," Casey tweeted at the time. Read the letter here. CASTING CALLS: Broadway casting directors in search ofa union contract enlisted supportfrom actors this week underthe hashtag #FairnessForCasting, Playbill reports. "Broadwaycasting directors joined Teamsters Local 817 in 2016, but the Broadway League has yet to negotiate a union contract with them," writes Playbill. "Without such a contract, casting directors areleft to find health insurance on their own. Their employers also make no contributions toward their retirement." Among those joining the push were actors from War Paint and Hamilton. FORMERDOL OFFICIAL TO MICROSOFT: Portia Wu, assistant secretary for the Employment and Training Administration under President Obama, will be director of workforce policy for Microsoft's government affairs team, the company announced Tuesday. KUSHNER'S EB-5 DEBT: "The real estate company owned by the familyof Jared Kushner, son-in-law andsenior adviserto President Trump, is seeking $250 million to payoff its partners and lenders in a Jersey City apartment tower financed by Chinese investors through a program criticized as offering United States visas for sale," Jesse Drucker and Charles Bagli reported this week in the New York Times. "The project was financed with about $190 million in loans, including $50 million through the EB-5 visa program," they write. "That programgives foreign investors preferential treatment in obtaining permanent residency, in exchange for investments of at least $500,000 in American development projects." "Kushner Companies must repay a $140 million construction loan from CIT Group, which is due in September," the Times reports. "It also wants to pay offits EB-5 loans, which are all from Chinese investors, although the loans are not due for several years." Morehere. COFFEE BREAK - "White House won't say how much confidence Trump has in Attorney General Jeff Sessions," from The Wall Street Journal - Trump's borderwall collides with nature at Big Bend National Park," from USA Today - "Report: 250,000 Minnesota hourly workers make minimumwage or less," from Fox 9 - "Undocumented immigrants steal millions in unemployment benefits with help from Chicago-area woman," from Newsweek - "SecondCircuit court invites EEOC's opinion on whether Title VII prohibits sexual orientation discrimination," from National Law Review - "Mass. will 'absolutely' see $15 minimum wage," from Metro DHS-17-0305-A-000244 THAT'S ALL FOR MORNING SHIFT. To view online: http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-shift/2017/06/07/dol-budget-blues-220707 To changeyour alert settings, please go to https://secure.politico.com/settings/settings 5] This email wassentto} by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA Pleaseclick here and follow the steps to unsubscribe. Sender: Morning Shift Taye Recipient; ilose Kaitlin {()(6) Sent Date: 2017/06/07 10:03:37 Delivered Date: 2017/06/07 10:12:32 DHS-17-0305-A-000245 Page 0246 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000246 Page 0247 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000247 Page 0248 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000248 Page 0249 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000249 Page 0250 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000250 Page 0251 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000251 Page 0252 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000252 Page 0253 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000253 Page 0254 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000254 Page 0255 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000255 Page 0256 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000256 Page 0257 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000257 Page 0258 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000258 Page 0259 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000259 Page 0260 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000260 Page 0261 Withheld pursuant to exemption Non Responsive Record of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000261 GAO-OIG IN THE NEWS FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017 Thesearticles are highlighted to keep DHSleadership, our audit liaison community, and others across the Department informed about newsbeing reported mentioning the U.S. Government accountability office (GAO) and/orthe various federal Offices of Inspector general (OIG). While this service focuses mainly on DHS,it does include other GAO- and OlG-related information for cross-feed purposes. DHSrelated articles appearfirst, followed by those from other parts of government. Thearticles are sourced from: DHS NewsBriefing; Politico; The Hill; Government Executive; Federal Times; and, from time-to-time, other selected publications. Please send any questions, comments, or suggestionsto the Departmental GAO-OIG Liaison mailbox: GAO-OIG.Liaison@hq.dhs.gov. DHS-RELATED CUSTOMS AND BORDER ENFORCEMENT Donald Trump’s Plan To Build A Solar Border Wall, Explained With Math Vox, By Ruairi Arrieta-Kenna, July 20, 2017 Last week, President Donald Trumpinsisted that he really isn’t joking aboutputting solar panels on the border wall he's promisedto build between the United States and Mexico. “There is a chance that we can do a solar wall. We have major companieslooking atthat. Look, there’s no betterplacefor solar than the Mexico border — the southern border,”he said. “And there is a very good chance we can do a solarwall, which would actually look good.” WhenTrump first pitched the idea of a solar wall at a meeting with Republican Congress members at the White Housein June, he claimedthat the idea washis (it wasn’t) and that the energy generated by the panels could cover the costof the wall. Now thatit seems hereally wants solar panels on there, we decided to do the math onthis possibility of the wall “payingfor itself.” That would, theoretically, help him sell the plan to fiscal conservatives, among others. A border wall would bereally, really expensive As Vox's Dara Lind and Tara Golshanexplained in May, Trump faces a multitude of obstaclesin building more borderwall (there are already 654 miles of fence and wall down there). Chief among them is convincing Congress to pay forit. While Trump maintains that he will somehow get Mexico to eventually pay for the wall, American taxpayerswill haveto footthebill initially. The US-Mexico border fence stops while passing through farmland near Fort Hancock, Texas. Throughoutvast stretches of West Texas, the currentfencing starts and stops along the bank of the Rio Grande, whichis often nearly drained dueto irrigation for crops. Photo taken on October 14, 2016. John Moore/Getty Images a OnJuly 11, Republicans in Congress released bill that would allocate $1.6 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to begin construction ofthe physical barrier. Butthat’s just a fraction of the $21.6billion the DHS 1 DHS-17-0305-A-000262 estimated in February would be neededto build a wall along the 1,250 miles of unfenced border. (Trump told reporters on July 13 that he now intendsto build only 700 to 900 miles of “see-through”wall, but that would still cost roughly $12 billion to $15.5 billion, according to the February DHSestimates.) But a solar wall will pay foritself, right? Nope. The idea to put solar panels on the wall seemsto have originated in a Huffington Postarticle last December, but it gained greatertraction after Gleason Partners submitted a prototype design in April to DHS’s Customs and Border Protection. In June, CPB announcedplans to build four to eight different wall prototypesthis year in San Diego.(It's not yetclear if Gleason's solar borderwall will be oneof those prototypes.) But a back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that solar panels wouldn't come close to covering the cost for the 700 to 900 miles of wall Trump wants to build. To simplify things, I'll give Trump the benefit of the doubt with a best-case scenario. The average commercial solar panel is about 39 by 77 inches, andutility-scale solar arrays typically hold two towsof panels vertically. In a scenario with the maximum numberof panels installed along the top ofthe wall (with no horizontal space between them), a 900-mile border would at most be able to accommodate 2,924,102 panels acrossits width. The typical commercial solar panel has a capacity of up to 350 watts, so these nearly 3 million panels could make up a system ofjust over 1000 megawatts. Butlimited daylight hours and adverse weatherconditions, such as extreme heat or excessive cloud shading, can cause solar panels to operate at less than maximum capacity. The average output capacity factorof solar panelsin the US is around 20 percent. Nevertheless, solar technology continuesto improve, and the southwestern part of the United States is sunnier than average. Optimistically, let's assumesolar panels atop a border wall would operate at an annual 30 percent capacity factor. The nearly 3 million panels would then generate upward of2.7 terawatt-hours ofelectrical power per year. Let's also say, for Trump’s sake, that Mexico's electric utility would buy all the energy generated and pay for all the transmissioninfrastructure. The averageretail price of electricity in the border states is about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour. Assuming that the energy generated by the border wall is sold atthat retail rate (it would more likely be sold on the cheaper wholesale market and in Mexico, but we're giving Trumpthe best-case scenario here), the annual revenue would be about $300million peryear. Butwith standard utility-scale solarinstallation costs as low as $1 per watt, the nearly 3 million panels would costat least $1 billion. Even with the generous revenueestimate, it would take four yearsjust to recuperate the installation costs of the panels. Now, rememberthat 700 to 900 miles of new wall would cost approximately $12 billion to $15.5billion to build. Andthis and the existing fencing would also need to be maintained. In 2009, the Government accountability office estimated that the currentfencing along the border would need $6.5billion for upkeep andrepairs over the next 20 years (an annual average of $325 million). A much longer wall would cost even more thanthat, not to mention the additional operations and maintenancecosts of the solar panels, which needto be cleaned, repaired, and replaced regularly. So whenall is said and done, it lookslike the solarpanels, estimated to bring in at most $300 million a year, would hardly make a dentin the wall’s costs. The physical problemswith a solarwall According to KCET's Chris Clarke, whoalso tried to estimate the incredibly high costof a solar wall, a version like the one Gleason Partners proposed would also be very technically difficult to build. Forstarters, a wall is not an ideal frame for solar panels. Solar panelstraditionally lay at a slight angle off the horizontal, such as on roofs orin large solar farms. Making the vertical part of a wall out of solar panels wouldn't makesense, since, after all, they must face the sun to convert its energy. To account forthis, Gleason, the prototype designer, proposed angling twosets of solar panelsoff the wall — oneon the top, the otherjutting from the middle to the ground, as pictured below. Gleason Partners DHS-17-0305-A-000263 However, solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere should point south to maximize time facing the sun. Butin the case of a border wall, that meansthe mostvaluable partsof the wall, the solar arrays, would have to be displayed, unprotected, on the Mexican side. This would leave them opento almostcertain vandalism andtheft. To maximizeefficiency for capturing sunlight, a borderwall could arrange panels from thetop to the ground at an approximately 30-degree angle off the horizontal. But as Clarke points out, a structurelike that would be easy to climb and more of a border ramp than a borderwall, certainly not fulfilling its intended purpose. (It would also be difficult for a wall madeof solar panels to be transparent. Donald Trumphas said it should be to prevent sacks of drugs from being tossed overandhitting unassuming Americans.) The wall is unpopular anyway Trump's border wall plan is already really unpopular. And putting solar panels on the border wall shouldn't makefiscal conservatives any more excited about this extremely expensiveinfrastructure project. And according to recent polling by EchelonInsights, it doesn’t. The solar panel idea hasalso resulted in only slightly less opposition by Democrats, according to the samepolling. The green energy componenthas done little to mitigate concerns environmentalists have about the walleither. As Brett Hart! of the Centerfor Biological Diversity affirmed in a statementin June,“An ecological disaster with solar panels ontop is still an ecological disaster. With solar panels on top.” TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION GAO: TSA Doesn’t Have Scientific Justification To Detect Terrorists Through Most Behavioral Tics USAToday, By Bart Jansen, July 20, 2017 The Transportation Security Administration doesn't have scientific justification for most of the behavioral clues thatofficers use to identify potential terrorists, a government watchdog reported Thursday. Despite a lack ofscientific validation, TSA told the Government accountability office that some suspicious actions, such asa traveler having wires hanging outof clothing, can't be ignored. Even so, TSA has blended what usedto be thousands of behavior-detection officers into the general workforce in recent years to bolster checkpoint screening whilestill keeping an eye on suspicious actions. TSA's behavior detection program has beencontentious for years. GAO and the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security have questioned the lack of scientific justification for singling out suspicious behavior to identify terrorists or criminals. TSA had 3,131 officersin its behavior-detection program in 2013 whena critical GAO report wasreleased that questioned the program's reliability. By 2016, TSA reducedthe program to $186 million for 2,393 officers at 87 airports. Those officers were trained to spot behavior such as how a traveler swallowed or how opena person's eyes were as oneindicator for whether further scrutiny was warranted. Critics such as Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, repeatedly questioned whether behavior detection wasreliable or possibly concealed racial harassment. But TSA said officers were targeting behaviorrather than race. GAO's 16-page report Thursday checked 178 sources that TSA submitted to justify behavior detection. Of those, 137 were newsstories or opinion pieces that GAO dismissed. Other sources werestudies that didn’t conduct original research. The 20 reports with original research couldn't support 28 of the 36 suspicious behaviors that TSA targeted, according to GAO. DHS-17-0305-A-000264 “TSA doesnot have valid evidence that most of its indicators inits revised list of behavioral indicators can be usedto identify individuals who maypose a threat to aviation security,” said the GAO report from Nancy Kingsbury and Jennifer Grover. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA, respondedthat the behavior-detection program waseliminated beforethis fiscal year, and officers were integrated into the checkpoint workforce. But TSAcited a 2013 report from Rand National Defense ResearchInstitute that found “there is current value and unrealized potential for using behavioral indicators as part of a system to detectattacks.” For example, wires hanging outof a person’s clothing might be signs of a suicide bomber, according to the department and the FBI. “Behavior detection is a non-invasive technique that increases the potential of an employee to engage passengersand detectpotentially dangerousindividuals, terrorists and criminals,” Jim Crumpacker, the department's liaison to GAO,wrotein reply to the report. NON-DHS-RELATED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Space Corps proponents: ‘Thetime for study is over’ TheHill, By Rebecca Kheel, July 19, 2017 Proponents of creating a new branchof the military dedicated to space said Wednesday the “time for study is over”after a House Armed Services Committee briefing on national security in space. “Thetime for study is over: We must nowact to effect change basedon the repeated recommendations,” Reps. Mike Rogers(R-Ala.) and Jim Cooper(D-Tenn.), the chairman and ranking memberof the panel's strategic forces subcommittee, said in a statement. “The consensus of the prior studies and reviewsis that we mustfix these problems. Webelieve the Space Corpsis thatfix. The status quo andfurther delay are indefensible.” In their committee roles, the pair have shepherded the plan to create a Space Corps that passed the House last weekas part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Space Corps would be focused on addressing threats from countries such as Russia and Chinato U.S. assets in space, suchas satellites. The proposal has elicited huge opposition from the Pentagon, including from Defense Secretary James Mattis, Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. Paul Selva, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Air Force Chiefof Staff Gen. David Goldfein. Opponentsargue that not enough study has been doneon the issue and that not enough time has been given to allow the Pentagon's currentefforts to reform its approach to space to work. 4 DHS-17-0305-A-000265 But proponents, such as Rogers and Cooper, argue the bureaucracy of the Pentagon hashistorically been resistant to changethat wasultimately for the better, such as the creation of the Air Force. Wednesday's briefing, which was opento the full Armed Services Committee, covered information from the Government accountability office (GAO) about“historical perspectives of leadership and acquisition challenges in national security space,” according to the committee release. It follows a classified briefing from the intelligence community Tuesday, as well as several subcommittee sessions on the issue. “Webelieve it is imperative that members understand the challenges we are facing in space from our adversaries and from our ownself-imposed impedimentslike the current organization of space within DOD andits space capability acquisition system,” Rogers and Cooper said. “The GAOprovided a historical perspective on the remarkable overlap on the recommendations to fix the national security space enterprise.” According to the release, reports, studies and commissions dating back to 1982 haveidentified fragmented leadership andlack of accountability as major causesof systemicfailures in space acquisition. Thosefailings include billions of dollars of cost overruns becausethe “acquisition system is so complicated that no oneis in charge,”the release says. USSFord will join the fleet, but deploymentis 4 years away Washington Post, By Associated Press, July 20, 2017 NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy's newestaircraft carrier will officially join the fleet Saturday at a commissioning overseen by President Donald Trump.But fouryearswill likely pass beforethe ship's first deployment. The USS Gerald R. Ford still must go through varioustests andtrials ofits cutting-edge technology, including new systemsto launch andland fighter jets. A Government accountability office report released this month said the Navy could spend another $780 million preparing the $12.9 billion carrierfor battle. Namedafter the country’s 38th president, the ship is thefirst of the new Fordclass of aircraft carrier. The vessel can carry more planes and operate with several hundred fewersailors. Flying missions are expected to increase by a third. The commissioning will be held at Naval Station Norfolk. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. RECENTLY ON PRO CYBERSECURITY Politico, By Tim Starks, July 20, 2017 Senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee next weekas part ofits Russia investigation. ... Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort will be called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of its Russia probe. ... Robert Storch, Trump's nominee for NSAinspector general, told senators he would scrutinize the spy agency's proceduresfor vetting contractors. ... The White Houseis worried Moscow mightretaliate after the General Services Administration madeit harderfor federal agencies to buy products from Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab. DHS-17-0305-A-000266 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Trump administration pulls health law helpin 18 cities Washington Post, By Carla K. Johnson, July 20, 2017 CHICAGO — President Donald Trump's administration has ended Affordable Care Act contracts that brought assistanceinto libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoodsin 18 cities, meaning shoppers on the insurance exchangeswill have fewer places to turn for help signing up for coverage. Community groups say the move, announcedto them by contractors last week, will makeit even moredifficult to enroll the uninsured and help people already coveredre-enroll or shop for a new policy. That's already a concern because of consumer confusion stemming from the political wrangling in Washington and a shorter enrollment period. Peoplewill have 45 days to shop for 2018 coverage, starting Nov. 1 and ending Dec. 15. In previous years, they had twice that muchtime. Some seeit as another attempt to undermine the health law's marketplaces by a president who has suggested he should let “Obamacare” fail. The administration, earlier this year, pulled paid advertising for the sign-up website HealthCare.gov, prompting an inquiry by a federal inspector general into that decision and whether it hurt sign-ups. Now insurers and advocates are concerned that the administration could further destabilize the marketplaces where people shop for coverage by not promoting them or not enforcing the mandate compelling people to get coverage. The administration has already threatened to withhold paymentsto insurers to help people afford care, which would promptinsurers to sharply increase prices. “There's a clearpattern of the administration trying to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act,”said Elizabeth Hagan, associate director of coverageinitiatives for the liberal advocacy group Families USA. “It's not letting the lawfail, it's making the law fail.” Two companies — McLean, Virginia-based Cognosante LLC and Falls Church, Virginia-based CSRAInc. — will no longerhelp with the sign-upsfollowing a decision by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servicesofficials not to renewa final option year of the vendors’ contracts. The contracts, awarded in 2013, were never meant to be long term, said CMS spokeswoman Jane Norris in an email. “These contracts were intended to help CMS provide temporary, in-person enrollment support during the early years”of the exchanges, Norris said. Otherfederally funded help with enrollmentwill continue, she said, including a year-round call center and grant-funded navigator programs. The existing programis “robust” and “we have the on- the-ground resources necessary’in keycities, Norris said. But community advocates expected the vendors’ help for at least another year. “It has our heads spinning about how to meet the needs in communities,” said Inna Rubin of United Way of Metro Chicago, whohelps run an Illinois health access coalition. CSRA’s current $12.8 million contract expires Aug. 29. Cognosante’s $9.6 million contract expires the same date. Together, they assisted 14,500 enrollments, far less than 1 percentof the 9.2 million people who signed up through HealthCare.gov, the insurance marketplace serving most states. But some advocates said the groups focused on the healthy, young adults needed to keep the insurance marketsstable and prices down. During the most recent open enrollment period, they operated in the Texascities of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, McAllen and El Paso;the Floridacities of Miami, Tampa and Orlando; Atlanta; northern New Jersey; Phoenix; Philadelphia; Indianapolis; New Orleans; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland and Chicago. The insurance exchanges, accessed by customers through the federal HealthCare.govor state-run sites, are a wayfor people to compare and shopfor insurance coverage. The health law included grant money for community organizations to train people to help consumers apply for coverage, answer questions and explain differences betweenthe insurancepolicies offered. DHS-17-0305-A-000267 In Illinois, CSRA hired about a dozen enrollment workers to supplement a small enrollment workforce already in the state, Rubin said. The company operated a storefront enrollment center in a Chicago neighborhood from November through April. “It was a large room ina retail strip mall near public transit with stations set up where people could comein and sit down”with an enrollment worker, Rubin said. CSRA spokesman Tom Dohenyin an email said the company “is proud of the work we have accomplished underthis contract.” He referred other questionsto federal officials. Cognosante worked on enrollmentin ninecities in seven states, according to a June 6 post on the company’s website. The work included helping “more than 15,000 Texas consumers”and staffing locations “such as public libraries and local businessoffices.” A Cognosante spokeswomanreferred questionsto federal officials. The health care debate in Congress has many consumers questioning whether “Obamacare”still exists, community advocates said. “Whatis the goal of the Trump administration here?Is it to help people? Or to undermine the Affordable Care Act?” said Rob Restuccia, executive director of Boston-based Community Catalyst, a grouptrying to preserve the health care law. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Demto seekinvestigation into Interior staff reassignments The Hill, By Timothy Cama, July 20, 2017 The top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee wants aninvestigation into an Interior Department employee's claim that he was reassigned dueto his work on climate change. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said at a Thursday hearing that she would officially ask Interior's inspector general to lookinto the matter. Her request came a dayafter Joel Clement, the former director of Interior's Office of Policy Analysis, wrote a Washington Post op-ed saying he was improperly reassigned to an accounting position because of his work on helping Alaskan communities cope with climate change. “Weneed to makesurethat those individuals who havethe experience, who areinvolved in the science, are going to continueto fulfill those responsibilities,” Cantwell said at an unrelated hearing about nomineesto Interior and the Department of Energy. “Sure, there are always reorganizations at an agency,” she said, adding that employees with the necessary experiences should stay in the jobstheir suited for. Clementalso filed a complaint againstpolitical appointees, saying his reassignment was the resultof illegal political interference. Federal agencies are allowed to reassign employeesin Senior Executive Service positionslike Clement, with somelimitations. “Personnel moves amongst the Senior Executive Service are being conducted to better serve the taxpayer and the department's operations through matching Senior Executive skill sets with mission and operational requirements,”Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift said Wednesday. DHS-17-0305-A-000268 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Your income paid for welfare fraud from sea to shining sea The Hill, By John DeMaggio, opinion contributor, July 20, 2017 Mostof us know ofU.S. citizens whoare truly in need of public assistance. They range from the orphansto the handicapped to the elderly. However, do recent events show that the unscrupulous with avaricious intentions haveno trouble swindling the system to gain financial advantages? Last week, The Hill reported: “The Departmentof Justice (DOJ) has charged more than 400 people, including 56 doctors, with healthcare fraud that cost taxpayers approximately $1.3billion, Attorney General announced on Thursday.” A DOJpressrelease specified 413 people were charged. Oneof the individual frauds totaled $56 million and another $164 million. Additionally, *...295 healthcare providers are being suspended or bannedfrom federal health programs as a result of the crackdown.” This comesafter multiple reports over the last weekof investigators uncovering massivefraud in the federal and state government's welfare programs. OnJuly 12, NJ.com reportedin a piecetitled “12 more Lakewoodresidents charged in massive welfare fraud sweep”that “the recent chargesbring the total amountof illegally obtained benefits to well over $2 million. Twentysix Lakewoodresidents have been charged since June26 in the joint federal, state and county crackdown.” The 12 consisted of six couples chargedwith stealing between $62,746 and $74,960over a three to five year period. Oneonly hasto lookat their own yearly incometax paymentto put these fraudsin prospective and ask how muchof my tax payments are goingto finance these frauds? The daybefore, on July 11, the Dallas Moming Newsreported “Alexis C. Norman, 46, is charged with running an operation involving more than $810,000in false Medicaid claims.”This is all the more sensationalsince Norman wasin federal prison while she perpetrated thesefrauds. A weekearlier, on July 5, The Hudson Valley (New York) Newsreported that “Nearly two dozen people from Orange and Dutchess counties have been accused in a welfare fraud sweep ... 23 people stole a combined $220,000in welfare benefits.” District Attorney Dave Hoovlersaid this seventh sweepin Orange Countyin recent years “has busted nearly 200 people for welfare fraud since 2014, thanks to a county special investigations unit that routinely checksindividual casesfor red flags. The work hasso far recovered more than $500,000.” Theselast few arejust threejurisdictions, Dallas, Texas; Lakewood, N.J.; and Orange County, N.Y.! According to the U.S. Geological Service there are 3141 countiesin the 50 states and the District of Columbia not counting the U.S.territories. Could one concludesimilar investigations identifying millions of dollars in frauds might result from comparable investigations in each county? All of these reportsindicate that the perpetrators were able to accomplish the frauds by simply falsifying their original applications for assistance. These reports comeon the heels of the Government accountability office (GAO) May 2017 report on the Federal Communication Commission's Lifeline program, more commonly referred to as the “Obamaphones,”issued last month entitled, “Additional Action Needed to Address Significant Risks in FCC’sLifeline Program.” The GAOfound: “Lifeline’s structure relies on over 2,000 Eligible Telecommunication Carriers that are Lifeline providers to implement key program functions, such asverifying subscriber eligibility. This complex internal control environment is susceptible to risk of fraud, waste, and abuse as companies may havefinancial incentives to enroll as many customers aspossible.” Could wecall this an exampleof the proverbial fox guarding the hen house? It continues, “subsequentto our 2010 report, which foundthat Lifeline hadlimited abilities to detect and prevent ineligible and duplicate subscribers from enrolling in the program... (GAO)found a total of 5,510 potential internal duplicates...” and “...identified 6,378 individuals reported as deceased whoare receiving Lifeline benefits... The date 8 DHS-17-0305-A-000269 of death for each of these individuals preceded theLifeline enrollment orrecertification date by at least 1 year.” Further details revealed that audits of the telecommunications providers, who determine eligibility, averaged less than 0.17 percent between 2007 and 2013. That is 99.8 percent without oversight! These reports all come to us from diverse sources within weeks. Whentaken collectively doesthis indicate that there is a serious lack of oversight in these programs across the nation withlittle to no scrutiny of original applications? a Itis very doubtful if any investigations will result in any more than fraction ofthe illegal payments retumed to the government. Coupling this with the cost of the investigations, prosecutions, appeals and incarnation to our federal, state and local governments, wouldn't be morecost effective to have an effective approval processat the front end, when thesefraudulent applications are submitted? So why haveour elected officials chosen not to put such systemsin place wheninitiating these programs? While you sit down to write your checks to pay yourtaxes, should you be wondering how manyarereceiving checksfunded with your earnings dueto their falsifying applications with negligible government oversight? Gretchen Morgenson and Joshua Rosnerobserved in “Reckless Endangerment’howlobbyists shifted “... the power of oversight to congressional subcommittees, run by members who could beeasily swayed by the company's lobbying efforts and campaign contributions.” As ournation argues the future of healthcare, are we ensuring that these proposedbills in Congress include instituting adequate approval processes andoversight to protect our tax funds? Itis also the start of the U.S. government budgetcycle. As the government begins the budget process, is our Congress ensuring that there are adequate safeguardsin the social programs to preventthese frauds before the funds are distributed and lost forever? John M. DeMaggiois a retired special agent in charge and servedas a captain in the U.S. Navy. The aboveis the opinion ofthe author and is not meantto reflect the opinion of the U.S. Navy or the U.S. government. Jeff Sessions is helping the police to take your stuff away Washington Post, By Robert Johnson andNick Sibilla, July 20, 2017 Surveys show 84 percent of Americans opposeit. Both the Republican and Democratic party platforms condemn it. More than 230 newspaper editorials have denouncedit. Andin thelast three years alone, 24 states have taken stepsto restrict it. So why is Attorey General Jeff Sessions looking to increaseit? We'retalking aboutcivil forfeiture, a legal tool that allows law enforcement agenciesto confiscate property — cash,cars, homes, even businesses — without convicting anyoneof a crime. Mere suspicionis sufficient to justify a seizure. Then, property owners mustprove their owninnocence to get their property back. With few safeguardsfor the innocent, civil forfeiture is one of the greatest assaults today on private property a rights and fair, impartial justice system — both foundations of a healthy democracy. Public outrage has grownas stories of abuse haveproliferated. Just last year,for instance, The Post reported how police in Muskogee County, Okla., seized more than $50,000 from the manager of a Burmese Christian rock band. That included moneyintended for an orphanagein Thailand, still sealed in donation envelopes. Orconsider Chris and Markela Sourovelis. The Philadelphia district attorney sought to forfeit their family home because their son was caughtselling $40 worthof drugs. Outrage has generated reform. State legislatures across the country have passed measures to shore up a propertyrights, and full 14 states now require a criminal conviction to forfeit property. Blue states and red states alike — in every region of the country — have enacted reforms. Now thosereforms are underattack. On Wednesday, Sessions announced a newpolicy that will makeit easier for state and local law enforcement to sidestepstate-level protections for property owners. The new Justice Departmentpolicy expandsa federal forfeiture program called “equitable sharing.” Equitable sharing allowsstate police to seize property and sendit to federal prosecutorsfor forfeiture under federal law, even DHS-17-0305-A-000270 if it could not beforfeited understate law. State police then get to keep up to 80 percent of the proceeds, creating a financial incentive to take property. In other words, equitable sharing encourages police and prosecutors to become bounty hunters, evenif that would circumventstate law. The decision to expand equitable sharing is especially egregious because equitable sharing has long underminedstate efforts to protect citizens from abuse. In a searing exposé of equitable sharing in 2014, The Post identified nearly 62,000 cash seizures worth more than $2.5 billion,all made “without search warrantsor indictments.” Their investigation also found more than 500 task forces and departmentsthat “seized the equivalent of 20 percent or moreof their annual budgets.” Largely in responseto suchcriticisms, then-Attorney General Eric Holder took steps in January 2015 to rein in equitable sharing. Those reforms were themselvesimperfect, but they did makea difference. The Drug Enforcement Agency — which pursues the mostforfeiture cases through the Justice Department — saw cashseizures drop by half. Now, Wednesday's policy reverses Holder's reforms. Announcing the change, Sessions promised “safeguards” to protect innocent property owners. But the safeguards includedin the policy amounttolittle more than a promise by law enforcementto be morecareful. The problem, of course, is that these “safeguards”will be implemented by the same law enforcement agencies that stand to benefit financially from forfeitures. Indeed, they will be implemented by the same agencies that have engagedin abusein the past. Promisesof self-restraint are well and good, butin the endthe only real safeguard would be judicial oversight. Before police and prosecutors can take property, they should have to convict someoneof a crime. Of course,that safeguard is nowhere to be found in the new Justice Departmentpolicy. To the contrary, the directive says the government can continue to forfeit “personal residences” even “wheretitle or ownership lies with personsnotimplicatedin illegal conduct.” Tojustify the change, the attorney general repeatedly stressed the importanceof going after “criminals.” But, by definition, civil forfeiture targets people who have not been convicted of anything. Everybody agrees that criminals should not be allowed to keeptheir ill-gotten gains. That aim can be accomplished using criminal forfeiture, under which property is forfeited only following a conviction. As a law enforcementtool, civil forfeiture is worse than ineffective — it actually encouragespolice to focus on raising moneyat the expenseof fighting crime. A report from the Justice Department's owninspector general looked at a sample of 100 seizures by the DEA and found that more than half were notrelated to anyidentifiable criminal investigation or prosecution. In other words, police took the cash and, oftentimes, let the purported “criminals” walk free. With the attorney general's announcement, the onus nowshifts to Congress to act. The Fair Act, introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), would eliminate equitable sharing once andfor all. Another proposal, the Due Process Act, does not go so far but wouldstill put in place meaningful procedural safeguards. Civil forfeiture has noplace in a free country. State legislatures are taking steps to uphold property rights. The questionis, will the federal government work with them or against them? Loca NEws New Orleansofficial warnsof lead threats in tap water Washington Post, By Kevin McGill, July 20, 2017 NEW ORLEANS — The NewOrleans inspector general saysthe city hasn't adequately warned residents that ongoingstreet repairs and water system improvementscould result in temporarily high leadlevels in somebuildings’ tap water. Inspector general Ed Quatrevaux’s (KWAH'-treh-voh's) latest report says someold city water lines — andlines onprivate properties — are madeof lead, which can affect the brain and nervous system when ingested. Chemicals 10 DHS-17-0305-A-000271 addedto the water form a protective coating in those pipes. But Quatrevaux cites experts who say disturbance of the aginglines can jar someof the coating loose andallow lead to contaminate the water. Citing $2.4 billion in planned New Orleans Sewerage and Water Boardinfrastructure projects as well as numerous past water system and street projects Quatrevaux raises the possibility that individual homes or businesses might see spikesin lead levels in drinking water. “New Orleansresidentsliving where infrastructure construction projects occur may be — or may have been — unknowingly exposedto elevatedlevels of leadin drinking water,” the report said. In a statement emailed Thursday, the city Sewerage and Water Board stressed its compliance withall state and federal laws andsaid thecity’s water is safe. It outlinedits existing policies for educating customers by wayof social media, direct mail and email about risks of lead exposure. The board's website offers information on water quality and tips to reduce lead in drinking water, posted in tesponseto customerqueries after the 2015 watercrisis in Flint, Michigan. There, lead wasdiscoveredin the drinking water after the city began tapping Flint River water as a source. Theriver water wasnot properly treated, leading to lead leaching from old pipes andfixtures. “The City and S&WB havetaken proactive stepsto inform residents ofthe potential for increased exposure to lead in water caused by partial replacement or disturbance of LSLs(lead service lines), as well as the steps the public should take to reduce the impactsof that temporary elevated lead exposure,”the board’s statementsaid. Quatrevaux's report saysthe city’s past efforts lacked a sense of urgency. He cited the board’s 2015 report touring upcoming infrastructure improvements that had scant mention of the possibility that the work could cause a spikein lead levels. Meanwhile, the city saysit's taking steps to reduce the long term danger of lead pipes. Becauselead lines were an industry standard until the dangersof lead became knownin the 1970s,the city has no special inventory of whereits lead supply lines exist. The board said it began taking an inventory ofits approximately 140,000lines last year, at the request of Mayor Mitch Landrieu, to begin determining whichlines are madeof lead. Thatwill help the city prepare for future replacements. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. NATIONAL NEWS Former senator investigated man in Trump Jr. meeting for money laundering TheHil, By Josh Delk, July 19, 2017 Irakly Kaveladze, the eighth person confirmed to have attended Donald TrumpJr.'s 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer, reportedly worked to set up bank accounts in the U.S. that have been investigated for money laundering, according to a new CNNreport. CNNfound that a Government accountability office (GAO)report from 2000details the investigation for money laundering. According to the report, Kaveladzetook part in opening 236 accountsat two banksthat the GAO reported had over $1.4 billion deposited into them between 1991 and 2000, which cameunder congressional investigation for possible moneylaundering. Former Democratic Sen. Carl Levin (Mich.) said on Facebook Tuesdaynight that Kaveladze created both the companies and bank accountsthat wereinvestigated, and that Kaveladze established “some 2,000” companies on “behalfof the people in Russia.” Levin said “Kaveladzeclaimed hedid all this without knowing for whom he wasdoing it.” “There was never any allegation of him engaged in anycriminal activity,” Kaveladze’s lawyer, Scott Balber, said on CNN's “Outfront” with Erin Burnett Tuesday night. “He has never been implicated in any wrongdoing whatsoever.” 11 DHS-17-0305-A-000272 Kaveladze, the vice president of a real estate group, wasat the June 9, 2016, meeting in which TrumpJr. met with a Russian attorneyin an effort to gather damaging information on then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. 12 DHS-17-0305-A-000273 Page 0274 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000274 Page 0275 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of 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Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000317 Page 0318 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000318 Page 0319 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000319 Page 0320 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000320 Page 0321 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000321 Wuco, Frank b)(6) To) Subject: FW: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Wednesday, July 19, 2017 Date: 2017/07/19 05:03:09 Priority: Normal Type: Note From: Bulletin Intelligence Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 5:01:51 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) To: DHS@BulletinIntelligence.com Subject: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Wednesday, July 19, 2017 The Homeland Security News Briefing TO: THE SECRETARY AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2017 5:00 AM EDT TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING DHS NEWS: + US Army Corps Of Engineers Begins Preliminary Work For Border Wall Construction. + Justices Urged To Reject Trump Request To Tighten Travel Ban. DHS NEWS: + House Appropriations Committee Approves $44.3 Billion FY2018 DHS Spending Bill. + Package Containing White Powder Sent To Government Building In Dallas. + DHS Offers Students Money To Counter Online Terrorist Recruitment. BORDER WALL: + CIS Fellow: Border Wall Needed To Stop Opioid Epidemic. BORDER SECURITY: + CBP Processes 35,000 Airline Passengers Through Test Entry-Exit System. + CBP, ICE Highlight Counterfeit Items At DFW Airport. + Southbound Traffic At San Ysidro Crossing To Be Closed For 57 Hours In September For Expansion. + Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted MS-13 Member Near Border. + Continuing Coverage: CBP Agents Not Authorized To Search Cloud Data. + Opinion: Trump Is “Stealthily” Implementing Muslim Ban. + EFF Attorney: Biometric Screening “Must End.” + National Border Patrol Council President Concerned By Rise In Apprehensions. AVIATION SECURITY: + Laptop Ban “End In Sight.” DHS-17-0305-A-000322 IMMIGRATION POLICY: + Continuing Coverage: Some Criticize Administration's Decision To Issue Extra H-2B Visas. + Some Texas Lawmakers Pushing For Repeal Of Sanctuary Ban During Special Session. + Nebraska State Senators Call On Attorney General To Back Away From DACAThreats. + Immigrant Groups Offering Guidance On Resisting ICE. + Flake, Rubio Compromise On CubaPolicy. + Sens. Udall, Heinrich Seek To Protect Immigrant Domestic Violence Survivors. + 2012 Soldier Of The Year Discusses Immigration Experience. + LATimes: Trump Should Endorse Immigration Protection For Dreamers. + Navarrette: Congress’ Recent Immigration Bills “Accomplish Nothing.” IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: + Homan: ICE Will Send Extra Agents To Arrest Criminal Aliens In Sanctuary Cities. + Unlicensed Illegal Immigrants Increasingly Face Deportation After Traffic Stops. + ICE: Travis County Put ICE Agents At Risk By Releasing Mexican Gang Member. + Village Voice: ICE Is Stalking Immigrants In Prostitution Diversion Courts. + Ann Arbor Commissioners Object To Woman's Deportation. + TRAC Releases Report Detailing Increased Immigration Court Backlog. + Reopened Deportation Cases Putting Strain On Immigration Court Backlog. + Ohio Man Deported To Mexico. + ICE Transports Inmate To San Mateo County To Face Assault Charges. + Appeals Court: US Improperly Deported Nicaraguan Rebel Fighter. + Ninth Circuit Halts Deportation Of Chinese Asylum Seeker. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: + Oakland Rescinds Agreement With ICE. + Grand Jury Expands Investigation Into Female Genital Mutilation. + Continuing Coverage: “NARCOBOSS” Busted For Trafficking Chinese Fentanyl. + Texas Woman Pleads Guilty For Running Prostitution Enterprise. SECRET SERVICE: + Former Secret Service Agent: Agency Has No Blame For Trump Jr., Russia Meeting. EMERGENCY RESPONSE: + DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Presents Educational Seminar In Germany. + Long Comments On FEMA's Role In Disaster Preparedness, Recovery Efforts. + Storm That Shares Name With President Inspiring Jokes. + Bill Would Limit Time Period For Seeking Disaster Money Repayment. + California Wildfire Threatens Yosemite National Park Power Lines. COAST GUARD: + Coast Guard Commandant: International Effort Needed To Combat Drug Cartels. CYBER NEWS: + Air Force General Says Hackers Targeted His Bank Account. + State Department Cyber Official To Resign. + “First Confirmed Intergovernmental Cyberwarfare Campaign” Discussed. + Congress Members Request Kobach Resign From Election Commission. + Former Clinton, Romney Campaign Managers To Co-Lead Election Cyberdefense Initiative. + Lin: Stealth Needed In Deploying Cyber Weapons. + Cyber Command Head: Cybersecurity Analysis, Research Can Help US Military Thwart Attacks. + Kaspersky Lab Products Never Certified By UK National Cyber Security Center. + Security “Mistakes” Abound Among Companies Moving To Cloud. + Former NSADirector: Administration Taking Cybersecurity Seriously. + Senator Wants DHS To Mandate Government-Wide Use Of DMARC. DHS-17-0305-A-000323 + TNT Continues To Recover From June 28 Cyber Attack. + Cyberattacks “Skyrocket Worldwide.” + Lawmakers Ask GAO, TSA For Review OfPipeline Cybersecurity Guidelines. + Pennsylvania Official: Hackers Attempted 90 Billion Breaches In 2016. + Opinion: Russian Hacking Of Energy Grid Is “Sobering Development.” + Teenage Girls Take Part In Summer Cybersecurity Camps. OTHER DHS NEWS: + DHS Seeking Tech Disrupters. TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS: + Police Data Collection Requests In DC “Grew Sevenfold” In Past Three Years. + Judge Rejects Venue Challenge From Orlando Massacre Terrorist’s Widow. + Alabama Man Allegedly Planned ISIS-Inspired Attacks. + FBI Describes Unusual Bombs Built By Veteran Who Attacked USAF Office. + Appeals Court OKs Gag Orders On FBI's NSLs. NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS: + Trump, US Soldiers Discuss War In Afghanistan. + Former Warlord’s Attempted Return To Afghanistan Thwarted. + Kurdish Intel: ISIS Leader “Definitely Alive.” + + + + + + Arab Nations Indicate Flexibility On Demands Against Qatar. Philippines’ Duterte Requests Extension Of Martial Law On Militant-Seized Island. US Imposes New Sanctions OnIran. Corker: Senate Could Vote On Russia Sanctions Bill Before August Recess. US Considering New Sanctions Against Venezuela. Former Officials: Tillerson May Close War Crimes Bureau In State Dept. Reorganization. + NYTimes A1: Saudi King’s Son Plotted Effort To Oust Rival. + Palestinians Injured In Clash With Israeli Police. + China Cracks Down On WhatsApp Service. + Russia Downplays Ukrainian Separatists’ Call For Independent State. Leading DHS News: US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BEGINS PRELIMINARY WORK FOR BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION. The New York Times (7/18, Nixon, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports, “The United States Army Corps of Engineers has begun preliminary preparations for the construction of segmentsof a wall in several places along the border with Mexico, the Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday.” The engineers are “drilling and taking soil samples to determine whattype ofbarriers would be mosteffective in the different types of geography along the border, said David Lapan, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.” The San Antonio Express-News (7/18, 786K) reports the “revelation that Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge would be maroonedsouth ofthe wall has broadsided some Rio Grande Valley Officials.” Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol sector chief Manuel Padilla Jr. “sought to assuage concerns, though some remain unconvinced.” Padilla is quoted as saying, “Once youpaint the picture of what crosses the refuge and whyit’s a priority think people understand... of these projects are in the planning stages and subject to change, but want to be transparent with them and keep them involved.” DHS: President Is Not Involved In Border Wall Procurement Process. CNN (7/18, Kopan, 44.83M) reports, “President Donald Trump mayhave a vision of what his border wall should look like, but he’s not involved in the process to make those decisions, according to the Department of Homeland Security.” CNN adds, “Despite Trump’s recent comments on howthe wall will take shape, including references to it including solar panels and transparency, Customs and Border DHS-17-0305-A-000324 Protection is handling the process to choose prototypes to be built and have not briefed Trump on the options, the department said Tuesday.” DHS spokesman David Lapan is quoted as saying, “Wehave not involved the President in the procurement process.” JUSTICES URGED TO REJECT TRUMP REQUEST TO TIGHTEN TRAVEL BAN. The AP. (7/18, Sherman) reports that opponents of President Trump's ban on refugees and visitors from six mostly Muslim countries are “urging the Supreme Court to leave in place a federal judge’s order that would relax restrictions on entry” into the US. The lead challengers wrote in High Court filing Tuesday that the Administration’s argument in favor of a broader travel ban that excludes grandparents and grandchildren is “nonsense.” The Administration is appealing a ruling from US District Judge Derrick Watson that “vastly expanded the family relations that refugees and visitors can use to get into the country.” Reuters (7/18, Hurley) reports similarly. USAToday (7/18, Gomez, 10.05M) reports, “The number of people covered by President Trump’s travel ban dropped again this week after the State Department issued new guidance to its offices around the world.” The State Department “issued the new guidelines late Monday to comply with an order from a federal judge in Hawaii, who ruled that the Trump administration was. a using too narrow definition of family when deciding who was affected by the ban.” USA Today explains that the ban “went into effect June 29 following a Supreme Court ruling,” and “restricts travel from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, and limits all refugee admissions for 120 days.” DHS News: HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVES $44.3 BILLION FY2018 DHS SPENDING BILL. Congressional Quarterly (7/18, Subscription Publication, 967) reports the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday “approved a $44.3 billion fiscal 2018 spending bill” for DHS that “includes funding for some of President Donald Trump’s key immigration enforcement policies.” The bill advanced on a vote of 33-20 despite Democrat objections to the bill’s inclusion of “$1.6 billion to begin constructing Trump's wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and increased funding for more immigrant detention beds and deportation agents.” House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee chairman Rep. John Carter (R-TX) “said Democratic amendments intended to strip money from CBP andICE to pay for other DHS programs would be wasteful,” and “argued the appropriations committee should not make policy changes in a funding bill, as he believed Democrats weretrying to do.” The Hill (7/18, Chalfant, 1.61M) reports the spending measure would also “provide roughly $1.8 billion in funding for a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cyber unit.” Thebill “would allocate the money for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), the DHSoffice tasked with securing critical infrastructure from cyber threats.” The Hill adds that the bill “would cut funds to the DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate by more than $100 million, reducing its budget to $638 million and putting it in line with President Trump’s budget request.” In separate coverage, TheHill (7/18, Elis, 1.61M) reports thebill “has $1.57 billion in border infrastructure funds, including $498 million for 28 miles of new levee wall in the Rio Grande Valley, amounting to $17.8 million per mile.” The bill also “includes another $784 million for 32 miles of new ‘border fencing’ in the area, while $251 million was set aside for 14 miles of ‘secondary fencing’ in San Diego, Calif.” The spending bill also makes funds available for “mobile video surveillance systems, ground sensors, towers and funds for combatting cross-border tunnels.” According to the AP (7/18, Taylor), House Republicans are “moving next week” to approve the funds by attaching the money “to a spending bill for the Defense Department and a handful of other agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs.” The funding “is strongly opposed by Democrats and some Republicans,” but the GOP plan “would give Trump a much-needed victory on Capitol Hill after the failure of the Trump-backed effort to repeal and replace” the ACA. DHS-17-0305-A-000325 PACKAGE CONTAINING WHITE POWDER SENT TO GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN DALLAS. The Dallas Morning News(7/18, De Bruijn, 894K) reports, “A package containing a white powder that was sent to a government building in Pleasant Grove proved to be harmless, officials said Tuesday morning.” The building “appears to be a U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services center, according to a government website.” The FBI's Dallas office “is assisting in the investigation.” DHS OFFERS STUDENTS MONEY TO COUNTER ONLINE TERRORIST RECRUITMENT. The NewYork Times (7/18, Nixon, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports that the Department of Homeland Security is enlisting students at dozens of American universities in a program called Peer to Peer: Challenging Extremism, which offers students up to $2,000 a semester “to develop social media campaigns and other tools to counter the online recruiting efforts of terrorist groups like the Islamic State.” DHS Office for Community Partnerships Director George Selim said about 50 to 75 universities participate each year, and that the winning school receives $5,000. Director Selim said that the “countering violent extremism” competition also encourages students to develop campaigns countering white supremacist groups and gangs. Border Wall: CIS FELLOW: BORDER WALL NEEDED TO STOP OPIOID EPIDEMIC. In an op-ed for the Washington Times(7/18, Arthur, 458K), Center for Immigration Studies fellow Andrew Arthur argues heroin is a “public health problem in the United States, and the drug is largely coming from the south.” Arthur opines that building “barriers along the southern border would stem the flow of heroin carried by ‘mules,’ and in vehicles crossing between the ports of entry.” Arthur concludes that treatment and opioid overdose drugs are “crucial,” but says its “time to do more, however. It is time to erect the barriers — fencing, bollards and where needed, a wall, to stem the tide of heroin into the United States.” Border Security CBP PROCESSES 35,000 AIRLINE PASSENGERS THROUGH TEST ENTRY-EXIT SYSTEM. The Daily Caller (7/18, Rennie, 680K) reports CBP has “processed about 35,000 passengers through a test version of a new system designed to combat visa overstays, the agency’s deputy executive assistant commissioner John Wagner told a House subcommittee last week.” The test of the biometric system, “which has been in place at the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport since June 2016, involves taking a foreigner’s photograph beforethe flight and storing it ina database to track people entering and exiting the country using a visa.” Wagner “said CBP is expanding its test demonstrations to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, ‘plus four additional large airports.” CBP, ICE HIGHLIGHT COUNTERFEIT ITEMS AT DFW AIRPORT. On its website, KDAF-TV Dallas (7/18, 14K) reports, “Tuesday at DFW airport, U.S Customs and Border Protection officers, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement gave travelers a good look at some phony products that have made their way through the airport.” ICE assistant special agent John Wells is quoted as saying, “We havesports apparel, counterfeit makeup, things like counterfeit movies. ... Transnational criminal organizations have been utilizing counterfeit products to accessillegal proceeds to further their criminal enterprises.” Trump Seeking Crackdown On Foreign Counterfeits Of US-Made Goods. Reuters (7/18, Rampton, Rascoe) reports the White House said yesterday that President Trump is seeking ways to defend American-made products bycertifying legitimate US goods and cracking down on “predatory online sales of foreign goods” that are hurting USretailers. Trump is slated to talk to small- and medium-sized manufacturers today regarding howto certify their products and keep out foreign counterfeits. The Administration official told reporters that the US loses about $300 DHS-17-0305-A-000326 billion annually to theft ofintellectual property. A second Reuters (7/18, Aeppel) story focuses the finding of a Reuters/Ipsos poll released yesterday that Americans prefer US-made goods but are unwilling to pay a premium for them. The poll found that low-income Americans are mostenthusiastic about buying American but are least able to afford paying extra. AMES, which makes wheelbarrows, is one manufacturer that has seen retailers refuse to charge more for their product purely based on its origin. Still, Americans generally prefer the quality of domestic goods, and AMES has discovered some ways to offset their disadvantage vis-a-vis foreign producers’ lower costs. Cheaper domestic freight, a desire amongretailers to carry lower inventories, and AMES’ relatively better position to help retailers be more agile can give it an edge. US manufacturers also can invest in technology to cut costs. SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC AT SAN YSIDRO CROSSING TO BE CLOSED FOR 57 HOURS IN SEPTEMBER FOR EXPANSION. The Los Angeles Times (7/18, Dibble, 4.57M) reports the San Ysidro Port of Entry will be closed for southbound traffic for “57 hours in September’ as “part of a plan by the U.S. General Services Administration to realign a portion of Interstate 5.” The closure, from “3 a.m. on Sept. 23 until noon on Sept. 25,” is the “third and final phaseof the $741-million expansion of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.” The GSA’s aim is “to double the number of southbound lanes that feed into El Chaparral from five to 10,” and will “also involve adding eight more northbound inspection lanes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, bringing the total to 33.” The plans also call for “southbound vehicle inspection booths to be operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors, and a secondary inspection area.” BORDER PATROL AGENTS ARREST CONVICTED MS-13 MEMBER NEAR BORDER. Breitbart (7/18, Price, 2.16M) reports Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents “captured Misael Ramirez-Benitez, a Salvadoran national, shortly after heillegally crossed the border from Mexico Sundaynight.” A records check revealed multiple criminal convictions, and agents “also determined Ramirez to be a member of the hyper-violent transnational criminal gang, MS-13.” CONTINUING COVERAGE: CBP AGENTS NOT AUTHORIZED TO SEARCH CLOUD DATA. In continuing coverage, NextGov (7/18, Avins) reports CBP agents “are allowed to search the contents of travelers’ phones but not their data stored exclusively on the cloud, according to a letter from federal officials.” CBP acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan responded to a request from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) that explains that agents are only permitted to search information stored “physically” on a traveler’s phone. OPINION: TRUMP IS “STEALTHILY” IMPLEMENTING MUSLIM BAN. In an op-edfor the New York Times (7/18, Subscription Publication, 14.49M), Muslim Advocates President Farhana Khera and Muslim Advocates legal director Johnathan J. Smith argue, “Lost amid the uproar over the Trump administration's travel restrictions on citizens from Muslim-majority countries and the impending showdown at the Supreme Court are the insidious ways that the government has already begun to impose a Muslim ban.” Khera and Smith say the Administration is using “deceptively boring means,” such as “increasing administrative hurdles and cementing or even expanding the current travel restrictions that are not under review at the court.” EFF ATTORNEY: BIOMETRIC SCREENING “MUSTEND.” In an op-ed for TheHill (7/18, Schwartz, 1.61M) “Pundits Blog,” Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) senior staff attorney Adam Schwartz argues DHS “should end” its biometric screening program that “subject[s] U.S. and foreign citizens to facial recognition screening at international airports.” Schwartz says the “history of this program is a case study in mission creep.” Schwartz opines that facial recognition is a “unique threat to our privacy,” has“significant accuracy problems,” and hackers “might steal DHS’ biometric information.” Schwartz also opines that government employees may misuse the data, DHS might “share with other government agencies the biometric information it seizes from travelers,” and the agency may also “expand the ways it uses the biometric screening system.” DHS-17-0305-A-000327 NATIONAL BORDER PATROL COUNCIL PRESIDENT CONCERNED BY RISE IN APPREHENSIONS. Congressional Quarterly (7/18, Subscription Publication, 967) reports, “Rank-and-file Border Patrol agents are said to be concerned that more undocumented immigrants are attempting to enter the United States because they know they cannot be detained indefinitely, despite President Donald Trump's order to end so-called catch-and-release policies.” National Border Patrol Council president Brand Judd “believes the word is spreading among smugglers and migrants that even if the Border Patrol doesn’t let you go, another federal agency might.” CQ adds that the EOIR is “seeking to quicken the case completion rate in immigration courts by hiring additional judges and placing them in the courtrooms where ICE needs them most.” Aviation Security LAPTOP BAN “END IN SIGHT.” The Washington Post (7/18, Sachs, 12.92M) reports the Department of Homeland Security on Monday “lifted its electronics ban on Saudi Arabian carrier Saudia and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jiddah” and this week also “expects to add King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh — the only remaining airport affected by the ban announced in March — to the approvedlist, after verifying its bolstered security.” According to the Post, DHS “has nowlifted the ban, which required passengers to check any gadgets larger than a mobile phone as a safety precaution, on nine of the 10 Middle Eastern and African airports affected.” Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, outlined the airlines and airports that “have implemented the required initial enhanced security measures” and asserted “travelers will now be able to bring laptops and other large electronic devices into the cabin of U.S.-bound flights.” The Economist (7/18, 7.89M) reports, “Technically, the laptop ban is not quite over” as the TSA “has notyet lifted it for the airport in Riyadh, only for Saudi Arabian Airlines’ main hub in Jeddah.” But a TSA spokesman “told Reuters that American officials would bevisiting Riyadh airport later this week to confirm compliance with the new security requirements.” Ars Technica (7/18) reports similarly. Immigration Policy: CONTINUING COVERAGE: SOME CRITICIZE ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION TO ISSUE EXTRA H-2B VISAS. In continuing coverage, the Washington Examiner (7/18, Higgins, 403K) reports Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) “slammed President Trump’s administration for expanding the number of H-2B visas by 15,000 this year, saying the visas, which are provided to workers in non-farm labor, would hold down wages for U.S.-born workers.” The senators released a joint statement that said, “While there may be legitimate needs among employers whorely on H-2B workers in certain sectors of the economy, a growing body of evidence shows that our increasing reliance on the H-2B visa program hurts wages for American workers and puts their jobs at risk. New research suggests that wages in some H-2B fields have been stagnant for years. The administration's decision to increase the number of H-2B visas will only exacerbate this problem.” In an extensive andcritical analysis, The Atlantic (7/18, 19.86M) reports the Administration's “decision to expand the H-2B program is yet another example of a fairly conventional government action complicated by the president's continued ownership of his real-estate empire.” The Atlantic adds that the “debate about the role of immigrants in the U.S. economy means that the decision would likely have been controversial regardless of who was in office,” but the fact that the “president himself will likely financially benefit from the program means that it also raises the question of whether Trump and his administration are looking out for the needs of the country or the needs of the Trump Organization.” SOME TEXAS LAWMAKERS PUSHING FOR REPEAL OF SANCTUARY BAN DURING DHS-17-0305-A-000328 SPECIAL SESSION. The Houston Chronicle (7/18, Zelinski, 2.12M) reports, “Members ofthe Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus and the Black Caucus say they want Speaker Joe Straus to bring uplegislation repealing SB4, a controversial immigration law that allows law enforcement to probe for information about a person's legal status.” Harris County Attorney Files Brief In Case Against Texas Sanctuary Ban. The Houston Chronicle (7/18, Zaveri, 2.12M) reports, “Last week, Harris County Commissioners Court opted not to join a lawsuit challenging the state’s controversial ‘sanctuary cities’ law as unconstitutional.” The Chronicle adds that the County Attorney Vince Ryan “has filed a brief asking a federal court to halt its implementation on Sept. 1.” NEBRASKA STATE SENATORS CALL ON ATTORNEY GENERAL TO BACK AWAY FROM DACA THREATS. The Omaha (NE) World-Herald (7/18, Duggan, 643K) reports, “A group of state senators wants Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson to back away from an effort to end temporary legal status for immigrants brought to the country unlawfully as children.” Twenty members of the 49-member legislature “signed a letter expressing disappointment over Peterson’s decision to join nine other Republican attorneys general in calling for an end to the federal program knownas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.” IMMIGRANT GROUPS OFFERING GUIDANCE ON RESISTING ICE. The New York Observer (7/18, Toure, 344K) reports, “A group of grassroots organizations from New York City and other parts of the country will be discussing how they are fighting back against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and what they said are expanded local and national deportation systems in a webinar later this month.” The webinar “will take place on July 18 at 8 pm and feature grassroots groups whowill discuss how communities can fight back, object to mainstream narratives and document abuses.” FLAKE, RUBIO COMPROMISE ON CUBAPOLICY. McClatchy (7/18, Daugherty, 95K) reports Engage Cuba and the Center of Democracy in the Americas announced Tuesday that they “sent a letter to the departments of State, Treasury and Commerce outlining their recommendations” for the Administration's policy on Cuba that “include allowing individual people-to-people travel, lifting restrictions on remittances andlifting limitations on bank transactions for Cubans who open US bank accounts.” At the event, Sen. Jeff Flake, “a longtime critic of US trade and travel restrictions on” Cuba, said he and Sen. Marco Rubio have “had broad disagreements with policy on Cuba, but we want to make sure that American travel serves a purpose andthat it empowers entrepreneurs.” Flake added that he and Rubio have met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, the State Department, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control since President Trump announced his policy directive for what Flake described as productive conversations. SENS. UDALL, HEINRICH SEEK TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. On its website, KRWG-FM Las Cruces, NM (7/18, 1K) reports Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich recently “sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly expressing their serious and growing concern that DHS personnel have taken steps to erode longstanding protections for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes, undermining the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Trafficking Victim Protection Act (TVPA), and other state and federal laws enacted to protect survivors.” In the letter, the senators “emphasized the importance of providing immigrant survivors of domestic violence and other crimes a sense of certainty and safety about coming forward to law enforcement.” 2012 SOLDIER OF THE YEAR DISCUSSES IMMIGRATION EXPERIENCE. A Washington Post (7/18, 12.92M) video story featured then-Sgt. Saral K. Shrestha, 2012 Soldier of the Year and a MAVNI recruit, discussing in 2013 his immigration from Nepal to Nebraska and his journey to US citizenship. DHS-17-0305-A-000329 LATIMES: TRUMP SHOULD ENDORSE IMMIGRATION PROTECTION FOR DREAMERS. The Los Angeles Times (7/18, 4.57M) editorializes that President Trump “should show some political courage, endorse the DACA provisions and defend them should Texas carry through with its threat to sue.” The Times says that action “would leave some of his core supporters frothing at the mouth, but that’s what a leader does — makes the tough calls in the country’s best interests regardless of the politics.” NAVARRETTE: CONGRESS’ RECENT IMMIGRATION BILLS “ACCOMPLISH NOTHING.” In his column for the Washington Post (7/18, Navarrette, 12.92M), Ruben Navarette argues Congress’ recent passage oftwo immigration bill “will accomplish nothing.” He opines that there is neither “honesty or common sense in the two immigration bills recently passed by the House of Representatives,” as both are “punitive, and poorly thought out.” Navarette says the problem with Kate’s law is that it “lacks an understanding of human nature,” while the bill dealing with sanctuary cities “lacks a grip on reality.” He concludes, “The immigration debate is serious business. It’s time we started electing leaders who approach it in a serious way.” HOMAN: ICE WILL SEND EXTRA AGENTS TO ARREST CRIMINAL ALIENS IN SANCTUARY CITIES. The Daily Caller (7/18, Racke, 680K) reports acting ICE Director Thomas Homan “said Tuesday that he will send a wave of agents to arrest criminal aliens residing in sanctuary cities, focusing attention on interior operations as illegal crossings at the southern border continue falling.” The Washington Examiner (7/18, Bedard, 403K) reports Homan said, “You canlike President Trump, not like him, like his policies, not like his policies, but one thing no one can argue with is the effect they've had.” Homan added that President Trump has “taken the handcuffs off of law enforcement officers who are charged with enforcing immigration laws.” The Examiner says the “drop in illegal crossings has given ICE a chanceto redirect resources to interior United States and immigrants locked up in jails, illegally working jobs and onthe run.” The Hill (7/18, Delk, 1.61M) reports similarly. UNLICENSED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INCREASINGLY FACE DEPORTATION AFTER TRAFFIC STOPS. The New York Times (7/18, Robbins, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports minor traffic violations — such as a broken headlight, an unworn seatbelt, or a child notin a car seat — increasingly “can have life-altering consequences” for unlicensed immigrants under the Administration’s more aggressive stance on undocumented immigration. ICE spokeswoman Rachel Yong Yow confirmed that there has been an increasing number of reports oftraffic stops leading to detention in recent months. Leading with the story of two undocumented New York a women now en route for deportation following traffic stop, the Times says that 12 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, offer driver's licenses for unauthorized immigrants, but in New York the debate continues. Advocates say that it would increase public safety by ensuring that undocumented immigrants knowthe lawsand can hold insurance policies. However, critics say it further enables people who are already breaking the law by being in the US illegally. ICE: TRAVIS COUNTY PUT ICE AGENTS AT RISK BY RELEASING MEXICAN GANG MEMBER. On its website, KXAN-TV Austin, TX (7/18, Jechow, 173K) reports ICE “put Travis County in the hot seat Tuesday with a press release that accuses the Sheriff's Office of releasing a Mexican gang member who had previously been deported four times.” ICE “says they caught up with 33-year-old Julio Cesar Mendoza-Caballero a month after he was released from the Travis County Jail on June 16, 2017, without ICE being notified.” ICE San Antonio field office director Daniel Bible is quoted as saying, “ICE officers and the individual neighborhoods are placed at risk each time an ICE officer is forced to pick up an alien who could havesafely been turned over to us by the releasing law enforcement agency.” The Sheriff's Office responded to the criticism by saying, “It is unfortunate that once again, ICE has presented inaccurate information in what appearsto bean effort to publicly shame agencies with which it disagrees.” DHS-17-0305-A-000330 VILLAGE VOICE: ICE IS STALKING IMMIGRANTS IN PROSTITUTION DIVERSION COURTS. In a nearly 2,000-word piece, the Village Voice (NY) (7/18, Barkan, 233K) reports on the attempted arrest of a woman in New York human trafficking intervention court in June. The Village Voice says ICE has“signaled that it will use the trafficking courts as a way to stalk immigrants,” and agents“will try to take people away from the defense attorneys standing at their sides, and without a warrant.” 882K) reports several members of the Ann Arbor Board of Commissioners “sent an open letter Tuesday, July 18, to Rebecca Adducci, director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Detroit, asking her to exercise discretion to stop the deportation of Lourdes Salazar Bautista.” Salazar Bautista “has lived in Ann Arbor for the past 20 years” and “has no criminal record and has three children who were born here and areU.S. citizens.” In separate coverage, MLive (Ml) (7/18, 882K) reports Mayor Christopher Taylor “said her deportation will not make the United States safer or protect American jobs.” MLive adds that she is scheduled to be deported on August 2. TRAC RELEASES REPORT DETAILING INCREASED IMMIGRATION COURT BACKLOG. The Los Angeles Times (7/18, Martelle, 4.57M) reports, “According to stats analyzed by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are arresting more people suspected of living hereillegally, while the Trump administration has all but halted the Obama administration practice of using prosecutorial discretion to close deportation cases by letting those with clean records and long community ties remain in the country.” TRAC released a report on Tuesday that said, “During thefirst five months of the Trump Administration prosecutorial discretion closures precipitously dropped to fewer than 100 per month from an average of around 2,400 per month during the same five month period in 2016.” Thepolicy of ending prosecutorial discretion “has sent the court backlog soaring to more than 610,000 cases that have been pending, on average, for 672 days.” The Houston Chronicle (7/18, Olsen, 2.12M) reports similarly. REOPENED DEPORTATION CASES PUTTING STRAIN ON IMMIGRATION COURT BACKLOG. Southern California Public Radio (7/18, 48K) reports under President Trump, the “number of once-closed deportation cases that have been reopenedsince Jan. 20 has jumped sharply,” particularly in Los Angeles which has seen a 60 percent increase in these cases. Across the country, “1,656 reopened cases between Jan. 20 and May 31 of this year, up from 966 a year ago. In Los Angeles, reopened cases jumped to 475 from 292 during this same period.” However, “the data does notdistinguish between cases that may have been reopened because of the commission of a crime and those that werenot,” according to federal immigration court officials. One expert notes that “the once-closed cases back on the docket has a ripple effect in the already backlogged immigration court system” and puts a strain on the judges who are already feeling the burden of the cases. Judge Dana Leigh Marksof the National Association of Immigration Judges said, “It may not be a huge amount of cases, but it’s just one more group of cases that we thought wehad dispensed with, at least for a period of time.” OHIO MAN DEPORTED TO MEXICO. On its website, WJW-TV Cleveland (7/18, 348K) reports Jesus Lara Lopez was “deported back to Mexico after almost 20 yearsof living in the United States.” Lara “said goodbye tohis four children and got on a plane at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Tuesday morning.” ABC News (7/18) reports, “A federal immigration judge first ordered Lopez removed in 2011, Khaalid Walls, the Northeast communications director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told ABC News.” Walls explained that ICE granted Lopez astay of removal in 2014, and has “allowed him to remain free from custody to finalize his departure plans.” ABC affiliate WEWS-TV in Cleveland “reported that Lopez had never been charged with a crime during his 16 years in the U.S., has paid taxes and did not receive food stamps.” In response, Walls “noted...that the lack of a criminal record does not necessarily exempt an unauthorized immigrant from deportation.” DHS-17-0305-A-000331 ICE TRANSPORTS INMATE TO SAN MATEO COUNTY TO FACE ASSAULT CHARGES. The San Mateo (CA) Daily Journal (7/18, 43K) reports ICE transported Bulmaro Maldonado Sanchez to San Mateo County Court to face charges for stabbing his co-worker earlier this year. After his initial arrest, Sanchez “posted bail but then failed to show up to a June 20 court date and a bench warrant was issued.” His attorney then “contacted prosecutors to inform them his client had been picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was being held at the Yuba CountyJail, which contracts with ICE to serve as a federal detention facility, prosecutors said previously.” District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe “confirmed that Sanchez will be turned over to ICE after his San Mateo County court proceedings conclude, and currently remains in custody.” APPEALS COURT: US IMPROPERLY DEPORTED NICARAGUAN REBEL FIGHTER. The AP (7/18) reports, “An appeals court has ruled the federal government improperly ordered the deportation of a former Nicaraguan rebel fighter who had been in the U.S. for more than three a decades.” Roger Ricardo Alfaro “fled to the U.S. and was admitted on tourist visa in 1981.” He later became a lawful permanent resident. Alfaro was “living in south Florida in December 2013 when he gota U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement notification that said he was subject to deportation because he had committed two or more crimes involving moral turpitude.” After being ordered to be deported, Alfaro “appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals, whichis part of the U.S. Department of Justice, and the board also found that he had been confined in a prison and ordered him deported.” Alfaro “appealed the Board of Immigration Appeals decision to the 11th Circuit” after being deported to Nicaragua in 2015. EOIR spokeswoman Kathryn Mattingly “said the agency does not comment on circuit court decisions.” NINTH CIRCUIT HALTS DEPORTATION OF CHINESE ASYLUM SEEKER. Courthouse News (7/18, Chown) reports, “A Chinese man whosewife was arrested and forcibly sterilized for having a second child can reopen his claim for asylum in the United States, the Ninth Circuit ruled, finding the Bureau of Immigration Appeals abused its discretion in denying it.” Chinese-national Song Lin “sought political asylum from China's ‘coercive population measures.” Criminal Investigations: OAKLAND RESCINDS AGREEMENT WITH ICE. The San Francisco Chronicle (7/19, Veklerov, 2.64M) reports the Oakland City Council on Tuesday “unanimously rescinded an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement signed last summer by former Police Chief Sean Whent, hours before he resigned amid questions over his handling of a sexual misconduct scandal.” The police department will no longer beable to “designate its investigators as U.S. customs enforcement officers — a classification that allows local police agencies to work with federal immigration officials on cases of human trafficking, narcotics smuggling and other crossborder crimes.” Deputy Chief Danielle Outlaw, last week, “told a city public safety committee that active investigations into sex and labor trafficking would be jeopardized by rescinding the agreement with Homeland Security Investigations.” GRAND JURY EXPANDS INVESTIGATION INTO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION. The has spread to at least three more states as federal agents haveidentified new targets, according to federal court records.” The newtargets of the investigation “live in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, according to federal court records and interviews with people close to a criminal case that, until now, was focused solely on conduct involving girls from Michigan and Minnesota.” The Detroit News adds that defense lawyers “fear investigators, namely U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, are pressuring people with threats of deportation if they do not cooperate.” HS! Detroit special agent in charge Steve Francis “denied that agents were threatening people with deportation in the nation’s first federal prosecution involving female genital mutilation.” Francis called the allegations “baseless and without merit.” The FBI also defended its actions in the case. FBI Detroit Division special agent in charge David P. Gelios is quoted as saying, “The FBI has and will continue to tirelessly investigate allegations involving harm to children, and wewill pursue each and every lead in this case, as it isliterally some ofthe DHS-17-0305-A-000332 most important work that we do.” In an op-ed for Fox News (7/18, Yoder, 13.56M), staff writer for the Media Research Center’s Culture and Media Institute Katie Yoder argues the news media “who pride themselves on covering feminism are censoring a case out of Michigan alleging that up to 100 young girls were victims of female genital mutilation.” CONTINUING COVERAGE: “NARCOBOSS” BUSTED FOR TRAFFICKING CHINESE FENTANYL. In continuing coverage, the Media (PA) Patch (7/18, Bennett) reports Henry Konah Koffie, known on the dark web as “NARCOBOSS” and “DNMKINGPING,” was arrested on charges of trafficking fentanyl from China “and selling it on a dark net marketplace, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” Koffie was “ordered detained awaiting trial at a sentencing hearing July 18 in Philadelphia and will be transferred from the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia to the District of Oregon, according to ICE.” Koffie was “also the target of investigations in the Western District of Pennsylvania conducted by Pittsburgh FBI, USPIS and HSI as well as the District of North Dakota by HSI, USPIS and the Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force, ICE said.” TEXAS WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY FOR RUNNING PROSTITUTION ENTERPRISE. The Dallas Morning News(7/18, Ramirez, News, 894K) reports Shatara Armstrong, of Texas, “has pleaded guilty in a prostitution enterprise involving women and girls, some as young as 14.” Armstrong is “scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 1 on a count of using a facility of interstate commerce in aid of a racketeering enterprise.” The Morning News says the case was investigated by HSI and the Fort Worth Police Department. Secret Service: FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT: AGENCY HAS NO BLAME FOR TRUMP JR., RUSSIA MEETING. In an op-ed for CNN (7/18, Wackrow, 44.83M), CNN law enforcement analyst and former Secret Service agent argues that President Trump’s personal attorney's suggestion that the Secret Service “may bear some responsibility for allowing Donald Trump Jr. to meet with a Russian lawyer during the presidential campaign” is a “misunderstanding of the scope — and limitations — of the Secret Service's responsibilities over presidential candidates.” Wackrow explains, “At no time during a campaign does the Secret Service's mandate require the agency to appraise candidates’ personal engagements, or screen against USintelligence databases to identify potential foreign agents or‘nefarious’ actors.” Wackrow adds that the suggestion by Trump's attorney is “also a distraction to the women and men of the Secret Service, whoput their lives on theline each day to protect the president and safeguard the democratic process.” Emergency Response: DHS DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE PRESENTS EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR IN GERMANY. Homeland Preparedness News (7/18, Murtha) reports DHS’ Domestic Nuclear Detection Office “recently participated in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) workshop in Karlsruhe, Germany, where DHS personnel delivered a presentation on preparing U.S. scientists to serve as expert witnesses in nuclear smuggling cases.” DHS “said while the program is designed for cases in the U.S. legal system, it does plan to work with partner nations to modify the modules for expert witness testimony for international legal systems.” LONG COMMENTS ON FEMA’S ROLE IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RECOVERY EFFORTS. KRLD-AM Dallas (7/18, 43K) aired an interview with Administrator Long, who encouraged residents of Texas and other USstates to “get to know the local emergency management agency that should be guiding” disaster-related projects. Long, who said he believes “citizens are thetrue first responder,” noted that FEMArecently awarded “nearly $36 million” worth of terrorism prevention and preparedness grant money. Long said the aim of DHS-17-0305-A-000333 awarding those and other FEMA grants is to “help stateofficials achieve their preparedness goals.” State officials, said Long, “should be in control of their own” disaster recoveryefforts. Long added that he hopes such efforts are “orchestrated in a manner that leads to more resiliency and reduces FEMA's footprint for the future.” STORM THAT SHARES NAME WITH PRESIDENT INSPIRING JOKES. Newsweek (7/18, Glum, 763K) reports Tropical Storm Donhas been “inspiring a lot of jokes, given its shared moniker with” President Trump. However, National Hurricane Center officials put Don on a “potential list of storm names back in 2006—a full decade before” Trump won the 2016 presidential election. Tropical Storm Don, adds Newsweek, formed less than a month after Brock Long was sworn in as FEMA administrator. EM Newark, NJ (7/18, Gregory, 8K) reports on its website that New Jersey Congressman Tom MacArthur is behind a bill which “calls for a three-year limit” on FEMA seeking disaster recovery money repayment from homeowners. MacArthur stated, “I might have been inclined to eliminate” the practice, but “there are times when there’s enough question as to whether a payment should have been made. There can be cases where maybe somebody didn’t shareall of the information. want to protect the US taxpayer as well.” CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE THREATENS YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK POWER LINES. The CBS Evening News (7/18, story 10, 0:20, Mason, 11.17M) reported a wildfire “has grown to nearly 20,000 acres” in California. On Monday, the blaze poseda threat to “power lines that supply Yosemite National Park.” Coast Guard: COAST GUARD COMMANDANT: INTERNATIONAL EFFORT NEEDED TO COMBAT DRUG CARTELS. In an op-ed for the Washington Examiner (7/18, 403K), US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, who is chair of The Interdiction Committee, says the US needs to “reduc[e] our nation’s illicit drug demand and apply...a network approach, including cyberspace, to draw down the financial assets andinstitutions of criminal networks that are heavily dependent upon U.S. bulk currency.” Zukunft adds, “On the international front, authorities, information sharing, judicial reform, resources, and a coordinated approach to law enforcement — from the municipal to the national level on land, at sea, andin the air — contribute toward making the environment hostile to transnational criminal organizations.” According to Zukunft, the Coast Guard “has operated seamlessly with many of the Caribbean, Central American, and South American nations, as well as Mexico and Canada.” Cyber News: AIR FORCE GENERAL SAYS HACKERS TARGETED HIS BANK ACCOUNT. The AP (7/18, Lederman) reports that Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, whose nomination for a second term as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is under consideration, says one of his main bank accounts was targeted by hackers shortly after the wide-scale Office of Personnel Management breach in 2015 — an event he says has happened to other senior military officials as well. The AP says, “Selva says it took him several hours to resolve the issue with his bank. He says during that time, he wasn’t entirely focused on protecting the country.” STATE DEPARTMENT CYBER OFFICIAL TO RESIGN. ExecutiveGov (7/18, Nicholas, 548) reports, “Christopher Painter, coordinator for cyber issues at the State Department, will step down at the end of the month after six years in the job, Nextgov reported Monday.” Painter “was one of the officials who urged nations to comply with rules regarding the cyberspace such as agreements to not hack other countries’ cyber emergency responders and critical infrastructure,” and “collaborated with government agencies, the National Security Council, the private sector and DHS-17-0305-A-000334 other State Department branches to help establish an open andinter-operable internet and information infrastructure.” “FIRST CONFIRMED INTERGOVERNMENTAL CYBERWARFARE CAMPAIGN” DISCUSSED. The Denver Westword (7/18, Walker, 253K) discusses a 1996 cyberattack that involved a computer at the Colorado School of Mines, saying this “was the earliest assault in thefirst confirmed intergovernmental cyberwarfare campaign: a two-year-long operation carried out by Russia against the U.S. that was dubbed ‘Moonlight Maze.”” Westword says, “When the federal government realized the severity and scope of the attacks, it launched a Moonlight Mazeinquiry in 1998, the largest digital forensic investigation ever conducted to that point,” involving “over 100 federal agents, some of whom traveled to the doorstep of the Kremlin. Today, Moonlight Mazeis regarded as the world’s first major state-on-state cyberattack, one that forever changed the digital landscape by proving that hackers could steal state secrets just as effectively as they could carry out corporate espionage and steal funds from bank accounts.” Westword adds that Russian meddling in 2016 election campaign “had its origins in Moonlight Maze.” CONGRESS MEMBERS REQUEST KOBACH RESIGN FROM ELECTION COMMISSION. Federal Computer Week (7/18, Rockwell, 263K) reports, “Ranking members of the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, Judiciary, Homeland Security and House Administration, told Vice President Mike Pencein a July 18 letter that they want Kris Kobach to resign his position as vice chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity and for Pence to void Kobach’s request for states to submit sensitive voter information.” Kobach “asked election officials in all 50 states to submit publicly available voter roll information to the commission,” but “state election officials have dugin their heels against submitting the data, and privacy advocates havefiled lawsuits to block the action.” Theletter “quoted a warning from former...Secretary Michael Chertoff's July 5 Washington Post op-ed” in which he “said the order ‘risks running afoul’ of President Donald Trump's May 11 cybersecurity executive order because of inadequateprotection for the dataif it's sent to the commission.” FORMER CLINTON, ROMNEY CAMPAIGN MANAGERS TO CO-LEAD ELECTION CYBERDEFENSE INITIATIVE. CNN (7/18, Stafford, 44.83M) reports, “The managers of Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney's presidential campaigns are teaming up to protect American elections from cyberattacks.” Robby Mook and Matt Rhoades “will co-lead the Defending Digital Democracy Project at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the Harvard Kennedy School announced on Tuesday.” The project “will focus on developing ‘concrete solutions’ to address the threat of hacks onpolitical organizations and election infrastructure,” and “will seek to develop and share best strategies with organizations involved in the electoral sphere.” LIN: STEALTH NEEDED IN DEPLOYING CYBER WEAPONS. Dr. Herb Lin of the Center for International Security writes in Lawfare (7/18, Lin) about a “significant misunderstanding” to the effect that “attribution is not a big deal in a warfare scenario.” Lin agrees that destructive acts conducted via cyberspace are intended to be noticed by an adversary, but “this sentiment ignores” the need to gain and maintain “access to the target in question before the operation does its destructive deed.” Lin argues that “access paths to the target for a given cyber weapon must be established in advance, and such access paths must be maintained and concealed until the weapon is used,” and thus cyber weapons require more advancepreparation than kinetic weapons. Lin adds, “If it is not concealed, the adversary may well eliminate that path and thus negate the weapon’s effectiveness against the target.” Regarding the possibility of Cyber Command operating separately from the NSA, Lin says Cyber Command will need the NSA’s skill at “operating stealthily” for this reason. CYBER COMMAND HEAD: CYBERSECURITY ANALYSIS, RESEARCH CAN HELP US MILITARY THWART ATTACKS. ExecutiveGov (7/18, Nicholas, 548) reports, “Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of the Cyber Command, has said he believes cybersecurity analysis and research efforts can help the U.S. military thwart potential network attacks.” Nakasone “told DHS-17-0305-A-000335 audience during a panel discussion at the 2017 Defense One Summit that the Army plans to recruit 60 second lieutenants for the Cyber Command to serve as mid-grade officers.” ExecutiveGov says, “The Army Cyber Command also posted an interactive link on its website and YouTube channel in an effort to encourage hackers to participate in a puzzle challenge.” Nakasone is quoted saying, “We wanted to create an excitement (and) an ability for our best talent in the nation to take a look and wantto bepart of our force. ... We are going to need coders, we're going to need malwareforensics analysts.” KASPERSKY LAB PRODUCTS NEVER CERTIFIED BY UK NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY CENTER. Reuters (7/18) reports, “Britain's National Cyber Security Centre said on Tuesday it had never certified products from Russian cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab.” The NCSC is quoted saying, “The NCSC certifies products through a range of initiatives, and vendors apply to havetheir products certified via one of our accredited lab partners. ... We certify products through a range of initiatives, but the NCSC has never had products listed from Kaspersky.” SECURITY “MISTAKES” ABOUND AMONG COMPANIES MOVING TO CLOUD. TechRepublic (7/18, Forrest, 146K) reports, “A recent data breach at Dow Jones exposed data including names, addresses, and partial credit card numbers from millions of customers, according to a Monday report from UpGuard.” TechRepublic says Dow Jones “chose the wrong permission settings for the Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3 data repository,” and thus “essential[ly] gave any AWS users access to the data.” TechRepublic adds, “While this seems like an oversight that would be easily caught by an admin, common sense mistakes are rampant among large companies racing to get their data to the cloud.” RSA senior director of advanced cyberdefense Peter Tran “said that cloud security is in a ‘delicate state oftransition,’ with a massive surge of cloud migrations happening in the past year,” and “the sheer speed of the ‘cloud first’ movement has led to security gaps, specifically regarding identity management and accesscontrols, Tran said.” FORMER NSA DIRECTOR: ADMINISTRATION TAKING CYBERSECURITY SERIOUSLY. Bloomberg News (7/18, 3.08M) featured former NSA director Gen. Keith Alexander discussing cybersecurity topics. Alexander was shownsaying that improving cyberdefense will come from a private-government partnership, as the private sector alone cannot be relied upon to improveits cybersecurity stance. Alexander added that the Trump Administration appears to have “taken on” this aspect of cybersecurity, and the President has “asked all the right questions” in meetings with him. Alexander went on to express optimism over the government's progress on cybersecurity policy. SENATOR WANTS DHS TO MANDATE GOVERNMENT-WIDE USE OF DMARC. The Hill (7/18, Chalfant, 1.61M) reports US Sen. Ron Wyden “is pressing” DHS to “mandate the government-wide use of’ the Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformanc. “to ensure that hackers cannot send emails that impersonate federal agencies.” DMARC is “a standard developed by the industry that lets organizations send impersonating emails to a spam folder or have them rejected by victims’ email providers.” DHS “could useits authority under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), passed in 2014 to mandate the adoption of DMARC across executive branch agencies, Wyden said.” Wyden also “recommended that DHS require agencies to submit DMARC reports to track ‘anyefforts by criminals and foreign governments to impersonate U.S. government agencies.” TNT CONTINUES TO RECOVER FROM JUNE 28 CYBER ATTACK. In continuing coverage, Air Transport World (7/18, Nensel, 131K) reports that FedEx said in a disclosurefiled with the SEC on July 17 that TNT Express is still recovering from the June 28 cyber attack. FedEx stated in the disclosure, “Although we cannot currently quantify the amounts, we have experienced loss of revenue due to decreased volumes at TNT and incremental costs associated with the implementation of contingency plans and the remediation of affected systems.” FedEx noted that it does not have insurance to cover for the attack. The article adds that despite the financial impactof the attack, FedEx “reaffirmed its 2020 fiscal year guidance to improveits operating income by $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion in fiscal 2020 versus fiscal 2017.” DHS-17-0305-A-000336 Logistics Management (7/18, Berman, 125K) reports that a research note from Wolfe Research “said that the firm believed TNT hadsignificantly under-invested on IT in recent years, leaving the company more susceptible to prolonged impacts.” Jerry Hempstead, president of parcel consultancy Hempstead Consulting, explained that TNT's reliance on paper will be a problem for the company. Hempstead added, “Now, sadly for FedEx, the most affected shippers can tender to UPS and DHL electronically outside the United States electronically. They just have to scramble to negotiate a discount agreement close to the deal they may have had with TNT.” BBC News (UK) (7/18, 1.5M) reports that in addition to FedEx, several other companies affected by the June 27attack are “still struggling to return operations to normal,” including Nuance Communications, Maersk, Mondelez International, and Saint-Gobain. CIO Dive (7/18, McKevitt) and PYMNTS (7/18) also report on the story. CYBERATTACKS “SKYROCKET WORLDWIDE.” Fox Business (7/18, Libassi, DeVoe, 577K) reports, “From NotPetya to WannaCry, the number of cyber-attacks continue to skyrocket worldwide.” SonicWall CEO Bill Conner is quoted saying, “2 years ago, there was 3.3 million attacks, 2015 there were 3.8, last year 638 million attacks according to our capture research lab.” Conner “urges businesses to take action now, before becoming a target.” LAWMAKERS ASK GAO, TSA FOR REVIEW OF PIPELINE CYBERSECURITY GUIDELINES. The Hill (7/18, Uchill, 1.61M) reports Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Frank Pallone have asked the Government Accountability Office and Transportation Security Administration to see if voluntary guidelines for the cybersecurity defensesof pipelines need to be updated orcodified. The legislators wrote, “An assessment of these guidelines andtheir effectiveness is needed as a number of major trends have emerged, with potentially significant implications for our energy, national and economic security.” PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIAL: HACKERS ATTEMPTED 90 BILLION BREACHES IN 2016. The Washington Times (7/18, Blake, 458K) reports, “Hackers tried to breach Pennsylvania government computers over 90 billion times in 2016, a state official said Tuesday, highlighting the scopeof the cybersecurity risks at hand across the country as concerns linger surrounding hacking’s role in last year’s U.S. election.” OPINION: RUSSIAN HACKING OF ENERGY GRID IS “SOBERING DEVELOPMENT.” In an op-ed for Forbes (7/18, Levick, 14.59M), CEO of LEVICK counseling Richard Levick argues the Russian hacking of the US energy power grid in July is a “sobering development,” and is “one everybit as threatening to national security as the integrity of our election system.” Levick concludes, “Companies in these perilous times have no choice but to ready themselves for the nightmare contingency that America’s biggest adversary could behell bent on disrupting their operations.” TEENAGE GIRLS TAKE PART IN SUMMER CYBERSECURITY CAMPS. The Wall Street Journal (7/19, Brody, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) reports on “GenCyber” summer camps for young women. The NSA and National Science Foundation are jointly sponsoring 131 of the camps this summer, which is up from seven camps in 2014. Other DHS News: DHS SEEKING TECH DISRUPTERS. EfficientGov (7/18, Fox) reports DHS “is looking for a few gooddisrupters for first responder and security technology applications,” and tech security startups “can get up to $200,000, or $800,000 over four phases, from the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP), a five-year program of the Department of Homeland Security.” Under the new program, “startups can develop or tweak technology to get it up and running, tested and into product development and DHS procurement markets, said Melissa Ho, managing director at DHS-17-0305-A-000337 DHS.” Terrorism Investigations: POLICE DATA COLLECTION REQUESTS IN DC “GREW SEVENFOLD” IN PAST THREE YEARS. The Washington Post (7/18, Hsu, 12.92M) reports that new information released by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell of the District Court for the District of Columbia shows that sealed “law enforcement requests to track Americans without a warrant through cellphone location records or Internet activity grew sevenfold in the past three years” in Washington, DC. Legal experts say the extent of the information requests “appears to marka first” and that the data, which covers counts of requests from 2008 to 2016 made in DC criminal cases, “probably will be noted in a pending Supreme Court debate over the extent of privacy protections and surveillance technology.” JUDGE REJECTS VENUE CHALLENGE FROM ORLANDO MASSACRE TERRORIST’S WIDOW. The Orlando (FL) Sentinel (7/18, Doornbos, 512K) reports that on Tuesday, a federal judge “denied a request to dismiss an obstruction charge against Noor Salman, the widow of Pulse shooter Omar Mateen, based on the location of the allegations.” Salman, who is “charged with aiding and abetting support of a foreign terrorist organization and obstruction ofjustice,” has been “accused of helping scope out places for Mateen to attack and misleading investigators in aninterview after the mass shooting.” Salman’s attorneys “argued her obstruction charge should be dismissed because it was charged in the wrong venue — the U.S. District Court’s Middle District of Florida in Orlando.” According to CBS News(7/18, 3.91M), “the charges werefiled in a federal district that covers Orlando, but she’s accused of obstructing investigators during an interview in Fort Pierce, which is in the Southern District of Florida.” However, “the judge said the offense with which Salman is charged had an impact on aninvestigation in the district in which the counts werefiled.” ALABAMA MAN ALLEGEDLY PLANNED ISIS-INSPIRED ATTACKS. The Huntsville (AL Times (7/18, 815K) reports that in a preliminary hearing, Huntsville police Investigator Brad Snipes testified that “terrorism suspect” Aziz Sayyed “wanted to...carry out...attacks for which ISIS would claim credit.” Sayyed “is accused of obtaining bomb making materials to set off an explosion at a Madison Countypolice or military building,” and “his case is headed to a grand jury for consideration of an indictment.” Sayyed “first came under investigation by the FBI in January when someone reported he had been making some statements involving ISIS.” FBI DESCRIBES UNUSUAL BOMBS BUILT BY VETERAN WHO ATTACKED USAF OFFICE. apartment of’ Benjamin Roden, “a man jailed in connection with the bombing of a Bixby military recruiting office, had unusual features.” The FBI's preliminary analysis “of one of two unexploded improvised explosive devices found in...Roden’s south Tulsa apartment determined the device utilized two 9-volt batteries and magnets,” which is a design “typically seen in other parts of the world.” Roden, “a former Air Force senior airman trained asa firefighter, was discharged in April from the Oklahoma Air National Guard.” APPEALS COURT OKS GAG ORDERS ON FBI’S NSLS. Coverage of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ conclusion that the FBI is not violating the First Amendment by issuing gag orders to companies whose customers fall under investigation continues. The Washington Times (7/18, Blake, 458K) reports that the three-judge panel “upheld disclosure rules involving the FBI's use of administrative subpoenas known as National Security Letters (NSLs),” thousands of which are sent to communication providers each year “in order to compel customer records.” The FBI “has arguedthat letting recipients disclose details about the requests could be detrimental to national security,” and on Monday Ninth Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta wrote for the unanimous panel that the “nondisclosure requirement imposes a content-based restriction that is subject to, and withstands, strict scrutiny.” According to Engadget (7/18, 532K), the ruling “means that the DHS-17-0305-A-000338 bureau's intended targets can no longer challenge the investigation, as they won't be awarethat they're under scrutiny for at least three years.” The case also revealed that NSLs can “give the Bureau access to a complete record of a suspect's online purchases as well as the IP addresses of everyone that they have corresponded with,” and since an NSL doesn’t require a judge’s signature, “this largely leaves the FBI free to investigate who they please.” National Security News: TRUMP, US SOLDIERS DISCUSS WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. The AP (7/18) reports President Trump on Tuesday had “lunch with service members to come up with newideas for fighting the a war in Afghanistan” because, as he explained to reporters, “We haveplenty of ideas from lot of people, but I want to hear it from people on the ground.” The AP says Trump has“largely ceded decision-making to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who is expected to send nearly 4,000 more troops to the country this summer.” The Washington Times (7/18, Boyer, 458K) reports Trump described the service members — Army First Sgt. Michael Wagner, Army Master Sgt. Zachary Bowman, Army Master Sgt. Henry a Adames, and Air Force Major Eric Birch — as “four great soldiers who spent lot of time in Afghanistan” who “knowit probably better than anybody.” Trump continued, “And we're going to — be getting some ideas because we've been there it’s our longest war — we've been there for many years.” The Times notes Vice President Pence and National Security Adviser McMaster werealso present at the luncheon. Spicer: Troop Announcement Not Expected During Trump’s Visit Pentagon Thursday. The Hill (7/18, Fabian, 1.61M) reports White Housepress secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday that President Trump will visit the Pentagon on Thursday for a briefing from his national security team. The discussion will cover various topics, including the fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. When asked whether Trump will announce newtroop deployments to Afghanistan while at the Pentagon, Spicer responded, “I don’t see any announcements then, no.” FORMER WARLORD’S ATTEMPTED RETURN TO AFGHANISTAN THWARTED. The New York Times (7/18, Mashal, Rahim, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports Afghanistan's government prohibited a plane carrying Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, the “embattled vice president” and former warlord, from landing at the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif's airport, “according to several Afghan and Western officials.” During Dostum’s “nearly two months of de facto exile in Turkey,” he “hastily formed a newcoalition of the discontented.” The Times suggests Monday’s incident “will probably deepen Afghanistan’s political crisis, testing the limits of Mr. Dostum, a politician who has been volatile in the past and who has threatened to turn his wrath against President Ashraf Ghani’s government, which he helped bring to power but now accusesof marginalizing him.” KURDISH INTEL: ISIS LEADER “DEFINITELY ALIVE.” CNN’s Situation Room (7/18, 554K) reported that Lahur Talabany, a top Kurdish Intelligence official, said ISIS leader Abu Bakr alBaghdadi is “definitely alive. ... We believe 99%he is alive.” US intelligence officials are being “guarded” in their assessment of Baghdadi’s status amid conflicting reports. Russia last month said it was investigating reports Baghdadi was killed in a Russian airstrike, “but CNN has learned that Russian intelligence has concluded Baghdadi was not there” at the site of the strikes. Terrorism analyst Michael Weiss says the Kurdish intel service has “very good intelligence” because they are able to interrogate former ISIS fighters at their detention facilities and “they havespies...on the ground...who have been feeding them information about the top ISIS leader.” ARAB NATIONS INDICATE FLEXIBILITY ON DEMANDS AGAINST QATAR. The New York Times (7/18, Gladstone, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports senior diplomats from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain told reporters on Tuesday that they remain frustrated with what they see as Doha’s support for terrorism and regional stability, but “were no longer talking about specific demands Qatar mustsatisfy.” The nations have instead “united DHS-17-0305-A-000339 around what they called six broad principles, built upon the themes of combating terrorism and extremism, denying financing and safe havens to terrorist groups, stopping incitement to hatred and violence andrefraining from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.” The Times. says even though Secretary of State Tillerson’s shuttle diplomacy “ended last week in failure,” the senior diplomats’ remarks nonetheless “seemedto indicate a slight easing in their position and a desire to make some progress in the bitter dispute.” PHILIPPINES’ DUTERTE REQUESTS EXTENSION OF MARTIAL LAW ON MILITANT-SEIZED ISLAND. The NewYork Times (7/18, Villamor, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte urged lawmakers to extend the martial law decree on the island of Mindanao because, he explained, the Islamic militant hold on the city of Marawi “will not be quelled completely by 22nd July 2017,” when the decree is slated to end. The Times says “Duterte’s request is essentially an admission that the fighting to dislodge the Islamic State-linked fighters from Marawi would not end in a matter of days,” as he pledged last week. Meanwhile, Senator Antonio Trillanes, one of Duterte’s opponents, called the president’s request “totally not justified” and “a whimsical misuse of power” because Maute militants “are down to 60.” US IMPOSES NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN. ABC World News Tonight (7/18, story 7, 0:20, Muir, 14.63M) reported that one day after the Trump Administration certified that Iran is abiding by the 2015 nuclear deal, the US imposed new sanctions on 18 Iranian individuals and groups “for supporting the government's nonnuclear weapons programs and supporting terrorist groups in Syria, Yemen, and Palestinian territories.” The New York Times (7/18, Gladstone, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports the sanctions, jointly announced by departments of State, Treasury and Justice, came less than 12 hours after President Trump “reluctantly agreed that Iran has been honoring the nuclear agreement.” The targets of Tuesday’s announcement “included individuals or groups that the United States said had supported efforts by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps force to develop and producedrones, attack boats and other military equipment,” as well as its ballistic missile program. The Wall Street Journal (7/18, Schwartz, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) reports that in a statement, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said the sanctions “send a strong signal that the United States cannot and will not tolerate Iran’s provocative and destabilizing behavior.” Bloomberg News (7/18, Wadhams, Epstein, Olorunnipa, 3.08M) reports that in announcing the sanctions Tuesday, “the State Department made clear the administration’s dislike for the nuclear deal, saying its implementation was meant to contribute to peace and security in the Middle East.” On FoxNews’ SpecialReport (7/18, 1.53M), State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert was shownsaying, “Iran remains, and weall knowthis, one of the most dangerous threats to the United States, not only our interests here and around the world, but also to regional stability.” The Los Angeles Times (7/18, Wilkinson, Bennett, 4.57M) says the “back-to-back actions reflect the policy crosscurrents for President Trump in trying to reconcile his campaign promises with the realities of foreign policy governance.” USAToday (7/18, Dorell, 10.05M) reports Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Monday“that his country is not designing missiles to carry nuclear warheads, which is banned under the deal, but to defend itself,” and the New York Times (7/18, Sanger, Gladstone, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports Zarif said the Administration's “attempt to reimpose sanctions on his country was a violation” of the nuclear deal. Said Zarif, “It is not clear what the administration is trying to do. They havebeen talking about ‘scrapping the deal.’ Then they came to realize that would not be globally welcome. So nowthey are trying to makeit impossible for Iran to benefit.” Margaret Brennan reported on the CBS Evening News (7/18, story 7, 2:15, Mason, 11.17M) that Zarif said Tuesday that the new sanctions “are poisoning already strained relations between the two countries.” Zarif: “It violates the spirit of the deal. We will look at it and see whether it violates the letter of the deal, and we will act accordingly.” After Brennan said Trump wants to “scrap the deal” because of its “flaws,” Zarif said, “Well, no deal is completely acceptable to everybody.” Brennan: “You're saying Iran is not willing to negotiate?” Zarif: “This is a multilateral deal DHS-17-0305-A-000340 approved by the Security Council. It is not a bilateral deal to be withdrawn from or to be renegotiated.” Meanwhile, Brennan said “another irritant” for Iran is Trump's “travel ban on six majority Muslim countries, including Iran.” Zarif: “What the United States has done against the Iranian people over the past several months has been really repugnant. ... certainly think it is up to the US government to stop sending all these hostile signals.” Trump Asks Oman’s Sultan Qaboos To Help Counter Iranian Activities. The AP (7/18) reports President Trump is asking Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said “to help counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East.” The White House said the President spoke by phone with Sultan Qaboos on Tuesday to discuss the need for “close bilateral cooperation” and “ways to resolve regional conflicts.” Wife Of American Scholar HeldIn Iran Calls For His Release. The AP(7/18, Schreck, Tang) reports that the wife of Xiyue Wang, a Princeton graduate student sentenced to 10 yearsin jail, called on Iranian authorities to release him, saying the Chinese-American man has been “unjustly imprisoned.” In her first comments onhis arrest, Wang’s wife Hua Qu described her husband as “one of the kindest, most thoughtful, and most loving men have ever known.” She said the couple has a four-year-old son. The Washington Post (7/18, A1, Cunningham, 12.92M), meanwhile, reports on its front page that Wang's conviction comes as a “high-stakes power struggle” between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and “his hard-line opponents in the judiciary appeared to escalate.” Rouhani has “challenged the conservative establishment by pledging reforms in Iran and advocating diplomacy.” The tensions come as Iran and the US “spar over the terms of a nuclear deal struck with world powers,” and the Post says the moves by Iran's judiciary — including Wang's sentencing — “undermine Rouhani’s attempts to build better relations with the West.” CORKER: SENATE COULD VOTE ON RUSSIA SANCTIONS BILL BEFORE AUGUST RECESS. Politico (7/18, Schor, Caygle, 2.97M) reports that the “implosion” of Senate Republicans’ ACArepeal push “could clear spacefor a bipartisan deal on long-stalled sanctions against Russia” to makeit to President Trump’s desk “as soon asthis month,” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker said Tuesday. Thebill “has been mired in the Houseafter passing the Senate with 98 votes,” and House Majority Leader McCarthy “added a new wrinkle last week by urging that popular North Korea sanctions get attached to the legislation.” Corker said his chamber “could handle that addition if the likely failure of Obamacare repeal creates extra floor time.” US CONSIDERING NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST VENEZUELA. Bloomberg News(7/18, Arrioja, Bartenstein, Dilouhy, 3.08M) reports that the US is “poised to impose sanctions on Venezuela’s defense minister and several other top officials for human-rights violations, according to people with knowledge of the plan, who addedthat the action was one of several under consideration” by the Trump Administration. Among those named would be Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Diosdado Cabello, “a longtime ally of late President Hugo Chavez and power broker within the ruling Socialist party.” Reuters (7/18, Cawthorne, Chinea) reports President Trump said Mondayhe would take “strong and swift economic actions” if President Nicolas Maduro went ahead with plans to rewrite Venezuela’s constitution and supersede other institutions. A senior Administration official “made no announcement of new sanctions on a conference call with reporters on Tuesday andsaid the policy review was still under way.” The New York Times (7/18, Haberman, Londojfio, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports Administration officials stressed that they were “talking to other governments about howbest to proceed,” but “reserved the right to engage in unilateral actions, if need be.” The AP (7/18, Weissenstein, Sanchez) reports Venezuela on Tuesday rejected President Trump’s call to halt a rewriting ofits constitution, saying “that it is reviewing its relations with the United States in response to Trump's threat to impose economic sanctions.” Foreign Minister Samuel Moncada said on state television that the election of members of a constitutional DHS-17-0305-A-000341 assembly will take place as planned on July 30, adding that Venezuela is “conducting a deep reviewof relations with the US government because we don’t accept humiliation from anyone.” FORMER OFFICIALS: TILLERSON MAY CLOSE WAR CRIMES BUREAU IN STATE DEPT. REORGANIZATION. On Tuesday, former USofficials told the New York Times (7/18, Gordon, Simons, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) that the State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice, the war crimes bureau, “may become the latest casualty of Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson’s plans to restructure his department.” On condition of anonymity, a State Department official maintained Tillerson has not yet made final decisions on the agency’s restructuring, and that a motivation to downplay war crimes would not serve as the basis for the bureau's closure. One former official, however, said Ambassador Todd F. Buchwald, who leads the war crimes bureau, “had told his staff that he was being reassigned,” and that the bureau’s “responsibilities would soon be transferred to the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.” NYTIMES A1: SAUDI KING’S SON PLOTTED EFFORT TO OUST RIVAL. The New York Times (7/18, A1, Hubbard, Mazzetti, Schmitt, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports that one night last month, former Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef “was summoned to a palacein Mecca, held against his will and pressured for hours to give up his claim to the throne. By dawn, he had given in,” and the king’s 31-year-old son, Mohammed bin Salman, was named crown prince. Since his elevation on June 21, “indications have emerged that Mohammed bin Salman plotted the ouster and that the transition was rockier than has been publicly portrayed, according to current and former United States officials and associates of the royal family.” According to “an associateof the royal family,” some senior princes weretold that Mohammed bin Nayef was “unfit to be king becauseof a drug problem.” A written statement “by a senior Saudi official denied that Mohammed bin Nayef had been pressured” and said ta body of senior princes had approved the change in “the best interest of the nation.” PALESTINIANS INJURED IN CLASH WITH ISRAELI POLICE. Reuters (7/18, Awad) reports that “several Palestinians wereinjured, at least one seriously, when they clashed with police near Jerusalem's Noble Sanctuary-Temple Mount compound after Muslim evening prayers on Tuesday,” according to Palestinian officials. A hospital official said one man had suffered “a serious head wound from a rubber bullet fired from close range, but an Israeli police spokesman denied that rubber bullets had been used.” Reuters notes that tensions have increased around the compound, since security was increased in the wake of an attack last Friday by Arab-Israeli gunmen. CHINA CRACKS DOWN ON WHATSAPP SERVICE. The New York Times (7/18, Mozur, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports that WhatsApp, “the last of Facebook’s major products that still worked in China,” was blocked by the government on Tuesday. The popular messaging app was “partly disrupted by Chinese filters, leaving many unable to send videos anc photos and some also unable to send text-based messages.” The Times saysthe disruption “was the latest in a long line of big digital services running up against” China’s “Great Firewall.” Washington Post (7/18, 12.92M) columnist David Ignatius writes that Chinese leaders, “subtle masters of propaganda, seem to have discovered a Sun Tzu formula for taming dissent on the Internet: The best strategy may not be to confront critics directly, but to lull or distract them with a tide of good news.” He notes that “this intriguing argument” is suggested by a recent article in the American Political Science Review titled “How the Chinese Government Fabricates Social Media Posts for Strategic Distraction, not Engaged Argument.” With “complex data, it supports a simple thesis aboutlife in the Internet age: Arguing the facts often doesn't work; frequently, confrontation just makes people resist harder.” The study concluded that “if a political narrative is repeated often enough, backed by a chorus of cheerleaders, it’s very hard to rebut directly.” RUSSIA DOWNPLAYS UKRAINIAN SEPARATISTS’ CALL FOR INDEPENDENT STATE. The AP(7/18, Vasilyeva) reports Alexander Zakharchenko, the separatist leader of eastern Ukraine's DHS-17-0305-A-000342 rebel-controlled Donetsk region, “said in comments broadcast on Russian television that rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk as well as representatives of other Ukrainian regions would form a state called Malorossiya” because, Zakharchenko asserted, “We believe that the Ukrainian state asit was cannot berestored.” After “several hoursof silence” passed since Zakharchenko's “surprise announcement,” Russia’s envoy for mediating Minsk peace talks, Boris Gryzlov, dismissed the seriousness of the proposal, calling it “merely...an invitation for discussion.” To keep the email to a manageable size, the national news summaryis available on the website. Copyright 2017 by Bulletin Intelligence LLC Reproduction or redistribution without permission prohibited. 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exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000393 Page 0394 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000394 Page 0395 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000395 Page 0396 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000396 Page 0397 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000397 Page 0398 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000398 From: b)(6) Frank {b)(6) b)(6) Subject: FW: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Wednesday, June 07, 2017 Date: 2017/06/07 05:00:59 Priority: Normal Type: Note From: Bulletin Intelligence Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 5:00:12 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) To: DHS@BulletinIntelligence.com Subject: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Wednesday, June 07, 2017 The Homeland Security News Briefing TO: THE SECRETARY AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2017 5:00 AM EDT TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING DHS NEWS: + Kelly: Courts Blocking Travel Ban Hindering Government's Anti-Terror Efforts. + More Details Emerge On Alleged NSA Leaker As Media Explores Impact. DHS NEWS: + Pekoske To Be Nominated To Lead TSA. + Some Senators Concerned About Cuts To DHS and TSA Grants. BORDER WALL: + Trump Proposes Paying For Border Wall With Solar Panels. BORDER SECURITY: + Sixteen GOP-Led States Ask Supreme Court To Reinstate Travel Ban. + Manchin “Absolutely” In Agreement With “Extreme Vetting.” + Camera Technology MayIncrease Biometric Screening Speed. IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: + Reuters Analysis: Trump A “Long Way” From Ending Catch-And-Release. + ICE Arrests 70 During Operation In Oklahoma, Texas. + South Carolina Sheriffs Department Resumes 287(g) Participation. + Border Patrol Detains Immigrants Hiding Among Watermelons In Trailer. + Continuing Coverage: Man Arrested By ICE After Workers Comp Meeting Is Released. + Ongoing Coverage: Transgender Woman Arrested At El Paso Courthouse Pleads Not Guilty To Forgery Charges. EMERGENCY RESPONSE: DHS-17-0305-A-000399 + DHSAllocates $1.6 Billion For Emergency Preparedness Grants. + Climate Policy Expert Comments On FEMAAdministrator Vacancy. SECRET SERVICE: + House Expresses “Anger” Against Turkish Security Forces For Suppressing Demonstrators In Washington. + Continuing Coverage: Secret Service Relaxes Policy On Prior Marijuana Use. IMMIGRATION POLICY: + Senators Express Bipartisan Support For Civil Liability Protection In Sanctuary Cities. + Fear Of Deportation Driving Immigrants Off Food Stamps, Activists Say. + USCIS Acting Director: Agency Reviewing H-1B Policies, Addressing Abuses. + Report: Outsourcing Firms Received “Significantly Fewer” H-1Bs In FY 2016. + Salvadoran Foreign Minister: Salvadorans Need “More Stable” Status Than TPS. + Crackdown On Sanctuary Cities “Exacerbating Longstanding Tensions” Between Local, State, Federal Government. + Columbus, Ohio Approves Ordinance With Immigrant Protections. + New York City Council Bucks De Blasio On Immigrant Defense Fund. + Labor Department Investigating Fraud In Visa Programs. + Continuing Coverage: DACARecipients Ask Supreme Court To Reject Arizona Bid To Remove Driver's Licenses. + Texas County Votes To Join Lawsuit Challenging State’s Sanctuary Cities Law. + Stepped-Up Immigration Enforcement Seen As At Odds With Needs Of US Agriculture. + Pro Bono Organization: New ICE Mental Health Exam Policy Interferes With Ability To Represent Clients Properly. + The Guardian: Eloy Jail Presents Opportunities For Residents, “Misery” For Detainees. AVIATION SECURITY: + TSA Checkpoint At Connecticut Airport Temporarily Closed. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: + ICE Investigating High School's Basketball Programs. CYBER NEWS: + Lawyer For Man Charged In Trump Hacking Attempt: President Encouraged Hacking. + FireEye: Fancy Bear Hackers Target Montenegro Government. + Former MI5 Chief: Nation-State Backed Cyber Activities “Difficult” For Intelligence Agencies To Deal With. + Runkle: Administration Should Focus Middle East Policy On Countering Iran Cyber Threat. + Unfilled Cybersecurity Jobs Expected To Increase To 3.5 Million By 2021. OTHER DHS NEWS: + DHS Has Not Disbursed CVE Grant Funds To University Of North Carolina. + Pennsylvania, Washington Granted Real ID Extensions. + + + + + Fourth Customs Officer Alleges Hazing At Newark Airport. Small Businesses Lobby Congress To Oppose Border Adjustment Tax. CFDA Awards Speakers Promote Immigrants’ Rights. Gerstein: Trump Budget Proposal Cuts DHSBioterrorism Lab, Risks Protection From Threats. Opinion: Immigrants Detained Are KeptIn “Inhumane Conditions.” TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS: + NYTimesAnalysis: Terrorists Now Acting With “Lethal Simplicity.” + Trump Notifies Congress 20,000 US Troops Deployed On Counter-Terror Missions. + Paris Attacker Yells “This Is For Syria” Before Being Shot And Taken ByPolice. + Florida Man Set To Plead Guilty To Attempted Bombing Of Synagogue. DHS-17-0305-A-000400 NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS: + US-Backed Force Launches Ground Operation To Capture Raqqa + US Launches Airstrikes Against Pro-Government Forces In Syria. + As Afghan Peace Talks Get Underway, Ghani Calls On Taliban To Join. + Tillerson Says Trump Instructed Him To Rebuild Russia Ties Despite Election Probe. + Citing Anti-lsrael Resolutions, Haley Warns US Weighing Leaving UN Rights Council. + Thai Junta Chief To Visit White House Next Month. + Kerry Warns Imposing New Iran Sanctions Could Be Dangerous. Leading DHS News: KELLY: COURTS BLOCKING TRAVEL BAN HINDERING GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS. Bloomberg Politics (6/6, Dopp, 201K) reports that DHS Secretary John Kelly said yesterday that “a federal court order blocking the Trump administration's travel ban has hurt efforts to prevent terrorism in the US.” Kelly indicated that “because the administration isn’t able to enforce its temporary ban on entry to the US by people from six predominantly Muslim countries...he’s not‘fully confident’ that the country is doing ‘all that we can to weedout potential wrongdoers from these locations.” The Washington also told the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Times(6/6, Dinan, 272K) notes that Kelly “We need to prevent bad actors, regardless of religion, race or nationality from entering our country.” The Daily Caller (6/6, Racke, 898K) reports Kelly “tore into federal court injunctions currently blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign travel and refugee admissions to the U.S..” Kelly said the courts are preventing DHS from doing “what we need to doto protect our homeland.” Kelly Vows To Respond To All Congressional Inquiries. Politico (6/6, Kim, 2.46M) reports, “At least one top Trump Cabinet official is bucking administration policy when it comes to oversight requests from Congress.” Secretary Kelly “told senators on Tuesday during congressional testimony that his department will respond to any inquiry from members of Congress, no matter who sends the request.” Kelly said, “We're leaning forward. ... Regardless of who the letter comes from, and it doesn’t have to just come from a ranking member or chairman, we'll respond to any congressional inquiry.” He “noted during his testimony that under his tenure, DHS has appeared more than 37 times before Congress, sent 57 witnesses and has been involved in 973 ‘Hill engagements.” Politico says senators “gave high marksto Kelly for his pledge to be responsive to Congress, no matter who sends the ask.” Kelly Confirms Searches Of US Citizens’ Devices At Airports, Border Crossings. Newsweek (6/6, Cadei, 862K) reports Secretary Kelly “confirmed on Capitol Hill Tuesday” that some US citizens’ cellphones may be searched atairports and border crossings. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) “pressed” Kelly “about the searches and threats to detain or turn back travelers if they did not comply, including citizens and U.S. green card holders.” Kelly said, “We do it whether they're citizens or noncitizens coming in,” but he “emphasized Tuesday that the practice remains rare.” Kelly is quoted as saying, “I think, of the million or so people who come in the country [each day], half of 1 percent is checked. ... We don’t doit routinely unless there’s a reason why.” Kelly “said border agents follow certain procedures, and he promised Paul he’d look into whether there were specific rules governing the searches that could be published.” Kelly also “agreed to provide the senator with the form that Customs and Border Patrol agents give to people whose cellphones they want to search, indicating, as Paul noted, that participation is mandatory and they will be detained and/or have their property seized if they don’t comply.” The Washington Examiner (6/6, Gehrke, 400K) reports Paul “signaled that the forthcoming documents won't change his mind about the wisdom of the tactic, as he called for Congress to passlegislation requiring DHS to get a warrant in order to search someone’s phone.” In separate coverage, the Washington Examiner (6/6, Gehrke, 400K) reports Kelly said lone wolf terrorists can be stopped only by law enforcement “getting into people’s business” to investigate potential dangers. Kelly is quoted as saying, “Every small town (and) big town, is at risk from this lone wolf stuff. ... don’t know, as hard asI've thought about it, if there’s a way to prevent it, DHS-17-0305-A-000401 predict it, get our arms around it, other than local cops andsheriffs getting into people's business, legally — outreach, andall that kind ofthing.” Kelly, Harris Have “Tense Exchange” Over Sanctuary Cities. WRC-TV Washington (6/6, 453K) reports Secretary Kelly and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) had a “tense exchange” during testimony on Tuesday over questioning related to sanctuary cities. WRC-TVfeatures video clips of the exchange. The Washington FreeBeacon (6/6, Rutz, 115K) reports Harris “cut Kelly off to say the administration was forcing cities into a ‘Hobbesian choice’ between complying with federal law orforfeiting DHS counterterrorism funds, according to the NTK Network.” Kelly responded, “Had you not cut meoff, would have said the same thing you just said. Probably not as eloquently, but would have said the same thing you just said.” Fox News Insider (6/6, 3K) reports the “normally unflappable Kelly grewirritated” during Harris’ interruptions and at one point said, “Before start to answer, will you let me finish?” Kelly “Defends” Kushner During Senate Testimony. CBS News(6/6, Tillett, 4.4M) reports Secretary Kelly “again defended senior White House adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner’s dealings with Russian entities, regarding his alleged attempt to set up backchannel communications with Russian officials before the election.” CBS Newsadds, “While Kelly said he had notdirectly spoken with Kushner about the communications, he told lawmakers that are within the ‘course of normal interaction with another country.” Kelly “noted that he himself has backchannels established through religious leaders in the United States and leaders in Latin America.” He is quoted as saying, “We have to make the assumption that Kushner is a great American, he’s decent, he has a security clearanceat highest level and if he was opening backchannel communications to pass information through that channel to get to Putin and say ‘hey, look we're concerned about this’. ... If it's official it's a whole other dynamic.” The AP (6/6, Jalonick, Riechmann, Day) reports Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) “pressed” Kelly on “whether he believes lawmakers should ‘ensure that assumption is correct,” and Kelly “described the questions as part of Mueller’s scope of inquiry.” Kelly is quoted as saying, “I think there are numerous investigations that are looking intothis. ... think it’s part of the Bob Mueller investigation, and think there’s a number of congressional committees looking into it.” CNN (6/6, Kopan, 29.79M) reports Tester “asked...if it would be normal to conduct such communications at the embassy of a non-friendly country like Russia, and Kelly said he wasn’t sure.” USA Today (6/6, 5.28M) features video of the exchange between Kelly and Tester. Kelly Signals Support For Critical Infrastructure Designation For Voting Systems. Federal Computer Week (6/6, Gunter, 263K) reports, “In the wake of a leaked intelligence document describing Russian attempts to hack voting systems, Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly doubled down on maintaining the designation of voting systems as critical infrastructure.” Kelly “told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on June 6 that despite pushback he’s received from state and local election officials[,] he would support the designation put in place by his predecessor Jeh Johnson.” Federal Computer Week adds that Kelly told Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) that DHS would beinvolved in investigations into election system hacking. He is quoted as saying, “We're hereto help. ... There is nothing more fundamental to our democracy than voting.” Reuters (6/6) reports Kelly also said he would meetwith state leaders next week to address ways in which the federal government can help states securetheir voter registration systems. Reuters (6/6) features video of Kelly's testimony during questioning by McCaskill Kelly: DHS Will Review Bug Bounty Legislation. The Hill (6/6, Chalfant, 1.25M) reports Secretary Kelly testified Tuesday that DHSwill reviewlegislation that would create a bug bounty program to ascertain vulnerabilities in DHS networks. The legislation “would establish a pilot program offering incentives for third-party researchersto find undiscovered vulnerabilities in DHS networks and data systems.” Kelly said he would take a “hard look” at the legislation. Breitbart: Kelly “Rejects H-2B Program” During Testimony. Under the headline, “DHS John DHS-17-0305-A-000402 Kelly Rejects H-2B Program, Reveals Drug, Refugee Priorities,” Breitbart (6/6, Munro, 2.02M) reports Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) “asked Kelly to accelerate the approval of H-2B contactworkers sought by employers in North Dakota, even though millions of Americans are either unemployed or have fallen out of the low-wage workforce.” Kelly responded by saying, “I know wealready have large numbers [of contract workers] that come in and have been coming in over the years, but ... in the current administration, this is all about American jobs versus people that come in and do the work.” Breitbart says the “May budget deal asks Kelly to authorize an extra 70,000 H-2B visas, but Kelly is signaling his reluctance to import the foreign workers.” Breitbart adds that Kelly's “pro-American statement was only oneof the several dramatic moments at a Tuesday hearing before the Senate committee on homeland defense.” MORE DETAILS EMERGE ON ALLEGED NSA LEAKER AS MEDIA EXPLORES IMPACT. Media coverage of the leaked NSA document published by The Intercept, and the subsequent arrest of Reality Leigh Winner, the alleged leaker, expanded in the latest newscycle. Several themes were prominent in the coverage. A primary topic was the ease with which federal authorities were able to uncover Winner, and the mistakes made by both her and The Intercept. Other prominent topics of media focus were Winner's history oflively social media comments, the potential reflection of the incident onthe intelligence community, and the potential vulnerability of US election systems. USA Today(6/6, Bacon, 5.28M) reports on the investigation which led to the arrest of Winner on charges of leaking classified material. According to an affidavit filed Monday, “federal authorities contacted the FBI on Thursday and said a ‘News Outlet’ had reachedout two days earlier relating to an upcoming story.” The Intercept, which published a story based on the material in question, “apparently provided authorities with a copy of a top-secret NSA document” and officials “quickly determined the information was classified.” The affidavit says the document “appearedto be folded and/or creased, suggesting they had been printed and hand-carried out of a secured space.” Theaffidavit adds that an internal audit “determined that six people had accessed andprinted theintelligence report,” and, “a further audit of the six individuals’ desk computers revealed that WINNER had e-mail contact with the News Outlet.” Justice correspondent Pierre Thomas said on ABC World News Tonight (6/6, story 5, 2:55, Muir, 14.63M) that authorities say Winner left “a trail of clues.” On NBCNightly News (6/6, story 2, 2:00, Holt, 16.61M), Justice correspondent Pete Williams said Winner was arrested “barely one hour” after The Intercept posted its story. According to the affidavit, the New York Post (6/6, Moore, 3.82M) reports, Winner “admitted to investigators that she removed the ‘need to know’ documents detailing Russian meddling in the 2016 election from her work space, copied and then emailed them to the newswebsite in early May, according to an affidavit.” The Washington Post (6/6, Hawkins, 11.43M) reports that criminal investigations into leaks “tend to be long, complicated and delicate affairs,” but in the Winner case, “federal authorities brought charges less than a week after being tipped off.” The piece highlights a number of errors made by Winner. Vice (6/6, Gilbert, 2.28M) reports that Winner “probably never thought the printer she used would give her away. But that’s exactly how the FBI saysit was able to find and arrest her less than a month later.” In a piece focusing on thedetails of the watermark on the printed document, The Atlantic (6/6, Madrigal, 21.27M) reports that “given whatis in the public record from the FBI complaint, Winner was almost certain to get caught, and some have argued that The Intercept could not have prevented that. Obviously, the NSA monitors and records whoprints what documents. There’s an audit trail there, which one imagines an NSAcontractor would know.” The New York Times (6/6, Grynbaum, Koblin, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) says Winner's arrest “has raised concerns about the measures taken by newsorganizations to protect confidential informers, with some reporters worrying about a chilling effect on potential sources.” The Intercept drew criticism from “veteran journalists” whosaid it “appeared to ignore some basic tenets,” including “sharing an original document when asking questions of government officials,” which “can expose metadata and high-tech watermarks that may reveal a leaker’s identity.” DHS-17-0305-A-000403 Michael Hiltzik writes for the Los Angeles Times (6/6, Hiltzik, 4.52M) that the “question is how the government identified her so quickly, and the answer may be that she was inadvertently outed by the Intercept itself.” CBC Radio (CAN) (6/6, 27K) reports that “CIA officer-turned-whistleblower” John Kiriakou criticized The Intercept for its handling ofthe situation, saying the website “should be ashamedof itself because it did nothing to protect its source.” Eric Wemple writes for the Washington Post (6/6, Wemple, 11.43M) about how an apparent attempt by The Intercept to verify the documents’ authenticity “appears to haveturned into a leadfor a leak investigation.” However, Wemple says that the “mistakes of the leaker before the Intercept even received the document would likely have sealed her fate, regardless of any clumsiness by the reporter in verifying the scoop.” Politico (6/6, Bennett, 2.46M) reports that the “swift arrest” of Winner “offers a cautionary lesson for both leakers and the journalists who deal with them: Conceal your tracks.” Winner Sharply Critical Of President In Social Media Postings. Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett said on the CBS Evening News(6/6, story 3, 2:15, Pelley, 11.17M) that Winner's “social media postings sharply criticized President Trump.” The AP (6/6) reports that Winner “shared sometimes scathing opinions on President Donald Trump and his policies for the whole world to see.” For example, Winner posted on Facebook that Trump was a “soulless ginger orangutan,” among other similar comments. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/6, Trubey, Edwards, 1.41M) reports that her “feeds show forceful views on climate change, refugees, the war in Syria and her distinct dislike of Trump and his policies. She also showed support for the citizens of one of the nation’s top adversaries.” In February, shereplied to a tweet from anIranian official, saying, “There are many Americans protesting US govt aggression towards Iran. If our Tangerine in Chief declares war, we stand with you!” The Dallas Morning News(6/6, De Bruijn, 1.12M) reports that “among the few Twitter accounts Winner followed were the hacker group Anonymous, WikiLeaks and former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked classified documents.” CNN (6/6, O'Sullivan, Shortell, 29.79M) says that Winner follows 50 Twitter accounts, and while she “didn’t appear to post explicitly about hacking or leaking,” she “did retweet and like several tweets on the topic.” Meanwhile, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/6, Trubey, 1.41M) reports that the “depiction” of Winner “through social media is not an ‘an accurate portrayal of my daughter,’ Gary Davis, Winner's stepfather, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday.” Separately, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/6, Hallerman, 1.41M) reports that Winner “met with members of U.S. Sen. David Perdue’s staff earlier this year, the Republican’s office confirmed.” a The report suggests she discussed variety of issues of concern to her. NYT: CaseIs “Latest Blow” To NSA. The New York Times (6/6, Savage, Shane, Blinder, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) says “the case is the latest blow to the N.S.A.” While leaks “have deeply shaken the agency, raising the question of whether it will ever be able to protect its secrets again,” Winner's prosecution “may send a deterrent message to the huge, scattered work force of employees andcontractors of the N.S.A., showing that the authorities have sophisticated waysto track downleakers in certain circumstances.” The Guardian (UK) (6/6, Beckett, 4.07M) says that the Winner leak again highlights the “vulnerability of the USintelligence community to leaks from private contractors.” AFP (6/6) saysthat the leak “was just the latestin a string of disruptive leaks,” adding thatin “an age ofdigitized data and advanced encryption, it appears to have gotten harder to keep secrets.” John R. Schindler writes for the New York Observer (6/6, Schindler, 518K) that “whatever her motivations for leaking that NSA report, Winner’s tradecraft was thoroughly inept.” Still, while she was “caught with admirable celerity,” the NSA “and our whole Intelligence Community...must be DHS-17-0305-A-000404 asked if their security clearance processis functioning properly.” In addition, “the ‘need to know’ principle — once sacrosanct among spooks — hasfailed, yet again. Why was Winner, a linguist specializing in Iran and Afghanistan, able to access an above-Top Secret report on Russian cyber-espionage so effortlessly?” In addition, he asks why “so many ICjobs [are] still being outsourced to pricey contractors, who constitute the lion’s share of our problem with leakers and turncoats oflate?” Callum Borchers writes for “The Fix”in the Washington Post (6/6, Borchers, 11.43M) that the “case against Reality Leigh Winner isn’t so much about her alleged leak of a classified document asit is about deterring future leaks.” However, he says that the “possible price of leaking is well known, yet it is consistently true that some government workers and contractors are willing to take risks to publicize information that they believe the public ought to know. The case against Winner isn’t likely to change that.” Warner Says Russia Targeted More State Election Systems. Sen. Mark Warner told USA Today (6/6, Page, 5.28M) on Tuesday that “Russian attacks on election systems were broader and targeted more states than those detailed in an explosive intelligence report leaked to the website The Intercept.” Warner said, “I don’t believe they got into changing actual voting outcomes. ... But the extent of the attacks is much broader than has been reported so far.” Politico (6/6, Tesfamichael, 2.46M) reports that Warner “is calling on intelligence agencies to declassify the names of states affected so they can beefup their electoral systems before the 2018 midterms, warning that ‘none of these actions from the Russians stopped on Election Day.” The AP (6/6) reports that Warner added, “I think people needto realize this is a critically important issue that goes to the heart of our democratic process.” The Hill (6/6, Bowden, 1.25M) reports that Warner also said, “Whoever'’s the leaker should be pursued to the full extent of the law.” Yahoo! Good Morning America (6/6, Levine, 1.42M) reports that Sen. Claire McCaskill said on Tuesday at a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing that the documents showthat “we now have verified information” showing Russian hacking efforts in last year’s election Document Highlights Potential Vulnerability Of US Election Systems. The AP (6/6, Bajak, Satter) reports that the leaked document “is the latest evidence suggesting a broad and sophisticated foreign attack on the integrity of the nation’s elections” and “underscores the contention of security experts and computer scientists that the highly decentralized, often ramshackle U.S. election system remains profoundly vulnerable to trickery or sabotage.” USA Today (6/6, Bomey, Burlew, 5.28M) reports that an “attempt by Russian hackers to infiltrate an obscure Florida elections technology company,” VR Systems, “is igniting concerns about whether the small industry is vulnerable to attacks that could undermine confidence in election results.” The “episode highlights a vulnerability that technological advances in voting have introduced to an institution considered vital to a healthy democracy.” In an op-ed for the Washington Post (6/6, Schneier, 11.43M), Bruce Schneier, an author and lecturer at Harvard, writes that “while this document isn’t much of a smoking gun, it’s yet more evidence of widespread Russian attempts to interfere last year.” He adds that “we need to better secure our election systems going forward. Wehave significant vulnerabilities in our voting machines, our voter rolls and registration process, and the vote tabulation systems after the polls close.” NPR (6/6, Ewing, 1.92M) runs a list of five unknowns about the attack, such as how widespread they were andif the federal government can do moreto secure voting systems. Still, The Hill (6/6, Hensch, 1.25M) reports that former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson “said Tuesday he knows of ‘no such evidence’ Russia altered vote counts in the 2016 presidential election.” Russia Denies Involvement. Homeland Security correspondent Jeff Pegues reported on the CBS Evening News (6/6, story 4, 2:10, Pelley, 11.17M) that on Tuesday, “the Kremlin again deniedinterfering in the election.” Reuters (6/6) reports that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pskov told reporters, “This assertion has absolutely nothing to do with reality. We have heard no DHS-17-0305-A-000405 arguments proving the veracity of this information ... Therefore we strongly deny the very possibility that this could have happened.” The AP (6/6) also reports on the Russian denial. The Intercept Claims Federal Documents Contain “Unproven Assertions.” The Washington Post (6/6, Wemple, 11.43M) reports that in a statement on Tuesday, TheIntercept said that documents released by the federal government “contain unproven assertions and speculation designed to serve the government's agenda and as such warrant skepticism. Winner faces allegations that have not been proven. The same is true of the FBI’s claims about howit came to arrest Winner.” Brazile Says She Warned DHSOf Potential Hacking Before 2016 Election. McClatchy (6/6, Kumar, 74K) reports that in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election, then-acting DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile “warned the Department of Homeland Security that voter registration and absentee voting lists might have been sabotaged.” Brazile “said she also urged Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus to learn more about the possible problems and to sign a joint statement with her, raising these concerns to DHS,” but he declined. Winner May Have Worked At “Sweet Tea.” The incident has also drawn attention to NSA operations in Georgia. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/6, Peebles, 1.41M) saysthat “if you’re a terrorist somewhere overseas, there’s a good chance someone in Augusta, Ga., is listening in on your phone calls.” The piece adds that “many people in Augusta are well aware that the NSA — so secretive it’s often called the ‘No Such Agency’ — has had a substantial presence in town for many years.” The New York Post (6/6, O'Neill, 3.82M) reports that Winner “likely worked at the ‘Sweet Tea’ outpost, a 604,000-square-foot NSA post.” The “sprawling facility, which opened 2012, can house upto 4,000 specialists working to translate and analyze intercepted communications from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, according to The Daily Beast.” In a separate piece, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (6/6, Trubey, Peebles, Redmon, 1.41M) reports that “thousands of code breakers, cyber security researchers, intelligence analysts, IT experts and other specialists — military members and private contract employees — work in the intelligence community on Fort Gordon, which includes an NSAinstallation, and more are on their way,” with the expected opening of the new Army Cyber Command nextyear. Russian Hackers Accused Of Interfering With Qatari News Outlet. The CBS Evening News (6/6, story 5, 0:15, Pelley, 11.17M) reported Russian hackers are suspected of interfering with a news site in Qatar, “and they may haveput out fake information.” The FBI is assisting in the investigation into the allegations. DHS News: PEKOSKE TO BE NOMINATED TO LEADTSA. The AP (6/6) reports President Trump will nominate former Coast Guard Vice Commandant David Pekoske to become TSA’s next Administrator. Pekoske “most recently held leadership roles at PAE and the National Security Group at A-T Solutions.” Secretary Kelly released a statement that said Pekoske has “extensive experience in strategy development, operational leadership, crisis management, risk assessment, financial management, and team building.” The Washington Post (6/6, Aratani, 11.43M) reports Kelly also said, “We are fortunate to have the President nominate David tothis critical position at our Department, and look forward to him being confirmed by the U.S. Senate.” SOME SENATORS CONCERNED ABOUT CUTS TO DHS AND TSA GRANTS. Federal News Radio (DC) (6/6, Ogrysko, 16K) reports DHS is “one of a fewcivilian agencies that could see one of the biggest budget boosts in fiscal 2018, according to President's budget proposal.” However, some senators “say the increases come at the expense of cuts to other DHS components and grant programs, which they see as valuable tools in responding to threats at United States ports of entry and smaller scale incidents in their constituencies.” During Secretary Kelly’s testimony in front of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) said, “I’m DHS-17-0305-A-000406 concerned that these priorities are not getting the attention they deserve, especially in light of what's going on around the world. ... We may be focused on a shiny object, which has come to be known as the travel ban. Instead we need to be focused on how many people wehave, [to use] your terminology, General, boots on the ground, in terms of being able to identify, track and prevent these terrorist attacks.” Federal News Radio explains that the President’s budget proposal does call for a $500 million “reduction” to TSA, and it “eliminates the Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program, which helps deploy law enforcement agencies to securelocal airports.” The budget also “reduces the TSA Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams from 31 to 18,” and “cuts both the transit security and port security grant programs in half.” Kelly sought to address the concern by saying, “In a perfect world I'd love to fund everything. ... States and local governments now need to sustain what we’ve helped them [with] the equipment and all that we've helped them get to. There aren't unlimited resources.” Border Wall: meeting with Congressional Republicans, President Trump suggested putting solar panels on a prospective border wall would fund the project. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said of theidea, “I think it’s innovative. To authorize it and to appropriate it wouldn't cost as much.” House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) similarly said the idea has “real promise.” Border Security: SIXTEEN GOP-LED STATES ASK SUPREME COURT TO REINSTATE TRAVEL BAN. The Washington Times (6/6, Dinan, 272K) reports that “Texas and 15 other states filed briefs with the Supreme Court on Monday asking the justices to reinstate... Trump’s travel ban policy, saying they're convinced it’s both legal and justified.” Reuters (6/6, Hurley) notes that “in the states’ brief, filed on Monday, Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller wrote that the executive order does not mention religion at all and distinguishes people based only on nationality.” Wrote Keller, “The executive order therefore is emphatically not a ‘Muslim ban.” Reuters adds that “aside from Texas, the officials were Republican state attorneys general from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia, as well as Mississippi’s Republican governor.” The Washington Post (6/6, Cameron, Soffen, 11.43M) reports “legal experts” sayits “fair [to] question” why the Administration is still seeking to revive the President's travel order, when the “ban would have already expired.” Theoriginal order “was supposedto give [the Administration] just enough time to come up with a more long-term ‘extreme’ vetting process.” The Administration “wanted 120 days to develop these processes,” and its “been 129 days since Trump released his first travel ban executive order on Jan. 27.” USA Today, Rollins Debate Travel Ban. USA Today (6/6, 5.28M) editorializes, “A growing senseof futility pervades... Trump's effort to temporarily bar people from certain Muslim-majority nations from entering America,” because “even in an area such as immigration, where presidents have wide discretion, Trump has managed to find a barrier to his authority: First Amendment safeguards against religious discrimination.” Ed Rollins, “national co-chair and chief strategist for Great America PAC, a pro-Trump Super PAC,” disagrees, noting in USA Today (6/6, Rollins, 5.28M) that Kelly told an interviewer two weeks ago that “if people knew what he knows about terrorism, they would ‘never leave the house in the morning.” Rollins refers to “44 travel bans...instituted by Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama — all for the DHS-17-0305-A-000407 expressed purpose of keeping the homeland safe,” and asks readers to decide “what is more dangerous to the Constitution,” a president “invoking executive powers used 44 times by a bipartisan list of presidents without legal challenge...or judges who use the power of the bench to enact a partisan political agenda.” DOJ Fighting Legal Attempt For Campaign Document Draft Of Travel Order. Politico (6/6, Gerstein, 2.46M) reports DOJ is “fighting a legal attempt to force disclosure of a campaign document that may haveserved asthe basis for President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive orders.” Politico says, “At issue is a policy memo former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped to crafted last year in response to what he described as Trump's request for a way to carry out the Muslim ban he proposed, while doing so ‘legally.”” Lawyers in a Detroit suit challenging the travel order “say the memo could shed light on whether the executive orders Trump issued in January and March were motivated byreligious prejudice.” MANCHIN “ABSOLUTELY” IN AGREEMENT WITH “EXTREME VETTING.” Sen. Joe Manchin was asked on Fox News’ Fox & Friends (6/6, 831K) if he is “ok with extreme vetting.” Manchin said, “Absolutely. That social media gives you a roadmap. It does give you a roadmap of what these people have been thinking, what's been kind of in their environment they've been in, what's inspiring them, what they're interested in, what has attracted them. It tells us everything.” CAMERA TECHNOLOGY MAY INCREASE BIOMETRIC SCREENING SPEED. Government Computer News(6/6, Miller, 1K) reports on new camera technology developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory that may increase biometric screening speeds at land ports. The technology “uses light-field sensor arrays that allow special cameras to focus on faces of the drivers and passengers in the vehicle and not on the reflection caused by the glass windshield, according to a report in The Verge.” CBP officials “recently told the Government Accountability Office that CBP had begun working with Oak Ridge in June 2016 to explore options for applying biometric capabilities to vehicle passengers exiting the country.” Immigration Enforcemen REUTERS ANALYSIS: TRUMP A “LONG WAY” FROM ENDING CATCH-AND-RELEASE. Reuters (6/6, Ainsley) reports that immigrants are no longer “willingly handing themselves over to immigration authorities” in Texas due to the perception that President Trump “ended the practice known as ‘catch-and-release.” However, “DHS spokeswoman Jenny Burke confirmed...the agencyhas not issued new guidancefor releasing migrants caught at the border”; rather, ICE officers continue to “make custody determinations on a case-by-case basis.” Indeed, Reuters says, “the numbers suggest the Trump administration is a long way from ending catch-and- release,” in part “because his administration has come up against the reality that there simply is not enough space in detention centers.” ICE data show that since Trump took office, ‘the number of immigrants awaiting court proceedings while living freely in the United States has grown by nearly 30,000, rising by an average of about 7,500 per month.” The Week (6/6, Kristian, 2.41M) reports the ICE agents interviewed for Reuters’ analysis “contradict” Secretary Kelly's assertion in April that the Administration has “ended dangerous catch-and-release enforcement policies.” ICE ARRESTS 70 DURING OPERATION IN OKLAHOMA, TEXAS. The AP(6/6) reports ICE arrested 70 people in Oklahoma and Texas “aspart of a three-day sweep targeting immigrants with criminal records or who were in the U.S. illegally.” ICE “said in its statement Tuesday that agents with its enforcement and removal operations division focus on those who pose a threat to national security or public safety.” The Dallas Morning News (6/6, Fox, Twitter, 1.12M) quotes ICE ERO Dallas field office director Simona L. Flores as saying, “These actions focus our resources on the most egregious offenders and promote public safety in the communities in which we live and work.” Similar coverage is provided by the Oklahoman (6/6, 380K), KTVT-TV Dallas (6/6, 72K), and KDAF-TV Dallas (6/6, 16K). SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT RESUMES 287(G) PARTICIPATION. DHS-17-0305-A-000408 Columbia (SC) State (6/6, 357K) reports, “The Lexington County Sheriffs Department has resumed its participation in” 287(g) “after authorities previously suspended the partnership with Lexington County.” CS says, “The partnership, originally established in 2010, was suspended by ICE in 2014 with the indictment of former Sheriff James Metts on charges that he took bribes so four restaurant workers could work instead of face deportation. Metts later pleadedguilty to a charge ofconspiracy to harbor and conceal illegal immigrants.” BORDER PATROL DETAINS IMMIGRANTS HIDING AMONG WATERMELONS IN TRAILER. The Dallas Morning News(6/6, Madry, Reporter, 1.12M) reports Border Patrol agents detained a five unauthorized immigrants on Thursday “after they were found in refrigerated trailer inside boxes of watermelons, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” They were found at the Falfurrias checkpoint, which is “about 75 miles from the Mexican border.” The detainees came from Mexico and Salvador. CONTINUING COVERAGE: MAN ARRESTED BY ICE AFTER WORKERS COMP MEETING IS RELEASED. In continuing coverage, Vermont Public Radio (6/6, 3K) reports Jose Flores, who was arrested by ICE after a workers comp meeting arranged by his employer, was released from custody “after more than a month in jail.” His lawyers “question whether his arrest was retaliation by the employer, looking to get out of the workers’ comp claim,” and immigrant advocates “fear his arrest could prevent other workers in the country illegally from reporting workplace accidents.” ONGOING COVERAGE: TRANSGENDER WOMAN ARRESTED AT EL PASO COURTHOUSE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO FORGERY CHARGES. On its website, KVIA-TV El Paso, TX (6/6, Villasana, 24K) reports Irving Gonzalez, the transgender woman arrested by ICE in February “while filing a protective order at the El Paso County Courthouse,” pleaded notguilty to financial forgery charges on Tuesday. KVIA-TV notes that Gonzalez was sentencedto time served on illegal re-entry in April, and her attorney “told ABC-7 it was unclear wether Gonzalez would be deported.” Emergency Response: DHS ALLOCATES $1.6 BILLION FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS. ExecutiveGov (6/6, Nicholas, 548) reports DHS “has allocated upto $1.6 billion for 10 preparedness grant programs intended to help non-federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations and companies prepare for natural disasters, terrorist attacks and other emergency situations.” DHS “said Friday the fiscal year 2017 funding grants represent the department's push to fulfill the country’s immediate security needs and maintain public safety in state, local, tribal and territorial communities.” Secretary Kelly is quoted as saying the Administration “remains committed to strengthening the security andresilience of our state and local communities.” CLIMATE POLICY EXPERT COMMENTSON FEMA ADMINISTRATOR VACANCY. According to an online KJZZ-FM Phoenix (6/6, Latzman, 8K) article, a climate policy expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists said she is troubled by an administrator vacancy at FEMA. Rachel Cleetus stressed, “FEMA plays a vital role in disaster response and coordinating a variety of agencies,” including the Forest Service. The KJZZ report adds that while Brock Long has been nominated for the FEMA administrator post, heis still awaiting Senate confirmation as Arizona heads “into the heart offire season.” Secret Service: HOUSE EXPRESSES “ANGER” AGAINST TURKISH SECURITY FORCES FOR SUPPRESSING DEMONSTRATORS IN WASHINGTON. The Hill (6/6, Marcos, 1.25M) “Floor Action” reports, “The House on Tuesday formally expressed bipartisan anger against Turkish security forces for violently suppressing demonstrators outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington last month.” A resolution passed by the House “says that the State DHS-17-0305-A-000409 Department should request waivers for immunity of any Turkish security official involved in the altercation.” Floor Action adds, “In the meantime, a joint investigation by the Washington Metropolitan Police, Secret Service and State Department Diplomatic Security Service is underway.” CONTINUING COVERAGE: SECRET SERVICE RELAXES POLICY ON PRIOR MARIJUANA USE. In continuing coverage, the New YorkDaily News (6/6, Adams, 4.45M) reports Secret Service Director Randolph Alles announced last week that the agency has “relaxed the drug policy for potential newhires” in an effort to find more recruits. Alles “told reporters that it has become necessary for the Secret Service to bea little more lenient when it comesto dealing with job candidates that may have used marijuana at some point in the past.” The Secret Servicewill nowgive “consideration to the length of time a person has refrained from using the herb when reviewing his or her application.” Immigration Policy: SENATORS EXPRESS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LIABILITY PROTECTION IN SANCTUARY CITIES. The Washington Times (6/6, Dinan, 272K) reports that on Tuesday at a US Senate Homeland Security Committee meeting, Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) floated the idea of a law granting “localities protection fromliability lawsuits brought byillegal immigrants who claim they were detained too long.” The proposal was promoted as “a bipartisan way of allowing local police to cooperate with federal immigration agents” in sanctuary cities. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) “said she would be open to thecivil liability protection bill” because it would help preserve funding for local law enforcement. FEAR OF DEPORTATION DRIVING IMMIGRANTS OFF FOOD STAMPS, ACTIVISTS SAY. The AP (6/6, Torrens, Salomon) cites activists and immigrants as saying that due to President Trump's “crackdown on illegal immigration,” some poor people are opting out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) out offear of deportation. The AP points out “itis not possible to determine the extent of the phenomenon,” as “the number of food stamp recipients has declined” due to economic recovery, “and people could drop out for various reasons.” USCIS ACTING DIRECTOR: AGENCY REVIEWING H-1B POLICIES, ADDRESSING ABUSES. The National Law Review (6/6) reports USCIS issued on May 24 “a response to a recent bipartisan inquiry led by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s chairman, Chuck Grassley, concerning the possible misuse and abuseof the H-1B visa program.” USCIS acting director James McCament “reiterated that USCIS is committed to addressing H-1B abuses through continued investigation, potential new regulations, and internal agency changes” and “also noted that USCIS ‘continues to review all policies related to the H-1B program and is planning to publish an updated H-1B guidancesection to the USCIS Policy Manual.” The National Law Review says, “USCIS's response provides some insight into USCIS’s plan ofaction since President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April of 2017 encouraging US companies to ‘Buy American and Hire American’ and calling for ‘strict enforcement’ of labor laws for workers coming to the U.S.” REPORT: OUTSOURCING FIRMS RECEIVED “SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER” H-1BS IN FY 2016. The San Francisco Chronicle (6/6, Thadani, 2.2M) reports, “Companies commonly under fire for abusing the H-1B program,” typically Indian outsourcing firms, “received significantly fewer of the coveted workvisas in fiscal 2016 compared to a year earlier, according to a new report. Experts attribute the drop to the cloud and artificial intelligence.” National Foundation for American Policy executive director Stuart Anderson “said the conclusions weaken the Trump administration’s argument for wanting to limit the number of H-1B visas issued.” SALVADORAN FOREIGN MINISTER: SALVADORANS NEED “MORE STABLE” STATUS THAN TPS. The AP (6/6) reports, “El Salvador’s foreign minister said Tuesday he hopes for a more permanent situation for the ‘temporary protected status’ that currently shields about 190,000 DHS-17-0305-A-000410 Salvadoran migrantsin the United States.” Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez is quoted saying, “We should erase this word ‘temporary’ from the map,” and that Salvadorans need “something better and morestable than the TPS.” The APreports that regarding Central Americans, DHS “said, Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly would review conditions and consult with appropriate agencies as the expiration date approaches next year.” CRACKDOWN ON SANCTUARY CITIES “EXACERBATING LONGSTANDING TENSIONS” says the Administration's “plan to crack down on ‘sanctuary cities’...is exacerbating longstanding tensions with some local governments and the federal government over immigration enforcement, while also prompting others toalter their policies.” However, “Raising the loudest alarms for immigrant advocates and law enforcement alike” is a new Texas law that “penalizes sheriffs, constables, police chiefs, and other local leaders who don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities or prevent rank-and-file officers from asking about immigration status.” The Atlantic says police chiefs are “concerned that the bill could ultimately intrude upon the way they set dayto-day priorities.” COLUMBUS, OHIO APPROVES ORDINANCE WITH IMMIGRANT PROTECTIONS. The AP (6/6) reports the Columbus, Ohio, City Council has approved an ordinance that “makes it against the law in Columbus to arrest or deny someone services based on their immigration status.” The APsays the law “reflects other sanctuary city laws across the country,” but local officials said Columbus is not a sanctuary city. NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL BUCKS DE BLASIO ON IMMIGRANT DEFENSE FUND. The New York Post (6/6, Gonen, 3.82M) reports the New York City Council “insert{ed] a last-minute provision” into the city's fiscal 2018 budget “just says after Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito came to a public deal” on the budget. The mayor “want[ed] to restrict funding for legal services for immigrants facing deportation to only those who have been convicted of minor crimes,” but the Council's inserted provision “says theonly criteria the city can employ in dispensing the funds — which total $26 million — is a defendant's income.” LABOR DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING FRAUD IN VISA PROGRAMS. Reuters(6/6, Lynch) reports the Labor Department “said on Tuesday it is stepping upefforts to root out potential fraud in its visa programs for foreign workers, a movethat will include increases in bothcivil investigations as well as criminal referrals.” The steps the Department will take “include directing the department's wage and hour division to ‘use all its tools’ to conduct civil probes,” and is “also asking its employment and training office to work on proposing changes to the labor condition application that companies file when they seek to hire foreign guest workers.” CONTINUING COVERAGE: DACA RECIPIENTS ASK SUPREME COURT TO REJECT ARIZONA BID TO REMOVEDRIVER’S LICENSES. The White Mountain (AZ) Independent (6/6, Fischer, 31K) reports, “Advocates for ‘dreamers’ are urging the nation’s high court to reject Arizona’s last-ditch bid to take away their licenses to drive.” Attorneys for “various groups are asking the justices to leave undisturbed an appellate court ruling which concluded the state acted illegally in refusing to issue licenses to those accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.” TEXAS COUNTY VOTES TO JOIN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING STATE’S SANCTUARY CITIES LAW. The San Antonio Express-News (6/6, 844K) reports, “Bexar County commissioners decided Tuesdayto join San Antonio’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s recently passed ‘sanctuary cities’ law, set to take effect Sept. 1.” The Express-News says, “While the district attorney's office recommended the county take 30 daysto study the law for issues unique to Bexar County, commissioners instead wanted to take immediate action against the law they said ‘went too far.” STEPPED-UP IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SEEN AS AT ODDS WITH NEEDS OF US DHS-17-0305-A-000411 AGRICULTURE. The Atlantic (6/5, Frank, 21.27M) reports, “Since Donald Trump took office in January, ICE has been newly empowered and encouraged to target undocumented immigrants with criminal records for deportation — a practice that winds up capturing a huge number of undocumented immigrants without criminal records, too.” Nonetheless, the Administration has “not actually changed any laws,” and the Atlantic contends that “existing immigration legislation has long been at odds with the U.S. economy and with farming communities across the country.” A farmer is quoted saying, “The reality is that reports of deportations has farmers scaredlike I’ve never seen before.” PRO BONO ORGANIZATION: NEW ICE MENTAL HEALTH EXAM POLICY INTERFERES WITH ABILITY TO REPRESENT CLIENTS PROPERLY. Courthouse News (6/6, Ryan, 2K) reports that The Dilley Pro Bono Project “claims a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy that requires agency approval before lawyers call in mental health evaluations for detainees forces attorneys to choose between properly representing their clients and being able to access the facility that houses them.” According to the Project's complaint, the change puts government in control of a key piece of evidence that could aid their clients’ asylum cases. THE GUARDIAN: ELOY JAIL PRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS, “MISERY” FOR DETAINEES. The Guardian (UK) (6/6, Carroll, Arizona, 4.07M) reports the town of Eloy, Arizona, “found a new source of revenue” when CoreCivic “built a complex with four prisons” in the area. CoreCivic is “now Eloy’s biggest employer and taxpayer, contributing about $2m to its $12m general fund budget.” The Guardian says local “support...for the prison, a vital cog in deportation machinery, contrasts with anger at rallies across the US whereactivists protest [President] Trump’s immigration crackdown.” Aviation Security TSA CHECKPOINT AT CONNECTICUT AIRPORT TEMPORARILY CLOSED. WVIT-TV New Haven, CT (6/6, 227K) reports on its website, “A TSA security checkpoint at Bradley International Airport was temporarily closed Tuesday afternoon after something concerning came up on an x- ray during screening, according to TSAofficials. The checkpoint has since reopened,” WVIT says, “Travelers at the checkpoint told NBC Connecticut they saw several state troopers and airport managersin the area, but the situation seemed under control.” The WINH-TV Hartford, CT(6/6, 126K) website reports similarly. Criminal Investigations: ICE INVESTIGATING HIGH SCHOOL’S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS. NJ News (6/6, 952K) reports ICE in New Jersey is investigating Paterson Eastside High School’s basketball programs, based on the “pipeline ofinternational players whofed the high school’s powerhouse boys and girls teams the past six years, according to multiple people inside the school district.” ICE will “focu[s] on how the players came to New Jersey, whofacilitated their arrival, and when it all began.” NJ News says there are multiple agencies investigating allegations of human trafficking with the programs. Cyber News: LAWYER FOR MAN CHARGED IN TRUMP HACKING ATTEMPT: PRESIDENT ENCOURAGED HACKING. Politico (6/6, Hefling, 2.46M) reports that attorney Michael Fiser, who is “representing a Louisiana private investigator charged with attempting to hack President Donald Trump’s tax returns,” is pointing out “that Trump himself hadinvited a foreign country to hackHillary Clinton’s emails. In a new filing aimed at persuading a judge to dismiss the felony charge against” Jordan Hamlett, Fiser says “that Trump, ‘ironically, openly encouraged Russia to hack his opponent.’ Last summer, Trump encouraged Russia to help find ‘the 30,000 emails that are missing’ from the personal server Clinton used during her time as secretary of State.” Hamlett DHS-17-0305-A-000412 a “was indicted Nov. 10 on federal felony charge of false representation of a social security number. He has pleaded not guilty.” FIREEYE: FANCY BEAR HACKERS TARGET MONTENEGRO GOVERNMENT. The International Business Times (6/7, Ashok, 814K) details a new report by FireEye that concludes the “Kremlin-linked” hacking group Fancy Bear's latest target is the Montenegro government “to retaliate against the nation’s decision to join NATO.” FORMER MI5 CHIEF: NATION-STATE BACKED CYBER ACTIVITIES “DIFFICULT” FOR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES TO DEAL WITH. ZDNet (6/6, Palmer, 151K) reports, “The threat of cyber-espionage and nation-state backed hacking has loomed long over elections around the globe in the past year, but it’s still not clear how to tackle it, according to a former head of the UK’s security service.” Former MI5 director general Dame Stella Rimington is quoted saying at the Infosecurity Europe conference in London, “We're facing a world with very complex communications which makeit very difficult for intelligence agencies to keep chase with the changes which are taking place.” ZDNet adds, “However, Rimington also warned against the possibility of knee-jerk reactions in order to defend against new threats, be that from cyber-spies or terrorists.” RUNKLE: ADMINISTRATION SHOULD FOCUS MIDDLE EAST POLICY ON COUNTERING IRAN CYBER THREAT. Benjamin Runkle discusses in Foreign Policy (6/6, Runkle, 359K) the difficulties in “establishing an Arab NATO to contain Iran and fight the Islamic State.” Runkle advises, “The Trump administration should narrowits focus and first establish institutions to counter Iran’s asymmetric threats. Specifically, it should work with America’s [Gulf Cooperation Council] partners to address the threat posed by Tehran’s malicious cyber activity.” Strengthening the GCC’s common cybersecurity efforts “is both necessary and morefeasible than replicating NATO's security architecture” because “one area in which Iran’s propensity for asymmetric warfare hasincreasingly been deployed is in the cyber realm.” Runkle says the Obama Administration's “cyber initiatives in the region stand out as a rare bright spot” in its Middle East policy, and “The Trump administration should build upon these initiatives and work towards establishing a Gulf Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center comparable to the one run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” UNFILLED CYBERSECURITY JOBS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 3.5 MILLION BY 2021. CSOMagazine (6/6, Morgan, 81K) reports, “A new report out from Cybersecurity Ventures estimates there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs by 2021, up from 1 million openings last year.” CSO also says, “The National Association of Software and Services Companies...recently estimated that India alone will need 1 million cybersecurity professionals by 2020 to meet the demands of its rapidly growing economy.” CSO adds, “Despite having the largest information technology talent pool in the world, India is highly unlikely to produce an adequate number of professionals to close the cybersecurity skills gap.” Other DHS News: DHS HAS NOT DISBURSED CVE GRANT FUNDS TO UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA. WUNC-FM Chapel Hill, NC (6/6, Price, 10K) reports that in January, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill won a CVEgrant of nearly $900,000 to “develop information campaigns to counter jihadist and white supremacist recruiting.” The award, which was announced in the last week of the Obama Administration, has not been disbursed by the Trump Administration. The grant team “had been told to expect the money in early spring.” A DHS spokesman “wrote in an emailed statement that it’s unclear whether the money will be released,” and “declined to say why the department hasn't sent it.” WUNC-FM says Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) “has filed a formal request with Homeland Security asking why the money hasn't been paid.” PENNSYLVANIA, WASHINGTON GRANTED REAL ID EXTENSIONS. The AP (6/6) reports DHS “extended Tuesday's deadline until July 10 for Pennsylvanians to usetheir existing state IDs DHS-17-0305-A-000413 to get into certain facilities, including federal prisons.” The Allentown (PA) Morning Call (6/6, Esack, 307K) reports the extension will allow DHS time to review whether a recently passed Real D-compliance law in Pennsylvania “complies with federal standards, said PennDOT spokeswoman Alexis Campbell.” In separate coverage, the AP (6/6, Corte) reports, “Even though Washington state officials asked for an extension from compliance from enforcement of federal requirements for state driver's licenses and ID cards through October 2020, they said Tuesday federal officials have informed them that at this point their extension will only be granted through the middle of next month.” A state official said DHS will soon announce a July 10 extension for Washington “due to a delay in review of progress of the states on compliance with the 2005 REAL ID Act.” FOURTH CUSTOMS OFFICER ALLEGES HAZING AT NEWARK AIRPORT. On its website, WNBC-TV NewYork (6/6, Wallace, 338K) reports, “A fourth federal Customs and Border Protection officer has come forward to corroborate accounts of three others who described a pattern of extreme hazing and abuse by co-workers at Newark Airport — allegations first exposed in a bombshell -Team report last month.” The officer “said he was attacked several times beginning in late 2011 in a secure area of Terminal C,” and also “said that other officers ducttaped him to a chair sotightly that he was unable to get up.” A CBP spokesman, in a prior statement, “told the -Team the agency is cooperating with the investigation by the Inspector General.” SMALL BUSINESSES LOBBY CONGRESS TO OPPOSE BORDER ADJUSTMENT TAX. Reuters (6/6, Gibson) reports that in meetings scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, “about 60 small business owners and a representative from retailer Big Lots will hold meetings with membersof Congress...in an effort to oppose a proposed ‘border adjustment tax.’” White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short “said on Monday in a briefing with reporters that tax rate a cuts remained priority, a signal that sweeping tax reform could be dropped in favor of just reducing tax levels.” Reuters says the “future of the tax remains shaky” as “President Donald Trump has refused to endorse it and many Republicans in the House and Senate are opposed.” CFDA AWARDS SPEAKERS PROMOTE IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS. In its “Fashion & Style” section, the NewYork Times (6/6, Friedman, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that on Monday night at the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards in New York, speakers advocated expanded rights for immigrants. Council Chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg “asked all of the immigrants in the room to raise their hands (there werea lot),” and actress Janelle “Monae riffed on Hillary Clinton’s ‘women’s rights are human rights’ speech,” saying, “L.G.B.T.Q. rights are human rights; immigrant rights are human rights; minority rights are human rights.” The Times comments, “If ever anyone wanted to make an argument for the importance of immigration, of cross-border fertilization, of the absence of walls and of the renewal and rebirth that comes from an outside perspective, they could do worsethan to turn to the 2017 CFDA awards.” GERSTEIN: TRUMP BUDGET PROPOSAL CUTS DHS BIOTERRORISM LAB, RISKS PROTECTION FROM THREATS. In the “Pundits Blog” of The Hill (6/6, Gerstein, Contributor, 1.25M), Daniel Gerstein from the RAND Corporation and an adjunct professor at American University, says President Trump’s proposed 2018 budget eliminates a “Department of Homeland Security laboratory dedicated to countering bioterrorism and providing the science behind response and recovery efforts should an attack occur.” The lab, known as the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) at Fort Detrick, would be closed by September 2018 under the proposed budget. The piece says, “NBACC remains a one-of-a-kind a facility that provides the U.S. an insurance policy. Its work can help determine how variety of actors, from lone wolf terrorists to well-financed terror cells, could develop and deploy biological weapons against American targets. It allows experts to work in the highest containment laboratories with the most dangerous pathogens to protect the nation from a strategic threat, one that some havecalled ‘the poor man’s atomic bomb.” DHS-17-0305-A-000414 OPINION: IMMIGRANTS DETAINED ARE KEPT IN “INHUMANE CONDITIONS.” In an op-ed for the OC (CA) Weekly (6/6, Urrea, 209K), Stefany Urrea, with the “activist group” Orange County Immigrant Youth United, describes her visits to the Santa AnaJail as part of 2 “visiting program” to speak with detainees. Urreasaid the visits showed her the “inhumane conditions” immigrants are kept in at detention centers. She opines that immigrants “come to the U.S. fleeing economic andsocial distress to only face the trauma of confinement.” Urrea concludes, “My jail visits this year convinced me morethan ever that it's imperative to advocate for the release of all immigrants and create programs that will successfully integrate them into society where they belong: not behind bars.” Terrorism Investigations: NYTIMES ANALYSIS: TERRORISTS NOW ACTING WITH “LETHAL SIMPLICITY.” Under the headline “Terrorists Deliver Their Message With Lethal Simplicity,” the New York Times (6/6, Shane, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that since 9/11, “the death tolls in individual attacks in the West have remainedrelatively modest, partly because the assailants have learned that they do not need anthrax ordirty bombs to disrupt capitals, terrify tourists, rivet the attention of governments and impress potential recruits.” Rather, “all they need is a gun, or, if that is too hard to acquire, a truck and a knife.” Moreover, their “plotting, encouraged and sometimes directed bythe Islamic State, is difficult to detect even with robust intelligence and law enforcement surveillance.” Recent attacks, warns the Times, “seem a harbinger of further mayhem, especially at a time when the slow strangulation of the Islamic State...neans that more young Westerners drawn to its cause are left to plot havoc at home.” TRUMP NOTIFIES CONGRESS 20,000 US TROOPS DEPLOYED ON COUNTER-TERROR MISSIONS. The Washington Times (6/6, Boyer, 272K) reports that, in a letter required by law, President Trump notified Congress that 20,000 UStroops are deployed “around the world in counter-terrorism operations.” Almost 8,500 are in Afghanistan, and “Trump is considering a recommendation from the Pentagon to deploy as many as 5,000 moretroops” there following recent Taliban gains. Additionally, more than 5,200 troops are advising and assisting Iraqi forces against ISIS, and about 2,850 are in Jordan supporting counter-ISIS operations and providing regional stability. Trump wrote that the US has “been successful in seriously degrading al Qaeda's capabilities.” PARIS ATTACKER YELLS “THIS IS FOR SYRIA” BEFORE BEING SHOT AND TAKEN BY POLICE. The New York Times (6/6, Breeden, Morenne, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports that a French police officer “shot and wounded an assailant armed with a hammer and kitchen knives” outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities. Interior Minister Gérard Collomb told reporters the attack occurred “around 4:20 p.m. when the man approached a patrol of three police officers from behind, andstarted hitting one of them with a hammer.” Collomb, notes USA Today(6/6, Abbasi, 5.28M), also “said the attacker cried ‘it’s for Syria’ as he went after the officers.” A Paris police spokesman told the AP (6/6, Sotto, Ganley) that the unidentified attacker was taken to a hospital. Reuters (6/6) reports Collomb said the attacker was carrying “the identification card of an Algerian student,” and that “preliminary information indicated” he “had acted alone.” The New York Post (6/6, Steinbuch, 3.82M) also saysthe terrorist “was believed to be an Algerian student.” All three networks noted the attack — and twoof them led with it. NBC Nightly News (6/6, lead story, 2:20, Holt, 16.61M) said no group had claimed responsibility for the incident, which reflects “the increasingly simple methods used in other recent terror attacks.” ABC World News Tonight (6/6, lead story, 3:20, Muir, 14.63M) reported that during the attack, hundreds weretrapped inside the cathedral, including Nancy Soderberg, a former US ambassador to the UN. Soderberg was shown saying, “They made us put our hands up, saying that there may be accomplices there so they're going to search everything. And that’s when people gotreally quiet, and very nervous. DHS-17-0305-A-000415 And that was kind of scary, because people thought there might be oneof the attackers inside the church.” The CBS Evening News(6/6, story 7, 0:25, Pelley, 11.17M) briefly recounted the day’s events. FLORIDA MAN SET TO PLEAD GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED BOMBING OF SYNAGOGUE. The AP (6/6) reports that James Medina “is set to plead guilty later this month in an alleged plot to bomb a Florida synagogue and Jewish school in support of the Islamic State extremist group.” Medina “previously pleaded notguilty to charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and to damage religious property.” According to the AP, “FBI recordings show Medina allegedly supported the Islamic State group and claimedan obligation to attack Jewsin the U.S.” National Security News: US-BACKED FORCE LAUNCHES GROUND OPERATION TO CAPTURE RAQQA. Reuters (6/6, Said, Perry) reports the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said Tuesday it had launcheda battle to capture Raqqa. SDF spokesman Talal Silo told Reuters the operation started Monday and the fighting would be “fierce because Daesh (Islamic State) will die to defend their so-called capital.” The AP (6/6, Mroue) reports “opposition activists said US-backed fighters were trying to break into the city from the east, triggering intense clashes.” The Washington Post (6/6, Loveluck, 11.43M) says that while the “groundwork for the offensive has been under way for months...a showdown over the city would be a major test for the US-led coalition.” The Post notes that a similar fight against ISIS in Mosul “led to months of intense urban combat.” Lt. Gen Steve Townsend, the coalition’s commanding general, said, “The fight for Raqqa will be long and difficult.” USA Today (6/6, Michaels, 5.28M) reports Townsend said the offensive is necessary to deal a final blow to ISIS. “It's hard to convince newrecruits that ISIS is a winning cause when they just lost their twin ‘capitals’ in both Iraq and Syria,” Townsend said ina statement. The New York Times (6/6, Barnard, Subscription Publication, 13.9M), meanwhile, reports “residents of Raqqa say that in recent weeks numerous Islamic State fighters and their families haveleft the city, heading southeast along the Euphrates River to the city of Mayadeen, in Deir al-Zour province.” ISIS “is expected to makea final stand in the province ofDeir al-Zour.” The Wall Street Journal (6/6, Abdulrahim, Subscription Publication, 6.37M), among other news outlets, runs a similar report on the Raqqa offensive. US LAUNCHES AIRSTRIKES AGAINST PRO-GOVERNMENT FORCES IN SYRIA. The AP (6/6, Baldor) reports the US “struck pro-government forces in Syria with airstrikes for the second a time in less than three weeks Tuesday, declaring them threat to anti-Islamic State coalition fighters and allied troops training at a camp in the south of the country.” The AP adds that “the assault came after complicated and messydiscussions that reflected Syria’s difficult battlefield and the wide array offorces fighting for a piece of the embattled country.” Reuters (6/6) reports the US-backed coalition said in a statement, “Despite previous warnings, pro-regime forces entered the agreed-upon de-confliction zone with a tank, artillery, anti-aircraft weapons, armed 11.43M), among other newsoutlets, also reports on thestrike. AS AFGHAN PEACE TALKS GET UNDERWAY, GHANI CALLS ON TALIBAN TO JOIN. The AP (6/6) reports Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday again invited the Taliban to peace talks, calling it their “last chance” to give up their insurgency and join the political process. Ghani spoke at the opening of the so-called Kabul Process, a gathering of 23 nations, the EU, UN and NATO“intended to discuss security and political issues in the country.” The Washington Post (6/6, Gowen, Salahuddin, 11.43M) reports Ghani “said Tuesday that his country is under siege from both the Taliban and the Islamic State but is also enmeshed in an ‘undeclared’ war” with Pakistan. He urged the international community to “make goodon its promise” to end statesponsored terrorism. DHS-17-0305-A-000416 TILLERSON SAYS TRUMP INSTRUCTED HIM TO REBUILD RUSSIA TIES DESPITE ELECTION PROBE. Reuters (6/6, Costa, Greenfield) reports Secretary of State Tillerson said Tuesday that President Trump told him probesinto links between his advisers and Russia should not undermine US efforts to rebuild relations with Moscow. Asked in New Zealand if he is concerned about the probes, Tillerson said, “I can’t really comment on anyof that because don’t have any direct knowledge,” but “the president's been clear to me: do not let what’s happened over here in the political realm prevent you from the work that you needto doon this relationship.” Russia SaysIt Intercepted US Bomber Near Its Airspace. The AP (6/6) reports the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday that one ofits fighter jets intercepted an American strategic bomber flying near the border of Russian airspace. In a statement, the ministry said Su-27 jets were scrambled over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday morning after a B-52 was detected. Capt. Joe Alonso, a spokesman for US European Command, “said he could not confirm the report.” The Washington Times (6/6, Ernst, 272K) says “the incident appears to bea bit of tit-for-tat posturing, as U.S. fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft off the coast of Alaska in April and May.” Reuters (6/6, Osborn, Solovyov) reports “NATO members such as Britain regularly report scrambling jets to intercept Russian nuclear-capable bombers flying close to their air space.” It is “less common,” however, “for Russia to report using its fighters for the same reason.” CITING ANTI-ISRAEL RESOLUTIONS, HALEY WARNS US WEIGHING LEAVING UN RIGHTS COUNCIL. The New York Times (6/6, Cumming-Bruce, Subscription Publication, 13.9M) reports Ambassador Haley called on Tuesday for the UN Human Rights Council “to makesignificant changes in how it operates and to cease passing whatit said were ‘biased’ resolutions aimed at Israel,” but she “stopped short of threatening to pull out of the body.” In the “first high-level engagement” between the council and the US since President Trump took office, Haley “told the council that Washington was ‘looking carefully at its participation’ but was focused on the need to ensure that any state that abused human rights would not be allowedto join the organization.” The Washington Post (6/6, Gearan, 11.43M) says Haley delivered “the terse ultimatum in an unusual address” in Geneva, and that her “decision to make her case in person was intended to underscore US frustration.” THAI JUNTA CHIEF TO VISIT WHITE HOUSE NEXT MONTH. Reuters (6/6, Hariraksapitak) reports that the leader of Thailand’s military junta, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, will visit the White House in July, a Thai government spokesman said Monday. Reuters says theinvitation by President Trump “could signal a step by the United States toward re-establishing normal diplomatic relations with Thailand.” KERRY WARNS IMPOSING NEW IRAN SANCTIONS COULD BE DANGEROUS. The AP (6/6, Rodriguez) reports former Secretary of State John Kerry warned Monday that the Iran nuclear deal “could hold” even if President Trump pulls out, but warned that imposing new economic sanctions against Tehran could be dangerous. Kerry said, “If we become super provocative in ways that showthe Iranian people there has been no advantage to this, that there is no gain, and our bellicosity is pushing them into a corner, that’s dangerous and that could bring a very different result.” To keep the email to a manageable size, the national news summaryis available on the website. Copyright 2017 by Bulletin Intelligence LLC Reproduction orredistribution without permission DHS-17-0305-A-000417 prohibited. Content is drawn from thousands of newspapers, national magazines, national and local television programs, radio broadcasts, social-media platforms and additional forms of opensource data. Sources for Bulletin Intelligence audience-size estimates include Scarborough, GfK MRI, comScore, Nielsen, and the Audit Bureau of Circulation. Data from and accessto third party social media platforms, including but notlimited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andothers, is subject to the respective platform's terms of use. Services that include Factiva content are governed by Factiva’s terms of use. The DHS NewsBriefing is published seven days a week by Bulletin Intelligence, which creates custom briefings for government and corporate leaders. We can be found on the Web at BulletinIntelligence.com, or called at (703) 483-6100. b)(6) Recipient: b)(6) Sent Date: 2017/06/07 05:00:57 Delivered Date: 2017/06/07 05:00:59 DHS-17-0305-A-000418 “Twiuco, Franke) Subject: FW: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Saturday, July 15, 2017 Date: 2017/07/15 07:00:06 Priority: Normal Type: Note From: Bulletin Intelligence Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2017 6:59:29 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) To: DHS@BulletinIntelligence.com Subject: The Homeland Security NewsBriefing for Saturday, July 15, 2017 The Homeland Security News Briefing TO: THE SECRETARY AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2017 7:00 AM EDT TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING DHS NEWS: + House Spending Bill Allows DACA Recipients To Get Government Jobs. + Kelly Says Administration May Let Legal Challenges Defeat DACA. + WPost A1: Administration Weighs Proposal To Expand DHS's Deportation Powers. + DHS Releases Revised Security Directive To Airlines Worldwide. + CBP Limits Border Agents Ability To Search Traveler Devices. BORDER WALL: + Trump Says Border Wall Must Be Transparent Because Smugglers Catapult Drugs. + Trump “Not Joking” About Border Wall CoveredIn Solar Panels. + Gallego Denounces Proposed Border Wall. IMMIGRATION POLICY: + Sessions Vows To Appeal After Judge Expands Exemptions From Trump Travel Order. + Lawyers For Deported DREAMer File Documents Disputing DHS Account. + Afghan Girls Robotics Team Members En Route For US. IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: + California Judge Pushes To Start Murder Trial Of Undocumented Convict. EMERGENCY RESPONSE: + Congress Considering Changes To National Flood Insurance Program. CYBER NEWS: + House Blocks Law Allowing Seizure Of Cloud-Stored Data Without Warrant. + WPost: Congress Must Address Law Giving Immunity To Human Trafficking Websites. DHS-17-0305-A-000419 + WPost A1: Silicon Valley Uses Technology To Combat Growing Sexual Harassment Problem. TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS: + Lawyer For US Army Sergeant Accused Of Supporting ISIS Suggests Entrapment. + Virginia Man Gets Maximum Sentence On Gun Charge After Threat OfTerrorist Attack. NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS: + Trump, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Discuss Qatari Crisis. + TwoIsraeli Officers Killed In Temple Mount Attack. + Two German Women Fatally Stabbed At Egyptian Resort. + Mattis Says Death Of ISIS Leader Baghdadi Unconfirmed. + US Judge Expedites Watchdog’s Requests For Legal Basis Of Strikes In Syria. + Despite Victory In Mosul, US-Backed Iraqi Forces Continue Campaign Against ISIS. + US Envoy Warns Against September Kurdish Independence Referendum. + NYTimes A1: US Marines Implement Changed Approach To Mission In Afghanistan. + US Drone Strike Kills Leader OfISIS-Affiliate In Afghanistan. + Putin Says He Hopes For Ongoing Dialogue With Trump. + Analysts: Europe, US Divided On Approach To Iran. + Trott Sponsors Measure Cautioning State Department Against Turkish Arms Sale. + US Think Tank: North Korea Possesses More Plutonium Than Initially Estimated. + Castro Denounces Trump’s New Policy On Cuba. + Hong Kong Court Dismisses Pro-Democracy Lawmakers From Office. + UN Reports Surge In Colombian Coca Leaf Production. Leading DHS News: HOUSE SPENDING BILL ALLOWS DACA RECIPIENTS TO GET GOVERNMENT JOBS. Breitbart (7/14, Munro, 2.16M) reports the House Appropriations Committee on Friday approved a spending bill that would makeit possible for immigrants to “win jobs in President Donald Trump’s agenciesor in government-owned workplaces.” The bill includes a provision that changes “an Obama-erarule barring DACAbeneficiaries from working directly for the federal government.” A statement from the pro-American Federation for American Immigration Reform says, “Last night's action by the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee making illegal aliens eligible for federal jobs is yet another example of why President Trump must honor his campaign pledge and repeal President [Barack] Obama’s unconstitutional Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.” Thebill still requires approval from the full House and Senate. KELLY SAYS ADMINISTRATION MAY LET LEGAL CHALLENGES DEFEATDACA. Fox News (7/14, Doocy, 13.56M) reports that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus this week “to alert them that the Trump Administration may stand byand let legal challenges defeat the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.” Rep. Joaquin Castro said of the meeting in a Fox Newsinterview, “I was encouraged that Secretary Kelly said he personally supports the DACApolicy. ... But, you know, also discouraged that he couldn’t say the administration would defend it or not.” According to Fox, “ire acrossthe aisle is now directed at Secretary Kelly,” with Rep. Luis Gutierrez blasting Kelly for a “trying to make fool outof us bytrying to say, ‘oh it’s the courts.” Fox News’ Special Report's (7/14, 6:05 p.m. EDT, 5:24, Baier, 1.53M) Bret Baier similarly reported “there are concerns among immigration advocates tonight that supporters of the socalled Dreamer rule could be in for a rude awakening” because Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly suggested the Administration may allow legal challenges threatened by 10 states defeat the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Correspondent Peter Doccey said some Democratic lawmakers “are accusing Secretary Kelly” of “not doing his job by not promising to defend DACA.” WPOST A1: ADMINISTRATION WEIGHS PROPOSAL TO EXPAND DHS’S DEPORTATION DHS-17-0305-A-000420 POWERS. The Washington Post (7/14, A1, Hauslohner, Nakamura, 12.92M) reports onits front page that the Administration is considering a new policy that would expand the Department of Homeland Security's deportation powers. Under a 2004directive, the agency is “authorized to bypass immigration courts only for immigrants who had been living in the country illegally for less than two weeks and were apprehended within 100 miles of the border.” The Administration’s current proposal would allow DHS to “seek the expedited removal ofillegal immigrants apprehended anywhere in the United States who cannot prove they have lived in the country continuously for more than 90 days, according to a 13-page internal agency memo obtained by The Washington Post.” However, DHS spokeswoman Joanne F. Talbot said the proposal is just a draft and that no final decision has been made by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. DHS RELEASES REVISED SECURITY DIRECTIVE TO AIRLINES WORLDWIDE. Reuters (7/14, Shepardson) reports the Department of Homeland Security on Friday issued a revised directive for airlines worldwide following requests for clarification over mandated aviation security measures set to take effect next week. According to Transportation Security Administration spokesman, James Gregory, “This clarifying update will strengthen global aviation security and is a testament to our shared commitment to raising the baseline.” According toofficials, the directive includes technical adjustments, enhanced passenger screenings and increased security protocols. However, an airline official said it does now give“airlines moreflexibility and additional time to obtain explosive trace detection equipment.” Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly unveiled the security measures on June 28. CBP LIMITS BORDER AGENTS ABILITY TO SEARCH TRAVELER DEVICES. The Washington Post (7/14, Fung, 12.92M) reports that US customs agents may become limited in their ability to check through the contents oftravelers smart phones and electronic devices. A letter from CBP Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan to Sen. Ron Wyden dated June 20 indicates that “Border officials can only look through the portions of your phone in which data has been kept locally on the device’s physical storage.” Searches cannot legally include any request for data from a remote server, only data already downloaded onto a device. These searches have been the “subject of mounting scrutiny this spring,” following Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly's February comments to lawmakers that foreign travelers should be ready to hand over their social media passwords. Border Wall: TRUMP SAYS BORDER WALL MUST BE TRANSPARENT BECAUSE SMUGGLERS CATAPULT DRUGS. The Washington Post (7/14, Ingraham, 12.92M) reports that while speaking with reporters on Air Force One on Monday, President Trump said his proposed border wall on the US-Mexico border would need to be “transparent” so that Americans could avoid being hit and killed by heavy sacks of drugs being thrown from the Mexican side. He said, “One of the things with the wall is you need transparency. You haveto beable to see through it.” The Post says that though Trump admitted the scenario sounded somewhat “crazy,” there is “a kernel of truth to it” as drug smugglers for decades “have employed an arsenal of sometimes cartoonish tactics — from tricycles to narco-subs to drone delivery — to ferry their wares north of the border.” A drug catapult, or trebuchet, is one such tactic. TRUMP “NOT JOKING” ABOUT BORDER WALL COVERED IN SOLAR PANELS. Breitbart (7/14, Shaw, 2.16M) reports that President Trump on Thursday said that he was “not joking” when remarking to reporters on “a plan to cover the planned wall on the southern border with solar panels.” Trump made the initial comments to reporters on Air Force One while traveling to a Paris last Wednesday. He said, “There is a chance that we can do solar wall. We have major companies looking at that. Look, there’s no better place for solar than the Mexico border.” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told the Wall Street Journal, “I think it’s innovative.” Las Vegas contractor, Thomas Gleason, also told NBC that his company had submitted a formal proposal for a wall covered in solar panels. Gleason noted, “There’s noplace to grab. There are no holes. There’s no gap morethan three millimeters.” DHS-17-0305-A-000421 GALLEGO DENOUNCES PROPOSED BORDER WALL. Rep. Ruben Gallego on CNN's Situation Room (7/14, 5:20 p.m. EDT, 20:10, Acosta, 554K) discussed President Trump’s remarks about limiting the scope of his proposed border wall. Gallego said the proposal to install a solar wall ‘is absolutely ridiculous” and “shows you wherehis headis, the fact that he’s willing to think of a border wall. It’s not a serious issue. For him he’s just throwing that out to his base and just trying to bring in all these elements. It sounds like someone trying to build the perfect castle. Let's just throw a solar wall on top ofthat.” Gallego added a border fencewill not “solve” the security problems and is “only going to be a waste of money. ... This is a ridiculous idea and he should dropit altogether.” He continued, “We shouldn't be spending any US taxpayer money on it because he promised Mexico was going to payfor it. ... Trump is going back again on his word and will try to make American taxpayers pay.” Immigration Policy: SESSIONS VOWS TO APPEAL AFTER JUDGE EXPANDS EXEMPTIONS FROM TRUMP TRAVEL ORDER. The New YorkTimes (7/14, Jordan, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports the Administration vowed Friday to appeal after Judge Derrick Watson of Federal District Court in Honolulu on Thursday ruled President Trump's executivetravel order “should not prevent grandparents and other close relatives of residents from entering the United States.” Watson also “declared that refugees with ties to a resettlement agency that was committed to receiving them hada relationship that made them eligible to enter the country.” The Times says this decision “could open the gates for thousands of refugees who havebeen cleared to enter the United States but who lacked the close relationships as defined by the Trump administration.” The Wall Street Journal (7/14, Kendall, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) calls Watson’s ruling is a legal blow to Trump, just two weeks after the Supreme Court allowed the partial implementation of the travel order. The justices said the Administration could not ban those with bona fide relationship to people and organizations in the US, but the Administration narrowly defined what relationships counted as bona fide. Watson wrote, “The Government's definition of close familial relationship is not only not compelled by the Supreme Court's June 26 decision, but contradicts it.” According to Watson’s ruling, grandparents and other extendedrelatives are now exempt from the travel order, the Washington Post (7/14, Zapotosky, 12.92M) reports. Watson additionally wrote, “Common sense, for instance, dictates that close family members be definedto include grandparents. ... Indeed, grandparents are the epitome of close family members. The Government's definition excludes them. That simply cannot be.” In a statement, Attorney General Sessions said, “By this decision, the district court has improperly substituted its policy preferences for the national security judgments of the Executive branch in a time of grave threats, defying both the lawful prerogatives of the Executive Branch and the directive of the Supreme Court.” He also indicated the Justice Department would “reluctantly return directly to the Supreme Court to again vindicate the rule of law and the Executive Branch’s duty to protect the nation.” LAWYERS FOR DEPORTED DREAMER FILE DOCUMENTS DISPUTING DHS ACCOUNT. USAToday (7/14, Gomez, 10.05M) reports lawyers for 23-year-old Juan Manuel Montes, the “only known DREAMer deported by the Trump Administration,” filed statements in court on Friday from those on both sides of the border corroborating Montes’ account “that immigration agents wrongly forced him across the border.” According to Montes, he was seized by agents after having dinner with a friend and was then forced across the border. The Department of Homeland Security, however, “said it has no record that agents deported Montes that night.” Rather, the agency indicates that “Montes crossed the border into Mexico voluntarily, immediately revoking his DACAstatus, which shields undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children.” AFGHAN GIRLS ROBOTICS TEAM MEMBERS EN ROUTE FOR US. The Los Angeles Times DHS-17-0305-A-000422 a (7/14, Faizy, Bengali, 4.57M) reports the six Afghan high schoolers on girls robotics team boarded a plane on Friday bound for the US, after having initially been denied visas to attend a global robotics competition in Washington, DC. The Times says that, though State Department officials did not comment on the case, “experts peculated that consular officers could have denied the visas out of concernthat the girls could attempt to remain in the United States.” The Trump Administration intervened at the “last-minute” to grant the girls visas. In a statement, former Rep. Joe Sestak, whose organization First Global is hosting the competition, said, “ am most grateful to the U.S. government and its State Department for ensuring Afghanistan, as well as Gambia, would beable to join us for this international competition this year.” Immigration Enforcemen CALIFORNIA JUDGE PUSHES TO START MURDER TRIAL OF UNDOCUMENTED CONVICT. The AP (7/14, Elias) reports that a judge on Friday ordered 54-year-old Juan Francisco LopezSanchez, who is accused of killing Kate Steinle, back to court in “the hope that an open courtroom can be found in San Francisco superior court” to start his trial. Lopez-Sanchez was convicted five-times for illegal re-entry into the US when he was released by the San Francisco Sheriff's office following the dismissal of a minor marijuana charge, and despite a detainer request issued by Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement. The Trump Administration has “seized” on his case in arguing “for tougher immigration enforcement and for the abolition of socalled sanctuary cities like San Francisco.” Emergency Response: CONGRESS CONSIDERING CHANGES TO NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM. McClatchy (7/14, Leavenworth, 95K) reports that Congress is considering changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, which could lead to increased rates for hundreds of thousands of homeowners. The piece says the proposal is “part of a flood-insurance package,” the 21st Century Flood Reform Actintroduced by Rep. Sean Duffy, which “could prove costly to homeowners in flood-prone regions ranging from Florida to Texas to California's Central Valley.” Atissue in the bill is the “program’s practice of ‘grandfathering’ premiums,” in which homeowners are allowed to pay lower insurance rates “even when the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, changes its maps to account for newly discovered risks.” Illinois Governor “Flounders” In Public Response To Flooding Disaster. Politico (7/14, Korecki, 2.97M) reports that the first-term Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner “has floundered in his public response — or the lack thereof — to devastating flooding in his state.” According to the piece, Lake County in northern Illinois “was battered by a torrent of rain that prompted evacuation of residences in several communities.” As of Thursday, “numerous roads remained closed,” including “in Gurnee, where large sinkholes formed in the highway.” On Friday, the National Weather Service reported, “Record flooding is occurring and Record flooding is forecast.” Democratic state Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch tweeted, “Has anyone seen our Governor during this massiveflooding disaster in Lake County? #LeadershipMatters.” Severe Storms Lead To Flash Flood Warnings Across Plains, Northeast. ABC World News Tonight (7/14, story 4, 1:20, Muir, 14.63M) reported that severe storms on Friday have resulted in “flash flood watches from Ohio all the way over to New York.” Correspondent Gio Benitez said that “powerful storms [are] moving east, threatening millions. ... This time lapse showing severe weather moving through Washington, DC. Blinding rain for Virginia drivers. East of Columbus, Ohio, high water shutting down part ofinterstate 70 today. Parts of the Midwest reeling from multiple rounds of rain.” Meteorologist Rob Marciano of ABC World News Tonight (7/14, story 5, 0:45, Muir, 14.63M) reported that “There are some rough storms moving through Maryland and Delaware. These have 50- to 60-mile-an-hour wind gusts. And the ongoing flood threat, up the Lehigh Valley into DHS-17-0305-A-000423 the Finger Lakes.” “Parts of lowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois are already flooded,” the CBS Evening News(7/14, story 5, 1:45, Mason, 11.17M) similarly reported. According to correspondent David Begnaud, “Authorities say two months of rain have fallen in just 12 hours here in Gurnee, north of Chicago. It's not uncommon to see flooding here, but 1.6 trillion gallons of water fell this week on portions of Wisconsin andIllinois, where Bruce Rauner is the governor.” “The worst maystill not be over tonight in parts of the upper Midwest hit hard by severe storms,” NBC Nightly News(7/14, story 4, 0:20, Holt, 16.61M) additionally reported. States of emergency have been declared in both northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, with millions “at risk of more heavy rain and damaging winds as the dangerous weather system moveseast.” Cyber News: HOUSE BLOCKS LAW ALLOWING SEIZURE OF CLOUD-STORED DATA WITHOUT WARRANT. The Hill (7/14, Uchill, 1.61M) reports the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday blocked a law that allows “law enforcement to seize emails, photographs and other cloud-hosted documents without a warrant.” Currently, a 1986 law allows law enforcement a officers the ability to “demand any file stored on third-party server for more than 180 days.” However, the Hill says the Electronic Communications and Privacy Act (ECPA) “passed into law in a world where use of cloud-type servers was rare and not used as a replacement for storing files locally.” Rep. Kevin Yoder said, “Americans have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their emails and text messages and if the Senate and the [Securities and Exchange Commission] refuse to recognize that, Republicans and Democrats in the House will work together to force their hand by adding this language to our must-pass spending bill.” WPOST: CONGRESS MUST ADDRESS LAW GIVING IMMUNITY TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING WEBSITES. The Washington Post (7/14, 12.92M) editorializes “something must be done” about revelations that have emerged regarding Backpage.com, which is accused of “facilitating child sextrafficking and exploitation.” While the website has said that it has been “a passive host of third-party content and had nocontrol over its sex-related ads,” documents obtained by the Post indicate a Philippines-based contractor for the website “has been aggressively soliciting and creating sex-related ads for the website.” The Post argues that the website has been given immunity through “the 1996 Communications Decency Act,” which affords “third-party hosts such as Backpage wide-ranging immunity for content posted by its users.” It concludes Congress must “see if it can amend the actwithout infringing on First Amendment rights, orif passing some other preventive measure is moreviable.” WPOST A1: SILICON VALLEY USES TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT GROWING SEXUAL a HARASSMENT PROBLEM. In front-page article, the Washington Post (7/14, A1, Dwoskin, 12.92M) reports that some Silicon Valley leaders have devised a new way to deal with the “burgeoning sexual harassment crisis,” which is to “use technology to create a blacklist.” The influential start-up incubator Y Combinator emailed a reporting form to 3,500 entrepreneurs, urging them “to blow the whistle on sexual harassment by venture capitalists.” Y Combinator partner Kat Manalac said, “We don’t call it a blacklist, but that is essentially what is happening. ... There has always been a whisper network, where investors and entrepreneurs know which other investors are bad actors.” According to the Post, this effort by Y Combinator and othersis “part of the industry's urgent search for answers in the wake of sexual harassment scandals that have cemented Silicon Valley's reputation as hostile to women.” Terrorism Investigations: LAWYER FOR US ARMY SERGEANT ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING ISIS SUGGESTS ENTRAPMENT. Reuters (7/14, Haskins) reports Nirney Bervar, the lawyer for US Army sergeant DHS-17-0305-A-000424 Ikaika Erik Kang, whois accused oftrying to provide material support to ISIS, “said on Thursday his client suffers from mental illness that FBI agents exploited in a ‘sting’ operation leading to his arrest.” Reuters adds the FBI maintains Kang was “reprimanded several times dating back to 2011 for threatening fellow service members and expressing extremist views while on duty.” Kang “became the target of what the FBI described in its affidavit as an elaborate sting operation employing several undercover agents and other ‘confidential human sources’ who posed as Islamic State operatives and sympathizers.” However, Bervar said, “It looks to melike they’ve exploited his mental illness and thrown gasoline on the fire of his mental illness to get him to commit a crime that they could arrest him for.” VIRGINIA MAN GETS MAXIMUM SENTENCE ON GUN CHARGE AFTER THREAT OF TERRORIST ATTACK. The Washington Post (7/14, Weiner, 12.92M) reports that 26-year-old Yusuf Wehelie of Fairfax County, Virginia was sent to prison for a decade following a threat made to an FBI agent, in which said that if he could not join ISIS he would massacre military recruits, especially Marines. He said, “Go to work, kill as much people as can. ... If I’m going to dothat, want to do a lot of damage, and don’t want to get one guy. want to get, like, 20 of them.” On Friday, Judge Gerald Bruce Lee sentenced Wehelie to “the maximum allowed bylaw,” though the Post says “It is a punishment far harsher than Wehelie’s actual crime — possession of firearms by a felon.” According to an FBI counterterrorism agent, Jeffrey Ringel, “Sometimes hands are forced .. . and investigators have to act before they want to.” National Security News: TRUMP, SAUDI ARABIA’S KING SALMAN DISCUSS QATARI CRISIS. Reuters (7/14, Rampton) reports President Trump spoke with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman by phone on Friday about efforts to “resolve the month-long dispute between Qatar and four Gulf Arab states, the White House said.” Reuters notes the discussion followed Secretary of State Tillerson’s visit to the region. The AP (7/14) reports Tillerson ended his “shuttle diplomacy” mission on Thursday. While he made “no promise of an imminent breakthrough,” Tillerson voiced “optimism that Qatar andits neighbors might soon bewilling to talk face to face.” Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, at a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday, remarked, “There is no criterion or evidence that indicates that (Tillerson’s visit) was a failure,” but “such a tense crisis” cannot “be solved in a day.” Cavusoglu told reporters that he believes a resolution may be possible “in the mid-term.” TWOISRAELI OFFICERS KILLED IN TEMPLE MOUNT ATTACK. Fox News’ Special Report's (7/14, 6:14 p.m. EDT, 14:19, Baier, 1.53M) Bret Baier reported “tensions in Jerusalem are high” after two Israeli security officers were killed Friday in “an attack inside a major holy site for both Jews and Muslims,” the Temple Mount Compound in Jerusalem's Old City. ABC World News Tonight (7/14, story 6, 0:25, Muir, 14.63M) reported surveillance footage from the Temple Mount depicted “the moment three heavily armed Palestinians rush in, killing two Israeli police officers. The attackers are then shot dead in thefierce gun battle that follows.” The Washington Post (7/14, Booth, 12.92M) reports David Friedman, the US Ambassador to Israel, responded to the attack in a tweet that read, “Shocked and horrified by the despicable attack today in Jerusalem. Terrorism must be condemned by all and defeated. We pray for the victims.” Later on Friday, Israeli authorities “still blocked access to the mosque area because of security concerns,” a “rare closure” that “marked thefirst time in years that Israeli authorities stopped Muslims of all ages from attending Friday prayers at the holy site.” The Wall Street Journal (7/14, Shekter-Porat, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) notes Netanyahu ordered the closure based onhis top security officials’ assessments of the security situation. The New York Times (7/14, Kershner, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) calls the holy site’s closure “an exceptional and potentially explosive measure,” and adds that in an apparent “effort DHS-17-0305-A-000425 to calm the atmosphere,” Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas called Netanyahu to both condemn the attack and urge him to reopen the holy site. According to Netanyahu's office, the Prime Minister told Abbas that the Israeli government will “take all the necessary actions to maintain security on the Temple Mount, without changing the status quo.” Nonetheless, on NBC Nightly News (7/14, story 7, 1:25, Holt, 16.61M), former US Ambassador to Morocco Marc Ginsberg cautioned, “There's a real chancethat this could lead to more demonstrations and, therefore, more violence in Jerusalem.” TWO GERMAN WOMEN FATALLY STABBED AT EGYPTIAN RESORT. The Washington Post (7/14, Mahfouz, 12.92M) reports an assailant fatally stabbed two German women and wounded four other foreign female tourists in attacks on two Egyptian hotels in Hurghada, a Red Sea resort. Egyptian authorities arrested the suspected assailant, and Germany’s Embassy in Cairo is collaborating “with Egyptian authorities to gain clarity about the identity of the individuals involved.” Some witnesses maintained the assailant seemingly targeted women, but others said a they do not believe the suspect is terrorist. The New York Times (7/14, Walsh, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) says Friday’s knife attacks came amid “a modest revival” of Egypt's “battered tourism industry,” which serves as “a vital sourceof foreign currency” in the nation. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. MATTIS SAYS DEATH OF ISIS LEADER BAGHDADI UNCONFIRMED. Reuters (7/14, Ali) reports the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said earlier this week that it “confirmed information” about ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death; however, Defense Secretary Mattis said Friday, “Right now, can’t confirm or deny it.” Mattis continued, “Our approach is we assume that he’s alive until it is proven otherwise, and right now, can’t proveit otherwise.” Meanwhile, Mattis said, the ceasefire in southwestern Syria appears to be holding sofar. He said the ceasefire is “something that we will support obviously, but right now, we don’t have any equity in it, that is a State Department, diplomatic lead, President to President effort.” US JUDGE EXPEDITES WATCHDOG’S REQUESTS FOR LEGAL BASIS OF STRIKES IN SYRIA. Politico (7/14, Gerstein, 2.97M) reports in its “Under The Radar” blog that US District Court Judge Christopher Cooper, in a 14-page opinion on Thursday, ordered the State, Justice, and Defense Departments to expedite their responses to the Protect Democracy Project's Freedom of information Act requests related to the Administration’s legal justification for air strikes against Syria in April. “If production is unduly delayed, both Protect Democracy and the public at large will be ‘precluded ... from obtaining in a timely fashion information vital to the current and ongoing debate surrounding the legality of a high-profile government action ... namely, military strikes against the Syrian government,” wrote Cooper. He also pointed to “another potential harm, too: The possibility for the strikes to recur without legal justification. By then, any damage will have been done.” DESPITE VICTORY IN MOSUL, US-BACKED IRAQI FORCES CONTINUE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ISIS. Reuters (7/14, Kalin, Hassan) reports that in the four days since Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over ISIS in Mosul’s Old City, Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition airstrikes have “hit further pockets of resistance” in and around Mosul. ISIS “still controls areas south and westof Mosul inhabited by” 20,000 people, according to a United Nations estimate on Friday. Reuters says securing long-term peace and stability in Iraq will be difficult because “Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces the challenge of preventing revenge killings that could create moreinstability, as well as stemming the sectarian tensions and ethnic strife that have dogged Iraq since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.” Physicians Discuss Treating Victims Of Battle For Mosul. NBCNightlyNews’ (7/14, story 8, 2:30, Holt, 16.61M) Richard Engel reported, “Iraq won the battle against ISIS here in Mosul, but victims are still pouring in. Andstill treating them in an abandoned butcher shop is Pete Reed from New Jersey.” Reed, a 28-year-old EMT, “dropped everything to move to this war zone, and DHS-17-0305-A-000426 with a friend, made treating the wounded of this city his life’s mission.” Reed told NBC News, “At the endof it, they always talk about how many people died. We wanted that number just to be a little bit less. Andif nothing else, we did that.” Reed and his team ofnearly 20 have treated between 7,000 and 10,000 people. Engel added Dr. Aziz Al Kasab, “an Iraqi doctor working” with Reed, was “in Mosul when ISIS began its reign of terror. They forced him into service in one of the city’s main hospitals, where he’s now returned to work.” US ENVOY WARNS AGAINST SEPTEMBER KURDISH INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM. Bloomberg News (7/14, Abu-Nasr, 3.08M) reports Brett McGurk, the US envoy to the coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, said he cautioned Iraqi and Kurdish leaders last week against holding a September independence referendum in Iraq's semi-autonomous, oil-rich Kurdish region. “Having a referendum on such a fast timeline, particularly in disputed areas, would be, we think, significantly destabilizing and we’ve made those views very clear,” McGurk told reporters at a Thursday press conference. He said despite its defeat in Mosul, ISIS still occupies territory in Iraq. Bloomberg notes the Iraqi government is also opposed to a Kurdish independence referendum. NYTIMES A1: US MARINES IMPLEMENT CHANGED APPROACH TO MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN. The New York Times (7/14, A1, Mashal, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports onits front page that US Marines’ mission in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province “is no longer about complete control,” but instead about keeping “Lashkar Gah from falling to the a Taliban, and to help the Afghan forces come out of their barracks and put up fight.” Pentagon “leaders have studiously refused to talk about timetables,” and the Marines have “noclearly defined strategy to end the war — other than hoping to persuade the Taliban to give up and eventually talk of peace.” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dunford Jr. simplified the mission by stating “more simply: ‘We are staying,” which the Post says reflects “a broader American unease and confusion about being pulled back into the Afghan fight.” US DRONE STRIKE KILLS LEADER OF ISIS-AFFILIATE IN AFGHANISTAN. CNN's Situation Room’s (7/14, 6:58 p.m. EDT, 58:27, Acosta, 554K) Ryan Brownreported the leader of an ISISaffiliated faction in Afghanistan was reportedly “killed in a drone strike earlier this month by US forces.” He is “the third ISIS leader in Afghanistan to bekilled within a year, demonstrating the UShas a renewed push, along with its Afghan allies,” that is “yielding some successful results.” Defense Secretary Mattis told CNN that the strike was an obvious victory for the US as it intensifies its aggressive campaign against the ISIS affiliate. Brown noted “US military commanders say they have eliminated over half of the local fighters for this group, as well as reducing two-thirds of its territory, restricting it to this isolated remote part of Afghanistan right there on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.” The Wall Street Journal (7/14, Lubold, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) reports chief Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White identified the ISIS leader as Abu Sayed, and said other ISIS-K members were also killed in the strike, which she said will “significantly disrupt the terror group’s plans to expand its presence in Afghanistan.” White added, “Afghan and U.S. forces launched a counter-ISIS-K offensive in early March 2017 to drive fighters from Nangarhar and send a clear message to ISIS that there is no sanctuary for their fighters in Afghanistan.” The Washington Post (7/14, Gibbons-Neff, 12.92M) says if Sayed’s death is confirmed, it will mark “another setback for the terror group in Afghanistan,” which has been “under constant bombardment and hemorrhaging leadership.” According to the Pentagon, ISIS-K’s presencein Afghanistan has droppedform an estimated 2,500 fighters in 2015 to less than 1,000. Despite those challenges, the Post says, ISIS-K “has managedto keep a foothold in the country.” reports that on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Trump's ability to “listen” and that he “reacts to the interlocutor’s reasoning.” Putin added that he hopes for continued dialogue, and if such talks “were to go on, as you'vesaid in this sense, ina DHS-17-0305-A-000427 humanitarian sense, there is the chanceto hope that the dialogue develops further.” On the issue of Ukraine, Putin said he hopedit will be resolved “bloodlessly” and through “democratic processes.” Smith, Weber Ask Treasury Department To Investigate Russian Funding Of Anti-Fracking Groups. Breitbart (7/14, Williams, 2.16M) reports House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber have asked the Treasury Department to investigate Russian funding of “radical environmental groups” opposedto the USfracking industry. In a letter, they warned that Russia is funding the groups “in an effort to safeguard the influence of the Russian oil and gas sector,” and singled out San Francisco-based nonprofit Sea Change, which has received “tens ofmillions of dollars in” anonymous donations from shell corporations. Finland Prepares Underground Safe Zone Ahead Of Russia’s Military Exercises. The Wall Street Journal (7/14, Grove, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) profiles Finland’s more than 124mile subterranean defense network under the capital city of Helsinki, which in recent years has been adapted to provide enough shelter space to the city’s more than 600,000 residents. Finnish soldiers frequently train in the network, and the military has intensified its mission in response to Russia’s upcoming Zapad 2017, the nation’s largest post-Cold War military exercise this September. ANALYSTS: EUROPE, US DIVIDED ON APPROACH TO IRAN. The Washington Post (7/14, Cunningham, 12.92M) reports since President Trump took office, the US and Europe “have pursued increasingly different courses on Iran, casting doubt over the future of the nuclear accord.” The French government's support for Total's $4.8 billion investment underscores this “clear division,” said European Council on Foreign Relations senior policy fellow Ellie Geranmayeh. She said the deal also serves as a message that Europe will not “automatically follow” America’s foreign policy decisions. Former Principal Deputy Coordinator for Sanctions Policy Richard Nephewsimilarly said Europeans “have been pretty open about their commitment to the deal and readiness to counter any U.S. opposition,” and that the Total investment in particular “says that the company itself and likely the French government are prepared to battle a U.S. decision to snap back the sanctions for anything less than a very good reason.” USCitizen’s Money-Laundering Scheme Underscores Challenges Of Sanctioning Iran. n a nearly 5,000-wordarticle, Politico Magazine (7/14, Dorfman, 2.89M) recalls how US citizen Mitchell Zong, in “a spectacular transnational sanctions-evasion scheme,” successfully “laundered more than $1 billion in Iranian government funds over a mere six-month period in 2011,” and says “Zong’s bizarre tale” underscores “just how fraught” the process of imposing multilateral sanctions against Iran “can be, even when the international community is relatively united.” Politico says Zong’s “case also points to howdifficult, if not outright impossible, re- instituting such multilateral sanctions will be, if President Trump makes good onpast threats to pull out of the Iran deal.” The Administration would struggle in getting South Korea and Japan “to agree to such measures,” says Politico, and “convincing rival states such as China, which is also a major importer of Iranian oil, to revive past sanctions would require a herculean — andat this point, totally uncharacteristic — diplomatic effort on the Trump administration’s part.” TROTT SPONSORS MEASURE CAUTIONING STATE DEPARTMENT AGAINST TURKISH ARMS SALE. Rep. Dave Trott sponsored an amendment to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which the House passed onFriday, that not only “serves as a warning to the State Department that moving forward on an arms deal to Turkey will face heavy congressional scrutiny,” but also highlights “continued fallout from the violent brawl that took place outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence in May,” according to the Washington Times (7/14, Kelly, 458K). The State Department informally notified Congress in May “of a proposed sale of 1,600 Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols to Turkish security officers,” but for the deal to move forward, “the State Department will be required to formally notify Congress, at which time the House can propose legislation to stop the deal.” In a statement, Trott praised NATO allies for taking DHS-17-0305-A-000428 “extraordinary steps against Turkey, and it’s time for the State Department to do the same.” Turkish Government Plans Weekend Celebrations To Commemorate Attempted Coup. The Wall Street Journal (7/14, Candemir, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) reports Turkish authorities are planning a national Democracy and National Solidarity Day and weekend of unity-boosting events to commemorate the first anniversary of the July 15 attempted coup; however, the efforts are instead reinforcing deep political divides in several Istanbul neighborhoods. The government's weekend celebration also follows not only the conclusion ofa political rally and march organized by opposition Republican People’s Party Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, but also the arrest of movie producer Ali Avci on Thursday for allegedly supporting exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Exiled Turkish Cleric Denounces Erdogan On Anniversary Of Coup Attempt. US-based exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, in what the Wall Street Journal (7/14, Cullison, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) calls a rare interview, denounced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s expansion of authority and post-coup crackdown. Meanwhile, in a Friday news conference commemorating the attempted coup, Turkey's ambassador to the US, Serdar Kilic, asserted “that there are certain measures that the U.S. authorities can take” to limit Gulen’s activities, which he said do not constitute “freedom of expression” because “he’s accusing the Turkish government, he’s sending messages to his supporters in Turkey and heis still traveling.” US THINK TANK: NORTH KOREA POSSESSES MORE PLUTONIUM THAN INITIALLY ESTIMATED. Reuters (7/14, Brunnstrom, Spetalnick) reports the Washington-based North Korean monitoring think tank 38 North said Friday that thermal images of North Korea’s primary nuclear site, the Experimental Light Water Reactor, from September until the end of last month revealed at least two previously-unknown plutonium reprocessing cycles capable of producing “an undetermined amount of plutonium that can further increase North Korea's nuclear weapons stockpile.” The think tank said the thermal patterns indicated the isotope/tritium production site is not currently operational, but “could be cause for concern.” Meanwhile, Reuters notes, Ambassador Haley is “seeking to overcome resistance from China and Russia to a U.N. Security Council resolution imposing stiffer international sanctions on Pyongyang.” House Democrats “Furious” Over Proposal To Attach North Korean Sanctions To RussiaIran Bill. The Washington Post (7/14, Demirjian, Debonis, 12.92M) reports House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and other Republican lawmakers are pushing to add a measure to increase sanctions on North Korea to a separate bill that would impose sanctions on Russia and lran. Democratic lawmakers, however, “are furious at the change, which they see asa lastminute effort by one of the president's closest allies in Congress to derail the Russia-Iran sanctions bill.” They argued the move“could further delay the bill’s progress through Congress.” If Democratic House lawmakers agree to attach the North Korean sanctions package, which they “overwhelmingly” supported in spring, they will likely present “a serious hurdle for the bill in the Senate, where lawmakers have not examined the House’s North Korea sanctions bill and will probably want to consider a bipartisan sanctions measure” that Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Patrick J. Toomey introduced this week. CASTRO DENOUNCES TRUMP’S NEW POLICY ON CUBA. Reuters (7/14, Marsh) reports that on Friday, Cuban President Raul Castro issued “his first public riposte” to President Trump since Trump unveiled his new policy on Cuba last month. Castro denounced whathe described as “the manipulation of the topic of human rights against Cuba, that can be proud of muchin this area, and does not needto receive lessons from the United States nor anyone.” He added that “Cuba and the United States can cooperate and live side by side, respecting their differences,” but cautioned “no one should expect that for this, one should have to make concessions inherent to one’s sovereignty and independence.” HONG KONG COURT DISMISSES PRO-DEMOCRACY LAWMAKERS FROM OFFICE. On Friday, a local Hong Kong court dismissed four pro-democracy legislators from the Hong Kong DHS-17-0305-A-000429 Legislative Council, a decision that a front-page New York Times (7/14, A1, Wong, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) article says “delivered the struggling movement a severe blow” and granted “China greater influence over the city's government.” The court determined the lawmakers “had used unacceptable words or even dubious tones in oaths ofoffice that require they declare loyalty to China,” which could mean “that advocates in the city’s semiautonomous legislature will no longer have enough votes to block legislation from their pro-Beijing counterparts.” The WallStreet Journal(7/14, Yung, Subscription Publication, 6.99M) reports six legislators have thus far been disqualified by Hong Kong’s High Court for using controversial oaths when swornin last October. Beijing’s intervention triggered an outcry from thecity’s opposition leaders, who accused China of undermining Hong Kong's right to judicial independence and freedom of speech as protected under a UK-Chinese handover agreement until 2047. UN REPORTS SURGE IN COLOMBIAN COCA LEAF PRODUCTION. The AP (7/14) reports the United Nations released an analysis on Friday that “shows an estimated 146,000 hectares of Colombian land wereplanted last year with coca leaf.” The level of growth is a 52 percent increase over 2015, and could yield 34 percent more cocaine than in 2015. The AP says the estimated level has “not been seen before during two decades of U.S. drug eradication efforts,” and that “an end to aerial fumigation in 2014” contributed heavily to the surge. To keep the email to a manageable size, the national news summaryis available on the website. Copyright 2017 by Bulletin Intelligence LLC Reproduction orredistribution without permission prohibited. 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DHS-17-0305-A-000477 ——“4 par leat) (b)(6) "Howard, Tammy {ever J "Hymowitz, Emily [(b)(6) ] I \"kelly, John[(b)(6) (ever "Kendall, ] me l KATHRYN \"Ladowicz, Pete {(b)(6) "Marcott, Stacy [(b)(6) \(b)(6) b)(6) "Micone, Vincent (b)(6) b)(6) Neumann, Elizabeth ()(6) v6) b)(6) Palmer, David {b)(6) \(b)(6) “Rimon, Laurel 4 (bw6) "Roth, John b)(6) DHS-17-0305-A-000478 toddard, oye) [ewer ] "Stough, Michael 4(0)(6) pe Meal (V6) “Watkins, Trae fbV/6) b)(6) Wolf, Chad [Wey I (over l David [b\6) l b)(6) ‘oday's Edition of GAO-OIG In the News (uly 21, 2017) [Normal oS oS oS oS oS oS oS oS oS Good afternoon, Attached, find media stories for today with references to the U.S. Government Accountability Office and Inspector General as shown in the DHS Daily News Clips and other selected media sources. DHS-Related e ¢* President Trump insisted that he will build solar panels on the border wall between the US and Mexico; the article notes the GAO estimated that the current fencing along the border would need $6.5 billion for upkeep and repairs over the next 20 years. (p.1) (CBP-related) e ¢* GAO reported that TSA doesn’t have scientific justification for most of the behavioral clues that officers use to identify potential terrorists. (p.3) Non-DHS-Related e ¢* Proponents of creating a new branch of the military dedicated to space said the “time for study is over” after a House Armed Services Committee briefing on national security in space; the article cites the GAO provided a historical perspective on the overlap on the recommendations to fix the national security space enterprise. (p.4) e ¢* The Navy’s newest aircraft carrier will officially join the fleet Saturday at a commissioning overseen by President Trump; the article cites GAO reported that the Navy could spend another $780 million preparing the $12.9 billion carrier for battle. (p.5) e ¢* The nominee for NSA IG told senators he would scrutinize the spy agency’s procedures for vetting contractors. (p.5) DHS-17-0305-A-000479 ¢* The Trump administration has ended Affordable Care Act contracts that brought assistance into libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoods in 18 cities; the article notes a federal IG’ s implications on the issue area. (p.6) e * The top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee wants an investigation into a Dol employee’s claim that he was reassigned due to his work on climate change; the article notes Sen. Maria Cantwell said she would officially ask the Dol IG to look into the matter. (p.7) * * DoJ has charged more than 400 people, including 56 doctors, with healthcare fraud that cost taxpayers approximately $1.3 billion; the article cites a related GAO report. (p.8) «* Surveys show 84 percent of Americans oppose civil forfeiture, a legal too! that allows law enforcement agencies to confiscate property (cash, cars, homes, even businesses) without convicting anyone of a crime; the article notes the DoJ IG found that more than half were not related to any identifiable criminal investigation or prosecution. (p.9) e¢* The New Orleans IG says the city hasn’t adequately warned residents that ongoing street repairs and water system improvements could result in temporarily high lead levels in some buildings’ tap water. (p.10) rakly Kaveladze, the eighth person confirmed to have attended Donald Trump Jr.'s 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer, reportedly worked to set up bank accounts in the U.S. that have been investigated for money laundering; the article notes a GAO report from 2000 detailing the investigation for money laundering.(p.10) «* The Trump administration has ended Affordable Care Act contracts that brought assistance into libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoods in 18 cities; the article notes a federal IG’ s implications on the issue area. (p.11) Please note that prior editions of “GAO-OIG in the News” are available on our Intranet website. Departmental GAO-OIG Liaison Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of the Chief Financial Officer "GAO-OIG Liaison [(6)(6) l 6)(6) Recipient DHS-17-0305-A-000480 ce. ~ (6) ae Blume, Allen 'b)(6) Brzozowski, Christalb)(6) ()(6) "Cassidy, Ben[(b)(6) b)(6) Cissna, Tifany I (over ‘Corbin, Susan [/hVay I oe Corrado, Janene I (b)(6) “Dinh, Uyen {b)(6) b)(6) "Fulghum, Chip [(b)(6) b)(6) “Geier-Noreiaa, Katie "Hamilton, Gene[(b)(6) fove) J J “Harper, Jerald (b)() “Howard, Tammy IH "Hymowitz, Emily {oV6) (ove) J J "kelly, John {b)(6) TAYE zen [vey Sah "KOLBE, KATHRYN [(b)(6) [exer } Krebs, Christopher {bV6) (ove) "Kuepper, Andrew (b)(6) (eye) L __["Ladowicz, Pete6) DHS-17-0305-A-000481 1 Stacy [b)(6) (b)(8) "Micone, Vincent [(b)(6) De J "Neumann, Elzabeth [pve CY Palmer, b)(6) “Rimon, Laurel I b)6 (8) "Roth, John "Stoddard, Kaitin[bV/6) J (oe) ] "Stouah, Michael ee eee “Taylor, Miles [b)(6) I b)(6) "Watkins, Trae ] ()(6) "Wolf, Chad be "Wonnenberg, David [(b)(6) T l l (YS) DHS-17-0305-A-000482 a) Sent Date: 2017/07/21 15:53:10 Delivered Date: 2017/07/21 15:53:11 DHS-17-0305-A-000483 GAO-OIG IN THE NEWS Thesearticles are highlighted to keep DHSleadership, our audit liaison community, and others across the Departmentinformed about newsbeing reported mentioning the U.S. Government accountability office (GAO) and/orthe various federal Offices of Inspector general (OIG). While this service focuses mainly on DHS,it does include other GAO- and OlG-related information for cross-feed purposes. DHS- related articles appearfirst, followed by those from other parts of government. Thearticles are sourced from: ; ; ; ; ; and, from time-to-time, other selected publications. Please send any questions, comments, or suggestions to the Departmental GAO-OIG Liaison mailbox: DHS-RELATED Vox, By Ruairi Arrieta-Kenna, July 20, 2017 Last week, President Donald Trumpinsisted that he really isn’t joking aboutputting solar panels on the border wall he’s promisedto build between the United States and Mexico. “There is a chance that we can do a solar wall. We have major companies looking at that. Look, there’s no betterplacefor solar than the Mexico border — the southern border,”he said. “And there is a very good chance we can do a solar wall, which would actually look good.” WhenTrump first pitched the idea of a solar wall at a meeting with Republican Congress members at the White Housein June, he claimedthat the idea washis (it wasn't) and that the energy generated by the panels could cover the costof the wall. Nowthat it seems hereally wants solar panels on there, we decided to do the math onthis possibility of the wall “payingfor itself.” That would, theoretically, help him sell the plan to fiscal conservatives, amongothers. A border wall would bereally, really expensive As Vox’s Dara Lind and Tara Golshanexplained in May, Trump faces a multitude of obstaclesin building more borderwall (there are already 654 miles of fence and wall down there). Chief among them is convincing Congress to pay forit. While Trump maintains that he will somehow get Mexico to eventually pay for the wall, American taxpayerswill have to footthebill initially. The US-Mexico border fence stops while passing through farmland near Fort Hancock, Texas. Throughoutvast stretches of West Texas, the currentfencing starts and stops along the bank of the Rio Grande, whichis often nearly drained dueto irrigation for crops. Photo taken on October 14, 2016. John Moore/Getty Images a OnJuly 11, Republicans in Congress released bill that would allocate $1.6 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to begin construction of the physical barrier. Butthat's just a fraction of the $21.6billion the DHS 1 DHS-17-0305-A-000484 estimated in February would be neededto build a wall along the 1,250 miles of unfenced border. (Trump told reporters on July 13 that he now intendsto build only 700 to 900 miles of “see-through”wall, but that would still cost roughly $12 billion to $15.5 billion, according to the February DHSestimates.) But a solar wall will pay foritself, right? Nope. The idea to put solar panels on the wall seemsto have originated in a Huffington Postarticle last December, butit gained greatertraction after Gleason Partners submitted a prototype design in April to DHS’s Customs and Border Protection In June, CPB announcedplans to build four to eight different wall prototypesthis year in San Diego.(It's not yetclear if Gleason’s solar borderwall will be oneof those prototypes.) But a back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that solar panels wouldn't come close to covering the cost for the 700 to 900 miles of wall Trump wantsto build. To simplify things, I'll give Trump the benefit of the doubt with a best-case scenario. The average commercial solar panel is about 39 by 77 inches, andutility-scale solar arrays typically hold two rowsof panels vertically. In a scenario with the maximum numberof panelsinstalled along thetop ofthe wall (with no horizontal space between them), a 900-mile border would at most be able to accommodate 2,924,102 panels acrossits width. The typical commercial solar panel has a capacity of up to 350 watts, so these nearly 3 million panels could make up a system ofjust over 1000 megawatts. But limited daylight hours and adverse weather conditions, such as extreme heat or excessive cloud shading, can cause solar panels to operate at less than maximum capacity. The average output capacity factorof solar panelsin the US is around 20 percent. Nevertheless, solar technology continuesto improve, and the southwestern part of the United States is sunnier than average. Optimistically, let's assume solar panels atop a border wall would operate at an annual 30 percent capacity factor. The nearly 3 million panels would then generate upward of2.7 terawatt-hours ofelectrical power per ear. ” Let'salsosay, forTrump’ssake,that Mexico'selectricutilitywould buyall the energy generated and payfor all the transmission infrastructure. The averageretail price ofelectricity in the border states is about 11 cents per kilowatt-hour. Assuming that the energy generated by the border wall is sold at thatretail rate (it would more likely be sold on the cheaper wholesale market and in Mexico, but we're giving Trumpthe best-case scenario here), the annual revenue would be about $300million per year. Butwith standard utility-scale solarinstallation costs as low as $1 per watt, the nearly 3 million panels would costat least $1 billion. Even with the generous revenueestimate, it would take four yearsjust to recuperate the installation costs of the panels. Now, rememberthat 700 to 900 miles of new wall would cost approximately $12 billion to $15.5billion to build. Andthis and the existing fencing would also need to be maintained. In 2009, the Government accountability office estimated that the current fencing along the border would need $6.5 billion for upkeep andrepairs overthe next 20 years (an annual average of $325 million). A much longer wall would cost even more than that, not to mention the additional operations and maintenancecosts of the solar panels, which needto be cleaned, repaired, and replaced regularly. So whenall is said and done, it lookslike the solar panels, estimated to bring in at most $300 million a year, would hardly make a dentin the wall’s costs. The physical problemswith a solar wall According to KCET’s Chris Clarke, whoalso tried to estimate the incredibly high costof a solar wall, a version like the one Gleason Partners proposed would also be very technically difficult to build. Forstarters, a wall is not an ideal frame for solar panels. Solar panelstraditionally lay at a slight angle off the horizontal, such as on roofs orin large solar farms. Making the vertical part of a wall out of solar panels wouldn't makesense, since, after all, they must face the sun to convert its energy. To account for this, Gleason, the prototype designer, proposed angling twosets of solar panelsoff the wall — oneon the top, the other jutting from the middle to the ground, as pictured below. Gleason Partners DHS-17-0305-A-000485 However, solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere should point south to maximizetime facing the sun. Butin the case of a border wall, that meansthe most valuable partsof the wall, the solar arrays, would have to be displayed, unprotected, on the Mexican side. This would leave them opento almostcertain vandalism andtheft. To maximizeefficiency for capturing sunlight, a borderwall could arrange panels from thetop to the ground at an approximately 30-degree angle off the horizontal. But as Clarke points out, a structurelike that would be easy to climb and more of a border ramp than a borderwall, certainly not fulfilling its intended purpose. (It would also be difficult for a wall madeof solar panels to be transparent. Donald Trumphas said it should be to prevent sacks of drugs from being tossed overandhitting unassuming Americans.) The wall is unpopular anyway Trump's border wall plan is already really unpopular. And putting solar panels on the border wall shouldn't makefiscal conservatives any more excited aboutthis extremely expensiveinfrastructure project. And according to recent polling by EchelonInsights, it doesn’t. The solar panel idea hasalso resulted in only slightly less opposition by Democrats, according to the samepolling. The green energy componenthas done little to mitigate concerns environmentalists have aboutthe walleither. As Brett Hartl of the Centerfor Biological Diversity affirmed in a statementin June, “An ecologicaldisaster with solar panels ontop isstill an ecological disaster. With solar panels on top.” USAToday, By Bart Jansen, July 20, 2017 The Transportation Security Administration doesn't have scientific justification for most of the behavioral clues thatofficers use to identify potential terrorists, a government watchdog reported Thursday. Despite a lack ofscientific validation, TSA told the Government accountability office that some suspicious actions, such asa traveler having wires hanging outof clothing, can't be ignored. Evenso, TSA has blended what usedto be thousandsof behavior-detection officers into the general workforce in recent years to bolster checkpoint screening whilestill keeping an eye on suspicious actions. TSA's behavior detection program has beencontentious for years. GAO andthe inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security have questioned the lack ofscientific justification for singling out suspicious behavior to identify terrorists or criminals. TSA had 3,131 officersin its behavior-detection program in 2013 whena critical GAO report wasreleased that questioned the program'sreliability. By 2016, TSA reducedthe program to $186 million for 2,393officers at 87 airports. Thoseofficers weretrained a to spot behavior such as how traveler swallowed or how open a person's eyes were as one indicator for whether further scrutiny was warranted. Critics such as Rep. Bennie Thompsonof Mississippi, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, repeatedly questioned whether behavior detection wasreliable or possibly concealed racial harassment. But TSA said officers were targeting behaviorrather than race. GAO's 16-page report Thursday checked 178 sources that TSA submitted to justify behavior detection. Of those, 137 were newsstories or opinion pieces that GAO dismissed. Other sources were studiesthat didn’t conduct original research. The 20 reports with original research couldn't support 28 of the 36 suspicious behaviors that TSAtargeted, according to GAO. DHS-17-0305-A-000486 “TSA doesnot havevalid evidence that mostof its indicators inits revised list of behavioral indicators can be usedto identify individuals who maypose a threat to aviation security,” said the GAO report from Nancy Kingsbury and Jennifer Grover. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA,respondedthat the behavior-detection program waseliminated beforethis fiscal year, and officers were integrated into the checkpoint workforce. But TSAcited a 2013 report from Rand National Defense ResearchInstitute that found “there is current value and unrealized potential for using behavioral indicators as part of a system to detect attacks.” For example, wires hanging outof a person’sclothing might be signs of a suicide bomber, according to the department and the FBI. “Behavior detection is a non-invasive technique that increases the potential of an employee to engage passengersand detect potentially dangerousindividuals, terrorists and criminals,” Jim Crumpacker, the department's liaison to GAO, wrotein reply to the report. NON-DHS-RELATED The Hill, By Rebecca Kheel, July 19, 2017 Proponents of creating a new branchof the military dedicated to space said Wednesday the “time for study is over’after a House Armed Services Committee briefing on national security in space. “Thetime for studyis over: We must now actto effect change basedon the repeated recommendations,”Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Jim Cooper(D-Tenn.), the chairman and ranking memberof the panel's strategic forces subcommittee, said in a statement. “The consensus of the prior studies and reviewsis that we mustfix these problems. We believe the Space Corpsis thatfix. The status quo andfurther delay are indefensible.” In their committee roles, the pair have shepherded the plan to create a Space Corps that passed the House last weekas part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Space Corps would be focused on addressing threats from countries such as Russia and Chinato U.S. assets in space, such assatellites. The proposalhas elicited huge opposition from the Pentagon, including from Defense Secretary James Mattis, Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. Paul Selva, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Air Force Chiefof Staff Gen. David Goldfein. Opponents argue that not enough study has been doneon the issue and that not enoughtime has been given to allow the Pentagon's current efforts to reform its approachto space to work. 4 DHS-17-0305-A-000487 But proponents, such as Rogers and Cooper, argue the bureaucracy of the Pentagon has historically been resistant to change that wasultimately for the better, such asthe creation ofthe Air Force. Wednesday's briefing, which was opento the full Armed Services Committee, covered information from the Government accountability office (GAO) about“historical perspectivesof leadership and acquisition challengesin national security space,” according to the committee release. It follows a classified briefing from the intelligence community Tuesday, as well as several subcommittee sessions on the issue. “Webelieve it is imperative that members understand the challenges we are facing in space from our adversaries and from our ownself-imposed impedimentslike the current organization of space within DOD andits space capability acquisition system,” Rogers and Coopersaid. “The GAOprovided a historical perspective on the remarkable overlap on the recommendations to fix the national security space enterprise.” According to the release, reports, studies and commissions dating back to 1982 haveidentified fragmented leadership andlack of accountability as major causesof systemicfailures in space acquisition. Thosefailings include billions of dollars of cost overruns because the “acquisition system is so complicated that no oneis in charge,” the release says. Washington Post, By Associated Press, July 20, 2017 NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy's newestaircraft carrier will officially join the fleet Saturday at a commissioning overseen by President Donald Trump. But fouryearswill likely pass beforethe ship’sfirst deployment. The USS Gerald R.Ford still must go through varioustests andtrials ofits cutting-edge technology, including new systemsto launch andland fighter jets. A Government accountability office report releasedthis month said the Navy could spend another $780 million preparing the $12.9 billion carrierfor battle. Namedafter the country's 38th president, the ship is thefirst of the new Fordclass of aircraft carrier. The vessel can carry more planes and operate with several hundred fewersailors. Flying missions are expected to increase by a third. The commissioning will be held at Naval Station Norfolk. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Politico, By Tim Starks, July 20, 2017 Senior Trump adviser Jared Kushner will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee next weekas part ofits Russia investigation. ... Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort will be called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of its Russia probe. ... Robert Storch, Trump's nomineefor NSAinspector general, told senators he would scrutinize the spy agency's proceduresfor vetting contractors. ... The White Houseis worried Moscow mightretaliate after the General Services Administration madeit harder for federal agencies to buy products from Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab. DHS-17-0305-A-000488 Washington Post, By Carla K. Johnson, July 20, 2017 CHICAGO — President Donald Trump's administration has ended Affordable Care Act contracts that brought assistanceinto libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoodsin 18cities, meaning shoppers on the insurance exchangeswill have fewer places to tumfor help signing up for coverage. Community groups say the move, announcedto them by contractorslast week, will makeit even moredifficult to enroll the uninsured and help people already covered re-enroll or shop for a new policy. That's already a concern because of consumer confusion stemming from the political wrangling in Washington and a shorter enrollment period. Peoplewill have 45 days to shop for 2018 coverage, starting Nov. 1 and ending Dec. 15. In previous years, they had twice that muchtime. Somesee itas anotherattempt to underminethe health law's marketplacesby a president who has suggested he should let “Obamacare” fail. The administration, earlier this year, pulled paid advertising for the sign-up website HealthCare.gov, prompting an inquiry by a federal inspector general into that decision and whether it hurt sign-ups. Now insurers and advocates are concemedthat the administration could further destabilize the marketplaces where people shop for coverage by not promoting them or not enforcing the mandate compelling people to get coverage. The administration has already threatened to withhold payments to insurers to help people afford care, which would promptinsurers to sharply increase prices. “There's a clear pattern of the administration trying to undermine and sabotage the Affordable Care Act,”said Elizabeth Hagan, associate director of coverageinitiatives for the liberal advocacy group Families USA.“It's not letting the law fail, it's makingthe lawfail.” Two companies — McLean, Virginia-based Cognosante LLC and Falls Church, Virginia-based CSRAInc. — will no longerhelp with the sign-upsfollowing a decision by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servicesofficials not to renewa final option year of the vendors’ contracts. The contracts, awarded in 2013, were never meant to be long term, said CMS spokeswoman JaneNorris in an email. “These contracts were intended to help CMS provide temporary, in-person enrollment support during the early years”of the exchanges, Norris said. Otherfederally funded help with enrollmentwill continue, shesaid, including a year-round call center and grant-funded navigator programs. The existing programis “robust” and “we have the on- the-ground resources necessary’in keycities, Norris said. But community advocates expected the vendors’ help for at least another year. “It has our heads spinning about how to meet the needsin communities,” said Inna Rubin of United Way of Metro Chicago, whohelps run an Illinois health access coalition. CSRA’scurrent $12.8 million contract expires Aug. 29. Cognosante’s $9.6 million contract expires the same date. Together, they assisted 14,500 enrollments, far less than 1 percentof the 9.2 million people who signed up through HealthCare.gov, the insurance marketplace serving most states. But some advocates said the groups focused on the healthy, young adults needed to keep the insurance markets stable and prices down. During the most recent open enrollment period, they operated in the Texascities of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, McAllen and El Paso; the Florida cities of Miami, Tampa and Orlando; Atlanta; northern New Jersey; Phoenix; Philadelphia; Indianapolis; New Orleans; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland and Chicago. The insurance exchanges, accessed by customers throughthe federal HealthCare.govor state-run sites, are a wayfor people to compare and shopfor insurance coverage. The health law included grant money for community organizations to train people to help consumers apply for coverage, answer questions and explain differences betweenthe insurancepolicies offered. DHS-17-0305-A-000489 In Illinois, CSRA hired about a dozen enrollment workers to supplement a small enrollment workforce already in the state, Rubin said. The company operated a storefront enrollment center in a Chicago neighborhood from November through April. “It was a large roomin a retail strip mall near public transit with stations set up where people could comein and sit down”with an enrollment worker, Rubin said. CSRAspokesman Tom Dohenyin an email said the company “is proud of the work we have accomplished underthis contract.” He referred other questionsto federal officials. Cognosante worked on enrollmentin ninecities in seven states, according to a June 6 post on the company's website. The work included helping “more than 15,000 Texas consumers”and staffing locations “such as public libraries and local businessoffices.” A Cognosante spokeswomanreferred questionsto federal officials. The health care debate in Congress has many consumers questioning whether “Obamacare”still exists, community advocatessaid. “Whatis the goal of the Trump administration here?Is it to help people? Or to undermine the Affordable Care Act?” said Rob Restuccia, executive director of Boston-based Community Catalyst, a grouptrying to preserve the health care law. The Hill, By Timothy Cama, July 20, 2017 The top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee wants an investigation into an Interior Department employee's claim that he was reassigned dueto his work on climate change. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said at a Thursday hearing that she would officially ask Interior's inspector general to lookinto the matter. Her request came a dayafter Joel Clement, the formerdirector ofInterior's Office of Policy Analysis, wrote a Washington Post op-ed saying he was improperly reassigned to an accounting position because of his work on helping Alaskan communities cope with climate change. “Weneed to makesure that those individuals who havethe experience, who areinvolved in the science, are going to continueto fulfill those responsibilities,” Cantwell said at an unrelated hearing about nomineesto Interior and the Department of Energy. “Sure, there are always reorganizations at an agency,” she said, adding that employees with the necessary experiences should stay in the jobstheir suited for. Clementalso filed a complaint against political appointees, saying his reassignmentwasthe result ofillegal political interference. Federal agencies are allowed to reassign employees in Senior Executive Service positionslike Clement, with somelimitations. “Personnel moves amongst the Senior Executive Service are being conducted to better serve the taxpayer and the department's operations through matching Senior Executive skill sets with mission and operational requirements,”Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift said Wednesday. DHS-17-0305-A-000490 The Hill, By John DeMaggio, opinion contributor, July 20, 2017 Mostof us know ofU.S. citizens whoare truly in need of public assistance. They range from the orphansto the handicapped to the elderly. However, do recent events show that the unscrupulous with avaricious intentions haveno trouble swindling the system to gain financial advantages? Last week, The Hill reported: “The Departmentof Justice (DOJ) has charged more than 400 people, including 56 doctors, with healthcare fraud that cost taxpayers approximately $1.3 billion, Attorney General announced on Thursday.” A DOJpressrelease specified 413 people were charged. Oneof the individual frauds totaled $56 million and another $164 million. Additionally, “...295 healthcare providers are being suspended or bannedfrom federal health programsas a result of the crackdown.” This comesafter multiple reports overthe last weekof investigators uncovering massivefraud in the federal and state government's welfare programs. OnJuly 12, NJ.com reportedin a piecetitled “12 more Lakewoodresidents charged in massive welfare fraud sweep”that “the recent chargesbring the total amountof illegally obtained benefits to well over $2 million. Twentysix Lakewoodresidents have been charged since June26 in the joint federal, state and county crackdown.” The 12 consisted of six couples charged with stealing between $62,746 and $74,960over a threeto five year period. Oneonly hasto lookat their own yearly income tax paymentto put these fraudsin prospective and ask how muchof my tax payments are goingto finance these frauds? The day before, on July 11, the Dallas Moming Newsreported “Alexis C. Norman, 46, is charged with running an operation involving more than $810,000in false Medicaid claims.”This is all the more sensationalsince Norman wasin federal prison while she perpetrated these frauds. A weekearlier, on July 5, The HudsonValley (New York) Newsreported that “Nearly two dozen people from Orange and Dutchess counties have been accused in a welfare fraud sweep ... 23 people stole a combined $220,000in welfare benefits.” District Attorney Dave Hoovlersaid this seventh sweepin Orange Countyin recent years “has busted nearly 200 peoplefor welfare fraud since 2014, thanks to a county special investigations unit that routinely checksindividual casesfor red flags. The work hasso far recovered more than $500,000.” Theselastfew arejust threejurisdictions, Dallas, Texas; Lakewood, N.J.; and Orange County, N.Y.! According to the U.S. Geological Service there are 3141 countiesin the 50 states and the District of Columbia not counting the U.S.territories. Could one concludesimilar investigations identifying millions of dollars in frauds might result from comparable investigations in each county? All of these reportsindicate that the perpetrators were able to accomplishthe frauds by simplyfalsifying their original applications for assistance. These reports come onthe heels of the Government accountability office (GAO) May 2017 report on the Federal Communication Commission's Lifeline program, more commonly referred to as the “Obamaphones,”issued last month entitled, “Additional Action Needed to Address Significant Risks in FCC’sLifeline Program.” The GAO found: “Lifeline’s structure relies on over 2,000 Eligible Telecommunication Carriers that are Lifeline providers to implement key program functions, such asverifying subscriber eligibility. This complex internal control environment is susceptible to tisk of fraud, waste, and abuse as companies may havefinancial incentives to enroll as many customers aspossible.” Could wecall this an example of the proverbial fox guarding the hen house? It continues, “subsequentto our 2010 report, which found thatLifeline hadlimited abilities to detect and prevent ineligible and duplicate subscribers from enrolling in the program... (GAO)found a total of 5,510 potential internal duplicates...” and “...identified 6,378 individuals reported as deceased whoare receiving Lifeline benefits... The date 8 DHS-17-0305-A-000491 of death for each of theseindividuals preceded theLifeline enrollment orrecertification date by at least 1 year.” Further details revealed that audits of the telecommunications providers, who determineeligibility, averaged less than 0.17 percent between 2007 and 2013. Thatis 99.8 percent without oversight! These reportsall come to us from diverse sources within weeks. Whentaken collectively doesthis indicate that there is a serious lack of oversight in these programs across the nation withlittle to no scrutiny of original applications? a Itis very doubtful if any investigations will result in any more than fraction of theillegal payments returned to the government. Coupling this with the cost of the investigations, prosecutions, appeals andincarnation to our federal, state and local governments, wouldn't be morecost effective to have an effective approval processat the front end, when these fraudulent applications are submitted? So why haveour elected officials chosen not to put such systemsin place wheninitiating these programs? While yousit downto write your checks to pay yourtaxes, should you be wondering how manyarereceiving checksfunded with your earnings dueto their falsifying applications with negligible governmentoversight? Gretchen Morgenson and Joshua Rosnerobservedin “Reckless Endangerment” how lobbyists shifted “... the power of oversight to congressional subcommittees, run by members whocould beeasily swayed by the company’s lobbying efforts and campaign contributions.” As ournation argues the future of healthcare, are we ensuring that these proposedbills in Congress include instituting adequate approval processes andoversight to protect ourtax funds? Itis also the start of the U.S. government budget cycle. As the government begins the budget process, is our Congress ensuring that there are adequate safeguardsin the social programs to preventthese frauds before the funds are distributed and lost forever? John M. DeMaggiois a retired special agent in charge and servedas a captain in the U.S. Navy. The aboveis the opinion ofthe author and is not meantto reflect the opinion of the U.S. Navy or the U.S. government. Washington Post, By Robert Johnson and Nick Sibilla, July 20, 2017 Surveys show 84 percent of Americans opposeit. Both the Republican and Democratic party platforms condemn it. More than 230 newspapereditorials have denouncedit. Andin the last three years alone, 24 states have takenstepsto restrict it. So why is Attomey General Jeff Sessions looking to increaseit? We'retalking aboutcivil forfeiture, a legal tool that allows law enforcement agenciesto con‘iscate property — cash,cars, homes, even businesses — without convicting anyoneof a crime. Mere suspicionis sufficient to justify a seizure. Then, property owners mustprove their owninnocenceto get their property back. With few safeguardsfor the innocent, civil forfeiture is one of the greatest assaults today on private property rights and a fair, impartial justice system — both foundations of a healthy democracy. Public outrage has grownas stories of abuse haveproliferated. Just last year,for instance, The Post reported how police in Muskogee County, Okla., seized more than $50,000 from the manager of a BurmeseChristian rock band. That included moneyintended for an orphanagein Thailand, still sealed in donation envelopes. Or consider Chris and Markela Sourovelis. The Philadelphia district attorney sought to forfeit their family home becausetheir son was caughtselling $40 worthof drugs. Outrage has generated reform. State legislatures across the country have passed measures to shore up a property rights, and full 14 states now require a criminal conviction to forfeit property. Blue states and red states alike — in every region of the country — have enacted reforms. Now thosereforms are underattack. On Wednesday, Sessions announceda newpolicy that will makeit easier for state and local law enforcement to sidestep state-level protections for property owners. The new Justice Departmentpolicy expandsa federal forfeiture program called “equitable sharing.” Equitable sharing allowsstate police to seize property and sendit to federal prosecutors forforfeiture under federal law, even DHS-17-0305-A-000492 if it could not beforfeited understate law. State police then get to keep up to 80 percentof the proceeds, creating a financial incentive to take property. In other words, equitable sharing encouragespolice and prosecutors to become bounty hunters, evenif that would circumventstate law. The decision to expand equitable sharing is especially egregious because equitable sharing has long underminedstate efforts to protect citizens from abuse. In a searing exposé of equitable sharing in 2014, The Post identified nearly 62,000 cash seizures worth morethan $2.5 billion, all made “without search warrantsor indictments.” Their investigation also found more than 500 task forces and departmentsthat “seized the equivalent of 20 percent or moreof their annual budgets.” Largely in responseto suchcriticisms, then-Attorney General Eric Holder took steps in January 2015 to rein in equitable sharing. Those reforms were themselves imperfect, but they did makea difference. The Drug Enforcement Agency — which oursuesthe mostforfeiture cases through the Justice Department — saw cashseizures drop by half. Now, Wednesday's policy reverses Holder's reforms. Announcing the change, Sessions promised “safeguards” to protect innocent property owners. But the safeguardsincludedin the policy amounttolittle more than a promise by law enforcementto be morecareful. The problem, of course, is that these “safeguards”will be implemented by the same law enforcement agencies that stand to benefit financially from forfeitures. Indeed, they will be implemented by the same agencies that have engagedin abusein the past. Promisesof self-restraint are well and good, butin the endthe only real safeguard wouldbe judicial oversight. Before police and prosecutors can take property, they should have to convict someoneof a crime. Of course,that safeguard is nowhere to be found in the new Justice Departmentpolicy. To the contrary, the directive says the government can continue to forfeit “personal residences” even “wheretitle or ownershiplies with personsnotimplicatedin illegal conduct.” Tojustify the change, the attorney general repeatedly stressed the importanceof goingafter “criminals.” But, bydefinition, civil forfeiture targets people who have not been convicted of anything. Everybody agrees that criminals should not be allowed to keeptheir ill-gotten gains. That aim can be accomplished using criminal forfeiture, under which propertyis forfeited only following a conviction. Asa law enforcementtool, civil forfeiture is worse than ineffective — it actually encourages police to focus on raising moneyat the expenseof fighting crime. A report from the Justice Department's owninspector general looked at a sample of 100 seizures by the DEA and found that more than half were notrelated to anyidentifiable criminal investigation or prosecution. In other words,police took the cash and, oftentimes, let the purported “criminals” walk free. With the attorney general's announcement, the onus now shifts to Congressto act. The Fair Act, introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), would eliminate equitable sharing once andfor all. Another proposal, the Due Process Act, does not go so far but would still put in place meaningful procedural safeguards. Civil forfeiture has noplace in a free country.Statelegislatures are taking steps to uphold propertyrights. The questionis, will the federal government work with them or against them? Washington Post, By Kevin McGill, July 20, 2017 NEW ORLEANS — The NewOrleans inspector general saysthe city hasn't adequately wamed residents that ongoingstreet repairs and water system improvementscould result in temporarily high leadlevels in somebuildings’ tap water. Inspector general Ed Quatrevaux’s (KWAH'-treh-voh's) latest report says someold city waterlines — andlines on private properties — are madeof lead, which can affect the brain and nervous system wheningested. Chemicals 10 DHS-17-0305-A-000493 addedto the waterform a protective coating in those pipes. But Quatrevaux cites experts who say disturbance of the aginglines can jar someof the coating loose andallow lead to contaminate the water. Citing $2.4 billion in planned New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board infrastructure projects as well as numerous past water system and street projects Quatrevaux raises the possibility that incividual homes or businesses might see spikesin lead levels in drinking water. “New Orleansresidentsliving whereinfrastructure construction projects occur may be — or may have been — unknowingly exposedto elevatedlevels of leadin drinking water,” the report said. In a statement emailed Thursday, the city Sewerage and Water Board stressed its compliance withall state and federal laws and said thecity’s water is safe. It outlinedits existing policies for educating customers by wayof social media, direct mail and email about risks of lead exposure. The board's website offers information on water quality and tips to reduce lead in drinking water, posted in tesponseto customerqueries after the 2015 watercrisis in Flint, Michigan. There, lead wasdiscovered in the drinking water after the city began tapping Flint River water as a source. Theriver water wasnot properly treated, leading to lead leaching from old pipesandfixtures. “The City and S&WB havetaken proactive stepsto inform residents of the potential for increased exposure to lead in water caused by partial replacement or disturbance of LSLs(lead servicelines), as well as the steps the public should take to reduce the impacts of that temporary elevated lead exposure,”the board’s statementsaid. Quatrevaux's report saysthe city's past efforts lacked a sense of urgency. He cited the board’s 2015 report touring upcoming infrastructure improvements that had scant mention of the possibility that the work could cause a spikein leadlevels. Meanwhile, the city saysit’s taking steps to reduce the long term danger of lead pipes. Becauselead lines were an industry standard until the dangersof lead became knownin the 1970s,the city has no special inventory of whereits lead supply lines exist. The board said it began taking an inventory ofits approximately 140,000lines last year, at the request of Mayor Mitch Landrieu, to begin determining whichlines are madeof lead. That will help the city prepare for future replacements. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. TheHill, By Josh Delk, July 19, 2017 lrakly Kaveladze, the eighth person confirmed to have attended Donald TrumpJr.'s 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer, reportedly worked to set up bank accounts in the U.S. that have been investigated for money laundering, according to a new CNNreport. CNN foundthat a Government accountability office (GAO) report from 2000 details the investigation for money laundering. According to the report, Kaveladze tookpart in opening 236 accountsat two banksthat the GAO reported had over $1.4 billion deposited into them between 1991 and 2000, which came undercongressional investigation for possible moneylaundering. Former Democratic Sen. Carl Levin (Mich.) said on Facebook Tuesday night that Kaveladze created both the companies and bank accountsthat were investigated, and that Kaveladze established “some2,000” companies on “behalfof the people in Russia.” Levin said “Kaveladze claimed hedid all this without knowing for whom he wasdoing it.” “There wasnever any allegation of him engaged in any criminal activity,” Kaveladze’s lawyer, Scott Balber, said on CNN's “Outfront” with Erin Burnett Tuesday night. “He has never been implicated in any wrongdoing whatsoever.” 11 DHS-17-0305-A-000494 Kaveladze, the vice president of a real estate group, was at the June 9, 2016, meeting in which TrumpJr. met with a Russian attorneyin an effort to gather damaging information on then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. 12 DHS-17-0305-A-000495 DEPUTY SECRETARY’S BRIEFING BOOK Friday, July 7, 2017 CWMDUpdate Press Meet and Greet: Geneva Sands DHS-17-0305-A-000496 CWMD OFFICE DISCUSSION July 7, 2017 Objective: e Thepurpose of the discussion is to present different options for the consolidation of OHA and the DNDO management to the Deputy Secretary. Background: e After significant coordination across Components, especially between DNDO, OHA, and S&T, the Secretary approved the proposal with the following modification: research and development (R&D) for chemical andbiological issues will remain in S&T for the time being, but the Deputy Secretary will work with S&T and the new CWMD Office to develop a plan for the new office to exert greater control over such R&D efforts and to ensure that research funding is allocated consistent with CWMDmission andpriorities. Discussion Points: e Options for consolidating OHA and DNDO management: b)(5) Participants: Elaine Duke, Deputy Secretary Chad Wolf, Deputy Chief of Staff, DSEC Elizabeth Neumann, DeputyChief of Staff, SEC Miles Taylor, Counselor to the Secretary Jeff Rezmovic, Counselor to the Deputy Secretary Arex Avanni, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary Jim McDonnell, Director, DNDO Larry Fluty, Acting Assistant Secretary, OHA Chip Fulghum, Acting Under Secretary, MGMT Susan Corbin, Chief of Staff, OLA FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY DHS-17-0305-A-000497 Neal Swartz, Associate General Counsel, OGC Andre Hentz, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for, S&T Attachment: A. OGCpresentation on the CWMD Reorganization Options (Dated July 7, 2017) Staff Responsible for Briefing Memo: Laura Wilson, Actions Branch Chief, DNDO, (®)(6) Reviewed and approved by: Jim McDonnell, Director, DNDO, ®)) DHS-17-0305-A-000498 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page049 DHS-17-0305-A-000499 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page050 DHS-17-0305-A-000500 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0501 DHS-17-0305-A-000501 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0502 DHS-17-0305-A-000502 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0503 DHS-17-0305-A-000503 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0504 DHS-17-0305-A-000504 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0505 DHS-17-0305-A-000505 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0506 DHS-17-0305-A-000506 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0507 DHS-17-0305-A-000507 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0508 DHS-17-0305-A-000508 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0509 DHS-17-0305-A-000509 PAcaofIFtnrfhoeinvmadeoctieptWmyxuniromshupateionld (b)(5) Page0510 DHS-17-0305-A-000510 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY GENEVA SANDS - ABC NEWS July 7, 2017 Overview: Youwill participate in a meet and greet with Geneva Sands for ABC News. > This meeting is OFF THE RECORD, however is a goodopportunity to begin getting familiar with a DHSbeat reporter. Theobjective of this meeting is the first step in beginning a working relationship with DHS beat reporters. > While this meeting does not havea specific or tangible objective, the meeting is an opportunity to build a relationship that will inform and contextualize future media engagements and opportunities. Background: You maydiscuss yourrole as Deputy Secretary and “COO,” responsible for the Department’s operational success. You may discuss your origins as an entry-level federal employee to Under Secretary for Management and yourreturn to the Department. This is a good opportunityto address personal anecdotes on leadership, be it your ownor leaders who haveinspired you. You maydiscuss the narrative concerning the Department’s morale and how the Department overcomes challenges for success. This is a good opportunity to include anecdotes from the nationwide listening tour. While the interview is off the record and intended to focus on you and yourleadership, you maybe asked aboutcurrent issues and news of the day, suchas the travel executive order and the implementation of enhanced security measures. (See Tab A) Geneva Sands covers Department of Justice and homeland security issues for ABC News in Washington, D.C. Participants: Deputy Secretary Duke Chad Wolf, Deputy Chief of Staff Justine Whelan, Assistant Press Secretary, OPA Geneva Sands, ABC News Attachments: A. Talking Points on Current Issues B. Biography Staff Responsible for Briefing Memo: Dave Lapan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, OPA’ \(b)(6) FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY DHS-17-0305-A-000511 —EOR — ONLY USE OFFICIAL GENEVA S. S — ABC NEWS Talking Points/If Asked AVIATION SECURITY — LIFTING PEDs RESTRICTIONS Talking Points The United States and the global aviation community face an adaptive and agile enemy. Terrorist groups continue to target passengeraircraft, and we have seen a webof threats to commercial aviation asterrorist pursue new attack methods. Asa first step, DHS announced new enhanced security requirements for all commercial flights to the United States. These measures, both seen and unseen, include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices as well as heightened security standards for aircraft and airports. >» The United States is approaching these enhancements in phases. Some, like the measures being implemented bythese airlines were required immediately, while others will be implementedover time in coordination with our international partners. > As welook to stay ahead of the evolvingthreats, we’ll be working with global aviation stakeholders to expand security measures even further through the use of canines, establishing additional preclearance locations, and focusing on next generation technology. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, DHS/TSA will work with aviation stakeholders to ensure these enhanced security measures are fully implemented. As Secretary Kelly described, those whofail to adopt these requirements within certain timeframes maybe subject to additional security restrictions being imposed, including a ban onlarge personal electronic devices onthe aircraft or even suspension of flights to the United States. Here at home, the U.S. government is constantly working to strengthen and expand our security screening procedures in responseto the dangers weface. > DHSis currently piloting next generation technologyat airports— to include advanced use of biometrics. Weare increasing canine screening and closely examining large numbers ofpersonal electronic devices. In addition, we are testing new protocols to better screen cluttered carry-on baggage. Theurgency ofthe threat requires all ofus to raise the baseline on global aviation security and implement measures that exceed current standards. We commend Etihadfor working swiftly to implement these additional measures. Their efforts are a model for both foreign and domestic airlines looking to adopt the new measures andare indicative that an airline committed to passenger safety can quickly raise the security bar. IF ASKED: What measures were enacted in order for this airline/location to have the ban lifted? e Wewill not discuss whatis in the security directive but as you’ll remember from Secretary Kelly’s announcement last week, the enhanced security measures, both seen and unseen, include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices. DHS-17-0305-A-000512 ¢ Weare approaching theentirety of enhancements in phases. Some, like the measures being implemented by this airline were required within a shorter timeframe, while others will be implementedover time in coordination with our international partners. IF ASKED: What was the process for lifting the ban? e The airline initiates the process by alerting TSA that it is ready to comply with the measures. Theairlines and the host government then must agree on access for TSA’s inspectors to observe compliance. Once the visit is scheduled and implementation is discussed, TSA will grant a lift on the ban on personal electronic devices. e This approval will be verified with visual confirmation by TSA officials ensuring the measures have been implemented correctly and to the full extent required. Following the initial visit, TSA officials will resume their regularly scheduledvisits to observe operations. IF ASKED: If these security measures are so extensive, how did Abu Dhabi implement them so quickly? e DHS/TSA have been working veryclosely withall of the airlines on the potential for these enhanced security measures. Secretary Kelly, Deputy Secretary Duke, Acting Administrator Gowadia and staff at DHS and TSA havediscussed raising the baseline on global aviation security at length with airlines, foreign countries and aviation stakeholders overthe last few months. Therefore, many airlines were preparedto address the threat immediately and inturn, adhere to the security measures outlined by Secretary Kelly last week. Background Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi International Airport have implemented and completed the initial benchmark which is why the PEDs restrictions have beenlifted contingent on compliance. In orderto confirm this benchmark of enhanced security measures have been implemented, TSA’s inspectors will be required to observe compliance at the location. The enhanced security measures are being implementedin a phased approach and DHS/TSA will continue to work with aviation stakeholders to ensure the measures are fully implemented. This is the first step. As threats continue to evolve, we, and ourpartners aroundthe world, will continue to respond by working together to improve intelligence sharing and standardize best practices, while pursuing the technological advancements that will make flying more secure for everyone. While the PEDrestrictions addressed a single threat stream, raising the bar globallywill allow TSAto better address varied and evolving threat streams. DHS-17-0305-A-000513 OFFICIAE FOR ONEY—_ USE AVIATION SECURITY — ENHANCEMENTS Talking Points The United States and the global aviation community face an adaptive and agile enemy. Terrorist groups continue to target passengeraircraft, and we have seen a “spider web” of threats to commercial aviationas terrorist pursue newattack methods. Nowis time to raise the baseline for global aviation security. As a first step, DHS announced newenhanced security requirements for all commercial flights to the United States. These measures, both seen and unseen, include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices as well as heightened security standards for aircraft and airports. > The United States is approaching these enhancements in phases. Somewill be required immediately, while others will be implemented overtime in coordination with our international partners. » As we look to stay ahead ofthe evolving threats, we'll be working with global aviation stakeholders to expand security measures even further through the use of canines, establishing additional preclearance locations, and focusing on next generation technology. Butthis is just the beginning. As threats continue to evolve, we, and ourpartners around the world, will continue to respond by working together to improve intelligence sharing and standardize best practices, while also pursuing out the technological advancements that will makeflying more secure for everyone. Here at home, the U.S. government is constantly working to strengthen and expandour security screening procedures in responseto the dangers weface. > DHSis currently piloting next generation technologyat airports— to include advanced use of biometrics. We are increasing canine screening and closely examining large numbers ofpersonal electronic devices. In addition, we are testing new protocols to better screen cluttered carry-on baggage. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, DHS/TSA will work with aviation stakeholders to ensure these enhancedsecurity measures are fully implemented. As Secretary Kelly described, those whofail to adopt these requirements within certain timeframes maybe subject to additional securityrestrictions being imposed, including a ban onlarge personalelectronic devices onthe aircraft or even suspensionof flights to the United States. The urgency of the threat requires all of us to raise the baseline on global aviation security and implement measures that exceed current standards. IF ASKED: What are the security measures announced by Secretary Kelly and what is the timeline? Basedon the current threat, Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly has determinedit is necessary to require enhancedsecurity for all commercial flights to the United States. These measures both seen and unseen, include but are not limited to: >» Enhancing overall passengerscreening; > Conducting heightened screening ofpersonal electronic devices; > Increasing security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas; and DHS-17-0305-A-000514 -FOR ONEY_ USE OFFICTAE > Deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional preclearance locations DHS will be approaching these enhancements in phases, some will be required immediately, while others will be implemented over time, in coordination with ourinternational partners. IF ASKED: How will these security requirements be implemented? The required enhancedsecurity measures will be implemented through a Security Directive (SD)/Emergency Amendment (EA) process, which requires carriers flying to the United States to implement these measures. IF ASKED: What are the specific requirements in the security directive? DHS/TSA does not discuss specific details related to security directives/emergency amendments. Background The enhanced security measures, both seen and unseen, will improve screening of passengers andelectronic devices and heighten security standards for aircraft andairports. These enhancements are being approached in phases — somewill be required immediately, while others will be implemented overtime in coordination with our international partners. These enhancedsecurity measures include but are not limited to: Vv Enhancing overall passenger screening; > Conducting heightened screening of personal electronic device Vv Increasing security protocols aroundaircraft and in passenger areas; and Deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional preclearance locations. Over the course of the next several weeks and months, DHS/TSA will work with aviation stakeholders to ensure these enhancedsecurity measures are fully implemented. Some measures — like preclearance - maytake years to fully adopt. Those whofail to adopt the requirements within certain timeframes may besubject to additional security restrictions being imposed, including a ban onlarge personal electronic devices on the aircraft or even suspensionof flights to the United States. DHS-17-0305-A-000515 ONLY USE FOR-OFFICIAE CYBER —RANSOMWARE Talking Points DHS’ Role in Cyber Incidents During a cyberincident such as this, we share real-time information about the threat and i ion strategies. We havea cadre of cybersecurity professionals at the ready that can provide expertise and support to critical infrastructure entities. DHS also leads the federal government’s efforts to protect civilian executive branch agency systems and networks. We work with each agency’s Chief Information Officer to ensure the securityof their networks. Update on Petya Weare actively monitoring reports that a strain of the ransomware known as Petya is spreading in Russia, Ukraine, and elsewhere. Ransomwareis a type of malicious softwarethat infects a computerand restricts users’ access to it until a ransom is paid to unlock it. Individuals and organizations are discouraged from paying the ransom, as this does not guarantee access will be restored. Patch/update systems immediately. Using unpatched and unsupported software increases the risk of cybersecurity threats such as ransomware. The FBI and DHS are working with public and private, domestic and international partners to respond to this event and provide technical information for prevention and remediation. Update on WannaCry OnFriday, when wefirst began receiving reports of WannaCry, our U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) began sharing information and coordinating with other CERTS around the world, as well as industry, security experts and researchers, to understand the scope of the malware andhow best to mitigate it. Through the weekend, we have continuedto share information broadly, identify potential victims, and share with them bestpractices and technical information, as well as gather more information about the malware. Wehave issued an alert through US-CERT, issueda joint product with the FBI, and worked with the Small Business Administration to reach businesses across the country. Our cybersecurity analysts are working 24/7 to ensure we have the latest information and can provide support to affected entities, as needed. IF ASKED: Is this the same vulnerability that was used in WannaCry? It is too soon to discuss the technical details of this event. IF ASKED: Do you have a sense of how widespread this is? Are there U.S. companies affected? This weekend, wedid receive reports of a small numberof potential U.S. victims, none of whom had significant disruptions to their operations. Wecannot discuss details, beyondsaying that they were in multiple sectors, because the only wayto preserve our voluntarypartnerships with these entities and encourage them to share information with usis to keeptheir identities confidential. FOR ONLY USE OFFICIAL DHS-17-0305-A-000516 IF ASKED: Are the federal government’s networks secure? e At this time, there are no reports of federal agencies affected. IF ASKED: Can youput this attack into perspective? Is it unprecedented? e Ransomware has become moreprevalent in the last year or so, and DHS and our partners have been working to raise awareness, including encouraging patching of systems. e While the attack is fairly widespread in terms of the numberof countries andentities affected, according to our cybersecurity analysts, it does not appear to beparticularly sophisticated and can be mitigated fairly easily. IF ASKED: Seeing as this is the first major cybersecurity event under your watch, what are your initial impressions? e First and foremost, Iam blown awayby the professionalism and competence of the DHS cyber team. They were able to turn on a dime as the work week was coming to a close and spin up a comprehensive response. Many worked throughFriday nightand straight through — the weekend somehad to jettison their Mother’s Day plans to ensure we were all protected. I’mproud of the team and have complete confidence in them. IF ASKED: Should people pay the ransom? e The best way to deal with ransomwareis to practice good cybersecurity and avoid it in the first place. e The U.S. Government does not recommendpaying a ransomto criminal actors. e¢ Wedo not keep track of whether people haveor have notpaid. IF ASKED: Do we knowwho was behind this? Was it Russia? e As I mentioned, DHS’ focus is on prevention and mitigation, as opposedto attribution, which is the role of law enforcement. e I wouldrefer you to the FBI. IF ASKED: Can youtell me what we’re doing in response to the WannaCry ransomware situation: e The Department’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center has been leading ourresponse efforts since Friday, working with partners in industry, other Federal agencies, state and local governments, and international partners, to share information on the threat and howto prevent it, also providing technical assistance to those in need. e Under the US Government’s unified approach to cyber incident response doctrine, DHS — leads “asset response” efforts helping organizations identify and patch vulnerabilities, helping victims respondand recoverfrom attacks, and helping minimize therisk of future incidents. e We’re continuing to monitor the evolving situation, scanning federal networks for attacks, andassisting victims in the critical infrastructure community. I anticipate we'll be working onthis for some time as copy cats pop upand as long as there are still unpatched systems out there. e This brings me to my Public Service Announcement for the day: please, please, please, make sure your systems are up to date and don’t click on suspicious email links or attachments. USE-ONEY— FOR DHS-17-0305-A-000517 IF ASKED: Is cyber security a terrorism issue and what are we doing to protect ourselves: e We’re certainly seeing terrorists increasingly develop cyber capabilities. DHS’s missionis to protect and secure networks. We partner with industry to share information on cyber threats to ensure we’re stopping malicious traffic regardless of the source. In terms oftaking on terrorists directly, our interagency partners have authorities and capabilities to take the fight to the bad guys. IF ASKED: What is DHS’s role in implementing last week’s Executive Order on Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure: e DHS has a lead role in many of the tasks outlined in the EO and reinforces the Department’s role in protecting federal andcritical infrastructure networks. We’ll build onour strong operational relationships with our interagency partners and our trusted partnerships with the private sectorto carry out our mission. DHS-17-0305-A-000518 FOR ONLY USE OFFICIAL COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM Talking Points = e ©After careful review, Secretary of HomelandSecurity John Kelly has approved grant awards. as part of the congressionally established Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Grant Program. e The awards will advance America’s capacity to counterterrorist recruitment and radicalization in the United States through community-driven solutions. ¢ DHSwill award 26 grants -- totaling $10 million for twoyears of programming -- to organizations that will work to improve the security of our communities and prevent terrorism. e Grantees wereselected in part because of their potential to support law enforcement and other frontline defenders, to demonstrate programmatic effectiveness, and to use taxpayer resources efficiently to create independently sustainable programs. e Grants were approved for local law enforcement agencies, state and local government agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations. e DHS received nearly 200 applications, from 40states andterritories and the District of Columbia, including 106 non-university non-profits, 60 state and local government organizations, and 31 universities. Background e In December 2015, Congress appropriated $10 million for DHSto awardgrants to state and local governments, universities and non-profit organizations in orderto assist local communities in their own efforts to counter violent extremism. e These grants are the first of their kind in the US, and as DHS oversees and evaluates the performance ofeach grant, we will broadenour understanding of howto best advance DHS’s terrorism prevention mission, especially in light of the uptick in homegrown terrorist activity. e Thegrants are structured aroundfive focus areas: developing community resilience to violent extremism recruitment; training for, and engagement with, local partners tackling the challenge of violent extremism; support for programs that intervene in the radicalization process to “off-ramp” potentially radicalizedindividuals; challenging extremists’ narratives; andbuilding the capacity of local partners to sustainably address issues related to violent extremism. e Awardees are required to affirm acceptance ofthe grants and agree to terms and conditions, such as providing performance data. IF ASKED: What is CVE? e CVE is the term Congress choseto useto define this grant program. e CVE refers to non-coercive, non-kinetic activities to counterterrorist recruitment and radicalization here at home. IF ASKED: What is the purpose of the CVE Grant Program? How does the purpose differ from the purpose of FEMA’s FY 2016 Program to Prepare Communities for Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks (CCTA) Program? e This is the first competitive federal assistance program devoted exclusively to providing local communities in the United States with the resources to counter terrorist recruitment and USE-ONLYFOR-OFFICIAL DHS-17-0305-A-000519 radicalization. This funding will help local authorities and non-profit organizations with resources to help prevent terrorist recruitment and radicalization, notably through building local capacity and challenging the narrative of groups like ISIS. These preventive programs shouldnot be confused with protective and preparation activities performed through other national security authorities. IF ASKED: Howmuch funding wasavailable this year for the program? How much was awarded in previous years? e $10 million for two (2) years of programming. e This is the first (and currently only) year of funding for this program. IF ASKED: How muchfunding will be available next year for the program? Congress has not appropriated additional funding for this purpose in FY17. IF ASKED: Why was funding zeroed out for next year? Does DHS anticipate asking Congress for additional appropriations for CVE grants? e Congress indicated in the joint explanatory statement that funds werenot providedin FY2017 because funds provided in FY2016 had not yet been expended. The President’s budget for FY2018 doesnot specifically request additional funding for a standalone CVE Grant Program. e DHS will continue to work with local communities on terrorism prevention. Moreover, for state and local governments, certain related activities are allowable expenses underthe HomelandSecurity Grant Program. IF ASKED: Whowas eligible to apply for these funds? e Eligible Applicants were limited to: states, local governments, tribal governments, non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education. IF ASKED: How did the change in Administrations impact the program? Who hadfinal approval? Why were these revised? e The Department reviewed the program—within the parameters of existing grant guidance and consistent with appropriate procedures—to ensure the grant process was properly organized for the selection of grantees that had demonstrated potential effectivenes prioritized sustainability, and provided adequate support to frontline defenders. Secretary Kelly approved thefinal list. e Planned awardees for the program were previously announced in Januaryof this year. While the majority of the planned awardees originally announcedwere retained, some changed due to the determination that other organizations would implement programs that were more effective, sustainable, and better partners for state and local law enforcement. IF ASKED: What happens to the applicants who were announced in January? e Ofthe 26 applicants receiving awards, 19 were onthe original list. e Otherapplications mentioned in the January announcement will not receive an award. DHS-17-0305-A-000520 IF ASKED: Why did it take so long between preliminary and final award announcements? e With the transition to a new Administration, the Department needed to fully review this new program to ensurethat it was on a sustainable path and geared toward efforts that wouldbe best situated to further the DHS terrorism prevention mission. IF ASKED: Why were seven preliminary awardees dropped from thefinal list? What caused the additional seven to be added? e Consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, the Department utilized its discretion to consider other factors and information whenreviewing applicants; accordingly, additional priorities (noted above) were appliedto the existing pool of applicants. Top scoring applications that were consistent with thesepriorities remained, while others did not, largely due to concerns regarding effectiveness in this mission space and prospects for long-term sustainability. IF ASKED: How do you respond to the criticism that the delay in awarding the grants negatively impacted programs that were counting on continued funding? e With a newprogram spending taxpayer funds on a complex challenge, it was important to carefully considerthe trajectory of the program to ensure it would have the maximum impact for the taxpayer and advance the Department’s terrorism prevention mission. IF ASKED: Howmany organizations that received CVE grant funding previously were not awarded funds this year? What caused them to be dropped? e No programs received funding under this program previously. IF ASKED: Did anyof the applicants whopublicly rejected their announced awards ultimately receive funding? How manyand which organizations requested to be dropped from consideration? What explanations weregiven for their rejections? e Applicants who contacted DHS to request that their application be withdrawn from consideration did not receive an award after the conclusionof the policy review. IF ASKED: There is nowonly one awardee that is a Muslim organization while there were several such organizations on the January list of planned awardees? Why the change? e The Department seeks to preventterrorist recruitment and radicalization overall, including for Islamist-inspired violent extremism. Moreover, the Departmentrejects the premise that an organization must be directly affiliated with Islam in orderto playa critical role in preventing radicalization to Islamist-inspired violent extremism. It should be notedthat the Notice of Funding Opportunity encouraged partnerships in executing projects underthis grant program, and somerecipients intend to partner withreligious organizations, including Islamic organi ions. Manyof the applicants—and manyof the Department’s intended awards—proposed programming that hasthe potential to prevent all forms of violent extremism, including but not limitedto Islamist terror activity. The Department approaches the terror threat in a risk- based, intelligence-driven manner; however, whether an applicant wasaffiliated with any particular religion played norole in the final decisions regarding which organizations would be offered an award. 10 DHS-17-0305-A-000521 e Muslim organizations and communityleaders have beenstrong partners to the Department since efforts to combat terrorist recruitment and radicalization began, and we expect that to continue. IF ASKED: What were the changes made after the Januarypreliminary award announcement? e No awards were made immediately following the January announcement. Utilizing the discretion providedin statute and in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, the Department assessed the programto ensure it met the goals of countering terrorist recruitment and radicalization in a way that supported law enforcement, put forward effective solutions, and would provide sustainable outcomes in the long term. While many of the awards remained the same, some changed asa result of this review. IF ASKED: Congress did not provide additional funding for this program in the Departments’ FY 2017 appropriation and the Administration’s 2018 budget does not request these funds. Whycontinue the program this year if it will not be renewed? e Congress directed the Department in the joint explanatory statement for FY 2017 appropriations to expend the CVE grant funds without delay, as it had specifically provided funding for this grant program in FY 2016 and madethat funding available to cover two budget years. e Withregard to the FY18 budget, there are many competing priorities and several grant programs continue to allowsuch terrorism prevention activities as eligible expenses, including the Homeland Security Grant Program. IF ASKED: What about programs in so-called “sanctuary cities” — will they receive funding? e The Department wasprohibited from applying the Executive Order’s direction to withhold funds from “sanctuary jurisdictions” because of a court order issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The Department did not determine whetherany grant recipients under this program qualified as a “sanctuary jurisdiction” before making awards. KED: Were applicants encouraged to partner with state/local/municipal Is/entities? e Oneof the CVE Grant Program Goals is to establish partnerships between local communities and the private sector, including technology, entertainment and marketing professionals, to identify and amplify credible voices online and promote counter-narratives against violent extremist messaging. As is stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Grant Focus Area 3 specifically calls for locally based coalitions to engage in intervention activities; develop and support community-based, non-law-enforcement efforts. IF ASKED: Who scored the applications? What qualifications were required of the review panel? Can you provide us those names/that information? e Applications were reviewed in consistent with a 2016 Notice of Funding Opportunity and scored by a review panel comprised of four reviewers: three subject matter experts (SME) one each from the DHS Office for CommunityPartnerships, the interagency CVE Task 11 — ONLY USE —FOR-OFFICIAE DHS-17-0305-A-000522 Force, and a non-federal SMErepresenting an organization active in counteringterrorist recruitment and radicalization — and one FEMA Grant Programs Directorate Official. The non-federal SME wasselected by the Director of the Office for Community Partnerships. Senior leadership from the DHS Office for Community Partnerships, FEMA, the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the CVE Task Force reviewed all scoring results. e Toprotect the integrity of the review panels’ deliberative review process, DHS does not provide the names of panelists who reviewed a particular application, or panelists’ scores and comments. Withholding this information helps to ensure that panelists will be candid with their comments and reviews and protects the objectivity of the overall review process. IF ASKED: What criteria were award decisions based on? e Please see the attached 2016 Noticing of Funding Opportunity announcement which describes the Application Evaluation Criteria (Technical Merit, Needs Analysis, Community Partnerships, Cost Effectiveness/Sustainability, Innovation, Outcomes/Data and Budget) with an extensive section outlining the grant reviewand selection process. IF ASKED: Was regional/geographic and demographic balance taken into consideration when making award determinations? « Someregional balance was considered, primarily when several projects were proposed from the same location. IF ASKED: How are grant budgets determined? e Budgets are submitted aspart of the application. If the award amount is different than the request, OCP and FEMAnotify and work with the grantee onfinalization. IF ASKED: Are the grants limited to addressing Islamist-inspired threats such as ISIS? e While some projects focus specifically on the ISIS threat, most projects funded underthis program develop capabilities to counterall forms of violent extremism, which could also be used to counter ISIS or other persistent and emerging terrorist threats. IF ASKED: Howdo these grants enhance the resilience of communities targeted by violent extremists? e Projects funded underthis program contributeto resiliency efforts in several ways: > Providing information through trainings and development of training curriculumto community membersso they are better equipped to handle a situation of radicalization if they encounter it. > Ensuring law enforcement engagement with communities to decreasebarriers to reporting. > Developing models for assessing and countering recruitment and radicalizations efforts. > Promoting key mental health and social services forat-risk individuals. IF ASKED: How will success andeffectiveness of the grant recipients programs be measured? e Recipients are required to report quarterly, or more frequently in unusual circumstances. The Office for Community Partnerships will evaluate projects for best practices and models for replication in other geographic regions. The Department of Homeland Security Science and 12 FOR USE-ONEYOFFICIAL DHS-17-0305-A-000523 Technology Directorate will select several projects to undergo a third party formal evaluation. IF ASKED: Did any organization with ties to a known terrorist organization receive the CVE grant funding? e No. The organizations representing the top-scoring applications were vetted by law enforcement and intelligence entities to identify any potential terrorist ties. IF ASKED: What is the vetting authority for these grants? Howwere the applicants screened/vetted? e The System of Records Notice covering the ND Grants systemallows information entered into the systemto be usedto determine eligibility for grant awards. The Notice of Funding Opportunity provides DHS wide latitude in determining applicant responsibility and suitability, including potential ties to terrorism or criminal activity that would be disqualifying. DHS also published a PIA specifically describing the security review process. 13 DHS-17-0305-A-000524 BORDER SECURITY Talking Points e Since the Administration’s implementation of Executive Orders to enforce immigration laws, apprehensions and inadmissible activity is trending toward the lowest monthlytotal in at least the last five years. e June data is expected the week of 7/3/2017. e In April, U.S. CBP sawa decrease in individuals apprehended along the Southwest border as well decrease in those foundinadmissible at ports of entry on the Southwest borderof 5 percent comparedto last month and a 68 percent decrease over the same period last year. A > total of 11,129 individuals were apprehended between ports of entry on our Southwest Border, compared with 12,193 in March and 18,754 in January. A > total of 4,651 people presenting themselves at ports of entry on the Southwest Border were deemed inadmissible compared to 4,404 in March and 4,807 in February. e CBP expects the seasonal uptick in apprehensions and inadmissibles in the coming summer months based on historic trends. e Asdirected in Secretary Kelly’s memoranda implementing the President’s executive orders, we remain committed to carrying out fair, impartial and humane enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws. e Wewill remain vigilant to respond to any changes in these trends, as numbersof illegal crossings typically increase between March and May. However, the early results show that enforcement matters, deterrence matters, and that comprehensive immigration enforcement can make an impact. Border Wall Additional Talking Points: e To achieve operational control of the border, CBP must employ personnel, infrastructure, and technology—all 3 are neededto beeffective. e Ashistory has shown in places like California and Arizona, border security is achievable with the right system of personnel, technology andborder infrastructure e CBP relies on these 4 interdependent master capabilities to support border security—one of which is achieved through border walls e¢ CBP solicited industry for wall designs with the intent to construct multiple prototypes. We’re currently reviewing & evaluating those proposals. e The borderinfrastructure will be an important part of a tremendously broad andfar-reaching effort to secure the border In FY 2017, Congress provided CBP funding to replace old fencing and install new gates. e For Fiscal Year, CBP hasprioritized areas in Rio Grande Valley and San Diego for replacement and newlevee and borderwall systems. e CBP will construct border wall systems in areas prioritized by US Border Patrol where they will make a difference for agents on the frontline Our success depends on the vigilant & dedicated men & women of CBP whoserve on the frontline to protect the American people fromall threats 14 DHS-17-0305-A-000525 IF ASKED: If numbers are at an all-time low, whydo weneed a wall along the southern border? e Augmenting and improving the physical barrier along our southern border is just one part of a comprehensive strategy to securing our nation’s borders. e Wewill remain vigilant to respondto any changes in these trends, as numbersof illegal crossings typically increase between March and May. However, the earlyresults show that enforcement matters, deterrence matters, and that comprehensive immigration enforcement can make an impact. IF ASKED: Howmuch is the wall going to cost? e At this time, anyestimates of the total borderwall cost are premature as there are many e The budget request of $2.6 billion is to assist U.S. CBP with the implementation ofthe variables that are currently unknown. entirety of the Executive Order on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements. e All historic dollar amounts noted in CBP’s briefing on the Hill are associated with costs for legacy fence, acquisitions, U.S. Army Corps of Engineering expenses, etc. from the 2008 time period at specific locations. e Costs cannot, and should not, be usedto extrapolate future cost estimates for other locations. e This budget request includes significantly more than just border wall as technology and hiring are also key requirements under the Executive Order. IF ASKED: The OIG indicated the prototype contract awards would be announced on June 21 - Is the Wall project already behind schedule? ¢ The prototype selection is proceeding as planned. The June 21“ date was providedto the Office of the Inspector General as anotional date, providedearly in the process and was not meant to be a firm deadline. Wetold the IG whenwe reviewed the reportthat things evolved and that date was wrong, but it remained inthe report. The process however, is proceeding as we planned. e CBP expects to award multiple contracts for prototype construction in summer 2017 with a 30-day period of performance fromissuance of Notice to Proceed. The prototypes will inform thefinal design standard which will likely continue to evolve to meet USBP’s requirements. Any andall prototypes will be designed to deter illegal entry into the UnitedStates. IF ASKED: Will CBPfollow the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process for prototype construction? e CBP is currently ing its options with respect to environmental compliance for prototype construction. CBP remains committed to responsible environmental stewardship. e IF PRESSED: At this time, no decisions have been made as to whether CBP will follow the traditional NEPA process or request that the Secretary exercise his authority to waive certain legal requirements. . IF ASKED: I heard there is a protest with GAO already — Howwill that impact the prototype selection process? e CBP is still evaluating the potential impact the protest may have. 15 DHS-17-0305-A-000526 IF ASKED: Why is CBPseeking to construct prototypes? « Prototyping is an industry-tested approach to define the best solution when considering a new product or methodology. Through the construction of prototypes, CBP will partner with industry to identify the best means and methods to construct border wall before making a more substantial investment in construction. IF ASKED: Where will the prototypes be constructed? CBP anticipates constructing multiple prototypes in the San Diego Sector Area of Responsibility because of site accessibility to construct and the ability to evaluate wall as part of a larger, existing border infrastructure system. The site selection was based, in large measure, on considerations such as accessibility and the ability to evaluate wall as part of a larger, existing border security system. IF ASKED: Will Solar Panels be included as part ofthe wall per the President’s recent comments? e The RFPshighlighted innovation, but since contract(s) have yet to be awarded,it’s not yet known whether solar panels will be a part of the alternative materials RFP. Wecan’t release information aboutparticular proposals asthat is still procurement sensitive information. Wall Design IF ASKED: How will CBPselect a wall prototype? e CBP will leverage the lessons learned from prototype construction to develop a standard border wall design for future construction as part of a border wall system. This standard will be developed collaboratively and will account for Administration priorities, USBP operational requirements, cost effectiveness, constructability and durability. IF ASKED: What are the criteria for choosing the design of a border wall? e Several criteria are considered to include anti-climb features, anti-breach, anti-dig, durability, constructability, aesthetics, and innovative design areall important considerations in choosing design. IF ASKED: Will the prototypes remain after construction as part of the border wall system or are they only being built as models or examples? e Prototypes will be asked to meet minimum specifications for bordersecurity. As a result, CBP anticipates that some border wall prototypes may remainin place after construction. However, final determinations will not be made until after prototype construction and evaluation has occurred. IF ASKED: Howlong and high is each wall prototype, and how much additional mileage does CBP expect to construct as a “follow-on” to the prototype(s)? e Each wall prototype will be 30 feet long and between approximately 18 and30 feet high. CBP anticipates initial rate construction to begin subsequent to prototype construction and include up to approximately 14 additional miles of wall, subject to the availability of funding. 16 EYR L N OFFICIA -O O SE F U DHS-17-0305-A-000527 RFPs: IF ASKED: What is CBP doing in response to the Executive Order 13767: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement? e In response to Executive Order 13767: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, CBP released two RFPs to acquire multiple conceptual wall design(s) with the intent to construct multiple prototype(s). The two RFPs will allow CBP to evaluate each design category independentlyallowing for the best concrete wall designs andthe best alternative wall designs for award, construction and evaluation. IF ASKED: What are the differences between the two RFPs? e One RFPsolicits concepts for reinforced concrete wall designs and the other solicits alternative designs otherthan reinforced concrete. Proposals that result from both RFPs must meet the minimum U.S. BorderPatrol (USBP) requirements asstipulated in the Statements of Work. 17 DHS-17-0305-A-000528 H-2B VISAS Talking Points: The Secretary has made a decision to assist a limited number of seasonal businesses that would be severely harmedif they do not receive temporary employment relief under the H2Bprogram. The numberof additional H2B visas is being determined in coordination with DHS and the Department of Labor. These visas maynot be issued until late July, at the earliest, because of the lateness in passageof legislation granting the Secretarydiscretion to grant additional visas to businesses with truly seasonal needs, the need to coordinate with the Department of Laborto identify businesses truly at risk if they do not receive additional temporary workers, and the myriadsteps required underfederal rule-making before DHS canissue new visas. The Secretary did not make this decision lightly andis exercising his authority in an effort to help businesses around the country at risk offailing. Heis concerned that Congress is passing the buck bynot clearly legislating the H2B visa numbers, and expects that this one-time occurrence is an anomaly. The Administration and the Department are committed to protecting American jobs and U.S. workers. DHS is only seeking to provide visas to truly seasonal industries that would be severely/significantly harmed by not receiving H2B visas which would adversely impact US workers employed by these seasonal businesses. 18 DHS-17-0305-A-000529 FY 2018 BUDGET PROPOSAL Talking Points The FY 2018 Budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is $70.7 billionin total budget authority and $44.1 billion in appropriated funds. An additional $6.8 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is provided separately, pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA). This budget makes an important down payment on the Administration’s Priorities for Border Security, Interior Enforcement, and Cybersecurity. > Border Security ($2.7 billion): = 74 miles of physical barrier and future planning activities = Border security technology and tactical infrastructure (roads, gates, etc.) = 500 additional BorderPatrol Agents and support personnel = Expands training capacity at FLETC = Increase to the National Targeting Center to improve intelligence and targeting capabilities to establish a baseline to screen and vet international travelers and for counter-terrorism andcounter narcotics efforts > > Interior Enforcement ($1.65 billion): = Increases detention beds to 51,379 = Increases to transportation and alternatives to detention (ATD) = 1,000 additional officers/agents and 606 support personnel = Supports nationwide mandatory use of E-Verify Cybersecurity ($971 million) = Secures the Federal network, responds to incidents, disseminates actionable information, and collaborates with partners to securecritical infrastructure from cyber threats This budget takes a fiscally responsible approachto fund the above investments and includes tough trade-off decisions. A guiding principle wasto look at redundant programs, as well as potential cost sharing arrangementsthat shift part of the financial burden from the federal taxpayer onto those who mostbenefit from provided services. > Introduces a 25 percent non-Federal cost-share for preparedness grants, consistent with the requirementsfor disaster recovery grants > Realigns funding for Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP)from the federal taxpayerto user fees within the National Flood Insurance Program > Proposes an increase to TSA’s aviation passengersecurity fee by $1.00 each way, generating $530 million in fee revenue The FY 2018 request sustains funding for the USCG and its important mission of ensuring maritime safety, security, and stewardship, including $500 million forthe first Offshore Patrol Cutter and long-lead time materials for a second. This budget funds 7,150 personnel for the USSS. Increases TSA workforce (629 screeners) to support projected travel volume growth. IF ASKED: Challenging the USCG sustained funding levels. Thepresident’s FY 18 budget request sustains current funding levels for the U.S. Coast Guard andtheir critical mission. 19 DHS-17-0305-A-000530 ¢ Onthe surface, we agreeit looks like the USCG funding decreases from the FY 2017 Annualized CR to the FY 2018 request. However, the funding level for FY 2017 ACR includeda significant investment addedby the Congress in the FY 2016 appropriation for the 9th NSC, an increase of $640 million. When this one time investment is taken into account the funding level between the FY 2017 ACR and the FY 2018 request shows a growthin the USCGbudget of $280 million, or a growth of $135 million from the FY17 Enacted funding level. e The FY 2017 enacted funding of USCGtotals $8.625 billion, while the president’s FY 2018 request totals $8.760billion, a growth of $135 million. You can find the enacted level in P.L. 115-31 (Due to the delayed enactment of the FY 2017 Enacted Appropriation - all materials for the FY 18 request are built from the FY 2017 ACR funding, not the FY 2017 Enacted.) 20 DHS-17-0305-A-000531 USE-ONLY FOROFFICIAL JIGRATION PRIORITIES Talking Points The Department’s top enforcement priorities include aliens convicted of or charged with crimes, illegal re-entrants, immigration fugitives and any individuals who posea threat the national security and public safety or to the integrity of our immigration system. Like any law enforcement agency, ICEhas to prioritize their limited resources. However the president made it clear in his executive order that DHS will no longer exempt any classes or categories of removable aliens. ICE and CBPare federal law enforcement agencies charged with enforcing the law asit is written. Background Since President Trump’s executive order expanded the department’s immigration enforcement priorities from convicted criminal aliens to anyone in the country unlawfully, the issue of which classes of aliens ICE is going to focus their enforcement efforts on has been a hottopic for congress, the press and the immigration advocacy community. Advocates and members of congress have been pressing DHS to promise that ICE enforcement activities would be restricted to certain categories of aliens (i.e.: convicted criminals, recent border crossers, etc.). However, since the executive order allows ICEto prioritize other classes of aliens that were restricted by the previous administration (immigration fugitives, illegal re-entrants and aliens here unlawfully), congress, the media and NGOs will undoubtedly begin pointing to cases they deem as sympathetic to illustrate their assertions that ICE is “unshackled” or that the Department is wasting resources on lowlevel cases. Consequently, in discussing ICE’s enforcement priorities, DHS must balance emphasizing ourpublic safety and national security mission (i.e. arresting convicted criminals) alongside ourmission to secure the border and ensurethe integrity of our immigration systems (i.e. arresting immigration fugitives, people who havere-entered the country unlawfully after deportation, recent border crossers and other individuals who have undermined the immigration laws of our country). 21 Y E R L L OFFICIA S N FO U O DHS-17-0305-A-000532 Talking Points OnJune 15, Department of Homeland Security Secretary JohnF. Kelly, after consulting with the Attorney General, signed a memorandum rescinding the November 20, 2014 memorandumthat created the program known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (“DAPA”) because there is no credible path forward to litigate the currently enjoined policy. The rescinded memo purported to provide a pathfor illegal aliens with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident child to be considered for deferred action. To be considered for deferred action, an alien was required to satisfy six criteria: > As of November 20, 2014, be the parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; » Have continuously residedhere since before January 1, 2010; Havebeen physically present here on November20, 2014, and whenapplying for relief; VVY Haveno lawful immigration status onthat date; Notfall within the Secretary’s enforcement priorities; and “Present no other factors that, in the exercise of discretion, make [ ] the grant of deferred action inappropriate.” IF ASKED: Whyis DHS rescinding the polic: Secretary Kelly considered a numberof factors, including the nationwide injunction ofthe DAPA memorandum, the ongoing litigation, the fact that DAPA nevertook effect, and our new immigration enforcement priorities. IF ASKED: Why was DAPA never implemented? Federal courts halted the policy before it was implemented. IF ASKED: What were the factors to be considered for DAPA? To request consideration for deferred action under DAPA, the alien must havesatisfied the following criteria: > As of November20, 2014, be the parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; > Havecontinuously resided here since before January 1, 2010; >» Havebeen physically present here on November20, 2014, and whenapplying forrelief; >» Have no lawful immigration status on that date; > Notfall within the Secretary’s enforcement priorities; and > “Present no other factors that, in the exercise of discretion, make the grant of deferred action inappropriate.” The Memorandum also directed USCIS to expand the coveragecriteria under the 2012 DACA policy to encompass aliens with a wider range ofages andarrival dates, and to lengthen the period of deferred action and work authorization from two years to three (“Expanded DACA”). The Department has not changed any policies related to DACA recipients. The grounds for termination of an individual’s DACA status have not changed since the creation of the program. 22 DHS-17-0305-A-000533 IF ASKED: Will this affect DACA? ¢ This rescission will not affect the terms of the original DACA program asoutlined in the June 15, 2012 memorandum. IF ASKED: Does this mean that DACA recipients will not be able to applyfor a three-year work authorization, as established in the DAPA memorandum? e DACA recipients will continue to be eligible as outlined in the June 15, 2012 memorandum. ¢ DACA recipients who wereissued three-year extensions before the district court’s injunction e No work permits will be terminated prior to their current expiration dates. will not be affected, and will be eligible to seek a two-year extension upontheir expiration. Background e Prior to implementation of DAPA, twenty-six states challengedthe policies established in e Thedistrict court enjoined implementation of the DAPA memorandum, the United States the DAPA memorandum in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision, and the Supreme Court allowed the district court’s injunction to remain in place. 23 DHS-17-0305-A-000534 Talking Points e USCIS continues to process new DACA applications as well as requests for renewal of DACA status IF ASKED: Is DHS targeting DACA recipients? e The Department has not changed any policies related to DACA recipients. e The grounds for termination of an individual’s DACA status have not changed since the creation ofthe program. ¢ DACA recipients who are found to pose a risk to public safety or national security due to criminal convictions or gang affiliation may have their DACA terminated atany time. e Since the creation of the DACA program, more than 1500 individuals have had their DACA status terminated dueto criminal convictions or gang affiliation. Background The fact that there haven’t been any changes to the DACA programunder the new administration has been met with wide praise from congress, advocacy groups and the media. However, because immigration enforcement is under a public microscopeat the moment, cases that might not have otherwise gainedattention, are picking up alot of press. Thi particularly true with regard to cases of DACA recipients arrested by ICE due to the suspicionthat they might be in violation of their DACA dueto gang affiliation or criminal convictions. It is likely that caseslike the ones below will continue to receive coverage as advocacy organizations look for waysto paint ICE’s immigration enforcementefforts as draconian in nature. 24 DHS-17-0305-A-000535 — ONLY USE FOR-OFFICIAL CAM Talking Points On January 25, President Trump signed an Executive Orderentitled Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements that called for the Department of Homeland Security to take action to ensure that parole authority under section 212(d)(5) ofthe Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1182(d)(5)) is exercised only on a case-by-case basis and only when an individual demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit. Ihave reviewed the Central American Minors (CAM) Parole program and concluded that continuation of the program is no longer supportedby statutorily-required “significant public benefit” reasons. Accordingly, DHS will no longer automatically consider parole requests from individuals denied refugee status in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras under the CAM Parole program. IF ASKED: Does the termination of the CAMParole program affect the CAM Refugee program and its operation? No. IF ASKED: How does this affect CAM parolees already in the U.S.? CAMparolees alreadyin the United States will be able to applyfor re-parole underexisting standard re-parole procedures before their current parole period expires, providedthat their parole has not been terminated for other reasons in accordance with DHS regulations at 8 CER. § 212.5. They are encouraged to submit any requests for re-parole at least 90 days before expiration of their period for parole. 25 DHS-17-0305-A-000536 FOR USE-ONEYOFFICHAE GENEVA SANDS Justice and Homeland Security Reporter ABC News Geneva Sands is a Washington, D.C. based reporter, covering the DOJ and DHS for ABC News. Her work appears in TheHill, Fusion, and Yahoo! News, as well as local stations in Phoenix, Ariz., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Harrisburg, Pa., and Austin, Texas. Genevais a graduate of American University with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. 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Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000745 Page 0746 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000746 Page 0747 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000747 Page 0748 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000748 Page 0749 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000749 Page 0750 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000750 Page 0751 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000751 Page 0752 Withheld pursuant to exemption Duplicate of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-000752 « Wuco, Frank Kb)(6) oe Subject: FW: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Friday, July 21, 2017 Date: 2017/07/21 05:01:37 Priority: Normal Type: Note From: Bulletin Intelligence Sent: Friday, July 21, 2017 5:00:32 AM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) To: DHS@BulletinIntelligence.com Subject: The Homeland Security News Briefing for Friday, July 21, 2017 The Homeland Security News Briefing TO: THE SECRETARY AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2017 5:00 AM EDT TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING DHS NEWS: + Secretary Kelly: DHS Authorization Bill Must Be Supported By Both Parties. + Secretary Kelly: US Drug Demand Is Causing Suffering In Central America. + Secretary Kelly: Securing Ports Is Priority To Prevent Terrorism. + Secretary Kelly: Prosecuting Parents May Stop Human Trafficking. AVIATION SECURITY: + DHS Implements First Phase Of Updated Aviation Security Measures. + DHS Confirms Laptop Ban On Planes Has Been Lifted. + GAO: TSA Doesn't HaveScientific Justification To Detect Terrorists Through Behavior. + Eastern lowa Airport Adds TSA PreCheck. IMMIGRATION POLICY: + Durbin, Graham File Legislation Aimed At Warding Off Legal Challenge To DACA. + Democratic State Attorney Generals Call On Trump To Keep DACA. + Federal Judge Refuses To Remove Block On Sanctuary City Order. + Sessions To Discuss Sanctuary Cities In Philadelphia On Friday. + Trump Organization Requests H-2B Workers During “Made In America Week.” + Refugees To Leave Papua New Guinea Camp By October Despite “Uncertainty” Over USAustralia Refugee Resettlement Deal. + Fresno Struggling Amid Influx Of Syrian Refugees. + Members Of Burundi Robotics Team Disappear After Competition. + Jeh Johnson: Illegal Immigration Down Because Of Trump’s “Rhetoric.” + CARAProject Helps Immigrants Seeking Asylum. + CNN: Kushner’s White House Touted ToAttract Chinese Investors. DHS-17-0305-A-000753 BORDER WALL: + Vox: Solar Panels Would Not Pay For Border Wall. + National Border Patrol Council President: Border Fence Will Help Protect Americans. BORDER SECURITY: + CBP Launches Security Program Using Facial Recognition Technology At O'Hare. + Cuban Nationals Continue To Amass At US-Mexico Border. SECRET SERVICE: + Secret Service Trains Law Enforcement At Alabama Institute. IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT: + Travis County Blames“Clerical Error” For Releasing Felon. + ICE “Not Apologizing” For Crackdown. + Guatemalan Woman Seeks Sanctuary In Church Instead Of Boarding Plane. + Additional Immigration Judges Moved Closer To Mexican Border. + Supporters Of Detained MIT Janitor Call For Governor's Help. + Roberts: Deportation Of Pastor Makes US NoSafer. + Bronx Man Remains Detained Despite Pardon. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS: + DOJ Announces Takedown Of Dark Web Marketplace For Drugs, Other Illicit Goods. + Hacker Claims HeStole $40 Million In Bitcoin. EMERGENCY RESPONSE: + White House Crafting Comprehensive Strategy Against Pandemics And Biological Attacks, Official Says. + AllGov Profiles DNDO Director Jim McDonnell. + Houston Receives $1.7 Million Grant To Prepare For Complex Terrorist Attacks. + Illinois Fire Departments Receive $2.7 Million In DHS Grants. + California Wildfire Destroys Structures. COAST GUARD: + Zukunft: Coast Guard Should Be Funded Like A Military Service. + Coast Guard Endured $300,000 In Expenses Searching For Alaska Man WhoFaked Death. CYBER NEWS: + Russian News Agency: US, Russia “In Talks” To Create Joint Cybersecurity Working Group. + Kelly, Bossert Confirm Russia Tried To Manipulate 2016 Election. + Microsoft Uses Lawyers To Thwart Russian Hackers. + TIME Journalist Discusses Story About US Efforts To “Prevent Damage By The Russians” In 2016 Elections. + Cyber Expert Offers “Out-Of-The-Box Idea” For Retaliating Against Russian Cyberattack. + Attorney For Russian Programmer Wanted By USClaims Prosecution Politically Motivated. + + + + + + Cisco Report Discusses Cybersecurity Trends. Cybersecurity Conference To Be Held In Asheville, North Carolina. Arab Governments Spent “Millions” On “Digital Battle” Against OwnCitizens. Qatari Government Investigating Hacking Campaign That Led To Diplomatic Crisis. Australian Researchers: Cyber Operations May Cause Accidental War. Cybersecurity Experts To Attend Black Hat Las Vegas Conference. OTHER DHS NEWS: + NextGov Ebook Highlights DHS Technology. GLOBAL MEDIA: + Canadian Federal Court Of Appeal Denies Egyptian Man’s Plea ToLift Terrorist Designation. DHS-17-0305-A-000754 TERRORISM INVESTIGATIONS: + YouTube Redirects ISIS Recruits To Anti-Terrorist Videos. + Florida Man Sues Over His Inclusion On No-Fly List. + Bail Set For Alabama Terrorism Suspect. + FBI Probing Incident That Caused Flight Diversion. NATIONAL SECURITY NEWS: + At Pentagon, Trump Offers No Details On US Plans For Afghanistan, Middle East. + UN Sanctions Eight Linked To ISIS, Al Qaeda. + Netanyahu Under Pressure To Remove Metal Detectors From Jerusalem Holy Site + Trump Gets ISIS Update From National Security Team. + Syrian Rebels Disappointed By US Decision To End CIA Support. + Despite Syria And Iraq Losses, ISIS Remains Active Elsewhere. + US Navy Chief Asks Chinese Counterpart For Help On North Korea . + Pompeo At Aspen Security Forum: Russia Loves To “Stick It To America.” Leading DHS News: SECRETARY KELLY: DHS AUTHORIZATION BILL MUST BE SUPPORTED BY BOTH PARTIES. In an op-ed for TheHill (7/20, Kelly, 1.61M) “Congress Blog,” Secretary Kelly says DHS has “been in the business of keeping Americans safe” since the Homeland Security Act was passed in 2002. Kelly explains that the “men and women of DHS have worked tirelessly to uphold” the mission of protecting the homeland. Kelly adds that the “world is not the same today as it was when the Department was first authorized,” and explains that the Department needs. “updated authorities, updated support, and updated accountability for the world welive in today.” He announces his support for the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2017, which “would be the Department's first ever reauthorization — and for certain parts of the Department would betheir first actual authorization.” Kelly calls the legislation “unprecedented,” and says it “reflects the Department's importance in our national security efforts, and solidifies our mission to protect our nation andits future.” Kelly “also appreciate[s] the bill’s emphasis on improving morale throughout the Department.” He says he has “made it a priority to ensure the men and women of the Department are empowered to do the jobs they weretrained and hired to do and get the credit they are due as they protect the homeland” from the moment he became Secretary. Kelly concludes that there is “no more important mission — no duty more sacred — than protecting the people of the United States, and strongly encourage members in both parties to support this legislation.” House Votes To Reauthorize DHS. TheHill (7/20, Marcos, 1.61M) reports the House voted on Thursday to reauthorize DHS by a vote of 386-41. TheHill says if the bill is passed by the Senate, “it would bethe first-ever reauthorization of [DHS] sinceit was created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.” The Hill explains that the bill “reauthorizes and makes some updates to counterterrorism, emergency preparedness and maritime security programs within the DHS, as well as the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Secret Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” The Hill explains some of the changes in the legislation, such as “requiring the Secret Service director to be confirmed by the Senate,” and preventing the DHS Secretary “from appointing assistant secretaries without the approval of Congress.” The Washington Examiner (7/20, Giaritelli, 403K) quotes House Speaker Paul Ryan as saying, “Today, Congress ensured that the Department of Homeland Security has the resources it needs to keep terrorists, traffickers, and smugglers out of the United States.” The bill is the bill is the “first time Congress has had a chance to tweak the department's mission since it was formed in 2002.” The Examiner says the “575-page bill streamlines and consolidates DHS agencies; creates processes to make the 229,000-person department more accountable on the cost and efficiency of programs; provides additional resources for front-line defenders and first responders; DHS-17-0305-A-000755 and strengthens U.S. security through various procedures.” NextGov (7/20) reports thebill “beef[s] up cyber protections at ports and airports.” The reauthorization bill “would direct the Transportation Security Administration to conduct a broad assessment of cyber risks to aviation security and to be prepared to vet cyber protections of specific airports andairlines if requested.” TSA “must also develop one program to enhance cyber threat information sharing across the aviation sector and another to assess cyber vulnerabilities in data stored by TSA PreCheck and other trusted traveler programs, according to the bill.” The bill “also formally tasks the U.S. Coast Guard with ensuring cyber protections at U.S. ports and with helping port operators share cyber threat information.” The Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser (7/20, 134K) reports Rep. Clay Higgins “says his legislation to authorize the Department of Homeland Security will give Congress needed oversight powers that may yet trim the department's size and cost while improving its work product.” Higgins “said the bill advances changes such as giving DHS morestructure; authorizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which enforces law governing border control; reauthorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration; streamlining DHS offices; enhancing cyber security defense; and replacing and modernizing Coast Guard assets to make that service branch moreeffective in protecting ports.” SECRETARY KELLY: US DRUG DEMAND IS CAUSING SUFFERING IN CENTRAL AMERICA. The Washington Examiner (7/20, Giaritelli, 403K) reports Secretary Kelly, during a discussion at the Aspen Security Forum, “said Thursday America’s drug epidemic is as much the fault of Americans’ demand for the productas it is the cartels smuggling the substances into the U.S.” Kelly is quoted as saying, “The profits that come out of that drug market are fantastic and as a result the countries to our south, Mexico andfurther south, suffer terribly because of the violence and the trafficking, and the production. ... As Americans we should be ashamed of ourselves that we have done almost nothing to get our arms around drug demand ... to try to influence the lives of folks who live in places like Central America, we work very very hard to inject investment.” SECRETARY KELLY: SECURING PORTSIS PRIORITY TO PREVENT TERRORISM. The AP (7/20) reports, “Security at shipping ports around the U.S., including testing containers and vessels for biological and radiological hazards, is a top priority to preventing terrorism, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Thursday.” Kelly “rode aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Aspen, near the Port of Los Angeles,” and “viewed an array of new equipment used to test for radiation and biological threats.” Kelly “said he believes the current security levels at U.S. shipping ports is adequate, but his agency must continue to research new technology to keep up with changing threats.” While he was onboard the Aspen, “members of the Coast Guard conducted a training demonstration, simulating the boarding of a ship with a radiological threat.” KABC-TV Los Angeles (7/20, 483K) reports Kelly “said he was impressed by what he saw but said there is always room for improvement.” He added, “The threat always changes...So we always have to be ontop of that.” The Ventura County (CA) Star (7/20, 181K) features a slideshow ofKelly's visit. SECRETARY KELLY: PROSECUTING PARENTS MAY STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING. The AP (7/20) reports, “A plan to prosecute parents who pay smugglers to illegally bring their children across the U.S. border is aimed at quelling human trafficking, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Thursday.” Kelly “said he believes those whohelp human traffickers — including parents who pay for their children to be brought to the U.S. illegally — should be arrested and prosecuted.” Aviation Security DHS IMPLEMENTS FIRST PHASE OF UPDATED AVIATION SECURITY MEASURES. The Hill DHS-17-0305-A-000756 (7/20, Shelbourne, 1.61M) reports DHS “said Thursday that it has successfully implemented the first stage of new aviation security measures announced last month by DHS Secretary John Kelly.” A DHS official “said the first phase of the new measures has been applied to more than 280last-point-of-departure airports throughout the world, as well as 180airlines.” DHS press secretary David Lapan is quoted as saying, “The quick and decisive action taken byairlines, nations and stakeholders are a testament to our shared commitment to raising the bar on global aviation security. ... Airlines were able to implement the necessary enhanced security measures because of the close coordination and extensive communication between aviation partners and DHS/TSA. As we continue to secure global aviation in the coming weeks and months, this communication and partnership between the private sector and the U.S. government will be imperative.” USAToday (7/20, Jansen, 10.05M) reports DHS “didn’t detail the extra steps, other than to say that travelers might see more 3D scanners, more swabbing for traces of explosives and more bomb-sniffing dogs at checkpoints.” NextGov (7/20, Kozlowska) reports the new security measures “are said to be a solution to avoid expanding the laptop ban the US imposed on nine airlines flying out of 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa.” The Wall Street Journal (7/20, Carey, Subscription Publication, 6.99M), Reuters (7/20), and the AP (7/20, Koenig) report similarly. DHS CONFIRMS LAPTOP BAN ON PLANES HAS BEEN LIFTED. The NewYork Times (7/20, Maidenberg, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports that DHS confirmed Thursday that passengers flying to the US “from airports in 10 Muslim-majority countries affected by the ban may now take their laptops andother large electronic devices into the cabin with them.” The airlines and airports affected by the ban, which was imposed in March, “have all complied with the initial phase of the new Homeland Security standards, allowing the prohibition to belifted, the department said.” CBS News (7/20, 3.91M) reports similarly. Continuing Coverage: Secretary Kelly Defends Implementing Aviation Security Measures. In continuing coverage, the Aspen (CO) Daily News (7/20, 27) reports Secretary Kelly “said Wednesday that terrorists’ hope to bring down anairplane enroute to the United States, something he called ‘the Stanley Cup, the World Series’ of terrorism, [led] to the ban...of certain personal electronic devices on planes headed to America.” He also said the laptop ban was lifted this week, in part, “becauseof the respect that [terrorists] have for the TSA andthe other things that we do at our airports and final points of departure.” GAO: TSA DOESN’T HAVE SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION TO DETECT TERRORISTS THROUGH BEHAVIOR. USAToday (7/20, Jansen, 10.05M) reports the TSA “doesn’t have scientific justification for most of the behavioral clues that officers use to identify potential terrorists”, the Government Accountability Office said in a report Thursday. Despite “a lack of scientific validation,” TSA told the GAO “that some suspicious actions, such as a traveler having wires hanging out of clothing, can’t be ignored.” Still, DHS “responded that the behavior-detection program was eliminated beforethis fiscal year, and officers were integrated into the checkpoint workforce.” EASTERN IOWA AIRPORT ADDS TSA PRECHECK. The Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette (7/20, Schmidt, 145K) reports the Eastern lowaAirport “has become the second facility in the state” to offer TSA PreCheck. TSApublic affairs manager Lorie Dankers is quoted as saying, “It's more convenient because you need to take less steps to get through the security checkpoint. ... It's faster, but it’s also the convenience.” TSA federal security director David Dailey said, “We're able to minimizethe risk by offering them an expedited form of screening, which allows us then to focus our resources more on the unknowns, or the higher risk traveling population.” Immigration Policy: DURBIN, GRAHAM FILE LEGISLATION AIMED AT WARDING OFF LEGAL CHALLENGE TO DACA. The Washington Post(7/20, Sacchetti, 12.92M) reports that Senate Minority Whip Durbin and Sen. Lindsey Graham, “hoping to fend off a legal challenge to a program that has spared DHS-17-0305-A-000757 nearly 800,000 young immigrants from deportation,” made “a long-shot appeal to President Trump on Thursday to support legislation that would put those immigrants and thousands of others on a path to UScitizenship.” Durbin and Graham introduced legislation “that would grant permanent legal status to more than 1 million young people who arrived in the United States before they turned 18, passed security checks and metother criteria, including enrolling in college, joining the military or finding jobs.” The Post adds that “as a candidate, Trump blasted President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, saying it was wrong to bypass Congress and give deportation protection” to undocumented immigrants “who came to the country aschildren.” Roll Call (7/20, Lesniewski, 91K) reports Graham “said he hoped that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly would be empowered to develop a border security and internal enforcement policy that the overwhelming majority of senators could support, along with measures like the DREAM Act to address the needs of the undocumented immigrants already living within the United States.” The Hill (7/20, Bernal, 1.61M) reports Sen. Graham also met with White House adviser Jared Kushner on Thursday to discuss immigration. Graham “added that [Secretary] Kelly, who has on multiple occasions expressed support for the immigrants covered under DACA, could be the key to widespread political support for the Dream Act.” The Charleston (SC. Post and Courier (7/20, Dumain, 287K) reports Graham became emotional as he “delivered an impassioned plea to colleagues to get on what hecalled theright side of history when it comes to the immigration debate.” However, the Daily Caller (7/20, Racke, 680K) reports the Administration “is notlikely to throwits support behind a Senate plan to revive an amnestybill for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, administration officials said Wednesday.” A White House official “told McClatchy that President Donald Trump would not sign an updated version of the Dream Act, a bipartisan proposal to codify the legal status of people currently eligible for protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).” The Tampa Bay (FL) Times (7/20, Leary, 964K) reports Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) does not support the revised Dream Act. Rubio said, “I’m not prepared to sign on tothat legislation right now because think there might be a better approach.” Rubio “said legislation would haveto provide ‘appropriate resources,’ which he defined as working with Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador to publicize what the law would do and not do.” In her column for the Chicago Sun-Times (7/20, Sweet, 862K), Lynn Sweet argues that Sen. John McCain's “tragic brain cancer” could “maybe, hollow out a political place for Republicans to pay tribute to McCain with a legacy pieceof legislation,” such as the DREAM Act. Lynn says McCain “has been a long-time champion of comprehensive immigration reform.” DEMOCRATIC STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS CALL ON TRUMP TO KEEP DACA. The Washington Post (7/21, Sacchetti, 12.92M) reports, “Attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia are urging President Trump to save an Obama-era program that protects nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants from deportation, and offering to help him defend it in court.” The Post says the group is “twice the size of the 10-state coalition of Republican officials that have threatened to sue the Trump administration if it does not start to phase out the program by Sept. 5.” The group wrotea letter that said, “The consequences of rescinding DACA would be severe, not just for the hundreds of thousands of young people who rely on the program — andfor their employers, schools, universities and families — but for the country's economy as a whole.” FEDERAL JUDGE REFUSES TO REMOVE BLOCK ON SANCTUARY CITY ORDER. Reuters (7/20, Levine) reports US District Judge William Orrick III “refused to revisit a court order that blocks President Donald Trump’s administration from carrying out a policy designed to threaten the granting of federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities.” Orrick “ruled that a recent memo from the Justice Department that appeared to narrow the scope of Trump’s executive order on sanctuary cities did not remove the need for a court-ordered injunction.” He “wrote that the memo is not binding and the attorney general can revoke it at any time.” Politico (7/20, Lima, 2.97M) reports similarly. DHS-17-0305-A-000758 SESSIONS TO DISCUSS SANCTUARY CITIES IN PHILADELPHIA ON FRIDAY. The AP (7/20) reports that Attorney General Sessions “is bringing the federal fight over so-called sanctuary cities to Philadelphia.” According to the AP, “Sessions on Friday will visit the city that has said its local law enforcement will not act as immigration agents — a stance Sessions has challenged as unconstitutional.” Sessions “recently singled out Philadelphia in speaking with law enforcement Officials in Las Vegas, saying thecity is ‘advertising’ its policy and “protecting criminals.” TRUMP ORGANIZATION REQUESTS H-2B WORKERS DURING “MADE IN AMERICA WEEK.” The Washington Post (7/20, Fahrenthold, 12.92M) reports, “President Trump’s Mar-aLago Club in Florida has asked permission to hire 70 foreign workers this fall, attesting — in the middle of the White House’s ‘Made in America Week’ — that it cannot find qualified Americans to serve as cooks, waiters and housekeepers.” The Post says, “The applications to the Department of Labor are a first step in the process of applying for H-2B visas, which would allow the clubs to bring in foreigners for temporary work between October and next May. ... Now, the Labor Department - which reports to Trump — must make decisions that will affect two for-profit business that the president still owns.” Vox (7/20, Campbell, 1.5M) says the policy change permitting thelifting of the H-2B cap “was surprising,” and adds, “Trump has criticized other guest-worker programs for supposedly taking away jobs from Americans.” REFUGEES TO LEAVE PAPUA NEW GUINEA CAMP BY OCTOBER DESPITE “UNCERTAINTY” OVER US-AUSTRALIA REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT DEAL. AFP (7/20) reports, “Hundreds of refugees being held at a remote Papua New Guinea detention camp will be moved by October despite uncertainty over a resettlement deal with the United States.” AFP says, “The sudden withdrawal from PNGlast week of American officials assessing the refugees sparked fears a deal with Washington to take them would not go ahead.” AFP adds that DHS officials’ withdrawal “came days after the US passedits annual 50,000-refugee intake cap.” Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is quoted saying, “We have been caught up in the US process, they have a quota each year. It was 110,000 people they weretaking in the refugee program under President Obama, but President Trump has reduced that to 50,000. Their year finishes in September, so we have been pushed into October in terms of when people will move.” The AP (7/20, McGuirk, Press) reports, “Australia was disappointed that hundreds of its rejected refugees would not begin resettling in the United States this month under a deal that predates President Donald Trump’s administration, an official said on Friday.” Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton “said Australia wanted the refugees to start moving in July, but the United States had already filled its 50,000 refugee quotafor the current fiscal year.” FRESNO STRUGGLING AMID INFLUX OF SYRIAN REFUGEES. The New York Times (7/20, Jordan, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports that while refugees are “typically placed in towns and cities such as Buffalo, N.Y.; Boise, Idaho; and Fayetteville, Ark., where resettlement agencies ease their transition to life in a new country,” they are “free to move about the country...and they sometimes land in places like Fresno that are not exactly prepared for their arrival.” Since late 2016, more than 200 Syrian refugees havesettled in Fresno. While cheap housing has been a draw, the city is “struggling with high poverty and unemployment, making it more difficult for the refugees to securejobs.” The city also “has nofederally funded agency to help them find work.” MEMBERS OF BURUNDI ROBOTICS TEAM DISAPPEAR AFTER COMPETITION. USA Today (7/20, Bacon, 10.05M) reports that two of the six teen membersof a robotics team from Burundi “disappeared after an international competition in Washington, DC” and werelater seen crossing into Canada, police confirmed Thursday. “We don’t have an update on the whereabouts (of the others), but we have no indication that there was foul play,” police spokeswoman Margarita Mikhaylova told USA TODAY. She said the investigation was continuing. The AP (7/20, Barakat) reports international robotics competition event organizers “said Thursday that their disappearance may have been ‘self-initiated,” while a “member of the Burundi-American DHS-17-0305-A-000759 community was a little more straightforward, saying he haslittle doubt the teens are seeking asylum, though he emphasized he had no direct knowledge ofthe situation.” JEH JOHNSON: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DOWN BECAUSE OF TRUMP’S “RHETORIC.” The Hill (7/20, Savransky, 1.61M) reports former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson appeared on CNN’s “New Day” on Thursday and “attributed the decrease in illegal immigration on the southern border to President Trump’s rhetoric.” Johnson said, “Through his rhetoric, he scared off a lot of women and children in Central America who'd rather stay in their desperate circumstances or just migrate to Mexico andstop there. ... But these are really desperate women and children, women with babies in their arms, who are trying to flee the poverty and violence in the countries theyleft.” He said the US should enforce law “in a humane manner consistent with our priorities.” CARA PROJECT HELPS IMMIGRANTS SEEKING ASYLUM. The KansasCity (MO) Pitch (7/20, 92K) reports on the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project in Kansas City that “allows lawyers from across the country to represent those” who are seeking asylum. The project's database also “tracks immigrants being held, and helps to reunite family members separated during the journey.” CNN: KUSHNER’S WHITE HOUSE TOUTED TO ATTRACT CHINESE INVESTORS. In an “exclusive,” CNN (7/20, Griffin, Devine, 44.83M) reports on its website that Jared Kushner’s “status as a top aide to President Donald Trump was used to lure Chinese investors to his family's New Jersey development, even after his family’s company apologized for mentioning his name during a sales pitch in May.” CNN said, “References to Kushner arepart of online promotions by two businesses that are working with Kushner Companies to find Chinese investors willing to invest in the 1 Journal Square development in exchange for a USvisa. The promotions are posted in Chinese and refer to Kushner Companies as ‘real estate heavyweights.” ... One posted online in May by the company US Immigration Fund, a private business basedin Florida, also contains a reference to Kushner’s appearance on the cover of December's Forbes Magazine, under the headline ‘This guy got Trump elected.” White House Spokesman: Kushner Would Recuse Self From EB-5 Matters. The Economist (7/20, 7.89M) discusses the possible conflicts of interest that could arise with respect to Jared Kushner, who“has taken steps to distance himself from his wide-ranging property business” while serving as senior adviser to the President. However, he “kept his stake in many of the LLCs that make up the business” and retains “a passive ownership interest in about 90% of his holdings in property.” The Economist briefly mentions an episode in which Kushner’s sister mentioned his “newrole in Washington” in a pitch to Chinese prospective EB-5 investors in one project, and says, “Kushner Companies apologised ‘if that mention of her brother was in any way interpreted as an attempt to lure investors.” The Economist cites a White House spokesman saying Kushner would recuse himself from anything involving EB-5 financing or other matters with “direct and predictable” effects on entities in which heretains a financial interest. Border Wall: VOX: SOLAR PANELS WOULD NOT PAY FOR BORDER WALL. Vox (7/20, Arrieta-Kenna, 1.5M) analyzes President Trump’s statement concerning solar panels on the border wall, and that adding solar panels would mean the wall would “paly] for itself.” Vox says a “back-of-theenvelope calculation shows that solar panels wouldn't come close to covering the costfor the 700 to 900 miles of wall Trump wants to build.” Vox adds, “So when all is said and done, it looks like the solar panels, estimated to bring in at most $300 million a year, would hardly make a dent in the wall’s costs.” NATIONAL BORDER PATROL COUNCIL PRESIDENT: BORDER FENCE WILL HELP. PROTECT AMERICANS. In an op-ed for the Washington Times (7/20, Judd, 458K), National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd argues a “secure border fence, particularly the double-layered fencing called for in the bipartisan Secure Fence Act of 2006 (Pub.L. 109367) and DHS-17-0305-A-000760 which Mr. Trump pledged to build, would provide another level of deterrence to those contemplating illegal entry.” Judd adds, “In all areas of law enforcement the most effective and humane way of enforcing laws is convincing people not to break themin the first place.” He concludes, “A strategically placed barrier that saves lives and taxpayer dollars can aptly be described asa ‘big beautiful wall.” Border Security CBP LAUNCHES SECURITY PROGRAM USING FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY AT O’HARE. The Chicago Tribune (7/20, Wisniewski, 1.85M) reports that starting this month, CBP introduced a new security program that uses facial recognition technology at O'Hare Airport. The article mentions that the program has already been deployed at Dulles International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, “with future deployments plannedfor more airports this summer.” CUBAN NATIONALS CONTINUE TO AMASS AT US-MEXICO BORDER. The Guardian (UK) (7/20, Agren, 3.45M) discusses the plight of Cuban nationals who havearrived at the US southern border since January 12, when then-President Obama ended the “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy. The Guardian says, “Cubans have continued to converge at the border regardless, in the hope that Obama’s successor would return to a more hostile Cuba policy. But when Donald Trump recently announced a partial rollback of Obama’s Cuba opening in June, he kept immigration restrictions intact.” The Guardian adds, “Approximately half the Cubans tired of waiting in Nuevo Laredo, walked across the border bridge and ‘surrendered’ to US officials in the hope of claiming asylum. Others have requested asylum in Mexico, though most have not abandoned their hopes of entering the US.” Secret Service: SECRET SERVICE TRAINS LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ALABAMA INSTITUTE. The New York Times (7/20, Fandos, Subscription Publication, 14.49M) reports the Secret Service “maybe better known for keeping government executives safe,” but it “also has a mandate to investigate and fight financial and other cybercrimes.” The Times details the agency’s workat the National Computer Forensics Institute near Birmingham, Alabama, where instructors teach law enforcement the methods taught to its own agents. The Times says tuition to the classes is free, and the Secret Service “throws in travel, room, board and, for police officers, tens of thousands of dollars of technology to set up their own forensics labs back home.” The Times adds that the training has allowed the Secret Service to “empower[r] a network of thousands of law enforcement officers across the country capable of processing digital evidence and indebted to the agency that taught them.” The Times explains that the Secret Service employs 3,300 agents, and to “amplify its effect,” the agency “relies on dozens of electronic and financial crimes task forces across the country, wherelocal andstate law officers and people in academia and businesses work alongside its own agents.” Deputy assistant director for investigations Robert Novy“said the task forces help ensure that cases continue to move forward regardless of protection demands,” and “also said that they have begun to free the Secret Service's own staff to focus onlarger-scale cyberthreats and high-dollar financial crimes.” Immigration Enforcement: TRAVIS COUNTY BLAMES “CLERICAL ERROR” FOR RELEASING FELON. On its website, KEYE-TV Austin, TX (7/20, 34K) reports the Travis County Sheriff's Office “is now apologizing about the release of a man with a knowncriminal history,” and has “issued a clarification about the release of a man with a knowncriminal history.” ICE says Travis County Jail released Julio Cesar Mendoza-Caballero “in June without notifying them, after they had requested an immigration detainer.” The Sheriff's Office released a clarification on Thursday afternoon that “says they were, in fact, notified by ICE about his felony criminal history — but missed the DHS-17-0305-A-000761 message due to a clerical error.” ICE “NOT APOLOGIZING” FOR CRACKDOWN. NPR (7/20, 3.51M) reports, “Under President Trump, ICE agents are told to arrest anyone in the country illegally.” Dallas field office director Simona Flores said, “We're not apologizing for what we're doing...We're trying to do the right thing.” Flores “said that over her nearly 30-year career as a federal immigration officer, she always has used discretion.” She added, “We listen to every case by case when it’s brought to our attention that might need special attention.” NPR also details embedding journalists with ICE Fugitive Operations for “two days in early July.” GUATEMALAN WOMAN SEEKS SANCTUARY IN CHURCH INSTEAD OF BOARDING PLANE. The Hartford (CT) Courant (7/21, McWilliams, 390K) reports, “A woman witha deportation order sought sanctuary in a New Haven church instead of boarding a plane back to Guatemala, her lawyer said Thursday.” Nury Chavarria “was slated to be deported on Thursday, but in the afternoon took refuge at Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal church in the Fair Haven section of the city.” The AP (7/20) and the New Haven (CT) Register (7/20, 207K) report similarly. ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION JUDGES MOVED CLOSER TO MEXICAN BORDER. On its website, WNYC-FM NewYork (7/20, 54K) reports, “In its crackdown on illegal immigration, the Trump administration is moving an increasing number of immigration judges closer to the border with Mexico.” The judge have been “sent to hear deportation cases in Louisiana, California, New Mexico and Texas, along with Elizabeth, New Jersey, where there's a detention center.” WNYCFMsays around “half of New York City’s 30 immigration judges have been temporarily reassigned for two-to-four weeks at a time between early April and July,” which has “cause[d] cases to get delayed for months.” According to the latest data obtained by WNYC, “128 of the nation’s approximately 325 immigration judges have been shuffled to other locations between early April and the middle of July.” EOIR “did not respond to a request for comment,” but “has said it is hiring more judges.” SUPPORTERS OF DETAINED MIT JANITOR CALL FOR GOVERNOR’S HELP. The Springfield (MA) Republican (7/20, 564K) reports, “Supporters of Francisco Rodriguez, a janitor for MIT who was detained last week by federal immigration officials with ICE, rallied outside the Massachusetts State House on Thursday.” The supporters “asked Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker to call for his release.” Baker “said Rodriguez doesn’t sound like the type of person ICE regularly seeks out.” The }\ntmirtf {\field{\*\fidinst{HYPERLINK “http://www. bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/20/daughter-detained-mitparN BORDER. {\*\rtedtakes-re more jus-for-governor-baker-intervene/DHDCJm "}}{\fldrsit\cf1 \htmirtf0_{\"\htmitag4 } {\"\htmlitag84 \htmirtf {DHDCJmI"}{Bst{HY GERLI {\"\htmitag92 }\htmirtf WhtmirtfO \ntmirtf }\htmitag92 }\f \htmirtfO {\*\htmitag92 } (7/20, Salinas, 1.06M) reports, \'93US Senators Elizabeth Whtren and Ed Markey have expressed support for Rodriguez, and on Thursday, at a rally sprinkled with chants in Spanish, Mellanie and union leaders called uptmlred-mitp Charlie Baker\fldrsit\cf1 \ar Sender: Wuco, Frank Recipient: b)(6) ___ Sent Date: 2017/07/21 05:01:37 DHS-17-0305-A-000762 GAO-OIG IN THE NEWS Tuespay, JULy 25, 2017 Thesearticles are highlighted to keep DHSleadership, our auditliaison community, and others across the Departmentinformed about news being reported mentioning the U.S. Govemment Accountability Office (GAO) and/or the various federal Offices of Inspector general (OIG). While this service focuses mainly on DHS, itdoes include other GAO- and O1G-related informationfor cross-feed purposes. DHSrelated articles appear first, followed by thosefrom other parts of govemment. Thearticles are sourcedfrom: DHS News Briefing; Politico; The Hill; Government Executive; Federal Times; and, from time-to-time, other selected publications. Please send any questions, comments, or suggestionsto the Departmental GAO-OIGLiaison mailbox. GAO-OIG.Liaison@hq.dhs.gov. DHS-RELATED CusTOMs AND BORDER PROTECTION WhereThere’s A Will, ls There A Wall? Building Trump’s Border Wall Won't Be Cheap USA Today, By Ronald J. Hansen July 24, 2017 President Donald Trump's promised border wall could cost between$10 billion and $60billion. Or more. Or maybealotless. It's unclearhow much of the border will get a wall, a fence orrely on technology and manpower. It is clear Congress is girding for a fight over spending $1.6billion on a project central to Trump's campaign promises. “The idea of a wall of this magnitude has not beentried before.’Barzin Mobasher, Arizona State University professor of sustainable engineering Suchis the unsettled nature of the wall. Six months into T rump’s presidency, the “big, beautiful wall” he wants remains ill-defined and often seems a near-afterthought as the administration fendsoff investigations and struggles to findits legislative footing. Still, the governments quietly proceeding with prototypes. Honingin on the costis difficult, primarily because T rump himselfhas offered shifting estimates and conflicting details. This month, for the first time, he suggested that the nearly 2,000-mile border with Mexico could be secured withas little as 700 miles of wall. He has also variously suggested the wall could be 40 feet high or more. For now, the prototypeswill be 18 to 30 feet high. Engineers can design and rough out costs but critical details, such as its height, length and thickness, change the price tag by tensof billions. Then there’s the location. DHS-17-0305-A-000763 “The major costdriver in this type of projectis we aretrying to build infrastructure in some of the remotestareas ofthe land,” said Barzin Mobasher, a professor of sustainable engineering at Arizona State University. “The idea of a wall of this magnitude hasnot beentried before.” Accessto electricity, fuel, laborand other materials is limited, makingit more challenging and more expensive, hesaid. The budgetdemands of future congresses, Trump’s ownpolitical future and legal hurdles posedby political and environmental activists will also affect the project, said William Ibbs, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. “Tell me all thosepolitical and social and environmental details, and can give you some insightin what's going to happento the wall,” Ibbs said. “In all likelihood, this is going to be a long process.’Estimates go up, unlike the wall Onething is clear: Whatever its shape and length, a wall would be expensive. In September 2015, Trump told CNNit would cost$4 billion. By February 2016, he said it would cost $8billion. In the first week of the Trump administration, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan put the costat between $12 billion to $15 billion. Amonth later, a Department of Homeland Securityreport estimated it at $22billion. In April, Senate Democrats claimed amorelikely costis $67billion. Underscoring the moving price tag, comedian Stephen Colbert piled on with a $2trillion estimate that didn’t include the wallpaper he wouldlike addedto the finished product. Old idea, new urgency Physical barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border date back to at least 1909, when the government sought to control the spread of diseased animals. In the early 1990s, the U.S. Border Patrol began erecting a 10-footsteel fence along 14 milesof the border near San Diego. The Secure FenceAct of 2006 called for expanding the fence to 850 miles. Thatwas later scaled back to “not less than 700 miles of the southwest border wherefencing would be mostpractical andeffective.” Since then, the government has built 653 milesof it along some of the flattest and mostaccessible terrain. In 2013, Janet Napolitano, the former Homeland Security secretary, told the Senate “the fence, to the extent it has been appropriatedfor, is complete.” Thatmeansthe nearly 1,300 miles that remains openis more uneven, more remote andwill be more expensive to wall off. But Trump has on several occasions said his“physical wall,” which he hasdistinguished from the fence, would not needto cover the entire open portion. “Rememberthis,” he told reporters who accompanied him hashe flew to Francethis month, “it's a 2,000-mile a border, but you don’t need 2,000 milesof wall because you have lot of natural barriers. You have mountains. You have some riversthat are violent and vicious. You have some areas that are so far awaythat you don’t really have people crossing. So you don’tneed that. But you'll need anywhere from 700to 900 miles.” What would it cost? While there isn’t much solid wall along the southern border currently, the extensive fencing can give some senseof the expenses taxpayers would face. In a 2009 report, the Government Accountability Office found a wide rangeof costs per mile for pedestrian fencing compared to vehicle barriers. At the low end, a mile of vehicle barriers costas little as $200,000, while the priciest mile of pedestrian fencing cost $15.1 million. Onaverage, pedestrian fencing cost$6.5 million per mile in 2008. Adding a second layer of pedestrian fencing added $2 million moreto the cost per mile whereits costs could be calculated “Thetype of fencing, topography, materials used, land acquisition costs, and labor costs, amongother things” influencedthe costs, auditors wrote. Whenthe Border Patrol’s employees helped buildit, the average price was 45 percent lower, in part because of savings on laborcosts DHS-17-0305-A-000764 Using those dated estimates, it would cost up to $4.6 billion for fencing — not a wall — covering an additional 700 miles. Land wasa significantexpense then, auditors noted, and would likely be moretoday. The Border Patrol said it didn’t have to buy much private land or undertake related environmental studies for the fencing built in 2007. If it had, that would have added roughly $800,000to the cost for every mile, according toa GAOreport. Today, some of the largeststretches of open border — andthe busiest corridorsfor illegal immigration —are in Texas, where much of the landis privately owned.Other costs A Border Patrol officer patrols in Ajo, Arizona. (Photo: Nick Oza/T he Republic) Other factors alsowill affect the price of the wall, Ibbs said. Pouring concrete in rock carries different costs than doing soin relatively sandysoil. If the local markets are busyfor contractors, the pricewill go up. Free-standing walls needto withstand windswith reinforced foundations. As the above-ground wall gets higher, the below-ground foundation grows exponentially, Mobasher said. Building a concrete wall across a desert will require a resourcethat's scarce on mostofthe border: water. It's needed for the concrete mix, but also to clean the aggregate that goesinto the mix, said Greg Gentsch, a Flagstaff-based civil engineer and consultant. “Onthe average, ifa cubic yard of concrete has 600 poundsof cement, it will have about 300 poundsof water,” Gentsch said. Theprojectwill also need tons of steel to reinforce the wall. Depending on whether the wallis free-standing, connected to observation perches or supported with back-fill, 1 to 2 percentof the volume of the structure willinclude steel rebar, Gentsch said. Part ofthe wall would run through California and must accountfor seismic activity. Because of the weather conditions in Arizona, it may be best to use pre-cast concrete panels that are essentially dropped in place, lbbs said. Such panels are manufactured at a plant and transported to thesite. That process requires grading roads so the panels arrive intact. It also means cranes and other heaw equipmentare neededto position the panels. “Construction is a complicated business,” Ibbs said. “There’s a lotof things that the public knows and sees every day. But there’s a lot of things that go on behind the scenes.” Another feature: solar? In June, Trump floated the ideaat least twiceof incorporating solar panels into his wall. It would likely add at least $1 billion to the cost. Trump told Republican lawmakersin a closed-door meeting that he envisioned at least a 40-foot-high wall “covered with solar panels,” according to Axios. “I'm baffled by the idea of using solar panels. ... Nobody puts solar panels on walls. Theyput it on the roof simply for the orientation aspect."Barzin Mobasher, Arizona State University professor of sustainable engineering “We're thinking about building the wall as a solar wall so it creates energy and pays for itself. And this way, Mexicowill have to pay muchless money. Andthat’s goodright?” Trump later said during a rally in lowa. That idea seems to build on the one pitched in the Wall Street Journal in March by two academics who suggested the entire span could be builtwith solar panels for about $1 billion plus fencing and road costs. Its unclear if Trump or the academics factored in the cost of transmission lines neededto tie the energy harnessed from the sun to a power grid, whereit can be consumed. Solar plants typically are built near existing transmission lines that can carry power from multiple sources all day long, not just during daylight when solar panels make power. Solar panels are typically angled southward to face the sun. Cladding a vertical wall with them wouldn't maximize that exposure, and would leave them facing Mexico. Thatcould invite large-scale damage from those who hate the wall. Putting them onthe U.S.-facing wall would make them less productive. 3 DHS-17-0305-A-000765 “Im baffled by the idea of using solar panels. ... Nobody puts solar panels on walls. They putit on the roof simply for the orientation aspect,” Mobasher said. “How are we going to collectthat electricity? How are you going to convert it? How are you goingto transmit that electricity?”Expectcost overruns Would-be immigrants wadeacross the Rio Grandeat the U.S.-Mexico border in Roma, Texas, in March 2017. U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted the group on the Texas side. (Photo: Getty Images) Whatever the government thinksthe wall will cost, picka higher number, experts say. “The question is not, are there going to be overruns, but, sort of, how much?”said Charles Jacobson, the former president of the Public WorksHistorical Society and partner with the litigation consulting firm of Morgan Angel in Washington, D.C. Cost overruns happened with major projects like the Erie Canal and the Hoover Dam. “The thing you need mostfor a thousand milesof wall is time.’Greg Gentsch, civil engineer “There's lots of research that says public projects have more cost overruns than private projects. It happens more often and ithappens moreseverely,” Ibbs said. “And there’s some people whosay that the reason is because the public officials ... set prices that are very optimistic in order to get them budgeted. And then whenthe project comesin higher, they've been elected to the next office.” Ibbs would know: He wasinvolved with the “Big Dig” in Boston, a massive transportation project that was supposedto cost $2billion and woundup at $12 billion 15 years later. a Part of the problem there, hesaid, involved failure to accountfor inflation on a project that took so long orfor the suddenly hot Boston construction marketthat drove up prices. Thatdowntown tunnel originally didn’t include a parkthat was later addedor factor in some engineering challenges of going under Boston Harbor that only became clear after work was underway. In 2008, California voters passed a ballot measure approving high-speed rail between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Thatwork is not expected to be completed until 2029, and its projected costs have already grown more than 50 percent. Jacobson said the timetable for building a wall will depend on the urgency in Washington During World War Il, oil pipelines were built from the Midwestto the East Coastin two years, he said. The Empire State Building was built in one year. Building a wall can be expedited, but that could lead to unexpected expenses, he added. Gentsch said fast-tracking the wall may mostly be wishful thinking. “The thing you need most for a thousand milesof wall,” he said, “is time.” Staff Writer Ryan Randazzo contributed to this report. MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE The Performance Revolution Government Needs Government Executive, By Howard Risher July 24, 2017 In a recent column, Terry Gerton, President of the National Academy of Public Administration, noted that government will not be able to solve many problems until the civil service system is reformed. NAPA’s new white paper, “No Time to Wait: Building a Public Service for the 21st Century,” spells out the need clearly. have made the same argument manytimes in this publication, although my background is very different from that of Gerton’s or the report's authors. have never worked in government. The qualification that’s relevant hereis the realization that people who look forward to going to work in the morning are lucky. I've known too many government employees whoare frustrated and angry about their experience at work. But several comments addedat the end of the column raise an important issue. Bmj1's commentis one of several on point: “You've stated this over and over, as have manyothers, but what is the driving needfor reform? Whatis the problem and what are wetrying to fix? . . . I've yet to see an actual problem defined and a solution proposed .. . To quote a line: ‘Let's work the problem people. Let's not make things worse by guessing.” 4 DHS-17-0305-A-000766 know the quote. It's from the movie Apollo 13. When teach undergrads ask students to write a paper on the movie. It's one of the best depictions of a high performance organization. Thefilm ignores a key issue -- the people portrayed are government employees. In answer to bmj1’s questions, the Government Accountability Office has had humancapital managementon its high risk since 2001. Their assessments providesolid justification for reform. Theyalso cite the problem ofskill gapsin 15 areas. The needfor talented cybersecurity specialistsis critical, for example. Oneof the problems that could be addressed immediately is the inevitable aging and retirement of federal workers. The emerging field of HR analytics could shedlighton voluntary resignation trends, especiallyamong recent hires. Agencies will also need to plan and reorganize following the force reductions. (If anything, the time required to rewrite all the job descriptions and reclassify the jobs should prompt support for scrapping the classification system.) Staying aheadof talent loss will require reform. Agencies should also evaluate the number and quality of applicants. Agencies maynot behiring today but the skill gaps, especiallyin the STEM occupations, are a barrier to improved results. Whenthe brand of government is unattractive to toptalent, it should be a reasonfor reform. Further, doubt ifanyone disagreeswiththe needto reform the hiring process. Qualified candidates cannotbe expected to wait weeks and months for a joboffer. Pay of course is highly contentious. The General Schedule program model is a century old, staggeringly bureaucratic and unresponsive to agency staffing needs. It impedes the reorganization of government. What's more, few employees believe they arefairly paid. The annual “pay gap analysis” has no credibility. Federal personnel managementis based onpractices replaced long agoin other sectors. Repeated studies, starting with the Volcker Commission in 1989, have argued the GS system needsto be replaced. Reform is long overdue Thereis a related and completely understandable concern thatfederal benefits will be reduced. Thatseems to be inevitable. Again, defining the relevant labor market is a key issue. Thecritics are correct -- federal benefits are better than those provided by the average employer. It's been reported that around half of American households have noretirement accounts, so federal retirement benefits are an easy political target. But agencies are not competing for talentwith the average employer (which has less than 20 employees). It’s far more relevant to compare federal benefits with the practices of Beltway contractors. Onearea that hashad little attention but is the heart of meaningful reform is the day to day management of performance. doubtif anyone believes the badly inflated year-end performance ratings are credible. Thisis perhaps the mostcomplexofall the human capital problems. It's nota human resource problem --it'sa management problem The idea a couple of years ago that HR meeting with the unions could solve it was notthe solution. It will require leadership and time to developthe skills needed by managers. It's the key to transitioning successfully to pay for performance. It's necessary for dealing with poor performers. Surprisingly perhaps neither Gerton'’s column or the NAPA report arguesfor specific reform changes. The current human capital problems are discussed, starting with database breaches at the Office of Personnel Managementand the Internal Revenue Service. Gerton’s backgroundin the military and working with veterans issues at the Labor Departmentmakesher sensitive to the staffing problemsin VA medical centers. Thecivil service system is a factor in a longlist of problems. The report makesa strong argumentfor neededflexibility and for increased manager accountability. doubtif any taxpayer would disagree. It also arguedfor the creation of a “federated” human capital system that would give agencies morecontrol andflexibility. As the report states, “government's work and missions arejust too varied” for a uniform system. My experience managing pay and performance in a large corporate conglomerate convinces me that is essential Tobeginreform, suggeststarting with the state of Tennessee's strategy. As discussed in my recent column, “Agencies Could Learn a Lot From Tennessee's Shift to Pay for Performance,” the state asked people atall levels, from the governor's office to front-line employees, for ideas on how to improve government operations. A common thread wasthe state’s antiquated workforce managementpractices. As evidenceof how reform has impacted the state, the governor wasre-elected in 2014 with one ofthe largest marginsin state history. DHS-17-0305-A-000767 John Kamensky's recent column, “10 Factors for Successfully Implementing Large Initiatives,” outlines a strategy that would be useful here. He discussed a comparatively simple project -- taking a website offinancial data live -- but the approach represents a framework for managing reform. Humancapital and workforce management practices are undergoing a revolution in other sectors. The impetus for those initiatives is the desire for improved performance. Companies have recognized the value and the untapped capabilities in their workforce. Government needs a similar revolution. U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES Immigration Agency Wantsto Blend Data Science, Agile and Security Nextgov, By Mohana Ravindranath July 24, 2017 The Homeland SecurityDepartmentis looking beyond the buzzy "DevOps" managementapproach—blending the software developmentand the operations staff to encourage closer collaboration—to "DevSecOps," which throws. security teams into that mix. A more conventional approach might keep these groups separate until shortly before the product launch. U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Servicesis investigating DevSecOps services, as well as agile development, a methodology that breaks large projects into smaller chunks that are tested every few weeks. The department's requestfor information asks vendors to explain how they apply DevSecOps to fields like big data, analytics and machine leaming, including neural networksand artificial intelligence. The request noted vendors would eventually be tasked with applying that technology and management approach to systems in cloud environments, including those provided by Amazon WebServices, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. In the future, new DevSecOps-themed contracts or contracting vehicles couldhelp other parts of DHSuse this approach, the RFI said. In the RFI, vendors are asked to describe the complexityand number of IT projects they've workedon, their experience with data science, analytics and agile processes, and their experience with various programming languages, among other skills. USCIS hastried newer projectmanagement methodologies before. In 2012, the agency formally adopted the agile methodologyto advance its Transformation Program, which involved anelectronic applicationtracking system, according to the Government Accountability Office. The myUSCIS system, an online portal for immigration services, also tapped vendorsskilled in agile development. Butthe transition hasn't been seamless. A 2016 GAO report dinged USCIS forstraying from "the underlying practices andprinciples” of agile development—for example, failing to require continuous testing—when creating its Electronic Immigration System. DHS-17-0305-A-000768 NON-DHS-RELATED DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Appointee Watch: A New ArmySecretary, Press Office Turmoil and Another Roundof Ambassadors Government Executive, By Erich Wagner July 24, 2017 Among those named to agency posts in recent days are: Agriculture: Samuel Clovis, undersecretary for research, education and economics. Clovis is the senior White House adviser to the Agriculture Department. He was a policyadviser during the Trump presidential campaign, and he served for more than 25 years in the Air Force, where he wasinspector general of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Space Command and was a command pilot. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Bill To Create New Cyber Agency At DHS To BeIntroduced This Week Federal News Radio (DC), By Eric White July 24, 2017 A newreport says it's getting easier for science and technology companies to work with the Defense Department. The Government Accountability Office said DoD is addressing challenges non-traditional companies face whendoing business with it. One of the measures that helpedis the establishmentof the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental. (Government Accountability Office) OneDefense Departmentagency is fooledinto selling surplus militarygear to unqualified people. Investigators a posing as buyers from fictitious federal agency obtained 100 controlled items from the Defense Logistics Agency. DLA's Law Enforcement Support Office is supposed to ensure only qualified law enforcementgettheir hands on the used gear. Auditors from the Government Accountability Office created a fake agency, complete with website. DLA sold it $1 million worth of guns andother items. (Government Accountability Office) Mattis Blasts Pentagon For Wasteful Spending Associated Press, By Robert Burns, AP National Security Writer July 24, 2017 WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is scolding the Pentagon’s unwieldy bureaucracy for wasteful spending In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, Mattis pointed to a recentreport by the U.S.special inspector general for Afghanistan. The report said the Pentagon had wastedtens of millions of dollars by buying private-label uniforms of questionable usefor the Afghan military over a 10-year period. The uniform episodeis to be a focus of a House Armed Services Committee hearing T uesday. In a memo last Friday, Mattis said the wasteful spending on uniforms is an example of“cavalier or casually acquiescent decisions.” He added that such decisions undermine the mission in Afghanistan and undercut public trust. DHS-17-0305-A-000769 PurchaseOf Tropical Uniforms For Afghanistan Draws Mattis’s Rebuke New York Times, By Helene Cooper July 24, 2017 WASHINGTON — DefenseSecretary Jim Mattis has sharply criticized Pentagon officials for spending up to $28 million over budgetto help the Afghan National Army buy camouflage uniforms becauseof the sartorial tastes of a single Afghan official. Mr. Mattis's harshly worded memoto the Pentagon’s acquisitions department, released on Monday,followed a report last month by the Special Inspector general for Aighanistan Reconstruction. It concluded that the Pentagon needlessly spent millions to license a proprietary camouflage pattern thatreplicates lushforests. While such a design might workin the tropics, most of Afghanistan's landscape is desert. The Defense Department already owned dozens of desert camouflage patternsit could have usedfor free, said the report by the United States’ government watchdog in Afghanistan. It noted that the former Afghan minister of defenseliked the forest camouflage. Butthepattern potentially costthe Pentagon an additional $28 million beyond whatwas planned between 2008 and 2017, defenseofficials acknowledged. “Buying uniforms for our Afghan partners, and doing so in a way that may have wasted tensof millions of taxpayer dollars over a 10-year period, mustnot be seen as inconsequential in the grand scheme of the department's responsibilities and budget,” Mr. Mattis said in his memo. He said he wasbothered not only becausethe report exposed waste, but also “that it serves as an example of acomplacentmode of thinking.” “The reportis an indication ofa frame of mind — anattitude that canaffect any of us at the Pentagon or across the Department of Defense — showing howthose of us entrusted with supporting and equipping troops on the battlefield, if we let down our guard, can lose focus on ensuring their safety and lethality against the enemy,” Mr. Mattis wrote. His memowas released before a House Armed Services Committee hearing scheduled for Tuesday, where the uniform issue was expected to be discussed. In 2007, Abdul Rahim Wardak, who wasthen serving as Afghanistan's minister of defense, discovered the camouflage pattern while browsing uniform styles online, the report said. The forest pattern he chose was created and owned by HyperStealth BiotechnologyCorporation, a Canadian companythat has designed camouflage for the militaries of Jordan, Chile and the United Arab Emirates. The new uniforms also included expensive details, like replacing buttons with zippers. “Cavalier or casually acquiescent decisions to spend taxpayer dollarsin an ineffective and wasteful manner are notto recur,” Mr. Mattis wrote Defense Secretary Mattis Rips Pentagon F or Wasting Money On Afghan ArmyUniforms USA Today, By Tom Vanden Brook July 24, 2017 WASHINGTON — DefenseSecretary Jim Matis blasted the Pentagon bureaucracyfor “cavalier” spending in lightof a recentreport that showed as much as $28 million had been wastedin buying uniformsfor the Afghan army, according toa memo obtained by USA TODAY. The reportfound that U.S. military officials have purchasedthe forest-camouflage uniforms since 2007 without testing their effectiveness, or accounting for the fact that just 2%of Afghanistan is covered by woods. The Special Inspector general for Afghanistan Reconstruction also found that special tailoring boosted the costof the uniforms, a as did using licensed camouflage pattern whenfree versions were at hand. The reportwill bethe focusof a hearing by a panel of House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. “Cavalier or casually acquiescent decisions to spend taxpayer dollarsin an ineffective and wasteful manner are notto recur,” Mattis wrote. DHS-17-0305-A-000770 Mattis’ letter is unusual in that the military regularly pushes back at reports by the special inspector general's office, whichis led by John Sopko. It has disputed hisfinding, for example, that millions were wasted building a gas station in Afghanistan. This time Mattis tookthe hiton the uniforms, and madesurethose in charge of purchasing decisions andpolicy knew about it. He addressed his memo to the under secretaries for acquisition, policyand comptroller. “Buying uniforms for our Afghan partners, and doing so in a way that may have wasted tens of millions of taxpayer dollars over a ten-year period, must not be seen as inconsequential in the grand scheme of the Department's responsibilities and budget.”Possible savings up to $71 million Sopko’s office determinedthat the Pentagon could save as much as $71 million over the next 10 years by switching to a newcamouflage scheme. Sofar, the Pentagon hasspent $93 million to buy 1.3 million uniforms in the forest camouflage pattern for the Afghan army. Mattis, in his memo, returned to a themethat has guided his decision making as Defense secretary, notably the readinessof U.S andallied forces to fight the enemy.If decisions do not enhance what Mattis refers to the “lethality,” he haslittle time for them. “The reportis an indication ofa frame of mind — anattitude that canaffect any of us at the Pentagon or across the Department of Defense — showing howthose entrusted with supporting and equipping troops on the battlefield, if we let down our guard, can lose focus on ensuring their safety and lethality against the enemy.” Theinspector general's report drew rebukes from senior senators, including Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Chuck Grassley, R-lowa. McCaskill demanded answersfrom the Pentagon onthe uniform. Mattis concluded his memo by warning his subordinates to cut waste “Rather than minimize this report or excuse wasteful decisions, expect all (Department of Defense) organizations to use this error as a catalyst to bring to light wasteful practices — and take aggressive steps to end waste in our Department,” Mattis wrote. “I'm counting on all handsto take effective action.” Mattis rips Pentagonofficials for $28M wasted on Afghanistan camouflage TheHill, By Ellen Mitchell July24, 2017 Defense Secretary James Mattis ripped Pentagon officials for their “cavalier” spending following a recent report that the Defense Department spent $28million on camouflage uniforms for Aighan soldiers that don’t match up with the countrys terrain. In a July 21 memo released to reporters on Monday, Mattis addressed a June Special Inspector general for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report. The document found that DOD began buying the forest-patterned uniforms in 2007, after a former Afghan defense minister saw them online andliked them The uniforms were purchased without testing to be used in a countrythat's just 2 percent woodland. “Buying uniforms for our Afghan partners, and doing so in a way that may have wastedtens of millions of taxpayer dollars over a 10-year period, mustnot be seen as inconsequential in the grand scheme of the Department's responsibilities and budget,” Mattis wrote in the memo that was addressed to the undersecretaries for policy, comptroller and acquisition, technology andlogistics “Cavalier or casually acquiescent decisions to spend taxpayer dollars in an ineffective and wasteful manner are notto recur,” Mattis continued in the memo. Mattis said a keyfinding of the SIGAR report wasthat the Pentagon personnel can reach a “complacentmode ofthinking’ if not careful. “The reportis an indication ofa frame of mind — anattitude that can affect any of us at the Pentagonor across the Department of Defense — showing howthose of us entrusted with supporting and equipping troops on the battlefield, if we let down our guard, can lose focus on ensuringtheir safety andlethality against the enemy,” he writes. The SIGAR report also drew lawmakers’ attention DHS-17-0305-A-000771 Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) sent a letter to the Pentagon last week, demanding answers from DOD by August. ° Sen. ChuckGrassley(R-lowa),meanwhile,calledthefindings“embarrassingandanaffronttoU.S.taxpayers.” A House Armed Services panel will address the report on Tuesday, during a hearing with Inspector general John Sopko. Mattis concludedthatthe report should be used as a motivator to prevent future wasteful spending. “Rather than minimizethis report or excuse wasteful decisions, expectall DoD organizations to usethis error as a Catalyst to bring to light wasteful practices — and to take aggressive steps to end waste in our Department," Mattis writes. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Alleged Retaliation Against Senior Executives Prompts Bipartisan Concern Government Executive, By Eric Katz July 24, 2017 Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concern about the Interior Department's alleged retaliation againstan employee who spokeout on the dangersof climate change, warning the Trump administration against reassignments as a means to silence civil servants. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said she plans to ask‘or aninvestigation into the claims career Senior Executive Service employee Joel Clementput forward in a Washington Post op-ed last week. Clement said he was involuntarily reassigned to an accounting position after serving asInterior's director ofthe Office of Policy Analysis after sounding the alarm onthe risks climate changeposed to Alaska Native populations. The supervisor filed a complaintand disclosure with the Office of Special Counsel. She went on to question Interior and Energy department nominees during a confirmation hearing lastweek on how they would protect the SES and guard against retaliatory or arbitrary reassignments just because executives “believe in science.” “Weneed to make surethose individuals who have had the experience, who are involved inscience, are going to continue tofulfill those responsibilities,” Cantwell said. She added reorganizations should not provide agencies with an excuse to replace those with scientific experience with political appointees without those qualifications. “I'm concerned enough that intend to ask the inspector general to look intoit,” Cantwell said. The senator was joined by seven of her Democratic colleagues on Monday in sendinga letter to the IG calling the allegations "extremely troubling" and formally requesting the investigation. “We believe that any reassignmentof highly trained, highlycompetent senior executives within the department from the positionsin which they maybest usetheir training and competence to accomplish the department's mission and best serve the public interest to sinecures where their talents are wasted would constitute a serious act of mismanagement,a gross waste of public funds, and an abuseof authority,” the senators wrote. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-lowa, who co-chairs the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, told Government Executive all employeesfeeling mistreated have the right to “pursueall options”and thatthoseprotections “exist to promote good government.” “Executive branch agencies need to make sure theyre getting the mostvalue for taxpayers,” Grassley said. “Moving employees to positions where they don’t contribute isn’t good government.” Thesenator helped write the 2012 Whistleblower Protection EnhancementAct, whichclarified that employees disclosing evidenceof censorship of scientific or technical information were protected under the law. Just after Clementposted his op-ed, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a report accusing the Trump administration of “sidelining science”on a systemic, governmentwide basis. Michael Halpern, deputydirector of UCS' Center for Science and Democracy,said Clement's allegations were consistent with the findings of his report. 10 DHS-17-0305-A-000772 “Theyre paralyzing the department,” Halpernsaid of the Trump administration. ‘It's about scrubbing away any independentanalysis that could be inconvenientto the policies they want to put forward.” He added that every presidential administration tends to champion the data thatis consistent with its policy positions, but under Trump itwas happening “on steroids.” “Theyre being very creative aboutit,” Halpern said. “It's everything from reassigning employees to render them ineffective to suspending advisory committees.” Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., who holds a degree in mechanical engineering and served an AmeriCorps stint at the Fish and Wildlife Service, said at the confirmation hearing he wasalso concerned “What worries me the most about the current administration is the disdain and distrust that has been directed at science data andscientists,” Heinrich said. In an interview with Government Executive last week, Clementsaid his reassignmenthad a “profound chilling effect’ onhis staff. “They werereally freaked out after my reassignment,” Clement said. Of the department writ large, he added, “Walkinginto that placeis like walking into a morgue. People are looking over their shoulders wonderingif theyre next.” Bill Valdez, president of the Senior Executives Association, said Interior appeared to be using its "lawful authority’ in reassigning Clement, but he applauded Congressfor its oversight "to ensure that these personnel actions are proper and in the bestinterests of taxpayers." DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bill To Create New Cyber Agency At DHS To BeIntroduced This Week Federal News Radio (DC), By Eric White July 24, 2017 The State Department's inspector general said it has no idea how much time or moneyit takes to process security clearances because of errors in previous reports. State conducts security clearance investigations for its own employees. The department mayhave lost millions in dollars in reimburse ments becauseit failed to collect paymentsfor investigation work that happened overseas for other agencies. 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Provided under license from Bloomberg Government www.bgov.com All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and/orlicense from Bloomberg Government, and maynot be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Bloomberg Government. You maynot alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies ofthe content. SENATE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS HOLDS A HEARING ON BORDER SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY April 05, 2017 SPEAKERS: SEN. RON JOHNSON, R-WIS SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, D-MO., CHAIRMAN RANKING MEMBER SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, R-ARIZ. SEN. THOMAS R. CARPER, D-DEL. SEN. ROB PORTMAN, R-OHIO SEN. JON TESTER, D-MONT. SEN. RAND PAUL, R-KY. SEN. HEIDI HEITKAMP, D-N.D. SEN. JAMES LANKFORD, R-OKLA. SEN. GARY PETERS, D-MICH. SEN. MICHAEL B. ENZI, R-WYO. SEN. MAGGIE HASSAN, D-N.H. SEN. JOHN HOEVEN, R-N.D. SEN. KAMALA HARRIS, D-CALIF. SEN. STEVE DAINES, R-MONT. WITNESS: “* JOHN KELLY, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY JOHNSON: This hearing will come to order. I'd like to welcomethe secretary of homeland security, General Kelly. We appreciate you coming and taking time and your thoughtful testimony, and we're looking forward to oral testimony and your answersto what should be a numberof pretty interesting questions. Membersof this committee, this should come as no a surprise, the security of our borders been top priority of-- of this committee. In November 2015 after about 13 years and three roundtables, we did publish a report, "The State of America's Border Security" -- which by the way, we've got a bunchof copies so any -any new membersor old members whodidn't get a copy,I'd -- I'd be happy to give you one. We've learned an awful lot and I would ask that my opening statementbe entered into the record. Lask consent for that. DHS-17-0305-A-000796 MCCASKILL: Without objection. JOHNSON: Which I'll take silence as a consent, thanks. But what I would like to do is read some ofthe findings out of that opening statement as well as just some ofthe things we've learned. Just kind of bullet points. First and foremost what we'velearned during our-- this is going to be our 23rd hearing on variousaspects ofborder security. First finding, our borders are not secure. Number two -- and we've mentioned this in yesterday's hearing -- America's sensational (ph) demandfor drugs is one root cause, perhaps the root cause for bringing the (ph) achievement of a secure border. In order to secure our borders -- we heard this yesterday in -- in testimony on -- on fencing walls -agents needfull situation awareness, which includes the ability to see on the other side ofthe border. This can be achieved with appropriate fencing and technology. Wehad a hearing on November of last year. We had the former heads of border patrol and deputy border patrol, and theysaid that fencing works and we need moreof it. We found out the last week in a hearing from thefront lines, hiring is challenge and personal issues must be addressed, we're working with the secretary andhis -- his deputy to try and address that -- really basedoff Senator Heitkamp's comments, in (ph) one hearing whereshe said, this is insane, this is crazy, and there are someinsane and crazy policies which we want to work with youto get those addressed andfixed right away so you can actually staff up to provide the manpower element of securing our border. Points of entry must not be forgotten. The majority of drugs in our country are through our points ofentry and that's something I'd like to talk about. Onedifficult hearing to have was victims of an unsecured border, victims of not enforcing our -- our immigration laws. So the truth is tragedies have occurs as a result of our unsecure borders; tragedies that could've been prevented. Going downanother list, not on my opening statement, drug cartels and coyotes use minors to avoid prosecution. Unaccompaniedchildren have beentraffic into sex trade and involuntary servitude. Drug cartels are as, if not more, brutal and depraved then ISIS. Aerostats, you knowgood technologybut as we found out abouton our-- one ofour trip down the border, they're not real good in wind, and so in certain areas they can only operate about 40 percent of the time. We had anincredibly interesting hearing and this is something I'm a big supporterof, the quadruple or quintuple use of dogs because no technology can beatthe nose of a dog. Brooks County, one of our trip, we found out that the 435 deaths of people who -- who have cross country illegally occurred just in the last five years. It's a very dangerous journey, wetreat - need to try to disincentivize people from -- from making that dangerous journey. Drug useis not a victimless crime. It has given rise drug cartels. Those drugcartels traffic little girls; and we were down in Guatemala, we went one of those shelters. I remember Senator Heitkamp, Senator Carper, Senator Peters, I think the average ageis 14 so it's not a victimless crime. I think weall realize that but unfortunately we need to understand the responsibility we bear because ofour insatiable demand for drugs sothat's just a list, I don't want to keep droning on here but we've learned an awful lot in 22 hearings, I think we're going to learn a lot more today and as Senator McCaskill said I DHS-17-0305-A-000797 think in yesterday's hearing, I don't think there's one United States senator who doesn't believe we need a secure border. Solet's start there with that area of agreement. We share that goal, we want to secure our border, we want to keep the folks that we represent in our states, we want to keep themsafe and secure. Nowwe got to figure out the details. And so again, I want to welcome General Kelly andI'll also turn it over to Senator McCaskill. MCCASKILL: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Kelly, thank you so much for being here today. Weare cognizant of the demands on your time and part of our goal, and the chairman and I agree onthis, is trying to be careful about what we ask for and how much weask for but we've got to ask for stuff because our job is oversight. But we're aware that you're being pulled a lot of different ways. That's why we look forward to yougetting a full team in place so we can beginto have some of the people in charge in your operation come and answer someof these difficult policy and oversight questions. You and I have worked together on the armed services committee, I have -I'mvery -- I'ma fan of howyou have served as a Marine and a general and no onehas -- can question the sacrifices you made for our nation. Ever since your confirmation, I have considered youa voice of reason within the administration. You have displayed throughout your career a willingness to speak truth to power, to say "no" rather than nodding, and have made your decisions based onthe facts not political expediency. Those characteristics are needed now more than ever. I am counting on you to speak truth to this administration and to the president but I'm also asking youto speak to us and the American people. Even though it may not seemlike it, we are nowthree months into the newadministration. I knowthat you want time to settle in and you need help to do your job. We're pleased that we confirmed Elaine Duke yesterday. I think she will be a terrific addition to your department. And by the way, I securedher vote tally, the original. I was going to bring it this morning and I forgot butI'll make sure I get that to her so she can haveit to frame for her office. Wehave two executive orders that ban travel from Muslim-majority nations. The first was implemented without notice and caused chaos at our nation's airports. Both have come under immediate constitutional scrutiny by the courts. The Department has overhauled its interior enforcement in the words of the White House to, quote, "take the shackles off" immigration and customs enforcement and the borderpatrol. Youhave ordered the department to, quote, "immediately begin planning design, construction, and maintenanceof a wall along the border." Even though Missouri isn't on the border, my state is directly affected by it. The drugs that get through the Mexican border have a huge impact on the opioid crisis that is gripping mystate andthe entire nation. It is causing death and destruction to families all over the United States. I knowyou share my concern about drugs coming over the border but I am deeply concerned thatall of the rhetoric DHS-17-0305-A-000798 andall of the budget requests have focused onthe border and not the ports ofentry, that there is no plan to increase resources at the ports of entry which we know, along with the mail, is the primary place that drugs are coming into our country. I certainly hope that we havea chance to address that today. Away from the border, I'm concerned about the Secret Service and the unprecedented challenge ofprotecting the president andhis family at numerous locations; the White House, Trump Tower, and Mar-a-Lagoas well as the international travel by the president's sons. In the meantime, the Secret Service is reviewing incidents that have threatened the physical security of the White House including a case in March where a fence-jumperwas able to elude security and roam the grounds for 15 minutes. I'm deeply concerned that the Secret Service is being stretched to its breaking point. And just yesterday, I read news reports that the extreme vetting procedures thatthe presidenthas orderedcould force visa applicants fromplaces like Australia and Japan and the United Kingdomto disclose notonly all the information on their mobile phones, social media passwords, financial Records even to answer questions abouttheir beliefs. I've got totell you, if my family wastraveling United Kingdomand they told me that we would have to answerquestions about mybeliefs in the country, we would not go. And I have a hard time imagining countries would seeus as their friends. I think this has a profound impact on our standing in the world, a profound impact onthe nature of ouralliances around the world, and a profound impact on our national security. AndI will ask questions about that today I indicated to youin our conversation yesterday because I think we are doing things that in no wayas a former prosecutor trips up the bad guys. That changes our image forever in the eyes of the world; permanent and irrefutable harm occurring. Secretary Kelly, we have been trying to ask questions about policies and problems like these to your department and there have beentimes it's been very difficult to get answers. willing to do a reset and check that off as you not having all hands on deck, but going forward, I hope that together, the chairman and I can work to make sure that we have witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security answer someof the questions that need to be answered. And frankly, I think it works for the benefit of your department, because if you're not here explaining, then assumptions can be made that sometimes are unfair. So going forward I hope that we have a newbeginning as it relates to not only getting questions answered, but also having witnesses at hearings. I'm glad you're here today, there's a lot of important issues before us, andI've got a lot of questions. I hope we can count on you andthat your department be willing to answer them going forward. Thank you very much. JOHNSON: Senator McCaskill, would point out General Kelly has already made himself available for a security briefing and now he's here already in early April. So I certainly a appreciate his willingness to -- to testify. Secretary -- General Kelly, we do have tradition in this committee to swear in witnesses, so if you'll please rise your right-hand. Do you swear the DHS-17-0305-A-000799 testimony youwill give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you, God? Please be seated. Secretary John F. Kelly, General Kelly was confirmed to be the Sth secretary of Homeland Security on January 20, 2017. He previously served as a United States Marine Corps general and commanderof the United States Southern Command. Less than a yearafter retiring from the Marine Corps, Secretary Kelly once again answered the call to serve nation and the American people by leading the department homeland security. General, we thank you for your service past, present and future, and look forward to your testimony. KELLY: Thank you, Chairman andcertainly Ranking Member McCaskill, all of the members of the committee. It's really an honor to be here. I will make myself available any time by phone, by drop- in. just recently I met with -- just yesterday with the entire Hispanic Caucus on the House side. We prided that with the entire Democratic caucus on the House side. I met with the Democratic caucus on this side last week, and I think I'm scheduled to speak with the Republicans. So anytime, anyplace, happyto doit, just a little notice. Since I've respectfully taken on this assignment nearly three months ago, I have learned two very important lessons vis-a-vis the Department of Homeland Security andthe defenseof the homeland. Thefirst is that the men and women of my department are incredibly talented and devoted public servants who serve the nation in very special ways. In particular of those uphold the laws this institution, the Congress, passes by waythe democratic process. It goes without saying the United States Coast Guard, supremely effective in their lane. Oneof the five military services of our country, they just happen to be lucky enough to be in the Department of Homeland Security. Thenthere is the incredibly dedicated Immigration Customs Enforcement -- the ICE agents -whohave taken on the task of enforcing again, the laws you, have passed, and they dothat in the interior of our country. They do it humanely, professionally, and always accordingto the law. The ICE team also includes the amazingly effective investigators of Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, who are secondto nonein their investigative effectiveness. Thenthere are the professionals of the Customs and BorderProtection, the CBP, who are among manyother functions are the first and -- and last line of defense, depending howyou look at it, doing theessential and often dangerous work of defending the borders. They're out there day and night, 24/7 suffering the heat of an Arizona summeror the deadly cold of a Montana winter. Third are another group, the Secret Service as you mentioned, Senator McCaskill. I want to highlight them, both the agents as well as the uniformed force. They routinely work andare overworked to protect not only U.S. government officials but foreign dignitaries as well. They're amazing public servants dedicated to taking a bullet and giving their life for people that they don't even know. Then there's the TSA whoensure the security of, among other things, the traveling public, aviation- traveling public. DHS-17-0305-A-000800 TSA enjoys little credit as the work they've been ordered to do and complete by the lawsof this nation bring themin direct contact with a public that has inconveniences. Again, all of this required by the law. little tolerance for minor This same public forgets that the alternative to what we -- the TSA doesat our airports is possibly dying in a fireball falling from 30,000 feet. They're heroes, they do their work effectively, and they work very, very hard at improving their performance. The second lesson I've come to realize is that what homeland security means -- we must no longerthink about the defenseof the nation in terms of defense and nondefense initiatives and funding. In the world in which welive andthe relentless and accumulating threats directed against our nation and our wayof life, we must adjust our thinking to think about security and non-security which requires an increased melding ofthe thinking of the departments ofdefense and homeland security. Secretary Mattis and his superb team fight the away game. They doit effectively every day. The quality of the equally superb men and women of homeland security that I'm in charge offight the home game. The defense of the homeland starts with allies and partners willing to fight the fight in places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan while standing ready in Europe, Asia, and South Asia. Closer to home and winning the home game is all about increasing the partnership with willing andreliable friends like Colombia, Mexico, Canada, indeed,all of the nations ofthis hemisphere and around the globe. Securing a nation's border is the primary responsibility of any sovereign nation. To those of us whoserve the nation as part of DHS, this is nonnegotiable and sacred. Yet for a decade, the federal government in spite of passing one lawafter another to do just that hasnot lived upto its promise to the American people. President Trump in the early days ofhis administration issued executive orders and focused interest on this very issue and tasked me to accomplish it. Various executive orders have been put out there, some of them effectively, some of them notso effectively. But all of them worth adhering to once the courts finish with their rulings. But what's happened in the last 90 days or so? We've seen an absolutely amazing drop in the number of migrants coming out of Central America that are taking that terribly dangerous route from Central America into the United States. In particular, we've seen a dramatic reduction in the number of families and the numberof children that are in that pipeline. It won't last -- it won't last unless we do something againto secure the border; the wall and our physical barrier, something to secure our border. Youall knowthat we're looking at that. In fact I think the proposals closed out yesterday, whatit'll look like, how tall it will be, how thick it will be, what color it will be, is yet to be determined. All we knowis that physical barriers do work if they're put in the right places. Andof course I've already posed (ph) the men and women that work the border, CBP, they know exactly where they want wall and they know exactly how long the wall should be in their sector. They're also quick to point out that if they can't have a wall from sea to shining sea thatat least DHS-17-0305-A-000801 give themthe wall -- the physical barrier, the technology that will do the job for them in the locations where they've identified to me, and we'll do that. Before I conclude, I'd like to highlight the committee and the American people total (ph) relentless threat that thankfully we have stayed probably two or three steps ahead of over the years. I thought of those would do us harm; primarily operating out of the Middle East, and they are unyielding in their attempt to destroy commercial passenger aircraft in flight. In response to this thread, DHS personnel primarily from TSA and CBPare deployed in near thousands overseas working with airports, air carriers and intelligence and law enforcement partners to denythe terrorists attempt to kill innocent in the largest numberspossible to make some sick statement. Asthey say we, the CIA, NSA, FBI, DNI, DOD, DOI, DOJ, DOT, and DHS and all of our international partners have been successful thus far. I recently made several decisions that added additional baggage protocols at a number of foreign airports to fly -- fly flights directly to the United States. This decision wasnot -- I repeat, not about the Muslimreligion, anyone's skin color or ethnicity, but to impact the bottom line offoreign air carriers to the benefit of U.S. air carriers. Mydecisions were based entirely on saving lives andprotecting the homeland. If we cannot get our arms around the current threat, you can expect additional protocol adjustments in the very nearfuture. I'll end by saying me thank you so very muchfor the support you gave Elaine Duke. The fact that she is nowconfirmed -- and with any kind ofluck, I'll return to my building after this meeting -- or after this committee swear her in and put a very, very good heavy pat on her back, fill it up with a lot of rocks and make the Department of Homeland Securitybetter than it already is. So with that Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, I will standby for questions. JOHNSON: She ought to be look forward to that. (LAUGHTER) General Kelly, let me start. Youtalked about the -- the study on the board -- boarder barriers. Can you just tell me the -- a little more detailed the status of that, as well as any surprises that you've -- in terms of initial results ofthat? KELLY: Sir, we knowthat a physical barrier works. It's -- the -- the parts ofthe border that have physical barrier now, roughly 650 miles built some years ago. In those sectors, it works. There are other places along the border-- and again that the professionals in the -- in the CBP, if you walk the terrain (ph), and I know someof you have, will tell you, you knowboss, if you can give me 27 more miles here, 16 more miles here, I don't really care aboutthe other 140 miles I'm responsible for, but I need something that works, and to deflect the flow of people, primarily bad actors, people in -- not all of whomare bad actors -- people whoare coming United States for variousreasons, to deflect them awayfrom -- primarily deflect away fromthe cities, the idea with the coyotes in the traffickers to get themas close to a city crossovers -- as closeto a city as possible, get them into the city where they disappear. DHS-17-0305-A-000802 So if you can deflect them away fromthe city, then it's easier to pick them up and return them, whether they're Mexican or whatever. It's actually safer in many ways. Last year I think is somewherein the neighborhood of 4,500 near-death individuals were saved by CBPprimarily out in the -- out in the desert, and unfortunately unknown specific numbers, but someseveral hundredlost their lives in this attempt to get across the border and that's on our border. It's no telling how manyin addition to the -- to the rapes andthe assaults and the abuse that they take in the network flowing up through Mexico. Not done by the Mexicans but by the Coyotes, the traffickers. There's no way to tell how manyof those people lose their lives. But the point is, very, very dangerous trip. The barriers work, technology also works butall ofit doesn't work at all unless you have men and women whoare willing to patrol the border, develop relationships which they do with their Mexican counterparts directly across the border. But that's where weare right now. There's no wayI can give the committee an estimate of how much this will cost. I mean, I don't knowwhat it will be madeof, I don't knowhowhigh it will be, I don't knowif it's going to have solar panels on each side and whatthe oneside's going to look like and howit's going to be painted, have no idea. So I can't give you any type of an estimate. I will say this, that it's unlikely that we will build a wall or physical barrier from sea to shining sea but it is very likely, I'm committed to putting it where the men and women say weshould put it. JOHNSON: In your written testimony, you -- the quote is, you're going to implement a full complement of solutions to meet border security requirements andthat's technology, that's manpower, that's going to be physical barriers. But my assumption is you're going to target kind ofa step by step basis and put walls and fencing in top priority areas where yourborder agents are telling you, correct? KELLY: You're exactly right, Senator. JOHNSON: We had a hearing last week from thefront lines with the heads of the unions from Border Patrol and OFO and ICE. There were somereal problems. The problem-- the use of polygraphs, just way too high ofrejection rates. Pay parity, I mean Border Patrol saying once yougo try and hire 10,000 ICE agents, they're just going to teal them from border patrol because of the lack ofparity. Just work schedules. From OFOtalking about how agents are working multiple days in a row 16 hourshifts. So can youjust kind of address what you're finding out? We're going to try and doa very cooperative process with you, with the White House, bipartisan -- nonpartisan basis really andtry andgive -- produce the oversight same time you're enacting the solutions. But can youjust kind of address those personnel issues? KELLY: Yes sir. I mean this is going to be kind of a cinder block sized rock in Secretary Duke's pack. Oneof the things I will turn -- one of the things my good friend Jay Johnson started long DHS-17-0305-A-000803 before I obviously took this job was this unity ofeffort issue, to look at all of the departmentthat is still a fairly broken up and disparate organization, to look at all of the department, whereit makes sense, start to unify things like acquisition, like -- like pay. Even though it's my understanding that some of the pay problems in a couple ofthe unions, one ofthe union anyways wasactually negotiated that way bythe union. It didn't turn out so well as I'm informed. So what we're going to dois turn that overto Elaine and look atall of the -- the Secret Service falls into the same category of another kind ofdifferent pay scale andthere's a better way to dothis so that unity ofeffort, we'll -- we're going to really breathe somelife intoit. Jay started it, great thing. We're really going to finish it over the next year or so or more butfind ways to do exactly what the Senate is suggesting. That is come up with better pay systems, better benefits. You know, one of the things the CBPfolks tend to migrate into ICE frequently is because they might be from, I don't know, the great state of Missouri and they're working on the border in Arizona andthat's OK for a fewyears but they want to get maybe back home. So we'll look at that too but that requires a lot of detail work and I think -- I don't know what the exact number is in terms ofa larger force, CBP particularly, or ICE for that matter. Andfor sure, Secret Service needs to be bigger, for sure they need to be bigger. They are carrying a load that is almost crushing the individual agent and we're going to fix that. But to yourpoint, sir, we're going to take -- we'll take on all of that and improve it with your help. JOHNSON: OK, yes. We'll want to work with you onthat. I come from a manufacturing background, continuous shift operation. You need four shifts and I'd love to work with you and the agencies design a proper ship that doesn't overburden the -- the -- the personnel. Just real quick because youdid raise this issue about the device searches. In -- in fiscal year 2015, under the Obama administration, there were 8,500 devices searched, and they realized this is actually pretty effective. So in 2016, they searched 23,877 devices. Can you just kind oftalk about what -- I think an (ph) article -- think a lot of concern about that. Can you just relay (ph) someof those concerns and talk about really effectiveness of why we should be doing this? KELLY: There's a -- roughly a million people a day comeinto UnitedStates, either by land or by aviation. You know, that million -- that tiny half of -- one half of 1 percent might have their devices lookedat. Generally speaking, these wouldbe foreigners anyways. In fact, in almost every case, they'd be-- a large percentage would be foreigners. But it's the normal process of coming into the country. And so whatdo they -- what do they look for? Frankly, a couple of examples, I would give you is, it's one ofthe ways they find these pedophiles whenthey -- and the -- and the CBP people, of course are interviewing travelers entering the United States will send people to secondary (ph) for whateverreason-- and there a million of (ph) reasons they do this, will send people to secondary(ph). Usually they're there for a short period oftime. It might be to do -- their DHS-17-0305-A-000804 passports look out of-- out of sync or something like that; their stories don't match what the passport says. There's a -- there's a million of (ph) reasons. But some ofthose reasons revolve around men whoare coming fromcertain parts of the globe that -- that -- what do they call it? Sexual tourism, I think -- pedophiles anyway. Sothat's one-- one way wecatch them. Wego on, welook at their -- at their device, andit's filled with child porn. That's one thing. Recently, we hada -- and again, a couple of examples, we had an individual traveling here from a Middle Eastern country during the process. The profiling if you will, there was something not quite right about him matching up with whathe wastelling abouthis -- his past -- where he had come from, his passport. So weput him in secondary. They looked -- ran his -- his contact numbers out ofhis telephone, and he wasin contact with several -- I won't go intoit too deeply -- but several well-known terrorist traffickers and organizers in the Middle East. They then looked at the pictures and sawa full display of -- of you know gay men being thrown off of roofs and people being beheaded andall that. Now, we had no reason to hold him because he wasnot in any database, so we sent him back. That I think appeared shortly after that in a newspaperabout howwe were focusing on a Muslim male, and wedid it because he was a Muslimand from the Arab part of the world. But the point is, there are reasons forit. But to Senator McCaskill's concerns, this is not routine. It's done in a very small numberof cases. It won't be done routinely for people that are coming here from -- from -- from anywhere -- it won't be done routinely from anywhere. But if there's a reason to doit, we will in fact do it. But whether it's France, Britain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or Somalia, I won't be routinely doneat the port ofentry. JOHNSON: Thank you, general. Senator McCaskill? MCCASKILL: General, is the president OK with fencing instead of a wall? KELLY: The president has told me "Kelly, go do it." I -- we needto protect the southwest border in any waythat that makes sense. MCCASKILL: So you-- he understands... KELLY: ...I have a lot of elbow room. MCCASKILL: So he knows that we're not going to build a concrete wall -- a 2,000 mile concrete wall? The president knows that, right? KELLY: The president knows that I'm looking at every variation on the theme and I have no doubt whenI go backto himand say "you know, boss, wall makes sensehere, fencing -- hightech fencing makes sense over here, technology makes sense over here," I have no doubt that he will go tell me to doit. DHS-17-0305-A-000805 MCCASKILL: And can you provide to the committee the request by the border chiefs for how many miles they're requesting ofbarrier? KELLY: Can I -- yes ma'am. MCCASKILL: Yes. I mean you're going to ask every borderchief for their sector... KELLY: ...Right. MCCASKILL: How many miles do you need and where? KELLY: Exactly right. MCCASKILL: And are you also going to ask themfor their technology requests? KELLY: All of that will be part of-- I meantheir input is absolute to what we're doing. MCCASKILL: Right. Can weget those requests as soon as you receive them? KELLY: Absolutely. MCCASKILL: Because I think it's really important -- the sooner we stop this, you know, we're going to build a wall fromsea to shining sea and the Mexicans are going to payfor it, it's embarrassing. It's not going to happen, everybody in Congress knows it's not going to happen. Every Republican knows it, every Democrat knows it. It appears the only person who won't say it out loudis the president of the United States. Andit's embarrassing. I don't understand it. I mean, it makes no sense and frankly the money we reprogrammedfor the -- the prototypes, the solicitation says no technologyinsertion is even a requirement of the prototype and you knowsituational awareness is going to be key for these border chiefs. They -- it does no goodto build a big wall if they can't see over it because they aren't able to respond to the ladder or to some kind of breach. Andso I just -- it's just frustrating to me. You getit, we all getit, but the president is so stubborn and won't say to the American people "we're going to use your money wisely and we're going to protect the border in a way that makes sense. And by the way, Mexico is not going to pay forit." So I urge youto speak truth to power in that regard. The soonerthe president gets some credibility on this, I think the better off weall are and I think it would make your job much easier. That's my two cents worth. And by the way, you geta lot of bipartisan support immediately for budget requests that are based on soundideas about securing the border. We're not -- I mean I think the majority of the Senate, and I can't speak to the House, is not going to sign a blank check for a wall that we know is never going to be built. So the soonerwe all get honest about this, I think the better offwe are. DHS-17-0305-A-000806 So the extreme vetting, I get what you're saying that it will be applied to very fewpeople butif it is the policy of our country to increase the questions asked for visa applications all over the world, and to expose the 38 visa waiver countries to this possibility, it has a dramatic impact. And you've got to understand, Secretary Kelly, that if they know we're going to look at their phones -- I'mtalking about bad guys. I've had some experience with bad guys. If they know we're going to look at their phones and we knowwe're going to ask them questions about their ideology, they're going to get rid of their phones and guess what they're going to do on ideology? They're goingto lie. Are we going to use polygraphs? KELLY: That would be -- we couldn't do thatfor all of the people that we currently put into secondary, no but your point's well takenin terms of if we were doing these things routinely but there's -- there's databases welook at that bring us to cause to bring someoneinto secondary, travel patterns -- I'd prefer not to go into it but travel patterns tell us a lot about a person. And that would get someone to go into secondary. But generally speaking, the average tourist coming into the United States is not going to havetheir -- we're not going to ask them... MCCASKILL: ...So we're going to tell them we might -- we're going to tell them we might ask them about whatthey -- I think the things that -- wasthe article accurate that they're going to be asked howapplicants viewthe treatment of womenin society, whether they value the sanctity of humanlife and whothey viewas a legitimate target in military operation? Are we going to explain to all of our friends across the world that they could be questionedlike that if they comeinto the United States? KELLY: I wouldn't say those would be questions we would ask. MCCASKILL: So this article is incorrect that these are what-- this is what's being considered? KELLY: Which article is it? MCCASKILL: This is the "Wall Street Journal" article yesterday that saidvisitors to the U.S. could be forced to provide cell phone contacts, social media passwords, and answer questions abouttheir ideology according to Trump administration officials. KELLY: I don't -- those questions you've indicated are not questions that I think would be, you know, used in the secondary kind of questioning. As far -- once again, I go back to very, very small numbers. We do -- it is effective to catch people -- you know, they comein -- they're coming in the country butthey're notreally here yet so if they don't want to cooperate, they can go back. MCCASKILL: But aren't we telling them what they need to do to get in? I mean, that's what's weirdhere. It seems to me weare signaling something that's very un-American to the rest of the world by announcing this policy. Every ambassador in Washingtonread this article in the Wall DHS-17-0305-A-000807 Street Journal yesterday and every ambassador in Washingtoncalled back to their country and said, listen to this, they're going to start asking people for their social media passwordand about their ideology in America. That is incredibly damaging, andall the bad guys are going to like just lie. I don't get how get weget anything outof it. It's that damaged (ph). KELLY: As they say, very small numbers -- that we will go to those questions or requests social media -- andI'm talking really -- I'm talking right nowabout at our airports and ports ofentry. We'll -- we'll go in that direction when the professionals at the counter decide that there's a reason going to in the direction. But the vast majority people will not -- will not be questioned in that way. It's just like the vast majority of people that comeinto the country, foreigners, and for that matter, American citizens, we don't go into their luggage andinspected their luggage. Is the same kind ofthing? We will do it when wethink there's a reasonto doit. MCCASKILL: Well, I'm -- as youcan tell, my hair is on fire about this. I am really upset that America would be saying this to the world. andif -- if needsa classified briefing in terms of understanding better what the plans are and who would bepulled, and if somebody can explain to me how weget terrorists when they knowall they've got to do is lie to the questions and buy a burner before they come to America... KELLY: I think you know, senator, this is nothing new. We've been doing this for -- to the best of my knowledge, mystaff tells me for a number of years. MCCASKILL: We have never announcedthat it is the policy of America that all foreign visitors to our country could be subjected to this kind of questioning andthis kind in intrusion. KELLY: Well, questioning again, I'm not aware the questions you -- the questions you -- you recited are not questions thatI'm familiar with at all and I don't... MCCASKILL: That's what I want to get to the bottom of. And I will just tell you, Americans would never put up with this in other countries. If -- if -- if all of these countries sent a signal that if you come to our country -- can you imagine a U.S. senator saying, oh yeah, well lets go to Japan and they're going to take my phonefor three days if they feel like it, and they're going to ask for my social media password, or I can't go in. Or they're going to ask me questions of my -myideology. I mean, can you imagine anybody in America wanting to go there? And we don't want to send that signal. That's what the essence of my questions, secretary. And if you can follow up with us about howthis is going to be applied andclarify it to the world that we welcome our friends to America, I think that would bevery helpful. KELLY: Again, I'll just thank you, Senator McCaskill. I'll just remind you, in fiscal year, 2016, 24,000 devices were searched. So this is -- this is not new. I think its being somewhat blown out ofproportion. Senator... DHS-17-0305-A-000808 (CROSSTALK) KELLY: ... chairman, if I can addto that, and ofthe ones that were searched, very, very small percentage were actually gone into forensically, if you will. It's essentially, they turn it on, and we'd like to see the pictures. And again, if we find child pornography, wefind -- we find really grizzly photographs of terrorists’ acts, that's the kind -- we -- we're not -- we're not sending these to -- we could if we wantto, and in small numbers we do, but we don't send themto a place to be forensically taken apart... JOHNSON: Andunfortunately publicizing this, does make it less effective, unfortunately. Senator Hoeven hasgraciously allowed the chairman or Armed Services to slide ahead of him. So, Senator McCain? MCCAIN: Thanks, Senator Hoeven. You know what sets myhair on fire? The fact that we know that coming out of Raqqa are people that have been directed to come and get into the United States of America and commit acts or terror. Isn't that true? It sets my hair onfire. KELLY: It's absolutely, sir (ph). MCCAIN: Does it set your hair on fire that there are now-- we know published reports, their efforts at taking these devices and planning explosives and committing acts ofterror with this technology? Does that set your hair on fire? KELLY: It does, Senator. MCCAIN: And they are developing technology right nowtoput -- one of the reasons whythere's been someof the band on what can be brought on an airliner sets myhair on fire right now. So I'm really worried about offending every ambassador in Washington. That's what always has been one of my greatest concerns, is howthey feel and I certainly wouldn't wantto offend their feelings. But the fact is that there are people being trained in Raqqa today that are leaving Raqqah and trying to get the United States and use various devices to commit acts ofterror in the United States of America. True? KELLY: It is true. MCCAIN: Thank you. So maybe weought to put a little perspective on this in our hysteria. KELLY: If I could add to it... MCCAIN: ...Go ahead. KELLY: Senator, we know there's somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 European citizens whoare in the fight, in the caliphate, Iraq and Syria. And as that caliphate is being reduced, those individual fighters are being encouraged to return to Europe and doterrorist- type things. Now in manycases, because ofthe nature of Europe and the borders and whatnot-- lack of borders, in DHS-17-0305-A-000809 manycases the countries where they're citizens don't knowthat they've been out ofthe country fighting in Syria. To the point of visa waiver countries, so we're in a position now where someone who's in Raqqah today returns to pick a country and basically can get on -- he's not in any database and can get on an airplane andfly here under the visa waiver programand be in the United States. That doesn't keep me upat night too much but it does keep me up so we're looking at visa waiver. We're looking atall kinds of ways that to keep these people out... MCCAIN: ...[ want to make sure that -- want to make sure that we are not restricted from looking at anybody's electronic device given the public information that we knowof their attempts at trying to develop these capabilities in order to set off bombs. Also, by the way, it does -- I'll tell you what does set my hair onfire, and that is that we nowhave Phoenix, Arizona as the majordistribution point for Mexican manufactured heroin comingin this country across the Sonora border. Is that true? KELLY: It is true, Senator. MCCAIN: And that it's killing people all over America including some governorsin Northeast and Midwestern states are saying its an epidemic, particularly a group of Americans that I care about, and that's older white males. Is that right? KELLY: It's absolutely right. MCCAIN: OK. So weneed to do one hell ofa lot better job on this drug trafficking and human trafficking that's coming across our border. And I'mhappy to tell youthat I hear from my friends in the BorderPatrol who say their morale has gone up nowthat we have your kind of leadership. Bythe way, I'm not sure you should have taken all that bullet for the travel ban but that's a subject for another day. But what are you going to do about -- can you-- can youinterpret a wall -- a wall, the word wall, as being drones, towers, fences, tunnel -- attempts at detecting using technology to detect tunnels, to have really what is an electronic wall plus the personnel? Couldthat -- could thatfit the definition of a wall and maybestop this flood of Mexican manufacturedheroin that's flooding into this country and killing people at a very great rate including the fentanyl which is particularly lethal? KELLY: Yes sir. In my view, the wall is all of that. We -- just before you came in, we had this discussion. In my view, the wall is all of that. MCCAIN: So if weinterpret the wall as that, I think most Americans would supportit. MCCASKILL: True. DHS-17-0305-A-000810 MCCAIN: But however, we've got a problem with Mexico. Right nowthere's a lot of antiAmerican sentiment in Mexico. If the election were tomorrowin Mexico, you would probably get a left wing, anti- American president of Mexico. That can't be good for America. KELLY: It would not be good for America or for Mexico. MCCAIN: OK. And then finally would youjust tell us a little bit about -- I thank the indulgence of my colleagues, what kind ofcooperation are you getting from the Mexican authorities and what kind ofcooperation are younot getting? KELLY: We're getting a huge amount of cooperation from the Mexicans. Senator, I go back to my time when wasin uniform at SOUTHCOM. Very, very good relationship with the Mexicans both on their southern border where they stopped 160,000 illegal immigrants from Central America last yearall the way upto the -- to the northern border. Therelationship between the local authorities on our side ofthe border is pretty good with the local authorities on the other side. I count some of the -- certainly the -- the head ofthe Army and the Navy as friends. I was just -I'll be -- I was there about a month andhalf ago, had a great meeting all of-- all the way up through with the president. MCCAIN: How serious is corruption? KELLY: Corruption is very, very widespread. And it's much -- much of that is dueto the -- the profits that come out ofthe drug use in the United States. There's no doubt about it, corruption is widespread. They're trying to getafter that, it's a dangerousplace because of the corruption and the trafficking; most of it fueled by U.S. drug consumption. MCCAIN: Well, the heartbreaking one to meis the human trafficking, Mr. Secretary, and I wish all Americans were awareof how terrible this situation is. These young girls being transported up, hooked on drugs and its -- its -- its so terrible. A lot oftimes you don't like to think aboutit. How-- howhigh is that on your priority list? KELLY: It's very, very high. In fact, the good newsis for really the fifth month in a row, but certainly the second big month in a row, the movement of the human -- the human trafficking of people in general is downsignificantly. And -- and to your point, andthe young girls in particular in the family units down even moresignificantly. And thatis all as a result of what we've started to do on the border and frankly my working personally with Central Americans, presidents, attorneys general, religious leaders and with our -- our relationship with -- with Mexico. a MCCAIN: Well, the next time you do travel ban, how about thinking it through? Thank you. JOHNSON: Senator Hoeven? DHS-17-0305-A-000811 HOEVEN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. General Kelly, good to see you again, thank you for being here. Thanks for the important work you're doing. In terms of the mix (ph), we -- we're talking about infrastructure, we're talking about technology, we're talking about people -- how to make sure you havethe right mix as youput that together? KELLY: On the wall? Really, you know, really we haveto rely on the folks that work the border. there are -- the younger agents are downthere the (inaudible) work every day, but some ofthe more senior agents, they knowthe borderin their sector better than -- you know, better than anyone, and they cantell us -- and we'll do that study. HOEVEN: So I'm a member of the Appropriations Committee for all Homeland Security, and we're putting together you know, your appropriation for FY'17 andthen of course we'll work on '18. so it's very important that we have the resources, and that when wetalk about building a wall, as you define, that wall is not only wall itself and fencing, butit's also technology and people. It's very important that we have that funding in your appropriation bill for FY'17, isn't it, to secure the country? Thatit -- that would be an incredibly important priority for you, wouldn't it? KELLY: It is, yes sir. HOEVEN: OK, thank you. Second thing is metrics. What metrics are most important? You provided us with some metrics here? We appreciate that, it's encouraging. It shows that you are having success. Tell -- tell us what of the most important metrics that we need to be cognizant of, you know, how do we use them to make sure that the American people understand what's going on, on the border and youknow, that we are getting to a more secure border? KELLY: I think certainly the metrics are people that don't cross into the United States illegally. Another metric would be the amount of -- and it mostly comes through the -- the ports of entry, which is another discussion that we can surely have here. But the amountof drugs that come through -- but as I said so many times when I wasin the United States Southern command, once the drugs get the Mexico -- Central America, Mexico, they're essentially in unless we do something about the border. Now, I think the senator knows virtually all of the heroine consumed in the United States is produced in Mexico from Poppyto laboratoryto packaging to in the United States. All ofthe cocaine that we consume comes up the same way. Much of the methamphetamine comes up the same way and an awful lot of opiate pills that are counterfeit -- produced--counterfeit pills come up throughthat. Fentanyl, largely through Mexico, but now increasingly directly from China to the United States by -- by the U.S. mail. It's an unending struggle, it's -- butit really does go back to -- and I wasjust in a meeting last week orearly this week -- last week now with the president and a number of people to get after this drug -- drug consumption in the United States. One of the first conversations I had with Then-Candidate Trump was whenhe brought upto methe issue ofsecuring the southern border. I said "you know, boss, Mr. Trump, there's no way we're going to do that unless we get after drug consumption in the United States. And I don't mean arresting more African-American guys DHS-17-0305-A-000812 and throwing them in jail for -- I mean, no kidding, a comprehensive drug -- drug demand reduction" and Mr. Trump has taken that on and has put together a task force. Sofrom -- from rehab to law enforcement to try to stop the production in Mexico, all of that adds up to, we'll have a much more secure border if we -- if we can stop drug demand reduction -- or drug demand in the United States. And we never had -- somestates have, some communities have, some organizations have tried but we've never had a comprehensive campaign against it. HOEVEN: As we increasingly secure the southern border, won't that put more pressure on the northern border and other ports of entry? KELLY: Andother ports of entry, for sure. The beauty of the northern border is Canada. I mean, they are committed to say the least, they have a very -- very, very, very low rates ofcorruption. They have tremendouslaw enforcement and -- andour partnership with them just couldn't be strongerso that's the advantage. And I hope over time Mexico -- and again, the strains on the Mexicansociety, the violence, again, corruption, we can hope that that gets better, they're trying. Myrelationship with -- in fact right after this, I'll meet with the -- with the -- again for about the fourth orfifth time with a good friend who is the foreign minister of Mexico. I just had the military leadership which play a different role in their society than our senior military people do. And my -- my HSI people, my CBP people, my ICE people are in Mexico in large numbers as are -- as is the FBI. The collaboration's very, very good law enforcement. It's just nol... HOEVEN: ... You would -- but you would agree we need to do more on the northern border as well and whatare those security measures? UAS for example, sensors, you know what are the priorities on the northern border for you? KELLY: Well, right nowthere is not nearly the same level of cross-border crime and whatnot. Weobviously need to watch it, one of the things the Canadians recently did wasto allowvisa -a non-visa -- Mexicans to travel to Canada without visas and we're seeing little bit of increase in Mexicans coming illegally into the United States from the north. We're working with them. I'm on the phone with my counterparts in places like Canada all the time but we obviously have to watch the threat. mean if we were successful in drying up the production of heroin in say Mexico, probably impossible... HOEVEN: ...I'm not talking just drugs, I'mtalking terrorism, I'm talking any -- you know, as you continue to secure the southern border, it's going to create pressure in other places and that's what I want to make sure we're taking the necessary steps on the northern borderas well. And I would invite you -- at the Canada border station which is essentially Grand Forks, North Dakota, your border station, they haveresponsibility for 900 miles of border all the way from the Great Lakes through most of Montana. DHS-17-0305-A-000813 And we're using everything from Predators, the Grand Forks Air Force Base there has Global Hawk. In fact we have UAS test site and the CBPstation, they fly out of Grand Forks Air Force Base and I would invite you to come up andsee the technology -- you talk about cooperation with the Canadians (inaudible) can also create -- use as an opportunity to build on someof that cooperation with the Canadians. Because you're talking 900 miles of border without a fence, we're going to have to continue to build those relations andthat technology to do the job. And I hope you could come-- see what we're doing over here (ph). KELLY: I'll do that, senator. HOEVEN: Thank you, I appreciate it, general. KELLY: Sure. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Hoeven. Senator Heitkamp? HEITKAMP: Thank you. I didn't want to disappoint anyone, so I'mgoing to raise the Northern Border in the very beginning. Obviously the -- the law that was passed down requires that you meet a June deadline for telling us whatthe threats are and how weare going to secure the northern border. Can youtell me whether you're on target to meet that June deadline? KELLY: We're -- we're always ontarget. I was just up in Seattle and met with the local law enforcement folks. I've been on the phone number times on -- on real ID with the -- with the governor up there. So we've got a little bit of a relationship; more importantly, I talked to my people that are responsible for that stretch from the Pacific inland for about 650 miles -- something like that. They have, again, great relations with the -- with their counterparts on -- on the other side ofthe border. The real strength is the databases... HEITKAMP: So -- so we can expect a report in June which then wecan react to in the next budgetary contrary, correct? KELLY: Yes senator, yes. HEITKAMP: OK. I just want to remind youthat eight of the 15 senators actually represent the northern border, so we're going to be... KELLY: It's got my attention, believe me. I love the northern border (CROSSTALK) HEITKAMP. ... and obviously we would love to host you. I'm deeply concerned about personnel issues on the northern border and hope that whatever youare lookingat in that study includes a securing enough personnel to do the job andto meet the -- the challenges. I want to talk little bit about Central America. DHS-17-0305-A-000814 It's a -- it's a topic that I know you're well familiar with and it was one of, I think the great opportunity that we had given your position and South command -- command. And giventhe fact that you have so many great relationships, we continue to be challenged bythe northern triangle countries. The -- the rate of murder and mayhem is unparalleled throughout the world, whichis saying really something. We're -- we're looking at the alliance for progress as a way to kind ofbuild that soft power, not just look at border security, but howcan wein fact refugee in place. It's my understanding that you're convening a conference in Miami. one of the concerns that I have is who's going all beat the table, because I think it's critically important that everyone be represented, whether it's NGOs, whether it's immigration groups, whether it's advocacy groups, that weall understand that we have arole in securing -- providing some security for those Central American countries. Can youtell me whatthe plan is and what you hope to accomplish in the Miami conference? KELLY: Yes, Senator. First I would tell you that I am close to the Central Americans. I've been - in the short period of time I've beenin the job, I've been down to Guatemala. The president of Honduras was just up in my office, he's someone that I've worked closely with before, I'm going to Honduras soon, then to Mexico. Since I've beenin this job, I met Mr. Tillerson there -Secretary Tillerson there. So I metall three from the Northern Tier countries; Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. All three of their Attorneys General came and wehad great discussions, again, friends. Mexican -go back to that Mr. De Lagre (ph) is in and out of Washington quite frequently. I plan another trip to Mexico so that's -- that's where weare in terms of what we're doing there. Nowwhen I briefed -- when I had discussions with Mr. Trump when he wasstill Mr. Trump, I talked to him about the issue again of drug -- drug use in the United States, drug trafficking, what a that does to these countries. But someof the things -- and I'll take little credit, not much, but a little credit for this; someof the things whenI wasstill on active duty Southern Command, some ofthe things we helped the Northern Tier countries implement have driven down -- nowthe death rates are still horrific. HEITKAMP: So what do you hope to accomplish in Miami and... KELLY: ...Economic -- both -- there'll be two day conference. One day will be economic. We've got certainly one ofthe real powers behind this is the Inter-American Development Bank. E.U. will be there, it's my understanding some European countries, obviously we will have -- I'm hoping to havesecretary of commerce, secretary oftreasury, I'll be there, the vice -- our vice president's coming down. There will be businessmen and women. We -- I believe all three of the Central American presidents and their teams will be there for this. I've got the Canadian -- the Mexicans will cohost this. DHS-17-0305-A-000815 HEITKAMP: What -- will you be reviewing the Alliance for Progress and whether that's been valuable and what changes we need to make as it relates to that commitment? KELLY: The Alliance -- as you know, the Alliance for... HEITKAMP. ... Prosperity, I mean (ph). KELLY: Prosperity, right. HEITKAMP: Excuse me. KELLY: I could gointo it if you want but I'll just say that I had a lot to do with organizing that with the three countries. They put their own moneyagainst it, we, you, the Congress has put moneyagainst it. The real thrust of this -- of this event in Miami in June-- mid June think, will be outside investment as opposed to U.S. investment. Although outside private investment. Sothat's what weare trying to -- that's what we will accomplish. HEITKAMP: I think there's tons of folks who want to help out in the NGO community especially. And I think that-- it takes me to the kind of next topic which is why people are leaving Central America. And you know, I would say there's been a lot of confusion back and forth on what's going to happen to women coming to the border with children from Central American countries. Just a quick yes or no, there's been reports that you are considering separating children fromtheir mothersat the border and I want to knowyes or no whetherthat's true. KELLY: Can I give you more than a yesor no? HEITKAMP: Youcan justa little bit. KELLY: OK. Only -- only if the situation at that point in time requires it. You know, the mother -- if the mother is sick or addicted to drugs or whatever. In the same way we would doit here in the United States if we... HEITKAMP: ...Yeah, so -- so if you thought the child was endangered... KELLY: ...Not routinely. Sure. HEITKAMP: That's -- that's the only circumstance to which you would separate? KELLY: Can't -- can't imagine doing otherwise. HEITKAMP: Yeah. I just want to -- I know a lot of people think that that might provide a deterrent and we have a number of people within the heartland alliance programand I'd ask that DHS-17-0305-A-000816 this letter -- and I knowyou get a lot ofcorrespondence obviously sent to you March 8. Butit's some comments from women who asked that this be... JOHNSON: ...Without objection. HEITKAMP: And I just want to read a couple of them becauseI think it's really important to understand what's driving people north. My faith was in God when I made the decision to leave. I had never heard of asylum, all I knew wasthat the United States was a place where people could be protected and safe. I didn't -- I came to the United States, I didn't think about the policies, I was just considering that United States is a thing that could protect us from violence where we wereliving. I think you knowalmost better than anyone else whoserves in this administration howhorrific the conditions are and I appreciate your answer. No one could disagree that if a child is endangering you believe that, that there should be separation and that that would be a rare circumstance. Is that correct, general? KELLY: That is correct. HEITKAMP: Thank you, Secretary. KELLY: That's a yes. HEITKAMP: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. JOHNSON: Senator Peters? PETERS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Andit's good to see you, Secretary Kelly, it's good to have you here before the committee, appreciate your testimony and also wanted to thank you again publicly for all coming to Detroit on my invitation andputting some time with the Muslim American/ Arab American community, Latino Hispanic community. And of course we had a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand one ofthe busiest border crossings in North America there from Detroit to Windsor into Canada, and appreciate your -- yourinterest and your involvement in that meeting. But as -- as you knowSecretary Kelly, there has been up appreciable uptick in hate crimes and crimes against ourreligious institutions across the country. Last month of Senator Portman and I let a letter that was signed by every single member of the Senate asking your department, the DOJ and FBI to take action against the rise in hate crimes against Jewish community centers, mosques and other religiously associated locations. And as you're awareit's so rare to have a letter signed byall 100 ofus, this is howserious wetake it. It's been about 29 days since the letter's been written to you, the attorney general and the FBI and was just wondering, when should we expect a response back to all my colleagues? KELLY: It should have been a long time ago, I'll apologize and I'm on it. But I will tell you this, thatI've added -- I've added our approach to this issue to add mosques and, you know, any DHS-17-0305-A-000817 religious building, church, whatever that might be affected by this. We do have somecapability within the departmentto advise individuals that wantto be advised about say the security precautions. I think they told me -- mystaff told me yesterday virtually all of the Jewish centers, large groups have takenthat advice. We have teams that go out and travel and so we're very -- I don't know if, any of the mosques have respondedyet butas I say, add all religious communities to that, not just -- you know, I've told my people, let's just not talk onereligion, let's just not talk terrorism for that matter. Howabout wetalk about white supremacists andthings like that, so -- but I apologize for not getting back and I will get on that today. PETERS: I appreciatethat, Secretary, andI thinkit's obvious from your comments you do believe there is a legitimate fear of hate crimes... KELLY: ...I do... PETERS: ...In our communities they need to be concerned about. And given that, will you commit to continued support for programs that support vulnerable locations suchas the nonprofit security grant program that your departmentruns? KELLY: I will. PETERS: Thankyou. appreciateit, secretary. As you know, Michiganhas anextension ofthe RealID enforcement allowing federal agencies to accept driver's licenses and identification cards from Michigan. It runs through October10 ofthis year in 2017. Whatis the currentstatus of Real ID implementation across the nation? KELLY: As I know the senator knows, the Real ID law waspassed by the Congress in 2005 and it's -- the real first big deadline is January -- this January coming, I think it's 22nd to whereyou'll haveto have a appropriate Real ID -- approved Real ID or if you don't havethat, something like a passport in order to fly domestically, internationally. The map -- and I addressed most of the -- of the governorsof all of the states, 48 I think, of the states about three weeks ago. Andfor those that are not compliant and is right now I think five that for sure aren't even really trying and that's their call, mean I'm notcriticizing them. But they're not really trying for issues inside the state and then there's another18 or 19 states that are goingin the direction but again are unsure they could be compliant. So whenI talked to the governors -- and I would say the a samething here -- I think the governors haveto kind of have real serious conversation with their citizens, with the staffs first and decide whether they can -- they can hit the marketin January. Andif they can't they'll have a conversation withtheir citizens about, you really need to consider getting a passport as an example. Passports for 10 years, $110 I think to get a passport, very easy DHS-17-0305-A-000818 to get, because in January, if they don't have some compliant I.D., they're not goingto be able to get on an airplane domestically or otherwise. -Thad-- this was scared me to death actually, because I thought -- whenI -- well I just thought that the people I wastalking to in Washington, which is a really a red state right now, probably not get there. And by the way, the governor-- several governors have asked meto send some people from mystaff to take a look at where theyare to do an appraisal of if they're going to make it so that they could talk to their people. I've made that available to all the states. But the point is when I wastalking to these businessmen and women in Seattle who were in the - - in the -- you know, very well- informed people. They wereall under the impression that their state enhanced drivers' license was real I.D. compatible, which it's not. So if -- if people like that were unawareof -- of the -- of the ID situation, I'd say the vast majority of the -- good citizens of Washington State. Sothe point is, whereit is right now, if you're not fully compliant on -- on 22 of January coming, then you will have to have a formof I.D., like a military I.D., or a passport -- passport card in order to get on an airplane. That's whereit is right now. PETERS: Under section 102, of the Real I.D. Act, the DHS can wave laws to facilitate the construction of a border wall. This provision has been used up previously to waive dozens of laws, including some environmental load laws. What laws does DHS intend to waive to build this new wall along the southern border? KELLY: First, obviously, do the -- do the -- do the nuts and bolts survey of where we're going to put wall -- and at that those points, as I understand it, I would have to consult my -- my lawyers, obviously but places like the Indian reservation would be complicated, and -- and we're -- we're working with the Indian reservation in Arizona, 75 miles ofthe border. They already have some technology there. That would be a place that would be unwilling, unlikely to take on. There are some eminent domain issues. We'll try to do as much as we can without those kinds of -- without those kinds of issues coming -- coming to ahead. Certainly, I'm very, very aware of anycritical habitat, particularly say the Big Bendpart of Texas. So again senator, not going to build a wall where it doesn't make sense, but we'll do something across the Southwest border. PETERS: I understand you're -- you're going to need some time to review some of these issues and perhaps we can workclosely with your office as that goes forward. But I would just ask if you'd be willing to commit to -- to one item, and that would be not to waive of FOIA under the wall project, so that we can have full transparency. KELLY: Can I get back to you? Butit sounds like a yes to me. PETERS: Great, appreciate that. Thank you. JOHNSON: Senator Hassan? DHS-17-0305-A-000819 HASSAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair and ranking member, and good morning Secretary Kelly. It's nice to see youagain. Thereis a specific program within ICE's Homeland Security Investigations division that focuses on bringing law-enforcement scrutiny to the adjudications of visa applications. The program is called the Visa Security Program. Right now in 30 United States diplomatic posts around the world, specially trained law enforcement teams are dispatched to provide recommendations to the State Department's consularoffices in order to help these diplomats make informed decisions about whetherto grant a visa to a foreign national. Bringing law enforcement skills to the visa adjudication process makes a lot ofsense at least to me, hopeit does to you too. Andit should probably be, I think, implemented across the board for all diplomatic posts that issue visas. We're working on possible legislation on this topic so I wanted to ask two questions. Would you support the expansion of visa security teams to more diplomatic posts andis the visa security team fully funded in the fiscal year '18 budget request? KELLY: I'll have to check on the funding issue but I think anything we can do overseas to make better decisions about who might come to the United States for whatever reasonis -- is a good idea and should be reinforced and we should be constantly looking at even better ways to do that. But I'll get back to you onthe funding if that's all right. HASSAN: OK, no, that's fine. Thank you. I want to now moveto a different topic. As you know as well as anyone, we have seen multiple incidents of violence at the public or non-sterile areas ofour airports. In 2013, a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport was murdered atthe TSA checkpoint by a disturbed individual while earlier this year an active shooterkilled five people near the baggage claim area at the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Last spring, suicide explosions occurredin the public areas at Brussels Airport and Istanbul Ataturk Airport killed 61 people. In the president's initial budget release, the federal support for securing the public portions ofairports has been gutted. The budget cuts the VIPR teams, the behavioral protection officer programis eliminated, and TSA grants to reimburse state and local law enforcement fortheir patrols at airports are also being slashed. So amid this increasing threat to our airports, why is the administration cutting these key counterterrorism measures? KELLY: The VIPR teams for sure are something thatI'm working very hard to save. HASSAN: OK. KELLY: As far as the grants go, and this doesn't fall under the sanctuarycity thing or anything like that, I think the expectation is that parking lots and areas outside the immediate -- you know, the TSA security zones really belong to the state, local -- you know, the airports are great generators of revenue, are necessary for various states and I think the thinking there is that the state and local folks need to -- you know, I'm familiar with the Boston Airport, I mean there's more-- there's more state police that, you know, kind of, you knowcycle around that airport, not to mention Boston Police. DHS-17-0305-A-000820 So I think the thinking is that for outside the security perimeter that's established by TSA, that would belong more to the local community. HASSAN: Well, as a former governor, I might suggest that wedi: thata little bit more because I knowhow much additional work securing even the non-sterile areas are and it's a partnership to be sure but I am very concerned -- moneyis not growing on treesin our state budgets and soI thinkit's something wereally need to look at because the overall security climate at airports I think will really be compromised with those grants. SoI'd look forwardto discussing that with you more. I'll submit for the record a question on a airport -- foreign airport staff screening. But I did want to talk little bit about DHS and cyber defenses. In an effort to strengthen its cyber defense, the Department of Defense recently launchedtwo programs to capitalize on the vast network of U.S. computer security researchers who may not want to work for the federal government, butstill want to help secure our nation from cyber threats. The first was a pilot program called Hack the Pentagon andit provided hackers across the country with legal authorization to spot vulnerabilities in DOD networks in return for cash payments. The second program with the establishment of a vulnerability disclosure policy which provides a legal avenue for these hackersto hunt for andreport vulnerabilities in DOD networks without fear of prosecution. I think these are really forward thinking cyber programs that leverage an untapped resource in United States. So the question is, has DHS considered implementing similar programs? KELLY: One of the things -- I don't know if the Senator was here -- one ofthe things now-- nowthat I have a deputy, this -- this is a critically important issue, it goes without saying. HASSAN: Right. KELLY: Nowthat I have a deputy, this is another one of those things -- the -- the whole cyber enterprise within -- within DHS. But -- but another thing we-- were already doing, andthat is -that was just one of the reasons I was in Seattle recently, is reaching out -- reaching out as is, I think all of government -- reaching out to the commercial sector, because the -- the answers are just not-- they're definitely not just ofthe federal government. HASSAN: Right. KELLY: They're everywhere. So Elaine Duke, now that she is confirmed -- and thank you for that -- will -- will take this on, among a number of other things that -- that she'll focus on. I'm with you on this. And I -- was unaware of these programs where I am now, and I can get back to youcan andtalk to you about it? HASSAN: I think it would be great just because, again we have a lot of people with talent and skill and interest in serving their country who may not want to come work for the government, but wereally needtheir -- their skill and their insight. DHS-17-0305-A-000821 Onelast area I wanted to touch on. I knowyou referenced this morning the president's commission on the opioid epidemic and I wasglad to see youwere there at thelistening s sion on opioid and substance misuse last week. And you and I have spoken about the issue before, both in our one-on-one meeting and your confirmation hearing. And we've agreed on the need to crackdown on illegal opioids, while also dealing with the demand side ofthe problem of prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. So I'mlooking to find out more about the goals of the president's new commission on combating drug addiction and the opioid crisis, which he established by executive order last week. And I want to ensure that the rhetoric here is that by real actionthat reflects the seriousness of this crisis. The news reporting on the commission's beena little scattered. So the first question for you is, are you a member of the commission? KELLY: Lam. HASSAN: OK, that's great to know. And myunderstanding from the executive order is at the commission has 90 days to make a report on interim recommendations. Do you knowwhat the process will be to get to those recommendations? KELLY: I don't. It's in the staff realm, but let me just say, this -- to say the least is a passion for me. And myentire time in Southern command, I -- I talked about this To the point of getting a fair amount of -- getting crosswise with a fair amount of people in the White House and other parts of our government. The beauty, I think, ofthis president was -- I don't knowif you were in the room when I made this comment before but one of the first conversations T had with President-Elect Trump was this issue of drugs, drug demand, whatit does to not only our own country but to certainly the hemisphere. HASSAN: Sure. KELLY: And the moneyit makes available for corruption andterrorism and thingslike that. He's -- he's taken this big (ph) and he's going to make this work, I believe. Soit's a comprehensive -- everything from drug demand reduction to rehab to law enforcement to helping out the Central American republics to working with Mexico on the heroin production. Wehave great partners down-- it's just very long, 2,000 mile if you will, process of trying to get at the drug demand. HASSAN: Well, I appreciate that very much. I appreciate your presence on the commission, I look forward to working with you onit and put a plug in for central benefits in our healthcare so that people can get the treatment that they need. Thanks. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Hassan. Bythe way, I've seen cherry blossoms growing ontrees here in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately I haven't seen money growon trees here in Washingtoneither. DHS-17-0305-A-000822 Senator Daines? DAINES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Kelly, thank you for being here today. I kind offigure when youput a four-star Marine in charge of homelandsecurity, good things will start to happen. And... KELLY: ... not everyone agrees with that. DAINES: Yeah, well I do. I was struck yesterday, we were in this same roomin fact, this -- the same table, you had one ofyour former commissioners at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, David Aguilar washere testifying and I asked him a question about the reductions that we're seeing in apprehension rates of illegal southwest border crossings. That February data point came out and saw a 40 percent reduction in February when wetypically see because of seasonality anywhere from a 10 to 20 percent increase, we sawa 40 percent decrease in February. David then followed upand said "I believe we're going to revise those numbers as wehave a little more time here" because that release came out on March 8, now we're into April. He said "it looks like it's actually a 67 percent reduction in the month of February." This is not a statistical anomaly, something is going on. Wetalked about whatthat is in terms of the messages coming from the administration about enforcement rule of law. So I just want to congratulate you and the administration with some early success. My question is, these are encouraging results. Whatsubstantive actions will you be taking in order to make sure that we can sustain these reductions that we're seeing early on in this administration? KELLY: The first would be to gain control of our southwest border. Much of what we're seeing here -- and the second would be to work -- andI don't knowif you were here when we were talking about this, the Central American issue of helping them security and economically. The-- again, I've traveled manytimes, they call me, they're myfriends (ph). The people from Central America that are coming here, overwhelmingly nice people. Simple for the mostpart, rural, not highly educated, that's just the nature oftheir societies but they comehere for two reasons. One, lack of economic opportunity and two, because of violence particularly in the cities that are astronomical, although, to use Honduras as an example, in the four years that the current president is there, he's taken it from 91 per 100,000 which is what it was whenI was in Miami on active duty, highest in the world, it's down I think 50 -- 59. Andthat's still astronomical. Violence across our country is about 5 per 100,000 murders. So it's still high but the point is they're bringing it down and I was speaking with the -- separately with the president of Hondurasin myoffice just last week. What he's done economically he expects to growhis economy by 600,000 jobs in the next five years. KELLY: This is phenomenalinformation or progress. The Jimmy Morales from Guatemala, similar kind ofefforts and similar kind of successes both in reducing the violence rates as well as DHS-17-0305-A-000823 I economics. That's why think this -- this economic forum if you will, in -- in Miami in Junewill addto it. So why aren't they coming? They're not coming for the most part, because they don't knowwhat's going on. they've heard ofthe -- the actions of the ICE agents internal of the United States, much of it terribly misreported by -- by our press but that said, it's -- it's added to the deterrent effect. What we're doing on the border -- what weintend to do on the border has added to the deterrent effect. These people are not wealthy people. Their entire -- oftentimes their entire life savings are given to the coyotes -- to traffickers to get one or two orthree theminto the United States. We know because of the focus we're putting on the traffickers now when wecatch them -- actually prosecute them. Thetraffickers nowhave raised their fares, their prices two and three times. So what used to be, say, $4,000 per -- per individual to get into the United States from say, Honduras is now8,10, $12,000. Well, the people again, downin those parts of the world can't afford that kind of money. They're already paying morethan they could afford. Soall that is added to the deterrent effect. Myappeals personally through the press and to the presidents and the attorneys general from those three countries, the Roman Catholic leadership, the evangelical leadership. I met with the - - our -- the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archbishop, spoke with the Archbishop in Houston; again, asked themto contact their counterparts if youwill, in those countries to -- to ask, beg the people not to take that horribly dangerous trip to the United States, because you will be sent back and you won't have the money, and you'll probably-- if you're a woman have been assaulted onceif you're lucky; or if you're young, you could be siphoned off into the cartel gang Mexican fix. So that's whythey're not coming. DAINES: Yeah, well I -- I -- I think you're also demonstrating in my opinion, the experience you are bringing from your Southern command leadership. I think is having already a significant impact on our country in protect our southern border (ph). KELLY: Thanks for that (ph). DAINES: No, thank you,truly. And also, I appreciate your compassion as you're looking at the effect it's having on very poor people who are being taken advantage of as they're seeking to comeinto our country. I'm from Montana. We think about our northern borderbut the southern border and the methamphetamines that are coming into Montana and they're coming in from our southern border having a huge impact on ourstate. Mitigating the flowof drugs long before they reach our border, as you are well aware, yourtime in command of SOUTHCOM is very important. Wediscuss this concept to confirmation hearing. What steps have you taken onthe job to stymie the flowof drugs as well as violence into our country? KELLY: Great question. One ofthe things we know about the flowof hard drugs, marijuana comes in vast amountsbut it's also produced in the United States in vast amounts, but methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaineare the big killers and along with that are opiates that are counterfeited, if you will, and of course not with a lot of quality control so -- but you don't know DHS-17-0305-A-000824 -- the average person abusing opiates in the United States doesn't knowthat a lot of it is not produced by, you know, credible -- they're produced by labs in Mexico or in otherplaces. But the point is, most of that comes into the United States in 10, 15, 20 kilo loads via the ports of entry, in trucks andthings like that. So what have I done? We're nowlooking very, very hard at the ports of entry which are not really part of the wall, if you will, effort. But look at the ports of entry. If there is better technology out there and I think thereis to look into vehicles without unloading the vehicle, particularly tractortrailers to get after it that way. But I would tell you, methamphetamine, helping -- working with the Mexicans. They're good partners in law enforcement. My folks, I'm proud to say, my HSI, Homeland Security Investigation, working with the Mexicans led themto -- I'll just putit that way, to two huge methamphetamine labs that were destroyed by the Mexican -- Mexican marines, think in that case. Working with them and identifying the poppyfields in the south -- the Pacific Southwest of their country and helping -- offering them perhaps help in howto eradicate those, much as we've done for so many years in Colombia with coca. That's what we're doing but the big issue really right a nowin drugs coming into the United States is the ports of entry and part ofthat as well is what goes south. Wedon't look at much at going south out of our country. The Mexicans don't lookat that very well either. I'd like to extend the effort to look in vastly more vehicles going south because bulk money in unbelievable amounts travels south out of the United States into the rest of the hemisphere to get laundered. I meanbillions and billions of dollars in guns. If we point a finger at the Mexicans or people who produce -- countries that produce drugs, we point our finger at themabout the production ofdrugs, they will point their fingerright back and say "what about guns?" So we needto dobetter and the southwardflow to go after the money andto goafter the flow of guns. Andthat'll take some time, some effort, but I think there's a next step and a next step after that in technology. The stuff we have nowis pretty good, I was up with Senator Peters looking at the busiest traffic point between Detroit and Canada. Technologythat looksinto trucks, tractor-trailers is pretty good butI knowthere's better stuff out there and we'll just -- we'll just get after it. But mostly the drugs come in, we believe, we know comes in, in relatively small amounts, 10, 15 kilos at a time in -- in automobiles and those kind of conveyances. DAINES: Thank you, sir. Secretary Kelly, thank you. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Daines. I just want to remind everybody kind ofwatch the clock. We've got great attendance, I appreciate it, want to make sure everybody gets a chance to answerquestions -- or ask questions. Senator Carper. CARPER: Thanks so much. General Kelly, great to see you Howare youholding up? You've got a lot on you? Youhave a lot of tough jobs before? DHS-17-0305-A-000825 KELLY: I've been in this job for 15 years, butit's -- three months seemslike 15 years. (LAUGHTER) CARPER: I'm sure it does. KELLY: This is the most enjoyable thing I'll do this week. CARPER: Well for us, too. For us, too. Wesay this often -- we say (inaudible). Thank youfor being the voice of reason, thanks for being just a great patriot. I -- we've beentalking a bit about -- I'll just follow up on a numberof (ph) the questions -- deal with the border, borderstrategy, andthat sort of thing. I think the messageI hear form both sides and on this side, hearing from you as well, is there's -- we need anall the above strategy on the border. It's not just a wall, it's not just as fencing. Those are important and appropriate in certain places, but if -- if immigration -- comprehensive immigration reform was a guest worker program, it sort of takes awaythe need for people to come up here and get stuck up here on this side of the border but can go back and forth and do good work out for -- for -- for our country go back to their home. It includes reference the lines ofperspective (ph), I'm delighted to hear the economic summit that you're planning for -- being held in May. Do you havethe dates yet on that? KELLY: It's going to be nowin June, andthat was based on ourvice president's desire to attend, a either the 12th -- I think it'll be the 12th, might be little later. It will be in Miami just because that -- that is -- is a great place to bring Latin Americans because of the language and all ofthis kind of-- he's very familiar with city. So that's the place to doit. DAINES: OK. Well, I'mglad you're doing it because it's a smart -- smart move. One other thing weneed to do is we need to -- in order to incentof the private sector and others -- countries and other organizations to -- to help out in the work that needs to be done in Central America so they actually have some economic hope and opportunity and do a better job combating that crime and violence, we set the example, our funding for alliance with prosperity (ph) I think, is very important for that. My hopeis that -- that you can continue to support. I think you knowwhat makes sense. KELLY: Absolutely. DAINES: like to sayfor the folks down in Central America, you can do it, we can help. Do you (inaudible), but we can -- they (ph) can help and I think we're doing that. Border security -- the force multipliers that -- there's just a tone of them. Innovation, we talked about the innovation of technology, but it's -- it's not just drones and fixed wing (ph) aircraft, it's not just (inaudible), but it's those -- aircraft but it's with the right kind ofsurveillance technology. Invader (ph) system, that kind ofthing, it's actually so much morehelpful. I mentioned yesterday in the -- in my -- in my comments, 23 yearsin the Navy, naval flight a officer, P-3 aircraft mission command, we did lot of anti-submarine warfare (ph), a lot of stuff DHS-17-0305-A-000826 (ph) off the coast of Vietnam and Cambodia. Wealso did search and rescue. And wedid search and rescue with binoculars out of the P-3 aircraft at 500, 1,000, 2,000 feet, good luck; it's hard to find anything. Invader (ph) systems makeall the sense in the world. But part of the -- part of the forces multipliers is observation tires (ph) that can befixed. As you know, they can be mobile, they can be mobile, they have to have the right surveillance systems. Part ofit can be horses. And someof its been down(ph) and chairman, I've been down I think maybe with Heidi to see the horses do the work in (inaudible) force multiplier. There's motion detectors, there's intelligence -- better intelligence. Howare wedoing onthe intelligence in terms of the intelligence we're sharing with the folks in Mexico and further south? KELLY: Sir, the law enforcement intelligence information sharing is very, very, very good. DAINES: Part of the force multipliers are boats and the ramp. Wecan get the boats in the water, so all kinds of stuff. In someplaces it makes sense, other places it does not, but it's an all the about approach. I want to ask youto talk a little bit about leadership and the management -- the ability of management -- to manage this organization. Senator Johnson andI, (inaudible) and I, and a numberof this committee worked right closely with Jeh Johnson, with (inaudible) to try to a make sure that the department had terrific leaderships team-- a confirmed leaderships team. AndI think many of them are gone now, as -- as you know, and that's -- we had an election. The -- but we want to be helpful. We have Elaine Duke's confirmed yesterday, we wantto be helpful andbringing the rest of your leadership team in. You'll haveto tell us who you want to give us a chance to -- to do that. So we look forward to hearing about -- about that. The other think on leadership I found -- and wetalked about this before, it would be nice to have, instead ofall the departments spread over hell's (ph) half acre throughout the greater Washington metropolitan area in Virginia and so forth. It'd be nice to have people I consolidated in a moreclose-knit area. That could be St. Elizabeth's (ph), I think it should be. I wasn't always at the end ofthe St. Elizabeth's project (ph) but I've come to believe thatit's the smart thing to do -- smartfiscally smart thing to do. Your thoughts, please? KELLY: If I could comment on theleadership, I would tell you you're right. Elaine, myself, really the only twopolitical types and almost-- I don't know -- I can't quite get my arms around the fact that I'm a political appointee because of mylife before this. CARPER: Look up in the dictionary for political appointee, your picture is not there. KELLY: Thanks (ph). But we have tremendous career professionals so the function of the departmenthas not -- from whenJay left and all the rest of the political appointees left has not stopped at all. We have tremendouslong-serving public servants that are running the department nowand as time goes on, of course, political appointees will theoretically be confirmed by the Senate and will take their places andthen they'll learn their jobs underneath those tremendous public servants, CARPER: That's a goodpoint. DHS-17-0305-A-000827 KELLY: On the consolidation, I don't think -- two things. DHS I don't think will ever be, you know, a functioning, cohesive organization to the degree that it should be and could be unless it does consolidate somewhere in moreor less the samebuilding or on the same campus. First issue. And the second issue is, and as long as the department answers to as many... CARPER: ...Committees and subcommittees? KELLY: Yeah, I mean, you know, Jim Mattis has four committees that he has to concern himself with and a number of subcommittees andthat's -- and that's whatI -- that was mylife before. This is a very, very different beast but I don't think it'll ever be, you know, as I say, as cohesive as it could be so long as we have, I think it's a hundred -- well, it's 119 plus committees and subcommittees that still have jurisdiction from the olden days from when the department was formed. It's not impossible to function but it won't be the sameso long asthere's so many disparate committees to answer to and that generates frankly a... CARPER: ...Does St. Elizabeth's make sense? KELLY: It does make sense. The committee does make sense, yeah. CARPER: All right, good. Thank you. Mytime's expired, thank you so much. KELLY: Thank you. JOHNSON: Senator Harris. HARRIS: Secretary Kelly. I was heartened to hear your response to Senator Heitkamp's question about the separation ofchildren from their parents. I understood youto say that only if the life of the child is in danger would there be a separation. Is that correct? KELLY: That would -- depending on what's going on, on the ground butthat generally would be my approach. HARRIS: Andare you willing then to issue a statement to yourstaff that that is your approach andthat that's your policy? KELLY: My staff knows already that they will not separate anyone unless I'm informed and get my permission. HARRIS: Have youissued a directive to that? KELLY: They knowthat. HARRIS: That's not my question, sir. DHS-17-0305-A-000828 KELLY: My response is they knowthat so yes, I have through the leadership told themthat if that's going to happen, that will only be me... HARRIS: ...With all due respect sir, are you willing -- are you willing to issue a directive to your staff that that's your policy? KELLY: I have already donethat. HARRIS: You have issued a directive’? KELLY: Through my leadership. HARRIS: I'd like a copy ofthat then. Is that in writing? KELLY: It's verbal. HARRIS: OK. Are you willing to issue a written directive to your staff that that's the policy of the department? You have -- you run an organization of 230,000 people. Is that correct? KELLY: Right at 230. HARRIS: And whyare you reluctant then to issue a directive to your staff if that is in fact your policy? KELLY: I'm not reluctant, I've already given the -- the verbal -- andit only really applies to... HARRIS: ...So are you unwilling, sir, to issue a written directive that it is the policy ofthe department to not separate someone from their mothers unless the life of the child is in danger? KELLY: I don't needto dothat. I've doneit verbally. HARRIS: So is your answer no? KELLY: My answer is I don't need to do that. HARRIS: You don't need to doit. Sir are you aware that Sean Spicer said that with the new administration, that nowfinally the president wanted to take the shackles off individuals in this agency? Are youfamiliar with that? KELLY: No. HARRIS: Are you familiar with Brandon Judd whotestified before our committee in response to a question from Senator Daines said that nowthat we can take the handcuffs off of us and put the handcuffs on the criminals. Are you aware ofthat? KELLY: No. DHS-17-0305-A-000829 HARRIS: Are you awarethat... KELLY: Is that a recent hearing? HARRIS: Yes, it was. Are you aware that David Lapan, you're spokesperson saidyesterday to the Washington Post that "immigration agents may arrest crime victim and witnesses at courthouses?" KELLY: Yes. HARRIS: And are youwilling to exempt victims and witnesses who do not have serious criminal backgrounds form that policy? KELLY: Every caseis different and we-- as they -- as the agents do their work, of course, the people that are taken into custody are put into a legal justice system. So that's where the decision would be made to deport, export, whatever. HARRIS: Are youwilling to initiate a policy that says that if that person whois a victim or a witness to a crime who is at a courthouse in any county in the United States, appearing as a victim or a witness to a crime, that if they do not have a serious criminal background, that they would be exempt from a policy ofpicking them upat that courthouse? KELLY: No. HARRIS: And are you aware that local law enforcement has a concern, because this has created a chilling effect among victims and witness to crime, and has resulted in their reluctance to show upto actually testify about crimes committed in their community. KELLY: I have heard some number of laws enforcement people say that, but also hear the opposite view. HARRIS: During your confirmation hearing before this committee on January 10, you committed to doing a top to bottom assessment of DHS, is that correct? KELLY: I did. HARRIS: Andhave you finished this assessment? KELLY: No. HARRIS: Whendo youplan tofinish it? KELLY: I don't know. HARRIS: You don't have a goalof finishing it? DHS-17-0305-A-000830 KELLY: I have a generalgoal. HARRIS: What is that date? KELLY: Well, one of the things I'll task my new deputy that was confirmed yesterday, she'll take that one. HARRIS: Have you given her a date for when that assessment will be complete? KELLY: No, because when she wasn't confirmed, I didn't deal with her as a deputy; I didn't want to presume confirmation by the Senate. HARRIS: So you do not have a goal for your department on when that assessment will be completed? KELLY: She and I will discuss a goal. HARRIS: And haveyou read the -- as part of the assessment that needs to be done, have you read the report issued by the Inspector General, John Roth that wasissued just four months ago, November 7, 2016, entitled "Major Management Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security?" KELLY: I'm aware ofthe report, yes. HARRIS: Have youread it? KELLY: I'm aware of it. HARRIS: So you've notread it. KELLY: An executive summary. HARRIS: OK. In thereport, the I.G. says, quote "this year, we are presenting a broaderpicture of management challenges by highlighting those we have repeatedly identified over several years. We remain concerned about the systemic nature of these challenges, some of which span multiple administrations and department leadership." Do you agree that many ofthe challenges are systemic and deeply rooted in the department? KELLY: Well, of course that was pre-Kelly. And it was... HARRIS: It was four months ago that report was issued. Do you agree with the statement found by the I.G., based on his analysis of your department? KELLY: That was pre-Kelly. I am committed... HARRIS: I'm sorry, pre-Kelly, meaning you? DHS-17-0305-A-000831 KELLY: I wasn't in the job yet. HARRIS: OK. KELLY: I -- as I've committed to the committee before and to the Congress in general, we're going to take a top to bottom look at how we're organized and howwe can do business better, andthat includes howwe're -- how wehave -- through the leadership functions. HARRIS: Are you aware, sir, that on March 22, union officials and leaders from both ICE and border patrol appeared before this committee? During that hearing, Chris Crane, whois the national ICE council president said, and I will quote, "there is a toxic andfailed management culture." He went on to say, quote "a good ol' boy network exist within your department." He went on to say officers are, quote "tripping over mangersin the field," andthen said also that the agencyhas outdated and quote, "practically no policies in place." Are you awarethat that is a sentiment among leadership in your department? KELLY: It certainly is -- certainly that's the sentiment through really, DHS in terms of how DHS wasrun for the last eight years. Going forward, it won't be run like that anymore. HARRIS: And how... KELLY: Once I -- once I determine howwe're going to change the leadership approach. HARRIS: So you are going... (CROSSTALK) HARRIS: ... to come up with a plan for fixing this for the 230,000 people in your department’? Andis this a priority for you? KELLY: It is. HARRIS: And at the same hearing, both Mr. Crane and the National Border Patrol President Brandon Judd (inaudible) in terms ofits morale? KELLY: That wascertainly the case under the Obama administration, but we're changing that already. HARRIS: And you're going that within whattime period? (CROSSTALK) KELLY: It's already changing. HARRIS: Oh, it's changed? DHS-17-0305-A-000832 KELLY: It's already changing. HARRIS: It is changing, OK. And in regards to your top-to- bottom assessment, has your assessment included looking into the morale issues at the agency andputting in place programs andinitiatives to actually improve the morale? KELLY: It's whatI do,yes. HARRIS: And can youprovide us with a list ofthe policies that you've instituted to improve morale at the department? KELLY: My leadership is the start point and we'll continue to look at ways to improve the morale. Oneof the issues most focused on bythis -- by the workforce since -- over the last eight yearsthat affected their morale wasan inability to do their jobs. Nowthat -- nowthat we've openedthe aperture in terms ofthe amount ofwork that they're allowed to do, the -- I'm deflecting a lot of outside influences into the workforce so they can dotheir jobs... HARRIS: Sir, my question to you-- with all due respect, my question to you is, what have you put in place to turn the morale around in this department and the morale which is the lowest of many large federal agency andthe condition has existed throughout the -- it appears, the life of the agency andcertainly has passed through many administrations. KELLY: Under the Obama administration, the morale sufferedterribly. HARRIS: So what plans have you put in place, sir? KELLY: My leadership. HARRIS: So you're saying by virtue of youbeing there, morale will now change? KELLY: By virtue ofthe fact -- the greatest impact in raising the morale in the last 90 days or so has been that the workforce nowis allowed to do their job. HARRIS: Andthat would be, they're nowunshackled. Is that correct? KELLY: They're allowed to do their job as the professionals they are. HARRIS: And the administration has proposed tripling the current number of ICE agents and increasing the numberof border patrol agents by 25 percent in addition to requesting a $4 billion to begin the construction of a wall which has been discussed. Are you in support of actually bringing on these newagents before you have repaired the damage that has exited in your agency? KELLY: It's simultaneous, sure. JOHNSON: Senator Harris, we're going to give you an opportunity... DHS-17-0305-A-000833 HARRIS: I'll go to round two. Thank you, Chairman. JOHNSON: I'm not sure we're going to have round twobut we'll have opportunities to submit questions for the record. HARRIS: I do have more questions so if we can do a second round, I wouldappreciate that. JOHNSON: I wantto be, you know, thoughtful of people's time. Senator Portman. PORTMAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And General Kelly,it's good to have you before the committee again. First of all, I'm glad we finally got Elaine, the great Ohioanover there in your department. Youtalked earlier about her a being political appointee. I viewher as a career person having had 27 yearsin the federal government and including obviously big roles over at DHS as a career expert on management and procurement and some of the big challenges that you face trying to bring together all these departments and agencies into one. So I'mglad she's there and I know she will be a tremendous asset to you. At your nomination, we talked a lot about this drug issue. And as you know, I was very complimentary of commentsthat you had made to this committee abouta year and a half ago now regarding the importance of focusing on the demand side andthat's where I've focused most in the last 25 years and I agree with you, that's the single most important thing is to reduce the demand. And youtalked about prevention and education, treatment and recovery, helping law enforcement and so on. I was a little concerned about the comments earlier about the commission. I do hope the commission heeds your comments and your thoughts on that. But you should also knowjust by way of information, Congress just spent three years going through this process that the commission's going to do in 90 days apparently which is helping identify the problem. Wehad five conferences here, not just numerous hearings, but conferences bringing in experts from all around the country looking at best practices and came up with this Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bipartisan bill that was finally passed last year and one of my concerns is that only three of the eight programs provided there, including things like helping out on drug courts and someof the things you've talked about in terms of diversion, it's not about locking peopleup, it's aboutbetter prevention and getting people the treatment they need. But only three ofthose eight programs have been implemented. And I pushed the Obama administration on this and I'm now pushing the Trump administration onit. So one, I hope you'll get up to speed on what CARA's about, whatit does. It is comprehensive, not just in name but in reality andit's based ona lot of work that's been done not just over the last few years with these conferences but around the country over time. DHS-17-0305-A-000834 Because I don't think weneed to recreate the wheel I think we needto go to action, this is a crisis andit's an epidemic, certainly in my state and many other states around the country. It -- its one that is particularly difficult because of the opioid issue. In other words, crystal meth is increasing in some communities. I understand the cocaine is back in some communities. This opioid issue -- the grip of that addiction has been a huge challenge as you know, for treatment and -- and recovery. We're beginning to learn more about it and how to do a better, but we got to get this legislation implemented andget the Cures Act money appropriated again. I hope the budget will reflect that ,;which is another $500 million we need in next year's budget just for helping the states to be able to deal with this. On fentanyl, it's the new issue. As you knowin so many of our states we probably are hit harder on it than otherstate, we're told per capita. But this is this toxic substance, as you knowthat is a synthetic heroine, carfentanil, euphoric (ph), it goes by various names, but it's -- its created by evil scientists in a laboratory somewhere. And you mentioned it coming in from Mexico. Yes, some comes in for Mexico but primarily that's coming from China to here as I understand from your people in and then going to medic going back into here. The vast majority ofit -- and there's a new commission report out -- the U.S.-China commission recently is coming from Mexico. I'm sorry -- coming from China. Andit's coming from laboratories in China, and is coming by the U.S. mail system. And you andI talked about this again during your confirmation process, and the very difficult job that CBP and DEA andothers haveof identifying these packages, because the U.S. mail system does not require advance information as to what's in the package, whereit's from, whereit's going. By the way, FedEx and UPS and DHOand other private carriers do require that. And what we heard from your folks, including Todd Owen, executive assistant commission, the office of field operations at CBP, when he testified before this committee onthis, is that having this advanced data from the post office would be key to helping youto build to target these packages to find the onesthat are suspect. we havelegislation, as you know, called the Stop Act that is bipartisan, Senator Klobuchar, myself, Senator Hassan, who was here earlier, Senator Rubio, that we are attempting to get passed simply to say lets require that these packages have this information. This is what we've heard about from yourpeople as the solution to being able to target some of this fentanyl, to being able to stop some of this poison coming into our communities andkilling our -- our citizens. By the way, that opinion was reinforced at a roundtable discussion I had just 10 days ago in Ohio with your CBPfolks. We had two ofyour port chiefs there, we also had folks there who are from your HSI group, your group of individuals who work with lawenforcement every day to try to find this -- this material. Wealso had folks from DEA whohad testified on this. And so my question to you is what can wedo to get this done President Trump in the campaign talked favorably about the Stop Act. DHS-17-0305-A-000835 Youhave talked favorable about the need to have that this information. I guess what I would ask is two questions. One, you agree with me that having this advanceddata on shipments coming into the United States, up from both the post office and private carriers would help your officers beable to target illegal shipments? KELLY: I do. PORTMAN: Second, would this informed targeting by CBP potentially reduce the ability of the post office to be sent for illicit shipping ofall kinds of contraband? KELLY: I think it will. PORTMAN: Andthird, have you had a chance now, since your nomination, to review the Stop Act and what are your thoughts and comments on the Stop Act andits potential to be able to help? KELLY: Just in -- in preparation for this hearing, we had a long conversation CBP people on the issue ofthe post office. Apparently -- and of course they don't work for us, but the -- the post office leadership is -- is starting to move in theright direction. Just the other day I get a DOG -- DOJeffort, DEA agreement, such as they are with China but in agreement at least that they will get after the fentanyl production and -- and shipment out oftheir country. I'll see how that turns out. One of the problems, as I think you know, Senator, that my folks have pointed out to meis, a lot of the countries that -- where these parcels come from, you know, just don't cooperate. But that's -- that's an effort that we should focus on to have them cooperate in terms of identifying the package, what's in the package, this kind ofthing so again, I was probably not as awareof this issue three days ago as I am now. And Kevin McAleenan who we hope someday will be the commissioner, he's the acting now, has this very much onhis front burner asit is now mine -- on mine. PORTMAN: appreciate that but we're asking President Trump to raise this to President Xi because you're right, China's not doing enough to close down these laboratories and keep these materials from being spread. And bythe way, it's a problem in China as well. I'm told the fentanyl is now leaking outinto the... KELLY: I think that's the only reason nowthey're interest because it is a problem. PORTMAN: It is a problem. You know, a few flakes of this stuff can kill you. It is being put in relatively small packages andsent andthere are millions of packages so do youagree that the STOPAct would be helpful to be able to identify these packages? KELLY: Yes, sir. PORTMAN: Thank you for that. And I guess the final thing I want to say with regard to the border because wetalked a lot about this earlier and I really appreciate your comment which was we're not going to build a wall whereit doesn't make sense. We do need a wall in certain areas DHS-17-0305-A-000836 including some urban and even some suburban areas and wedo need,again, the technology that was talked about earlier in other areas. You mentioned specifically the Big Bend of Texas. I wasthere at the endof the year, I've been there several times. KELLY: Canoeing, right (ph)? PORTMAN: I was and, you know,you're not going to build a wall on those canyon walls and so weneed to reassure people that this is about an effective way to secure the border andI appreciate your comments, I understand (ph) think that will help clarify the situation. Thank you. KELLY: Thanks, sir. PORTMAN: Appreciate your service. JOHNSON: Senator Tester. TESTER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you, Secretary Kelly, for your service and I meanthat. I go back to what the ranking member in this committee said in her opening remarks andthat is that we have faith in you, we have faith in youbeing the adult in the room because of your past record and your past performance. Webelieve that that will carry on assecretary ofthe Department of Homeland Security. I've got a number of questions. Onedeals with, there was $20 million worth of reprogramming moneythat you requested and that, Senator Boozman and I signed a letter basically stating, utilize the money but utilize it in the best way to protect the border. Not necessarily a concrete wall. Could be a fence, could be drones, could be technology, could be a numberof things. Haveyou determined howthat $20 million is going to be spent? KELLY: Again, Senator, on the barrier, wall, technology, whatever, we'll -- we'll do it where it makes sense and what makes sense. But we won't waste any money but we have not determined right nowwhat this thing will look like, how long it will be, you know. TESTER: So -- and I appreciate that response but really the question is, is we reprogrammed $20 million. I don't knowthat that's the best use of that money because think it was going to be used in technology but that's a different debate. We did it and the question becomes, if you useall that $20 million to put up a prototype concrete wall, for a prototype to be used, that pretty muchtells me what we're going to be doing. If you use that $20 million, part of it to put up a concrete wall, part of it to use maybe blue rose (ph) technology, part of it to maybe use drones, part ofit to use radar, part of it maybe for manpower discussions, that puts my heart at more of anease. So the question is, is that if you have howthis reprogramming money's going to be used, I would like to knowit and if you haven't, could youtell me when you might haveit? DHS-17-0305-A-000837 KELLY: Let me get back to you specifically on that, Senator, but you can -- you can rest assured we won't waste the money and we're not going to build one prototype. We're going to take a look at what makes sense along that whole border. TESTER: OK. Secret Service was brought up earlier and I also agree that due to circumstances withthis administration, your Secret Service is probably stressed more than it ever has been before. Have you made any requests of Congress --first of all, am I reading that right? I may be reading it wrong and if I am, that's fine. But have you made any requests on Secret Service and the demands that have beenput on Secret Service and if we needto deal with that through the budget? KELLY: Not as ofyet. Again, the first thing I'd like to say, and I think you'd agree. Individually the best men and women imaginable, they're just phenomenal that people and they work so hard, and they're -- they maxout their over time. I mean, they just leave (ph) themselves, coming and going. So theyneed -- and we will come forwardto the -- to the Congress and make the case, but theyneed a lot more agents, not just because of-- of the Trump era, if you will, although that is additional, because he's got a lot of children, grandchildren. we need more agents and we need more uniform personnel regardless of whether it's a Mr. Trump or a Mr. Obama or a Mr. anybody because what they do is much larger than simply -- you know, the mission there at the White House and -- and with -- and with presidential travel. I mean, things like the -- any -- any foreign dignitaries that comes to the United States. It's a much bigger than just that, so we need a larger Secret Service because we needto get some of these people a little bit of time at home with the families. TESTER: Got you. Coast Guard, youtalked aboutit in your opening remarks. Thepresident's a budget came out and lacked Coast Guard, along with a lot of TSA and lot ofother agencies that are under your purview. Question number one is how much input did you havein that budget? Question numbertwo is what are we going to do about fixing it? KELLY: Question numberone, very little. I talked to the OMB people about way forward(ph), and we made -- we're going to make the money -- we'll make the money good for the Coast Guard. They -- they're too vital to securing the Southwest borderand a lot of other things. TESTER: And Mar-a-Lago and a lot of other things. OK, thank you. Northern ports, we talked about ports of entries where drugs are coming through, and weall are focusedlike a laser on the southern border, and I think that's cool, but the northern border has its challenges too. Can -- can you-- can youtell me howconcerned youare on the northern border, andif your concern is with -- I don't think this would beclassified information -- is it with drugs? Is with the undocumented people coming across the line? Is it with the terrorist activities? Where is your -- where is your concern with the northern border and -- and -- and then while follow-up a on that is RBC is concerned with what comes a with the northern borders ofthe border we'll have a follow up onthat. DHS-17-0305-A-000838 KELLY: not as -- obviously as concerned with what comes with the northern border as the southern border, but it is our border, so I'm concerned withall the borders. Thegreat -- the absolutely great news story in the northern borderis that we have Canada there that it's... (CROSSTALK) KELLY: ... a friend andally. Theyinteract with us at every level, they're very careful about who comes into their country. Maybenot as careful as I -- I want us to be going forward about who comes in our country, but the good news story get up there is -- is the -- Canadians, their law enforcement, their commitment. I would saythe -- actually this might surprise you. I think -- not a concern really, what I'd like to see the northern border be is -- is even thinnerif you will, so that the -- the movement safely and securely ofall commerce and(inaudible) can be even -- you know, even streamlined more. TESTER: It's a big deal. Last thing, and excuse meif this has beenasked before, I don't know that has been orif it hasn't. Eminent domain, on the southernborder, if we're going to build a wall -- if we're going to do anything, it's going to require permission fromthe landowners. On the northernborder, those landownersare critically important for security. By the way, they're an extra set of eyes we don't have to pay for. Howyou do with them eminent domain onthe southern border? KELLY: We'll do it judiciously. There may be places we haveto doit. Again, that will be part of the both of the -- ofthe evaluation of where we build the wall, how webuild a wall. TESTER: I would -- I would just say that -- and this point has been brought up in these hearings before -- if you want to get people's attention in rural America, just talk about eminent domain. That hair will be onfire. KELLY: You knowsenator, I'm told that backin the -- I think 2008 effort to put fencing on the border, we're still in -- in -- in court with -- with people about eminent domain. Nine years ago. TESTER: Look I get it. I've got a farm that has to bein the family 100 years. Those ones down there, they're probably 140or 150. If somebody tried to eminent domain myplace, they'd take meoff in a box because I wouldn't let themdo it. So that's where we're at. Thanks. KELLY: Thanks. JOHNSON: This hearing is setting a lot ofhair fire. Senator Paul? MCCASKILL: And his is so special, to be onfire. (LAUGHTER) PAUL: General Kelly, thanks for coming. If I travel abroad andI'm coming back home, do you think it's appropriate to deny meentry to the country unless I let you search mycell phone? DHS-17-0305-A-000839 KELLY: Under -- under very, very, verycritical circumstances, I would say that an American citizen ought to be able to come back in and not havetheir electronics searched. PAUL: We've gone from 5,000 people having their cell phones searched to 25,000. We are denying people entry whoare citizens or green card holders who are coming back home and your department is saying to them youcannot return to your home without giving us your fingerprint and givingus all of the data on your phone, access to all the data on your phone. I think this is an extraordinarily unreasonable standard. I also think that you probably can differentiate betweencitizens, U.S. persons, and those who are coming tovisit. So I'm not saying you can't have some standardsand that based onsuspicion, you can deny someone entry to the country but nota citizen, not a green card holder. They are denying access to our own country. I could travel abroad andbe told I cannot enter America unless I let you look at my phone. That's obscene anddo you have a response? We're up to 25,000 of these now. KELLY: Well it certainly hasn't increased significantly in the 90 days I've been in the job and the 90 days Mr. Trump has been the president. I don't believe we're turning -- I don't think we ever turn back legal citizens or -- I meancitizens or legal residents. PAUL: That's what's in the paper,I think the last month -- they're telling -- there was a guy that had a green card and his wife wasa citizen but he lived here for many years, he wastold he could not enter if he did notgive his fingerprint to the government. KELLY: Let me take that on, Senator. The one thing I have learnedin this job, that everything I read about this -- about this department or what goes on atour borders is always moreto the story. But in general, just like an American citizen coming in and having his bag searched at the port of entry, generally speaking, it's done for a reason. PAUL: Right. But I think there are different -- and I'm not blaming you. It may soundlike I'm blaming you. You've only been on the job for a month or two but in your nomination hearing, you said you were going to respect the fourth amendment and you were going to respect people's privacy. So my hope is that you'll go back and ask people, are wereally doing this? KELLY: You know I will. PAUL: There have been manyreports of this. I would also argue though that there's a difference between searching my bag and mycell phone, OK? If I'm coming in, there is -- it is known that oneof the things that happens at the borderare drugs, we have dogs, wedo all the (ph) -- and we do randomsearches of bags. We're doing that even domestically. So I think we can accept that but I think that people are going to be horrified the more they hear that their cell phone, all their contacts, we don't even knowwhat's happening to our cell phone while it's gone and in possession ofthe government. Are they downloading? Andthis is the story wasthis, that they're downloading everybody's contacts and information, there's an extraordinary amount of information on your phone. DHS-17-0305-A-000840 KELLY: Not happening. PAUL: All right but that's what the stories... KELLY: These are citizens (ph). And in some cases, it is certainly happening to foreigners coming in but not routinely. PAUL: But it's gone from 5,000 a year to 25,000. If you wouldn't mind, if you'd look into it and have your people get back to myoffice on this... KELLY: Will do. PAUL: But you know, we put forward legislation, bipartisan legislation because we're so upset about this that really if you're a green cardholder or a citizen, even if you hadsuspicion, the way it would probably work if you were, I think, obeying the spirit of the constitution is you might be able to seize my phone but we would then go to a court and a court would determine whether youhadprobable causeto actual get the access to my phone for a citizen. Andfor a noncitizen, I think if you don't give it, you can probably deny entry. I mean, there are rules ontravel to our country. But I think for a citizen or a noncitizen to say I can't come back to my country without giving youthe contents of my phone is, think, really a... KELLY: Just don't believe we're doingit (ph). PAUL: All right. But we'll -- please look at the news reports because it wasn't just one, there was a whole series of them in the last couple days and a fewinterviews of people who are green card holders not being allowed entry. Thanks. JOHNSON: We will do a second round but I'm going to limit to five minutes because I want to be respectful of the secretary's time. So Senator McCaskill. a MCCASKILL: Yeah, following little bit on Senator Paul, I -- I was -- I had to smile when Senator McCain said I wasbeing hysterical. I was being focused andpassionate andI learned it from him, by the way. So I was-- and I want to be very clear, I completely understand that we have to take steps to keepterrorists out of our country that are coming hereto kill us. I completely understand that this is a global threat that we haveto pay attention to and I understand and completely acceptthat there are people being trained in Raqqah to comehere and hurt us. Mypoint is, I want to make sure what we're doing is effective. It's nowout there that we're taking people's phones. I mean, no terrorist that has the ability to come into this country and hurt us is going to come in with anything other than a clean phone. And the people whoare going to get caught upin this are going to be a lot of people whoaren't probably terrorists because if they were, they'd be smart enough to clean their phone. DHS-17-0305-A-000841 The samething with someof the -- like I talked about, the questions, they're going to lie and we aren't going to -- you know, maybe we're going to -- for some, maybe we should do polygraphs if wehave good information that they're terrorists. So I'm not -- I'm not in any way saying I don't want you to go after terrorists and I don't want you to figure out ways to find the people, and we're taking lots of steps around the globe to dothat and I certainly identify with Senator Hassan's remarks about the law enforcement teams helping embassies in terms ofscreening visa applicants. All great. So electronic devices, I agree with Senator McCain. I think we've got to be doing some extraordinary steps about electronic devices and I was supportive, I appreciated you giving me a call of you doing the unprecedented step of not allowing laptops in cabins from certain countries. Andif you wanted to take a moment, I only have one otherbrief question so if you wanted to take a moment to maybeexplain that so we all understand what steps you've taken and whyit's important. KELLY: Senator, as we discussed on the phone and I made 15 phone calls that day to make sure the leadership, both sides ofthe aisle, both sides of the Hill understood what we were doing. And then weprovided classified briefs to, you knowto the Hill again andit's a real threat. mean, we knowon any given daythere are dozens of cells that are talking about aviation -- attacking aviation. And you just watch themover time andsee if they develop, if they go fromtalking to actually doing something. Sothere's a real threat all of the time. You saw the Russian airplane that was blown up coming out of Egypt as an example, the Somali airplane that thankfully didn't catastrophically come apart but a hole was blownin the side ofthe airplane and only because the airplane wasnot at altitude did -- was the pilot able to bring that aircraft home. It's real. Based on thethreat is -- and this was my decision. Certainly briefed it to the president but this was my decision, once took in all the information from all the sources, that there is a real threat against aviation always but a specific threat and the airports that I decided to prohibit or to do the additional -- the newbaggage protocol, that is to say the large electronic devices into the cargo hold are predominantly Muslim countries. I didn't do it because of the Muslimreligion or the color of their skin or -- as some have accused. I wastrying to help out the American aircraft industry in places like the Emirates. It's real. I think it's getting realer so to speak. We may take measures in the not too distant future to expand the number of airports. It's real. MCCASKILL: We appreciate your focus onit and I certainly supportthe steps you've taken in that regard. Missouri is one of the states has not done Real ID andI just-- I just want to make sure that youclarify what is going to happen next year. And the reason I say this is the Missouri legislature is struggling with this. You know, this -- this happenedbefore I cameto the Senate. Both Republican senators voted for this in 2005. Infact, all 100 senators voted for it in 2005 and I understand why it's controversial and frankly I kind ofidentify with that in many ways because of the state I'm fromand our distrust of government in our DNA. But I -- I -- the governorsaid DHS-17-0305-A-000842 recently that he had gotten some signals from the Trump administration that would indicate that it wasn't going to be enforced. And so asa result, the Missouri legislature I think is nowstruggling with whether they need to do anything. I don't know what you're going to do but whatever you're going to do, the more quickly you clarify whetheror notthis is going to be enforced next year is really important. Because I think there's some mixed signals going on andas a result I worry about Missourians andtheir ability to participate in aviation in this country come this time next year. KELLY: Senator, your comment just nowis the only time I've heard anyone say that we're not going to enforce the law in January. I mean, as I say,I've been saying it to the press, we've been saying it to the governors, I... MCCASKILL: Well you needto call the governor from Missouri because the headline was, Trump administration indicates they may make a change, and then it goes on to say the people whoare against doing say, well we need to give Trump time to changethis... KELLY: I'll call some governors (ph) right away. MCCASKILL: Yeah, that would beterrific. I think that would be very helpful because I knowhe wants Missourians to be able to fly too. This isn't partisan. We want Missourians to be able to fly next year. KELLY: My -- my advice again to all ofthe -- to all of the states that are not right now compatible is to just tell -- tell their -- their citizens to -- you know, the best thing to dois get a passport. Andagain... MCCASKILL: Or a passport card. KELLY: Or a passport card. Andagain this -- this issue up in Seattle this last week was with this business group, all of whom thought that their state license enhancedwill fill the bill and it won't. And if they didn't knowthat, then I'd say the average Joe and Jane Doe-- they're probably underthat misconception. But there's about, I'd say 10 to 12 states anyways that are questionable that they could pull this off. Andso I will call the governor, yes. MCCASKILL: I really appreciateit. KELLY: Yes, Ma'am. JOHNSON: Senator Harris for five minutes. HARRIS: I appreciate that. DHS-17-0305-A-000843 Secretary Kelly, I representa state of almost 39 million people which is also a state with the largest number of immigrants documented and undocumentedof any state in this country. And they have a right to have an understanding, a clear understanding of the policypriorities of your department. On March 8 confirmation hearing for Elaine Duke, I asked her howthe seven enforcement categories from your February 20 memo would be prioritized and she answeredthat the priorities are listed in descending order. Do you agree with that? KELLY: No. HARRIS: And so whatis the -- can you please rank then the seven factors and thepriority among them? KELLY: Those seven factors allow the ICE folks to maketheir decision as to who they will develop a target package on and thengo try and apprehend. But they're not in descending order, they're just those are the categories. HARRIS: So whathas been your direction to the folks on the ground about what the priorities should be understanding that they, like all law enforcement agencies, have limited resources and a very important charge? Are you not giving them any direction aroundpriorities within the seven criteria? KELLY: The direction they have is, the start point is illegal -- illegal status and then something from thepriorities. But they're not going to go after, as an example, all the murderers and then weget -- all the very, very serious criminals and then once weget all of them, goafter the next andthe next and the next. They can goafter an individual if they -- according to the law, if they are on the list because they're illegal and then something. HARRIS: So sir, among the seven categories, you have as numberone convicted of anycriminal offense and obviously there's no doubtthat especially if someone has been convicted ofa serious and violent felony they should be apprehended andthey should be dealt with. Secondis that a anyone charged with a criminal offense but then there has not been finding of guilt. Thethird is they've committed an act which would constitute a chargeable criminal offense so they've not even been charged with the offense. The list goes on to number seven orin the judgment of immigration officers otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security. How are you training the folks on the ground to exercise their judgment as it relates to factor three or factor seven as an example? KELLY: They're already trained andthey, through -- through that direction down through the leadership of ICE downto the local agents in charge and whatnot, they train them to execute that policy. HARRIS: So as former managerof a very large law enforcement organization, the California Department of Justice. I am well aware that you cannot lead a department just from the top DHS-17-0305-A-000844 down, and it is critical that you communicate the policies of leadership to everyone at every stage, including those at the lowest level who in your agency as in most enforcement agencies, have wide discretion to exert and use their authority. I would like to knowwhat specifically you are doing to train those people and I would like a copy of what you are doingthat is beyond the conversations that you have had with managers, but actually what policies you haveput in place to train those folks on howthey shouldexercise the discretion that you've given them, as it relates to this expanded list of -- of -- of folks that can be contacted bythe folks in your agency. I would like to have a list submitted, sir. And if you would agree to give us a written copyof the training that you are instituting in your department to train folks about howthey should exercise their discretion. KELLY: we can certainly provide youthe policy statements and -- and from that the training takes place. Again, they're already highly trained individuals. HARRIS: Well, we've already discussed howthey have the lowest morale of any federal agency and that... KELLY: Under the Obama administration. HARRIS: OK. So sir, given the extent and depth ofthe problems that exist at DHS and that we had sofar received no assessment or any program that youhave our plan that you have to address these issues, how can youjustify such massive increases in hiring and resources, and should the American public really be expected to give youbillions of dollars and provide billions ofdollars your agency whenon blind faith in spite of the fact that there had been no clear change of direction or cores beyond the fact that you are on appointed to lead the agency? Should the American public believed in blind faith in the fact that you are now the leader and therefore everything has changed? KELLY: They should have faith in the fact that I'm the leader. They should also havefaith that the rank-and-file have now beenallowed to do their job. We've already seen a change in the -the morale; yes. HARRIS: Thank you, I have no further questions. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Harris. Just to adda little perspective andclarity to the device searches. In fiscal year 2015, there was 77.5 million people that can to this country internationally in the flights. That includes Canada and Mexico. There 38.4 million that came in overseas. The 23,877 devices that were searching 2016 was a under different administration, representing a .03 percent of total national arrival, a .06 percent of overseas arrivals, just to put it in perspective. Myconcern about all of a sudden this now new administration, nowall of sudden, this is a big problem, we're publicizing this, we maybe taking a tool ofout the toolbox. Kind of like when DHS-17-0305-A-000845 Osama bin Laden found out that -- that we can actually track his location basedon his cell phone. So again, I -- I appreciate your comments on-- on howit's being administered in kind of extraordinary circumstances, many cases again .03 percent of time .06 percent on overseas flights. And I don't knowit's -- its just unfortunate. KELLY: You knowChairman, if I could do, I think -- and this hasa lot to do with the press reporting, not against the press -- just they pick up and tend to write off whatever the base story is. I think an awful lot of people are confusing what we're doing at the port of entry today. and the kind of thinking I havein terms of the additional vetting that we will be implementing, whether it's for these overseas -- in -- in overseas locations, whether it's for a visa request to come to the United States, or for that matter, asylum(ph) request. Weare going to do a lot more ofthis electronic stuff. In addition to other things, whether it's in refugee camps in -- in Kenya or in someother country. And we'll do it -- but we won't probably do the sametype of additional vetting in say, Britain or Japan. It just depends onthe country, a dependson the threat. But I think an awful lot of people have jumpedto the conclusion little bit or certainly the press has picked up for whatever reasons and I'll assume they were doing it, you knowhonestly, that we're not going to do everyone's phoneand -- and you know, computer at the border. JOHNSON: And of course that's the impression the press leaves so we blowit out of proportion. Wetake what could bean effective tool out of our toolbox and we make this nation less safe, so. Andagain, I just think it's unfortunate, I kind of wantto lay out -- and I think you explainit pretty -- pretty well. You look at a phone, you look atthe photos, there's no password required for that it's just oh, I see -- I see a potential pedophile there andthat helps prevent something. Andit's just unfortunate that we do publicize some ofthese things that from my standpoint ought to remain moreat a classified level or just -- not discussed in public domain. MCCASKILL: Well I -- Mr. Chairman, I just want to say, I think having these hearings is how weget to the bottom ofit and find out the facts. That's why we dothis and the questions are important to be asked so wecan get the clarification. JOHNSON: I -- I understand. MCCASKILL: And so I think -- I think the secretary nowis in a position to understand the concerns and I think he'll respondto themand -- and we'll all be in a better place. KELLY: I'm unfortunately wayahead and I think if Jim Comey and people like that certainly sitting here at the table with me, law enforcement in general, these -- these newapplications that will makeit impossible to look into someone's phone or electronic device -- right. Wewill lose a huge -- this country, the good guys andgals in the world in the west and other places -- well, in the world that are trying to protect their people will lose tremendous asset when these applications become more widespread thanthey are, tremendous advantage lost. DHS-17-0305-A-000846 JOHNSON: And I will say (ph) the last time Director Comey wasbefore this committee, he was basically predicting whenwe finally endthe caliphate, Diasporaof terrorists unlike this world has ever seen, we're going to be dealing with that and you're going to haveto be dealing with that so I want to make sure you gotthe tools in your toolkit to keep this nation safe. So again, General Kelly, thank you for your service, thanks for cominghere, thanks for your testimony, your answersto our questions. With that, the hearing record will remain open for 15 daysuntil April 20 at 5:00 P.M. for the submission of statements and questions for the record. This hearing is adjourned. END Apr 05, 2017 20:00 ET .EOF DHS-17-0305-A-000847 "Philips, James M ["Readinger, Jeff )(6) "DHSLegislative Affairs()(6) Type: Note Please find attached and appended below the Bloomberg Government transcription ofthe following hearing held Wednesday, April 05, 2017: “Improving Border Security and Public Safety” Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Sole 9:30 Witness: 3 DHS Secretary John F. Ke WEBCAST DHS-17-0305-A-000848 cid:image002.png@01CEE156.87F91C50 JOHNSON: This hearing will come to order. I'd like to welcome the secretary of homeland security, General Kelly. We appreciate you coming and taking time and your thoughtful testimony, and we're looking forward to oral testimony and your answers to what should be a number of pretty interesting questions. Members of this committee, this should come as nosurprise, the security of our borders been a top priority of -- of this committee. In November 2015 after about 13 years and three roundtables, we did publish a report, "The State of America's Border Security" -- which by the way, we've got a bunch of copies so any -- any new members or old members whodidn't get a copy, I'd -- I'd be happy to give you one. We've learned an awful lot and would ask that my opening statement be entered into the record. ask consent for that. MCCASKILL: Without objection. JOHNSON: Which I'll take silence as a consent, thanks. But what would like to do is read some of the findings out of that opening statement as well as just some of the things we've learned. Just kind of bullet points. First and foremost what we've learned during our -- this is going to be our 23rd hearing on various aspects of border security. First finding, our borders are not secure. Number two -- and we've mentioned this in yesterday's hearing -- America's sensational (ph) demand for drugs is one root cause, perhaps the root cause for bringing the (ph) achievement of a secure border. In order to secure our borders -- we heard this yesterday in -- in testimony on -- on fencing walls --agents need full situation awareness, which includes the ability to see on the other side of the border. This can be achieved with appropriate fencing and technology. Wehad a hearing on November of last year. We had the former heads of border patrol and deputy border patrol, and they said that fencing works and we need moreof it. We found out the last week in a hearing from the front lines, hiring is challenge and personal issues must be addressed, we're working with the secretary and his -- his deputy to try and address that -- really based off Senator Heitkamp's comments, in (ph) one hearing whereshe said, this is insane, this is crazy, and there are some insane and crazy DHS-17-0305-A-000849 policies which we want to work with you to get those addressed and fixed right away so you can actually staff up to provide the manpower element of securing our border. Points of entry must not be forgotten. The majority of drugs in our country are through our points of entry and that's something I'd like to talk about. Onedifficult hearing to have was victims of an unsecured border, victims of not enforcing our -- our immigration laws. So the truth is tragedies have occurs as a result of our unsecure borders; tragedies that could've been prevented. Going down another list, not on my opening statement, drug cartels and coyotes use minors to avoid prosecution. Unaccompanied children have beentraffic into sex trade and involuntary servitude. Drug cartels are as, if not more, brutal and depraved then ISIS. Aerostats, you know good technology but as we found out about onour -- oneof our trip down the border, they're not real good in wind, and so in certain areas they can only operate about 40 percent of the time. We had an incredibly interesting hearing and this is something I'm a big supporter of, the quadruple or quintuple use of dogs because no technology can beat the noseof a dog. Brooks County, one ofour trip, we found out that the 435 deaths of people who -- who have cross countryillegally occurred just in the last five years. It's a very dangerous journey, wetreat -- need to try to disincentivize people from -- from making that dangerous journey. Drug useis not a victimless crime. It has given rise drug cartels. Those drug cartels traffic little girls; and we were down in Guatemala, we went one of those shelters. remember Senator Heitkamp, Senator Carper, Senator Peters, think the average age is 14 soit's not a victimless crime. think weall realize that but unfortunately we need to understand the responsibility we bear because of our insatiable demand for drugs so that's just a list, don't want to keep droning on here but we've learned an awful lot in 22 hearings, think we're going to learn a lot more today and as Senator McCaskill said think in yesterday's hearing, don't think there's one United States senator who doesn't believe we need a secure border. Solet's start there with that area of agreement. We share that goal, we want to secure our border, we want to keep the folks that we represent in our states, we want to keep them safe and secure. Now wegot to figure out the details. And so again, want to welcome General Kelly andI'll also turn it over to Senator McCaskill. MCCASKILL: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Kelly, thank you so much for being here today. We are cognizant of the demands on your time and part of our goal, and the chairman and agree onthis, is trying to be careful about what we ask for and how much weask for but we've got to ask for stuff because our job is oversight. But we're awarethat you're being pulled a lot of different ways. DHS-17-0305-A-000850 That's why we look forward to you getting a full team in place so we can begin to have some of the people in charge in your operation come and answer some of these difficult policy and oversight questions. You and have worked together on the armed services committee, have -- I'm very -- I'm a fan of how you have served as a Marine and a general and no onehas -- can question the sacrifices you made for our nation. Ever since your confirmation, have considered you a voice of reason within the administration. You have displayed throughout your career a willingness to speak truth to power, to say "no" rather than nodding, and have made your decisions based on the facts not political expediency. Those characteristics are needed now morethan ever. am counting on you to speak truth to this administration and to the president but I'm also asking you to speak to us and the American people. Even though it may not seem like it, we are now three months into the new administration. know that you want time to settle in and you need help to do your job. a We're pleased that we confirmed Elaine Duke yesterday. think she will be terrific addition to your department. And by the way, secured her vote tally, the original. was going to bring it this morning and forgot butI'll make sure get that to her so she can have it to frame for her office. Wehave two executive orders that ban travel from Muslim-majority nations. The first was implemented without notice and caused chaosat our nation's airports. Both have come under immediate constitutional scrutiny by the courts. The Department has overhauled its interior enforcement in the words of the White House to, quote, "take the shackles off" immigration and customs enforcement and the border patrol. You have ordered the department to, quote, "immediately begin planning design, construction, and maintenanceof a wall along the border." Even though Missouri isn't on the border, mystate is directly affected by it. The drugs that get through the Mexican border have a huge impacton the opioid crisis that is gripping my state and the entire nation. It is causing death and destruction to families all over the United States. know you share my concern about drugs coming over the border but am deeply concerned that all of the rhetoric andall of the budget requests have focused on the border and not the ports of entry, that there is no plan to increase resources at the ports of entry which we know, along with the mail, is the primary place that drugs are coming into our country. certainly hope that we have a chanceto address that today. Away from the border, I'm concerned about the Secret Service and the unprecedented challenge of protecting the president and his family at numerous locations; the White House, Trump Tower, and Mar-a-Lago as well as the international travel by the president's sons. DHS-17-0305-A-000851 In the meantime, the Secret Service is reviewing incidents that have threatened the physical security of the White House including a case in March where a fence-jumper was able to elude security and roam the grounds for 15 minutes. I'm deeply concerned that the Secret Serviceis being stretched to its breaking point. And just yesterday, read newsreports that the extreme vetting procedures that the president has ordered could force visa applicants from places like Australia and Japan and the United Kingdom to disclose not only all the information on their mobile phones, social media passwords, financial Records even to answer questions about their beliefs. I've got to tell you, if my family was traveling United Kingdom and they told me that we would have to answer questions about my beliefs in the country, we would not go. And have a hard time imagining countries would seeus as their friends. think this has a profound impact on our standing in the world, a profound impact on the nature of our alliances around the world, and a profound impact on our national security. And will ask questions about that today indicated to you in our conversation yesterday because think we are doing things that in no way as a former prosecutor trips up the bad guys. That changes our image forever in the eyes of the world; permanent and irrefutable harm occurring. Secretary Kelly, we have been trying to ask questions about policies and problems like these to your department and there have been times it's been very difficult to get answers. willing to do a reset and check that off as you not having all hands on deck, but going forward, hope that together, the chairman and can work to make sure that we have witnesses from the Department of Homeland Security answer some of the questions that need to be answered. Andfrankly, think it works for the benefit of your department, because if you're not here explaining, then assumptions can be made that sometimes are unfair. So going forward hope that we have a new beginning asit relates to not only getting questions answered, but also having witnesses at hearings. I'm glad you're here today, there's a lot of important issues before us, and I've got a lot of questions. hope we can count on you and that your department be willing to answer them going forward. Thank you very much. JOHNSON: Senator McCaskill, would point out General Kelly has already made himself available for a security briefing and now he's here already in early April. So certainly appreciate his willingness to -- to testify. Secretary -- General Kelly, we do have a tradition in this committee to swear in witnesses, so if you'll please rise your right-hand. Do you swear the testimony you will give before this committee will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you, God? Please be seated. DHS-17-0305-A-000852 Secretary John F. Kelly, General Kelly was confirmed to be the 5th secretary of Homeland Security on January 20, 2017. He previously served as a United States Marine Corps general and commander of the United States Southern Command. Less than a year after retiring from the Marine Corps, Secretary Kelly once again answered the call to serve nation and the American people by leading the department homeland security. General, we thank you for your service past, present and future, and look forward to your testimony. KELLY: Thank you, Chairman and certainly Ranking Member McCaskill, all of the membersof the committee. It's really an honor to be here. will make myself available any time by phone, by drop- in. just recently met with -- just yesterday with the entire Hispanic Caucus on the House side. We prided that with the entire Democratic caucus on the House side. met with the Democratic caucus on this side last week, and think I'm scheduled to speak with the Republicans. So anytime, anyplace, happy to doit, just a little notice. SinceI've respectfully taken on this assignment nearly three months ago, have learned two very important lessons vis-a-vis the Department of Homeland Security and the defense of the homeland. The first is that the men and women of my department are incredibly talented and devoted public servants who serve the nation in very special ways. In particular of those uphold the lawsthis institution, the Congress, passes by way the democratic process. It goes without saying the United States Coast Guard, supremely effective in their lane. One ofthe five military services of our country, they just happen to be lucky enough to be in the Department of Homeland Security. Then there is the incredibly dedicated Immigration Customs Enforcement — the ICE agents -- who havetaken onthe task of enforcing again, the laws you, have passed, and they do that in the interior of our country. They do it humanely, professionally, and always according to the law. The ICE team also includes the amazingly effective investigators of Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, who are second to nonein their investigative effectiveness. Then there are the professionals of the Customs and Border Protection, the CBP, who are among many other functions arethe first and -- andlast line of defense, depending how you look at it, doing the essential and often dangerous work of defending the borders. They're out there day and night, 24/7 suffering the heat of an Arizona summer or the deadly cold of a Montana winter. Third are another group, the Secret Service as you mentioned, Senator McCaskill. want to highlight them, both the agents as well as the uniformed force. DHS-17-0305-A-000853 They routinely work and are overworked to protect not only U.S. government officials but foreign dignitaries as well. They're amazing public servants dedicated to taking a bullet and giving their life for people that they don't even know. Then there's the TSA who ensure the security of, among other things, the traveling public, aviation- traveling public. TSAenjoys little credit as the work they've been ordered to do and complete by the laws of this nation bring them in direct contact with a public that haslittle tolerance for minor inconveniences. Again, all of this required by the law. This same public forgets that the alternative to what we -- the TSA does at our airports is possibly dying in a fireball falling from 30,000 feet. They're heroes, they do their work effectively, and they work very, very hard at improving their performance. The second lesson I've come to realize is that what homeland security means -- we must no longer think about the defense of the nation in terms of defense and nondefense initiatives and funding. In the world in which welive and the relentless and accumulating threats directed against our nation and our way of life, we must adjust our thinking to think about security and non-security which requires an increased melding of the thinking of the departments of defense and homeland security. Secretary Mattis and his superb team fight the away game. Theydo it effectively every day. The quality of the equally superb men and women of homeland security that I'm in charge of fight the home game. The defense of the homeland starts with allies and partners willing to fight the fight in places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan while standing ready in Europe, Asia, and South Asia. Closer to home and winning the home game is all about increasing the partnership with willing and reliable friends like Colombia, Mexico, Canada, indeed, all of the nations of this hemisphere and around the globe. Securing a nation's border is the primary responsibility of any sovereign nation. To those of us who serve the nation aspart of DHS, this is nonnegotiable and sacred. Yet for a decade, the federal government in spite of passing one law after another to do just that has notlived upto its promise to the American people. President Trump in the early days of his administration issued executive orders and focused interest on this very issue and tasked me to accomplish it. Various executive orders have been put out there, some of them effectively, some of them not so effectively. But all of them worth adhering to once the courts finish with their rulings. But what's happened in the last 90 days or so? We've seen an absolutely amazing drop in the number of migrants coming out of Central America that are taking that terribly DHS-17-0305-A-000854 dangerous route from Central America into the United States. In particular, we've seen a dramatic reduction in the number of families and the number of children that are in that pipeline. It won't last -- it won't last unless we do something again to secure the border; the wall and our physical barrier, something to secure our border. You all know that we're looking at that. In fact think the proposals closed out yesterday, what it'll look like, how tall it will be, how thick it will be, what color it will be, is yet to be determined. All we knowis that physical barriers do work if they're put in the right places. Andof course I've already posed (ph) the men and women that work the border, CBP, they know exactly where they want wall and they know exactly how long the wall should bein their sector. They're also quick to point out that if they can't have a wall from sea to shining sea that at least give them the wall -- the physical barrier, the technology that will do the job for them in the locations where they've identified to me, and we'll do that. Before conclude, I'd like to highlight the committee and the American people total (ph) relentless threat that thankfully we have stayed probably twoor three steps ahead of over the years. thought of those would do us harm; primarily operating out of the Middle East, and they are unyielding in their attempt to destroy commercial passenger aircraft in flight. In response to this thread, DHS personnel primarily from TSA and CBP are deployed in near thousands overseas working with airports, air carriers and intelligence and law enforcement partners to deny the terrorists attempt to kill innocent in the largest numbers possible to make some sick statement. As they say we, the CIA, NSA, FBI, DNI, DOD, DOI, DOJ, DOT, and DHS and all of our international partners have been successful thus far. recently made several decisions that added additional baggage protocols at a number of foreign airportsto fly -- fly flights directly to the United States. This decision wasnot -- repeat, not about the Muslim religion, anyone's skin color or ethnicity, but to impact the bottom line of foreign air carriers to the benefit of U.S. air carriers. Mydecisions were based entirely on saving lives and protecting the homeland. If we cannot get our arms around the current threat, you can expect additional protocol adjustments in the very near future. I'll end by saying me thank you so very much for the support you gave Elaine Duke. The fact that she is now confirmed -- and with any kind ofluck, I'll return to my building after this meeting -- or after this committee swear her in and put a very, very good heavypat on her back, fill it up with a lot of rocks and make the Department of Homeland Security better than it already is. So with that Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, will standby for questions. JOHNSON: She ought to be look forward to that. DHS-17-0305-A-000855 (LAUGHTER) General Kelly, let me start. You talked aboutthe -- the study on the board -- boarder barriers. Can you just tell me the -- a little more detailed the status of that, as well as any surprises that you've -- in terms of initial results of that? KELLY: Sir, we knowthat a physical barrier works. It's -- the -- the parts of the border that have physical barrier now, roughly 650 miles built some years ago. In those sectors, it works. There are other places along the border -- and again that the professionals in the -- in the CBP, if you walk the terrain (ph), and know some of you have, will tell you, you know boss, if you can give me 27 more miles here, 16 more miles here, don't really care about the other 140 miles I'm responsible for, but need something that works, and to deflect the flow of people, primarily bad actors, people in -- not all of whom are bad actors -- people who are coming United States for various reasons, to deflect them away from -- primarily deflect away from the cities, the idea with the coyotes in the traffickers to get them asclose to a city crossovers -- as close to a city as possible, get them into the city where they disappear. Soif you can deflect them away from the city, thenit's easier to pick them up and return them, whether they're Mexican or whatever. It's actually safer in many ways. Last year think is somewherein the neighborhood of 4,500 near-death individuals were saved by CBP primarily out in the -- out in the desert, and unfortunately unknown specific numbers, but some several hundred lost their lives in this attempt to get across the border and that's on our border. It's no telling how many in addition to the -- to the rapes and the assaults and the abuse that they take in the network flowing up through Mexico. Not done by the Mexicans but by the Coyotes, the traffickers. There's no way to tell how many of those people lose their lives. But the point is, very, very dangerous trip. The barriers work, technology also works but all of it doesn't workat all unless you have men and women whoare willing to patrol the border, develop relationships which they do with their Mexican counterparts directly across the border. But that's where weare right now. There's no way can give the committee an estimate of how much this will cost. mean, don't know what it will be made of, don't know how high it will be, don't knowif it's going to have solar panels on each side and what the one side's going to look like and howit's going to be painted, have no idea. So can't give you any type of an estimate. will say this, that it's unlikely that we will build a wall or physical barrier from sea to shining sea butit is verylikely, I'm committed to putting it where the men and women say we should put it. DHS-17-0305-A-000856 JOHNSON: In your written testimony, you -- the quote is, you're going to implement a full complement of solutions to meet border security requirements and that's technology, that's manpower, that's going to be physical barriers. But my assumption is you're going to target kind of a step by step basis and putwalls and fencing in top priority areas whereyour border agents are telling you, correct? KELLY: You're exactly right, Senator. JOHNSON: Wehad a hearing last week from thefront lines with the heads of the unions from Border Patrol and OFO and ICE. There were some real problems. The problem -- the use of polygraphs, just way too high of rejection rates. Pay parity, mean Border Patrol saying once you go try and hire 10,000 ICE agents, they're just going to teal them from border patrol because of the lackof parity. Just work schedules. From OFO talking about how agents are working multiple days in a row 16 hour shifts. So can you just kind of address what you're finding out? We're going to try and do a very cooperative process with you, with the White House, bipartisan -- nonpartisan basis really and try and give -- produce the oversight same time you're enacting the solutions. But can you just kind of address those personnel issues? KELLY: Yes sir. mean this is going to be kind of a cinder block sized rock in Secretary Duke's pack. Oneof the things will turn -- one of the things my good friend Jay Johnson started long before obviously took this job was this unity of effort issue, to look at all of the department that is still a fairly broken up and disparate organization, to look at all of the department, where it makes sense, start to unify things like acquisition, like -- like pay. Even though it's my understanding that some of the pay problems in a couple of the unions, one of the union anyways was actually negotiated that way by the union. It didn't turn out so well as I'm informed. So what we're goingto do is turn that over to Elaine and look at all of the -- the Secret Servicefalls into the same category of another kind of different pay scale and there's a better wayto dothis so that unity of effort, we'll -- we're going to really breathe some life intoit. Jay started it, great thing. We're really going to finish it over the next year or so or more but find ways to do exactly what the Senate is suggesting. That is come up with better pay systems, better benefits. You know, one of the things the CBP folks tend to migrate into ICE frequently is because they might be from, don't know, the great state of Missouri and they're working on the border in Arizona and that's OK for a few years but they want to get maybe back home. DHS-17-0305-A-000857 So we'll look at that too but that requires a lot of detail work and think -- don't know what the exact number is in terms of a larger force, CBP particularly, or ICE for that matter. And for sure, Secret Service needs to be bigger, for sure they need to be bigger. They are carrying a load that is almost crushing the individual agent and we're going to fix that. But to your point, sir, we're going to take -- we'll take onall of that and improveit with your help. JOHNSON: OK, yes. We'll want to work with you on that. come from a manufacturing background, continuous shift operation. You need four shifts and I'd love to work with you and the agencies design a proper ship that doesn't overburden the -- the -- the personnel. Just real quick because you did raise this issue about the device searches. In -- in fiscal year 2015, under the Obama administration, there were 8,500 devices searched, and they realized this is actually pretty effective. So in 2016, they searched 23,877 devices. Can you just kind of talk about what -- think an (ph) article -- think a lot of concern about that. Can you just relay (ph) some of those concerns andtalk about really effectiveness of why we should be doing this? KELLY: There's a -- roughly a million people a day comeinto United States, either by land or by aviation. You know, that million -- that tiny half of -- one half of 1 percent might havetheir devices looked at. Generally speaking, these would be foreigners anyways. In fact, in almost every case, they'd be -- a large percentage would be foreigners. Butit's the normal process of coming into the country. And so what do they -- what do they look for? Frankly, a couple of examples, would give you is, it's one of the ways they find these pedophiles when they -- and the -- and the CBP people, of course are interviewing travelers entering the United States will send people to secondary (ph) for whatever reason -- and there a million of (ph) reasons they do this, will send people to secondary (ph). Usually they're there for a short period oftime. It might be to do -- their passports look out of -- out of sync or something like that; their stories don't match what the passport says. There's a -- there's a million of (ph) reasons. But some of those reasons revolve around men whoare coming from certain parts of the globe that -- that -- what do they call it? Sexual tourism, think -- pedophiles anyway. So that's one -- one way we catch them. We go on, we look at their -- at their device, and it's filled with child porn. That's onething. Recently, we had a -- and again, a couple of examples, we had anindividual traveling here from a Middle Eastern country during the process. The profiling if you will, there DHS-17-0305-A-000858 was something not quite right about him matching up with what he was telling about his -- his past -- where he had come from, his passport. So we put him in secondary. They looked -- ran his -- his contact numbers out of his telephone, and he was in contact with several -- won't gointo it too deeply -- but several well-known terrorist traffickers and organizers in the Middle East. They then looked at the pictures and sawa full display of -- of you know gay men being thrown off of roofs and people being beheaded and all that. Now, we had no reason to hold him because he wasnot in any database, so we sent him back. That think appeared shortly after that in a newspaper about how wewere focusing on a Muslim male, and wedid it because he was a Muslim and from the Arab part of the world. But the point is, there are reasons for it. But to Senator McCaskill's concerns, this is not routine. It's done in a very small number of cases. It won't be done routinely for people that are coming here from -- from -- from anywhere-- it won't be done routinely from anywhere. But if there's a reason to doit, we will in fact do it. But whether it's France, Britain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or Somalia, won't be routinely done at the port of entry. JOHNSON: Thank you, general. Senator McCaskill? MCCASKILL: General, is the president OK with fencing instead of a wall? KELLY: The president has told me "Kelly, go doit." -- we need to protect the southwest border in any way that that makes sense. MCCASKILL: So you -- he understands... KELLY: ... have a lot of elbow room. MCCASKILL: So he knowsthat we're not going to build a concrete wall -- a 2,000 mile concrete wall? The president knowsthat, right? KELLY: The president knowsthat I'm looking at every variation on the theme and have no doubt when go back to him and say "you know, boss, wall makes sensehere, fencing -- high-tech fencing makes senseover here, technology makes sense over here," have no doubt that hewill go tell me to doit. MCCASKILL: And can you provide to the committee the request by the border chiefs for how many miles they're requesting of barrier? KELLY: Can -- yes ma'am. MCCASKILL: Yes. mean you're going to ask every border chief for their sector... KELLY: ...Right. MCCASKILL: How many miles do you need and where? KELLY: Exactly right. MCCASKILL: Andare you also going to ask them for their technology requests? KELLY: All of that will be part of -- mean their input is absolute to what we're doing. DHS-17-0305-A-000859 MCCASKILL: Right. Can we get those requests as soon as you receive them? KELLY: Absolutely. MCCASKILL: Because think it's really important -- the sooner we stop this, you know, we're going to build a wall from sea to shining sea and the Mexicans are going to pay for it, it's embarrassing. It's not going to happen, everybody in Congress knows it's not going to happen. Every Republican knowsit, every Democrat knowsit. It appears the only person who won't sayit out loud is the president of the United States. Andit's embarrassing. don't understand it. mean, it makes no sense and frankly the money wereprogrammed for the -- the prototypes, the solicitation says no technology insertion is even a requirement of the prototype and you knowsituational awareness is going to be keyfor these border chiefs. They -- it does no good to build a big wall if they can't see over it because they aren't able to respond to the ladder or to some kind of breach. Andso just - it's just frustrating to me. You get it, we all get it, but the president is so stubborn and won't say to the American people "we're going to use your money wisely and we're going to protect the border in a way that makes sense. Andby the way, Mexicois not going to payfor it." So urge you to speak truth to power in that regard. The sooner the president gets some credibility on this, think the better off we all are and think it would make your job much easier. That's my two cents worth. And by the way, you get a lot of bipartisan support immediately for budget requests that are based on sound ideas about securing the border. We're not -- mean think the majority of the Senate, and can't speak to the House, is not going to sign a blank check for a wall that we knowis never going to be built. So the sooner we all get honest about this, think the better off we are. So the extreme vetting, get what you're saying that it will be applied to very few people butif it is the policy of our country to increase the questions askedfor visa applications all over the world, and to expose the 38 visa waiver countries to this possibility, it has a dramatic impact. And you've got to understand, Secretary Kelly, that if they know we're going to look at their phones -- I'm talking about bad guys. I've had some experience with bad guys. If they know we're going to look at their phones and we know we're going to ask them questions about their ideology, they're going to getrid of their phones and guess what they're going to do on ideology? They're going to lie. Are we going to use polygraphs? KELLY: That would be -- we couldn't dothat for all of the people that we currently put into secondary, no but your point's well taken in terms of if we were doing these things routinely but there's -- there's databases welook at that bring us to cause to bring DHS-17-0305-A-000860 someone into secondary, travel patterns -- I'd prefer notto go intoit but travel patterns tell us a lot about a person. And that would get someone to go into secondary. But generally speaking, the average tourist coming into the United States is not going to havetheir -- we're not going to ask them... MCCASKILL: ...So we're going to tell them we might -- we're going to tell them we might ask them about what they -- think the things that -- was the article accurate that they're going to be asked howapplicants view the treatment of women in society, whether they value the sanctity of human life and who they view asa legitimate target in military operation? Are we going to explain to all of our friends across the world that they could be questioned like that if they come into the United States? KELLY: wouldn't say those would be questions we would ask. MCCASKILL: So this article is incorrect that these are what -- this is what's being considered? KELLY: Which article is it? MCCASKILL: This is the "Wall Street Journal" article yesterday that said visitors to the U.S. could be forced to provide cell phone contacts, social media passwords, and answer questions about their ideology according to Trump administration officials. KELLY: don't -- those questions you've indicated are not questions that think would be, you know, used in the secondary kind of questioning. As far -- once again, go back to very, very small numbers. Wedo -- it is effective to catch people -- you know, they come in -- they're coming in the country but they're not really here yet soif they don't want to cooperate, they can go back. MCCASKILL: But aren't wetelling them what they need to do to get in? mean, that's what's weird here. It seems to me weare signaling something that's very un-American to the rest of the world by announcing this policy. Every ambassador in Washington read this article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday and every ambassador in Washington called back to their country and said, listen to this, they're going to start asking people for their social media password and about their ideology in America. That is incredibly damaging, and all the bad guys are going to like just lie. don't get how get weget anything out of it. It's that damaged (ph). KELLY: As they say, very small numbers -- that we will go to those questions or requests social media -- and I'm talking really -- I'm talking right now about at our airports and ports of entry. We'll -- we'll go in that direction when the professionals at the DHS-17-0305-A-000861 counter decide that there's a reason going toin the direction. But the vast majority people will not -- will not be questioned in that way. It's just like the vast majority of people that come into the country, foreigners, and for that matter, American citizens, we don't go into their luggage and inspected their luggage. Is the same kind of thing? Wewill do it when wethink there's a reason to doit. MCCASKILL: Well, I'm -- as you can tell, my hair is on fire about this. am really upset that America would be saying this to the world. andif -- if needs a classified briefing in terms of understanding better what the plans are and who would bepulled, and if somebody can explain to me how weget terrorists when they knowall they've got to do is lie to the questions and buy a burner before they come to America... KELLY: think you know, senator, this is nothing new. We've been doing this for -- to the best of my knowledge, mystaff tells me for a number of years. MCCASKILL: We have never announced that it is the policy of America that all foreign visitors to our country could be subjected to this kind of questioning and this kind in intrusion. KELLY: Well, questioning again, I'm not aware the questions you -- the questions you -you recited are not questions that I'm familiar with at all and don't... MCCASKILL: That's what want to get to the bottom of. And will just tell you, Americans would never put up with this in other countries. If -- if -- if all of these countries sent a signal that if you come to our country -- can you imagine a U.S. senator saying, oh yeah, well lets go to Japan and they're going to take my phone for three days if they feel like it, and they're going to ask for my social media password, or can't go in. Or they're going to ask me questions of my -- my ideology. mean, can you imagine anybody in America wanting to go there? And we don't want to send that signal. That's what the essence of my questions, secretary. And if you can follow up with us about howthis is going to be applied andclarify it to the world that we welcome our friends to America, think that would be very helpful. KELLY: Again, I'll just thank you, Senator McCaskill. I'll just remind you, in fiscal year, 2016, 24,000 devices were searched. So this is -- this is not new. think its being somewhat blown out of proportion. Senator... (CROSSTALK) KELLY: ... chairman, if can add to that, and of the ones that were searched, very, very small percentage were actually gone into forensically, if you will. It's essentially, they turn it on, and we'd like to see the pictures. And again, if we find child pornography, we find -- wefind really grizzly photographs of terrorists’ acts, that's the kind -- we -- we're DHS-17-0305-A-000862 not -- we're not sending these to -- we could if we want to, and in small numbers we do, but we don't send them to a placeto be forensically taken apart... JOHNSON: And unfortunately publicizing this, does makeit less effective, unfortunately. Senator Hoeven hasgraciously allowed the chairman or Armed Services to slide ahead of him. So, Senator McCain? MCCAIN: Thanks, Senator Hoeven. You know what sets myhair onfire? The fact that we know that coming out of Raqqa are people that have been directed to come and get into the United States of America and commit acts or terror. Isn't that true? It sets my hair on fire. KELLY: It's absolutely, sir (ph). MCCAIN: Does it set your hair on fire that there are now -- we know published reports, their efforts at taking these devices and planning explosives and committing acts of terror with this technology? Does that set your hair onfire? KELLY: It does, Senator. MCCAIN: And they are developing technology right now to put -- one of the reasons why there's been some of the band on what can be brought onan airliner sets my hair onfire right now. So I'm really worried about offending every ambassador in Washington. That's what always has been one of my greatest concerns, is how they feel and certainly wouldn't want to offend their feelings. But the fact is that there are people being trained in Raqqa today that are leaving Raqqah and trying to get the United States and use various devices to commit acts of terror in the United States of America. True? KELLY: It is true. MCCAIN: Thank you. So maybe weought to puta little perspective onthis in our hysteria. KELLY: If could add toit... MCCAIN: ...Go ahead. KELLY: Senator, we know there's somewherein the neighborhood of 10,000 European citizens whoare in thefight, in the caliphate, Iraq and Syria. And asthat caliphate is being reduced, those individual fighters are being encouraged to return to Europe and doterrorist- type things. Now in many cases, because of the nature of Europe and the borders and whatnot -- lack of borders, in many cases the countries wherethey're citizens don't know that they've been out of the country fighting in Syria. To the point of visa waiver countries, so we're in a position now where someone who's in Raqqah today returns to pick a country and basically can get on -- he's not in any database and can get on an airplane andfly here under the visa waiver program and be DHS-17-0305-A-000863 in the United States. That doesn't keep meup at night too much but it does keep me up so we're looking at visa waiver. We're looking at all kinds of ways that to keep these people out... MCCAIN: ...l want to make surethat -- want to make sure that we are not restricted from looking at anybody's electronic device given the public information that we know of their attempts at trying to develop these capabilities in order to set off bombs. Also, by the way, it does -- I'll tell you what does set my hair onfire, and that is that we now have Phoenix, Arizona as the major distribution point for Mexican manufactured heroin coming in this country across the Sonora border. Is that true? KELLY: It is true, Senator. MCCAIN: And that it's killing people all over America including some governors in Northeast and Midwestern states are saying its an epidemic, particularly a group of Americans that care about, and that's older white males. Is that right? KELLY: It's absolutely right. MCCAIN: OK. So weneed to do one hell of a lot better job on this drugtrafficking and human trafficking that's coming across our border. And I'm happy to tell you that hear from my friends in the Border Patrol who say their morale has gone up nowthat we have your kind of leadership. By the way, I'm not sure you should have taken all that bullet for the travel ban but that's a subject for another day. But what are you going to do about -- can you -- can you interpret a wall -- a wall, the word wall, as being drones, towers, fences, tunnel -- attempts at detecting using technology to detect tunnels, to have really what is an electronic wall plus the personnel? Could that -- could that fit the definition of a wall and maybe stop this flood of Mexican manufactured heroin that's flooding into this country and killing people at a very great rate including the fentanyl which is particularly lethal? KELLY: Yes sir. In my view, the wall is all of that. We -- just before you camein, we had this discussion. In my view, the wall is all of that. MCCAIN: So if we interpret the wall as that, think most Americans would support it. MCCASKILL: True. MCCAIN: But however, we've got a problem with Mexico. Right nowthere's a lot of antiAmerican sentiment in Mexico. If the election were tomorrow in Mexico, you would probably get a left wing, anti- American president of Mexico. That can't be good for America. KELLY: It would not be good for America or for Mexico. DHS-17-0305-A-000864 MCCAIN: OK. And then finally would you just tell us a little bit about -- thank the indulgence of my colleagues, what kind of cooperation are you getting from the Mexican authorities and what kind of cooperation are you not getting? KELLY: We're getting a huge amount of cooperation from the Mexicans. Senator, go back to mytime when was in uniform at SOUTHCOM. Very, very good relationship with the Mexicans both on their southern border where they stopped 160,000 illegal immigrants from Central America last year all the way upto the -- to the northern border. The relationship between the local authorities on our side of the border is pretty goodwith the local authorities on the other side. count some of the -- certainly the -- the head of the Army and the Navyas friends. was just -- I'll be -- was there about a month and half ago, had a great meeting all of-all the way up through with the president. MCCAIN: How serious is corruption? KELLY: Corruption is very, very widespread. And it's much -- much of that is due to the - the profits that come out of the drug use in the United States. There's no doubt about it, corruption is widespread. They'retrying to get after that, it's a dangerous place because of the corruption and the trafficking; most ofit fueled by U.S. drug consumption. MCCAIN: Well, the heartbreaking one to meis the human trafficking, Mr. Secretary, and wish all Americans were awareof howterrible this situation is. These young girls being transported up, hooked on drugs and its -- its -- its so terrible. A lot of times you don't like to think about it. How -- how high is that on your priority list? KELLY: It's very, very high. In fact, the good newsis for really thefifth month in a row, but certainly the second big month in a row, the movement of the human -- the human trafficking of people in general is down significantly. And -- and to your point, and the younggirls in particular in the family units down even moresignificantly. And that is all as a result of what we've started to do on the border and frankly my working personally with Central Americans, presidents, attorneys general, religious leaders and with our -our relationship with -- with Mexico. MCCAIN: Well, the next time you do a travel ban, how about thinking it through? Thank you. JOHNSON: Senator Hoeven? HOEVEN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. General Kelly, good to see you again, thank you for being here. Thanksfor the important work you're doing. In terms of the mix (ph), we - we're talking about infrastructure, we're talking about technology, we're talking about people -- how to make sure you havethe right mix as you put that together? DHS-17-0305-A-000865 KELLY: On the wall? Really, you know, really we haveto rely on the folks that work the border. there are -- the younger agents are down there the (inaudible) work every day, but some of the more senior agents, they know the border in their sector better than -- you know, better than anyone, and they can tell us -- and we'll do that study. HOEVEN: So I'm a member of the Appropriations Committee for all Homeland Security, and we're putting together you know, your appropriation for FY'17 and then of course we'll work on '18. so it's very important that we have the resources, and that when we talk about building a wall, as you define, that wall is not only wall itself and fencing, but it's also technology and people. It's very important that we have that funding in your appropriation bill for FY'17, isn't it, to secure the country? That it -- that would be an incredibly important priority for you, wouldn't it? KELLY: It is, yes sir. HOEVEN: OK, thank you. Second thing is metrics. What metrics are most important? You provided us with some metrics here? We appreciate that, it's encouraging. It shows that you are having success. Tell -- tell us what of the most important metrics that we need to be cognizant of, you know, how do we use them to makesure that the American people understand what's going on, on the border and you know, that we are getting to a more secure border? KELLY: think certainly the metrics are people that don't cross into the United States illegally. Another metric would be the amount of -- and it mostly comes through the -the ports of entry, which is another discussion that we can surely have here. But the amount of drugs that come through -- but as said so many times when was in the United States Southern command, oncethe drugs get the Mexico -- Central America, Mexico, they're essentially in unless we do something about the border. Now, think the senator knowsvirtually all of the heroine consumed in the United States is produced in Mexico from Poppy to laboratory to packaging to in the United States. All of the cocaine that we consume comesup the same way. Much of the methamphetamine comes up the same way and an awful lot of opiate pills that are counterfeit -- produced --counterfeit pills come up through that. Fentanyl, largely through Mexico, but now increasingly directly from China to the United States by -- by the U.S. mail. It's an unending struggle, it's -- but it really does go back to -- and wasjust in a meeting last week or early this week -- last week now with the president and a number of people to get after this drug -- drug consumption in the United States. One of the first conversations had with Then-Candidate Trump was when he brought up to me the issue of securing the southern border. DHS-17-0305-A-000866 said "you know, boss, Mr. Trump, there's no way we're going to do that unless we get after drug consumption in the United States. And don't mean arresting more AfricanAmerican guys and throwing them in jail for -- mean, no kidding, a comprehensive drug -- drug demand reduction" and Mr. Trump has taken that on and has put together a task force. So from -- from rehab to law enforcement to try to stop the production in Mexico, all of that adds upto, we'll have a much moresecure border if we -- if we can stop drug demand reduction -- or drug demand in the United States. And we never had -- some states have, some communities have, some organizations have tried but we've never had a comprehensive campaign against it. HOEVEN: As we increasingly secure the southern border, won't that put more pressure on the northern border and other ports of entry? KELLY: And other ports of entry, for sure. The beauty of the northern border is Canada. mean, they are committed to say the least, they have a very-- very, very, very low rates of corruption. They have tremendous law enforcement and -- and our partnership with them just couldn't be stronger so that's the advantage. And hope over time Mexico -- and again, the strains on the Mexican society, the violence, again, corruption, we can hopethat that gets better, they're trying. My relationship with -- in fact right after this, I'll meet with the -- with the -- again for about the fourth or fifth time with a good friend who is the foreign minister of Mexico. just had the military leadership which play a different role in their society than our senior military people do. And my-- my HSI people, my CBP people, my ICE people are in Mexicoin large numbers as are -- as is the FBI. The collaboration's very, very good law enforcement. It's just not... HOEVEN: ...You would -- but you would agree we need to do more on the northern border as well and what are those security measures? UAS for example, sensors, you know whatare the priorities on the northern border for you? KELLY: Well, right now there is not nearly the same level of cross-border crime and whatnot. Weobviously need to watch it, one of the things the Canadians recently did was to allow visa -- non-visa -- Mexicans to travel to Canada without visas and we're seeing a little bit of increase in Mexicans coming illegally into the United States from the north. We're working with them. I'm on the phone with my counterparts in places like Canada all the time but we obviously have to watch the threat. mean if we were successful in drying up the production of heroin in say Mexico, probably impossible... DHS-17-0305-A-000867 HOEVEN: ...I'm not talking just drugs, I'm talking terrorism, I'm talking any -- you know, as you continue to secure the southern border, it's going to create pressure in other places and that's what want to make sure we're taking the necessary steps on the northern border as well. And would invite you -- at the Canada border station which is essentially Grand Forks, North Dakota, your border station, they have responsibility for 900 miles of border all the way from the Great Lakes through most of Montana. And we're using everything from Predators, the Grand Forks Air Force Base there has Global Hawk. In fact we have UAStest site and the CBP station, they fly out of Grand Forks Air Force Base and would invite you to come up and seethe technology -- you talk about cooperation with the Canadians (inaudible) can also create -- use as an opportunity to build on some of that cooperation with the Canadians. Because you're talking 900 miles of border without a fence, we're going to have to continue to build those relations and that technology to do the job. And hope you could come -- see what we're doing over here (ph). KELLY: I'll do that, senator. HOEVEN: Thank you, appreciateit, general. KELLY: Sure. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Hoeven. Senator Heitkamp? HEITKAMP: Thank you. didn't want to disappoint anyone, so I'm going to raise the Northern Border in the very beginning. Obviously the-- the law that was passed down requires that you meet a June deadline for telling us what the threats are and how we are going to secure the northern border. Can you tell me whether you're ontarget to meet that June deadline? KELLY: We're -- we're always on target. was just up in Seattle and metwith the local law enforcement folks. I've been on the phone number times on -- on real ID with the -- with the governor up there. So we've gota little bit of a relationship; more importantly, talked to my people that are responsible for that stretch from the Pacific inland for about 650 miles -- something like that. They have, again, great relations with the -- with their counterparts on -- on the other side of the border. The real strength is the databases... HEITKAMP: So -- so we can expect a report in June which then wecan react to in the next budgetary contrary, correct? KELLY: Yes senator, yes. HEITKAMP: OK. just want to remind you that eight of the 15 senators actually represent the northern border, so we're going tobe... KELLY: It's got my attention, believe me. love the northern border (CROSSTALK) DHS-17-0305-A-000868 HEITKAMP: ... and obviously we would love to host you. I'm deeply concerned about personnel issues on the northern border and hope that whatever you are looking atin that study includes securing enough personnel to do the job and to meet the -- the a challenges. wantto talk little bit about Central America. It's a -- it's a topic that know you're well familiar with and it was oneof, think the great opportunity that we had given your position and South command -- command. And given the fact that you have so many great relationships, we continue to be challenged by the northern triangle countries. The -- the rate of murder and mayhem is unparalleled throughout the world, which is saying really something. We're -- we're looking at the alliance for progress as a wayto kind ofbuild that soft power, not just look at border security, but how can wein fact refugee in place. It's my understanding that you're convening a conference in Miami. one of the concerns that have is who's going all be at the table, because think it's critically important that everyone be represented, whether it's NGOs, whether it's immigration groups, whether it's advocacy groups, that weall understand that we havea role in securing -- providing some security for those Central American countries. Can you tell me whatthe plan is and what you hope to accomplish in the Miami conference? KELLY: Yes, Senator. First would tell you that am close to the Central Americans. I've been -- in the short period of time I've been in the job, I've been down to Guatemala. The president of Honduras was just up in my office, he's someone that I've worked closely with before, I'm going to Honduras soon, then to Mexico. SinceI've been in this job, met Mr. Tillerson there -- Secretary Tillerson there. So met all three from the Northern Tier countries; Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. All three of their Attorneys General came and we had great discussions, again, friends. Mexican -- go back to that Mr. De Lagre (ph) is in and out of Washington quite frequently. plan another trip to Mexico sothat's -- that's where weare in terms of what we're doing there. Now when briefed -- when had discussions with Mr. Trump when he was still Mr. Trump, talked to him about the issue again of drug -- drug use in the United States, drug trafficking, what that does to these countries. But some of the things — andI'll take a little credit, not much, but little credit for this; some of the things when wasstill on active duty Southern Command, some of the things we helped the Northern Tier countries implement have driven down -- now the death rates are still horrific. HEITKAMP: So what do you hope to accomplish in Miami and... KELLY: ...Economic -- both -- there'll be two day conference. One daywill be economic. We've got certainly one of the real powers behind this is the Inter-American DHS-17-0305-A-000869 Development Bank. E.U. will be there, it's my understanding some European countries, obviously wewill have-- I'm hoping to have secretary of commerce, secretary of treasury, I'll be there, the vice -- our vice president's coming down. There will be businessmen and women. We -- believe all three of the Central American presidents and their teams will be there for this. I've got the Canadian -- the Mexicans will co-host this. HEITKAMP: What -- will you be reviewing the Alliance for Progress and whether that's been valuable and what changes we need to makeas it relates to that commitment? KELLY: The Alliance -- as you know, the Alliance for... HEITKAMP: ... Prosperity, mean (ph). KELLY: Prosperity, right. HEITKAMP: Excuse me. KELLY: could gointo it if you want but I'll just say that had a lot to do with organizing that with the three countries. They put their own money against it, we, you, the Congress has put money against it. The real thrust of this -- of this event in Miami in June -- mid June I think, will be outside investment as opposed to U.S. investment. Although outside private investment. So that's what weare trying to -- that's what we will accomplish. HEITKAMP: think there's tons of folks who want to help out in the NGO community especially. And think that -- it takes me to the kind of next topic which is why people are leaving Central America. And you know, would say there's been a lot of confusion back andforth on what's going to happen to women coming to the border with children from Central American countries. Just a quick yes or no, there's been reports that you are considering separating children from their mothers at the border and want to know yesor no whether that's true. KELLY: Can give you more than a yes or no? HEITKAMP: You can just a little bit. KELLY: OK. Only -- only if the situation at that point in time requires it. You know, the mother -- if the mother is sick or addicted to drugs or whatever. In the same way we would doit here in the United States if we... HEITKAMP: ...Yeah, so -- so if you thought the child was endangered... KELLY: ...Not routinely. Sure. HEITKAMP: That's -- that's the only circumstance to which you would separate? KELLY: Can't -- can't imagine doing otherwise. a HEITKAMP: Yeah. just want to -- know lot of people think that that might provide a deterrent and we have a number of people within the heartland alliance program and I'd DHS-17-0305-A-000870 ask that this letter -- and know you get a lot of correspondence obviously sent to you March 8. But it's some comments from women who asked that this be... JOHNSON: ...Without objection. HEITKAMP: And I just want to read a couple of them because think it's really important to understand what's driving people north. My faith was in God when made the decision to leave. had never heard of asylum, all knew was that the United States was a place where people could be protected and safe. didn't -- came to the United States, didn't think about the policies, was just considering that United States is a thing that could protect us from violence where we were living. think you know almost better than anyone else who serves in this administration how horrific the conditions are and appreciate your answer. No one could disagree that if a child is endangering you believe that, that there should be separation and that that would be a rare circumstance. Is that correct, general? KELLY: That is correct. HEITKAMP: Thank you, Secretary. KELLY: That's a yes. HEITKAMP: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. JOHNSON: Senator Peters? PETERS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Andit's good to see you, Secretary Kelly, it's good to have you here before the committee, appreciate your testimony and also wanted to thank you again publicly for all coming to Detroit on myinvitation and putting some time with the Muslim American/ Arab American community, Latino Hispanic community. And of course we had a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand one of the busiest border crossings in North America there from Detroit to Windsor into Canada, and appreciate your -- your interest and your involvement in that meeting. Butas -- as you know Secretary Kelly, there has been up appreciable uptick in hate crimes and crimes against our religious institutions across the country. Last month of Senator Portman and let a letter that was signed by every single member of the Senate asking your department, the DOJ and FBI to take action against the rise in hate crimes against Jewish community centers, mosques and other religiously associated locations. And as you're awareit's so rare to have a letter signed by all 100 of us, this is how serious wetake it. It's been about 29 days since the letter's been written to you, the attorney general and the FBI and wasjust wondering, when should we expect a response back to all my colleagues? KELLY: It should have been a long time ago, I'll apologize and I'm onit. But will tell you this, that I've added -- I've added our approach to this issue to add mosques and, you DHS-17-0305-A-000871 know, any religious building, church, whatever that might be affected by this. We do have some capability within the department to advise individuals that want to be advised about say the security precautions. think they told me -- mystaff told me yesterday virtually all of the Jewish centers, large groups have taken that advice. We have teams that go out and travel and so we're very -- don't knowif any of the mosques have responded yet but as say, add all religious communities to that, not just -- you know, I've told my people, let's just not talk one religion, let's just not talk terrorism for that matter. Howabout we talk about white supremacists and things like that, so -- but apologize for not getting back and will get on that today. PETERS: appreciate that, Secretary, and think it's obvious from your comments you do believe thereis a legitimate fear of hate crimes... KELLY: ...1 do... PETERS: ...In our communities they need to be concerned about. And given that, will you commit to continued support for programs that support vulnerable locations such as the nonprofit security grant program that your department runs? KELLY: will. PETERS: Thank you. appreciateit, secretary. As you know, Michigan has an extension of the Real ID enforcement allowing federal agencies to accept driver's licenses and identification cards from Michigan. It runs through October 10 of this year in 2017. What is the current status of Real ID implementation across the nation? KELLY: As know the senator knows, the Real ID law was passed by the Congress in 2005 and it's -- the real first big deadline is January -- this January coming, think it's 22nd to where you'll have to have a appropriate Real ID -- approved Real ID or if you don't have that, something like a passport in order to fly domestically, internationally. The map -- and addressed most of the -- of the governors ofall of the states, 48 think, of the states about three weeks ago. Andfor those that are not compliant and is right now think five that for sure aren't even really trying and that's their call, mean I'm not criticizing them. But they're not really trying for issues inside the state and then there's another 18 or 19 states that are going in the direction but again are unsure they could be compliant. So when talked to the governors -- and would say the same thing here -- think the governors haveto kind of have a real serious conversation with their citizens, with the staffs first and decide whether they can -- they can hit the market in January. Andif they can't they'll have a conversation with their citizens about, you really need to consider getting a passport as an example. Passports for 10 years, $110 I think to get a DHS-17-0305-A-000872 passport, very easy to get, because in January, if they don't have some compliant I.D., they're not going to be able to get on an airplane domestically or otherwise. had -- this was -- scared me to death actually, because thought -- when -- well just thought that the people was talking to in Washington, which is a really a red state right now, probably not get there. And by the way, the governor -- several governors have asked me to send some people from mystaff to take a look at where they are to do an appraisal of if they're going to makeit so that they could talk to their people. I've made that available to all the states. But the point is when was talking to these businessmen and women in Seattle who were in the -- in the -- you know, very well- informed people. They wereall under the impression that their state enhanced drivers' license wasreal .D. compatible, which it's not. Soif -- if people like that were unawareof -- of the -- of the ID situation, I'd say the vast majority of the -- good citizens of Washington State. Sothe point is, where it is right now, if you're not fully compliant on -- on 22 of January coming, then you will have to have a form ofI.D., like a military I.D., or a passport -passport card in order to get on an airplane. That's whereit is right now. PETERS: Under section 102, of the Real I.D. Act, the DHS can wave laws to facilitate the construction of a border wall. This provision has been used up previously to waive dozens of laws, including some environmental load laws. What laws does DHS intend to waive to build this new wall along the southern border? KELLY: First, obviously, do the -- do the -- do the nuts and bolts survey of where we're going to put wall -- and at that those points, as understand it, would have to consult my -- my lawyers, obviously but places like the Indian reservation would be complicated, and -- and we're -- we're working with the Indian reservation in Arizona, 75 miles of the border. They already have some technology there. That would be a place that would be unwilling, unlikely to take on. There are some eminent domain issues. We'll try to do as much as wecan without those kinds of -- without those kinds of issues coming -- coming to ahead. Certainly, I'm very, very aware of any critical habitat, particularly say the Big Bend part of Texas. So again senator, not going to build a wall whereit doesn't make sense, but we'll do something across the Southwest border. PETERS: understand you're -- you're going to need some time to review some of these issues and perhaps wecan work closely with your office as that goes forward. But would just ask if you'd bewilling to commit to -- to one item, and that would be not to waive of FOIA under the wall project, so that we can have full transparency. KELLY: Can get back to you? But it sounds like a yes to me. PETERS: Great, appreciate that. Thank you. DHS-17-0305-A-000873 JOHNSON: Senator Hassan? HASSAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair and ranking member, and good morning Secretary Kelly. It's nice to see you again. There is a specific program within ICE's Homeland Security Investigations division that focuses on bringing law-enforcement scrutiny to the adjudications of visa applications. The program is called the Visa Security Program. Right now in 30 United States diplomatic posts around the world, specially trained law enforcement teams are dispatched to provide recommendations to the State Department's consular offices in order to help these diplomats make informed decisions about whether to grant a visa to a foreign national. Bringing law enforcement skills to the visa adjudication process makes a lot of sense at least to me, hope it does to you too. And it should probably be, think, implemented across the board for all diplomatic posts that issue visas. We're working on possible legislation on this topic so wanted to ask two questions. Would you support the expansion of visa security teams to more diplomatic posts and is the visa security team fully funded in the fiscal year '18 budget request? KELLY: I'll have to check on the funding issue but think anything we can do overseas to makebetter decisions about who might come to the United States for whatever reason is -- is a good idea and should be reinforced and we should be constantly looking at even better ways to do that. But I'll get back to you on the fundingif that's all right. HASSAN: OK, no, that's fine. Thank you. want to now moveto a different topic. As you know as well as anyone, we have seen multiple incidents of violence at the public or non-sterile areas of our airports. In 2013, a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport was murdered at the TSA checkpoint by a disturbed individual while earlier this year an active shooter killed five people near the baggage claim area at the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Last spring, suicide explosions occurred in the public areas at Brussels Airport and Istanbul Ataturk Airport killed 61 people. In the president's initial budget release, the federal support for securing the public portions of airports has been gutted. The budget cuts the VIPR teams, the behavioral protection officer program is eliminated, and TSA grants to reimburse state and local law enforcement for their patrols at airports are also being slashed. So amid this increasing threat to our airports, whyis the administration cutting these key counterterrorism measures? KELLY: The VIPR teams for sure are something that I'm working very hard to save. HASSAN: OK. DHS-17-0305-A-000874 KELLY: As far as the grants go, and this doesn't fall under the sanctuary city thing or anything like that, think the expectation is that parking lots and areas outside the immediate -- you know, the TSA security zones really belong to the state, local -- you know, the airports are great generators of revenue, are necessary for various states and think the thinking there is that the state and local folks need to -- you know, I'm familiar with the Boston Airport, mean there's more -- there's more state police that, you know, kind of, you know cycle around that airport, not to mention Boston Police. So think the thinking is that for outside the security perimeter that's established by TSA, that would belong moreto the local community. HASSAN: Well, as a former governor, might suggest that we discuss that a little bit more because know how much additional work securing even the non-sterile areas are and it's a partnership to be sure but am very concerned -- money is not growing on trees in our state budgets and so think it's something wereally need to look at because the overall security climate at airports think will really be compromised with those grants. So I'd look forward to discussing that with you more. I'll submit for the record a question a onairport -- foreign airport staff screening. But did want to talk little bit about DHS and cyber defenses. In an effort to strengthen its cyber defense, the Department of Defense recently launched two programs to capitalize on the vast network of U.S. computer security researchers who may not want to workfor the federal government, but still want to help secure our nation from cyber threats. Thefirst was a pilot program called Hack the Pentagon and it provided hackers across the country with legal authorization to spot vulnerabilities in DOD networks in return for cash payments. The second program with the establishment of a vulnerability disclosure policy which provides a legal avenue for these hackers to hunt for and report vulnerabilities in DOD networks without fear of prosecution. think these are really forward thinking cyber programs that leverage an untapped resourcein United States. So the question is, has DHS considered implementing similar programs? KELLY: One of the things -- don't knowif the Senator was here -- one of the things now -- now that have a deputy, this -- this is a critically important issue, it goes without saying. HASSAN: Right. KELLY: Now that have a deputy, this is another one of those things -- the -- the whole cyber enterprise within -- within DHS. But -- but another thing we-- were already doing, and that is -- that was just one of the reasons wasin Seattle recently, is reaching out -- reaching out as is, think all of government -- reaching out to the commercial sector, DHS-17-0305-A-000875 because the -- the answers are just not -- they're definitely not just of the federal government. HASSAN: Right. KELLY: They're everywhere. So Elaine Duke, now that she is confirmed -- and thank you for that-- will -- will take this on, among a number of other things that — that she'll focus on. I'm with you on this. And -- was unaware of these programs where am now, and can get back to you can andtalk to you about it? HASSAN: think it would be great just because, again we havea lot of people with talent and skill and interest in serving their country who may not want to come work for the government, but wereally need their -- their skill and their insight. One last area wanted to touch on. know you referenced this morning the president's commission on the opioid epidemic and was glad to see you werethere at the listening session on opioid and substance misuse last week. And you and have spoken about the issue before, both in our one-on-one meeting and your confirmation hearing. And we've agreed on the need to crackdown on illegal opioids, while also dealing with the demand side of the problem of prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. So I'm looking to find out more about the goals of the president's new commission on combating drug addiction and the opioid crisis, which he established by executive order last week. And want to ensure that the rhetoric here is that by real action that reflects the seriousness of this crisis. The news reporting on the commission's beena little scattered. So the first question for you is, are you a member of the commission? KELLY: am. HASSAN: OK, that's great to know. And my understanding from the executive order is at the commission has 90 days to make a report oninterim recommendations. Do you know whatthe process will be to get to those recommendations? KELLY: don't. It's in the staff realm, but let me just say, this -- to say the least is a passion for me. And myentire time in Southern command, -- talked about this To the point of getting a fair amount of -- getting crosswise with a fair amount of people in the White House and other parts of our government. The beauty, think, of this president was -- don't knowif you were in the room when made this comment before but one of the first conversations had with President-Elect Trump wasthis issue of drugs, drug demand, what it does to not only our own country but to certainly the hemisphere. HASSAN: Sure. KELLY: And the money it makes available for corruption and terrorism andthings like that. He's -- he's taken this big (ph) and he's going to make this work, believe. Soit's a comprehensive -- everything from drug demand reduction to rehab to law enforcement DHS-17-0305-A-000876 to helping out the Central American republics to working with Mexico on the heroin production. Wehave great partners down -- it's just very long, 2,000 mile if you will, process of trying to get at the drug demand. HASSAN: Well, appreciate that very much. appreciate your presence on the commission, look forward to working with you on it and put a plug in for central benefits in our healthcare so that people can get the treatment that they need. Thanks. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Hassan. By the way, I've seen cherry blossoms growing on trees here in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately haven't seen money grow ontrees here in Washington either. Senator Daines? DAINES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Kelly, thank you for being here today. kind of figure when you put a four-star Marine in charge of homeland security, good things will start to happen. And... KELLY: ... not everyone agrees with that. DAINES: Yeah, well do. was struck yesterday, we werein this same roomin fact, this -- the same table, you had one of your former commissioners at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, David Aguilar was here testifying and asked him a question about the reductions that we're seeing in apprehension rates of illegal southwest border crossings. That February data point came out and saw a 40 percent reduction in February when wetypically see because of seasonality anywhere from a 10 to 20 percent increase, we saw a 40 percent decrease in February. David then followed up and said "! believe we're going to revise those numbers as wehave a little more time here" because that release came out on March 8, now we'reinto April. Hesaid "it lookslike it's actually a 67 percent reduction in the month of February." This is not a statistical anomaly, something is going on. Wetalked about what that is in terms of the messages coming from the administration about enforcement rule of law. So just want to congratulate you and the administration with some early success. My question is, these are encouraging results. What substantive actions will you be taking in order to makesure that we can sustain these reductions that we're seeing early on in this administration? KELLY: The first would be to gain control of our southwest border. Much of what we're seeing here -- and the second would beto work -- and don't knowif you were here when we were talking about this, the Central American issue of helping them security and economically. The -- again, I've traveled many times, they call me, they're my DHS-17-0305-A-000877 friends (ph). The people from Central America that are coming here, overwhelmingly nice people. Simple for the most part, rural, not highly educated, that's just the nature of their societies but they come here for two reasons. One, lack of economic opportunity and two, becauseof violence particularly in the cities that are astronomical, although, to use Honduras as an example, in the four years that the current president is there, he's taken it from 91 per 100,000 which is what it was when in the world, it's down wasin Miami on active duty, highest think 50 -- 59. Andthat's still astronomical. Violence across our country is about 5 per 100,000 murders. So it's still high but the point is they're bringing it down and was speaking with the -- separately with the president of Honduras in myoffice just last week. What he's done economically he expects to grow his economy by 600,000 jobs in the next five years. KELLY: This is phenomenal information or progress. The Jimmy Morales from Guatemala, similar kind of efforts and similar kind of successes both in reducing the violence rates as well as economics. That's why think this -- this economic forum if you will, in -- in Miami in June will add to it. So why aren't they coming? They're not coming for the most part, because they don't know what's going on. they've heardof the -- the actions of the ICE agentsinternal of the United States, much of it terribly misreported by -- by our press but that said, it's -- it's added to the deterrent effect. What we're doing on the border -- what weintend to do on the border has added to the deterrent effect. These people are not wealthy people. Their entire -- oftentimes their entire life savings are given to the coyotes -- to traffickers to get one or two or three them into the United States. We know because of the focus we're putting onthe traffickers now when we catch them -- actually prosecute them. The traffickers now have raised their fares, their prices two andthree times. So what usedto be, say, $4,000 per -- per individual to get into the United States from say, Honduras is now 8,10, $12,000. Well, the people again, down in those parts of the world can't afford that kind of money. They're already paying more than they could afford. So all that is added to the deterrent effect. My appeals personally through the press and to the presidents and the attorneys general from those three countries, the Roman Catholic leadership, the evangelical leadership. met with the -- our -- the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archbishop, spoke with the Archbishop in Houston; again, asked them to contact their counterparts if you will, in those countries to -- to ask, beg the people not to take that horribly dangerous trip to the United States, because you will be sent back and you won't have the money, and you'll probably -- if you're a woman have been assaulted onceif you're lucky; or if DHS-17-0305-A-000878 you're young, you could be siphoned off into the cartel gang Mexican fix. So that's why they're not coming. DAINES: Yeah, well -- -- think you're also demonstrating in my opinion, the experience you are bringing from your Southern command leadership. think is having already a significant impact on our country in protect our southern border (ph). KELLY: Thanks for that (ph). DAINES: No, thank you, truly. And also, appreciate your compassion as you're looking at the effectit's having on very poor people who are being taken advantage of as they're seeking to come into our country. I'm from Montana. Wethink about our northern border but the southern border and the methamphetamines that are coming into Montana and they're coming in from our southern border having a huge impact on our state. Mitigating the flow of drugs long before they reach our border, as you are well aware, your time in command of SOUTHCOM is very important. We discuss this concept to confirmation hearing. What steps have you taken onthe job to stymie the flow of drugs as well as violence into our country? KELLY: Great question. One of the things we know about the flow of hard drugs, marijuana comes in vast amounts but it's also produced in the United States in vast amounts, but methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine are the big killers and along with a that are opiates that are counterfeited, if you will, and of course notwith lot of quality control so -- but you don't know -- the average person abusing opiates in the United States doesn't knowthat a lot ofit is not produced by, you know, credible -- they're produced by labs in Mexico or in other places. But the point is, most of that comes into the United States in 10, 15, 20 kilo loads via the ports ofentry, in trucks andthings like that. So what have done? We're nowlooking very, very hard at the ports of entry which are not really part of the wall, if you will, effort. But look at the ports of entry. If there is better technology out there and think thereis to look into vehicles without unloading the vehicle, particularly tractor trailers to get after it that way. But would tell you, methamphetamine, helping -- working with the Mexicans. They're good partners in law enforcement. Myfolks, I'm proud to say, my HSI, Homeland Security Investigation, working with the Mexicans led them to -- I'll just put it that way, to two huge methamphetamine labs that were destroyed by the Mexican -- Mexican marines, think in that case. Working with them andidentifying the poppy fields in the south -- the Pacific Southwest of their country and helping -- offering them perhaps help in howto eradicate those, much as we've done for so many years in Colombia with coca. That's what we're doing DHS-17-0305-A-000879 but the big issue really right now in drugs coming into the United States is the ports of entry and a part of that as well is what goes south. Wedon't look at much at going south out of our country. The Mexicans don't look at that very well either. I'd like to extend the effort to look in vastly more vehicles going south because bulk money in unbelievable amounts travels south out of the United States into the rest of the hemisphere to get laundered. mean billions andbillions of dollars in guns. If we point a finger at the Mexicans or people who produce-- countries that produce drugs, wepoint our finger at them about the production of drugs, they will point their finger right back and say "what about guns?" So we needto do better and the southward flow to go after the money and to go after the flow of guns. Andthat'll take some time, some effort, but think there's a next step and a nextstep after that in technology. The stuff we have nowis pretty good, was up with Senator Peters looking at the busiest traffic point between Detroit and Canada. Technology that looks into trucks, tractor-trailers is pretty good but knowthere's better stuff out there and we'll just -- we'll just getafter it. But mostly the drugs come in, we believe, we know comes in, in relatively small amounts, 10, 15 kilos at a time in -- in automobiles and those kind of conveyances. DAINES: Thank you, sir. Secretary Kelly, thank you. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Daines. just want to remind everybody kind of watch the clock. We've got great attendance, appreciate it, want to make sure everybody gets a chance to answer questions -- or ask questions. Senator Carper. CARPER: Thanks so much. General Kelly, great to see you How are you holding up? You've got a lot on you? You have a lot of tough jobs before? KELLY: I've been in this job for 15 years, butit's -- three months seems like 15 years. (LAUGHTER) CARPER: I'm sure it does. KELLY: This is the most enjoyable thing I'll do this week. CARPER: Well for us, too. For us, too. We say this often -- we say (inaudible). Thank you for being the voice of reason, thanksfor being just a great patriot. -- we've been talking a bit about -- I'll just follow up on a number of (ph) the questions -- deal with the border, border strategy, and that sort of thing. think the message hear form both sides and onthis side, hearing from you as well, is there's -- we need an all the above strategy on the border. It's not just a wall, it's not just as fencing. DHS-17-0305-A-000880 Those are important and appropriate in certain places, but if -- if immigration -- comprehensive immigration reform was a guest worker program, it sort of takes away the need for people to come up here and get stuck up here onthis side of the border but can go back andforth and do good workout for -- for -- for our country go back to their home. It includes reference thelines of perspective (ph), I'm delighted to hear the economic summit that you're planning for -- being held in May. Do you have the dates yet on that? KELLY: It's going to be nowin June, and that was based on our vice president's desire a to attend, either the 12th -- think it'll be the 12th, might be little later. It will be in Miami just because that -- that is -- is a great place to bring Latin Americans because of the language andall of this kind of -- he's very familiar with city. So that's the place to do it. DAINES: OK. Well, I'm glad you're doing it because it's a smart -- smart move. One other thing we needto do is we needto -- in order to incent of the private sector and others -- countries and other organizations to -- to help out in the work that needs to be done in Central America so they actually have some economic hope and opportunity and do a better job combating that crime and violence, we set the example, our funding for alliance with prosperity (ph) think, is very important for that. My hopeis that -- that you can continue to support. think you know what makes sense. KELLY: Absolutely. DAINES: like to say for the folks down in Central America, you can doit, we can help. Do you (inaudible), but we can -- they (ph) can help and think we're doing that. Border security -- the force multipliers that -- there's just a tone of them. Innovation, we talked about the innovation of technology, but it's -- it's not just drones andfixed wing (ph) aircraft, it's not just (inaudible), but it's those -- aircraft but it's with the right kind of surveillance technology. Invader (ph) system, that kind ofthing, it's actually so much more helpful. mentioned yesterday in the -- in my -- in my comments, 23 years in the Navy, naval flight officer, P-3 aircraft mission command, we did a lot of anti-submarine warfare (ph), a lot of stuff (ph) off the coast of Vietnam and Cambodia. Wealso did search and rescue. And wedid search and rescue with binoculars out of the P-3 aircraft at 500, 1,000, 2,000 feet, goodluck; it's hard to find anything. Invader (ph) systems makeall the sense in the world. But part of the -- part of the forces multipliers is observation tires (ph) that can befixed. As you know, they can be mobile, they can be mobile, they have to havethe right surveillance systems. Part of it can be horses. And some of its been down (ph) and DHS-17-0305-A-000881 chairman, I've been down think maybe with Heidi to see the horses do the work in (inaudible) force multiplier. There's motion detectors, there's intelligence -- better intelligence. How are we doing onthe intelligence in terms ofthe intelligence we're sharing with the folks in Mexico and further south? KELLY: Sir, the law enforcement intelligence information sharing is very, very, very good. DAINES: Part of the force multipliers are boats and the ramp. We can get the boats in the water, soall kinds of stuff. In some places it makes sense, other places it does not, a but it's an all the about approach. want to ask you to talk little bit about leadership and the management -- the ability of management -- to manage this organization. Senator Johnson and , (inaudible) and I, and a number of this committee worked right closely with Jeh Johnson, with (inaudible) to try to make sure that the department had a terrific leaderships team -- a confirmed leaderships team. And think many of them are gone now, as -- as you know, and that's -- we had an election. The -- but we want to be helpful. We have Elaine Duke's confirmed yesterday, wewant to be helpful and bringing the rest of your leadership team in. You'll haveto tell us whoyou want to give us a chanceto -- to do that. So we look forward to hearing about -- about that. The other think on leadership found -- and we talked about this before, it would be nice to have, instead ofall the departments spread over hell's (ph) half acre throughout the greater Washington metropolitan area in Virginia and so forth. It'd be nice to have people consolidated in a more close-knit area. That could be St. Elizabeth's (ph), think it should be. wasn't always at the endof the St. Elizabeth's project (ph) but I've come to believethat it's the smart thing to do -- smart fiscally smart thing to do. Your thoughts, please? KELLY: If could comment on the leadership, would tell you you're right. Elaine, myself, really the only twopolitical types and almost -- don't know -- can't quite get my arms around the fact that I'm a political appointee because of mylife before this. CARPER: Look up in thedictionary for political appointee, your picture is not there. KELLY: Thanks(ph). But we have tremendous career professionals so the function of the department has not -- from when Jay left andall the rest of the political appointees left has not stopped at all. We have tremendous long-serving public servants that are running the department now and as time goes on, of course, political appointees will theoretically be confirmed by the Senate and will take their places and then they'll learn their jobs underneath those tremendous public servants. CARPER: That's a good point. DHS-17-0305-A-000882 KELLY: On the consolidation, don't think -- two things. DHS don't think will ever be, you know, a functioning, cohesive organization to the degree that it should be and could be unless it does consolidate somewhere in more or less the same building or on the same campus. First issue. And the second issue is, and as long as the department answers to as many... CARPER: ...Committees and subcommittees? KELLY: Yeah, mean, you know, Jim Mattis has four committees that he has to concern himself with and a number of subcommittees and that's -- and that's what -- that was my life before. This is a very, very different beast but don't think it'll ever be, you know, as say, as cohesive as it could be so long as wehave, think it's a hundred -- welll, it's 119 plus committees and subcommittees that still have jurisdiction from the olden days from when the department was formed. It's not impossible to function but it won't be the same so long as there's so many disparate committees to answer to and that generates frankly a... CARPER: ...Does St. Elizabeth's make sense? KELLY: It does make sense. The committee does make sense, yeah. CARPER: All right, good. Thank you. My time's expired, thank you so much. KELLY: Thank you. JOHNSON: Senator Harris. HARRIS: Secretary Kelly. was heartened to hear your response to Senator Heitkamp's question about the separation of children from their parents. understood you to say that only if the life of the child is in danger would there be a separation. Is that correct? KELLY: That would -- depending on what's going on, on the ground but that generally would be my approach. HARRIS: And are you willing then to issue a statement to your staff that that is your approach and that that's your policy? KELLY: My staff knowsalready that they will not separate anyone unless I'm informed and get my permission. HARRIS: Have you issued a directive to that? KELLY: They knowthat. HARRIS: That's not my question, sir. KELLY: My response is they know that so yes, have through the leadership told them thatif that's going to happen, that will only be me... HARRIS: ...With all due respectsir, are you willing -- are you willing to issue a directive to your staff that that's your policy? KELLY: have already done that. DHS-17-0305-A-000883 HARRIS: You have issued a directive? KELLY: Through my leadership. HARRIS: I'd like a copy of that then. Is that in writing? KELLY: It's verbal. HARRIS: OK. Are you willing to issue a written directive to your staff that that's the policy of the department? You have -- you run an organization of 230,000 people. Is that correct? KELLY: Right at 230. HARRIS: And whyare you reluctant then to issue a directive to your staff if that is in fact your policy? KELLY: I'm not reluctant, I've already given the -- the verbal -- and it only really applies to... HARRIS: ...So are you unwilling, sir, to issue a written directive that it is the policy of the department to not separate someone from their mothers unless the life of the child is in danger? KELLY: don't need to dothat. I've done it verbally. HARRIS: So is your answer no? KELLY: My answer is don't need to do that. HARRIS: You don't need to doit. Sir are you aware that Sean Spicer said that with the new administration, that now finally the president wanted to take the shackles off individuals in this agency? Are you familiar with that? KELLY: No. HARRIS: Are you familiar with Brandon Judd who testified before our committee in response to a question from Senator Daines said that now that we can take the handcuffs off of us and put the handcuffs on the criminals. Are you awareof that? KELLY: No. HARRIS: Are you awarethat... KELLY: Is that a recent hearing? HARRIS: Yes, it was. Are you aware that David Lapan, you're spokesperson said yesterday to the Washington Postthat "immigration agents mayarrest crime victim and witnesses at courthouses?" KELLY: Yes. HARRIS: And are you willing to exempt victims and witnesses who do not have serious criminal backgrounds form that policy? DHS-17-0305-A-000884 KELLY: Every case is different and we-- as they -- as the agents do their work, of course, the people that are taken into custody areput into a legal justice system. So that's where the decision would be made to deport, export, whatever. HARRIS: Are you willing to initiate a policy that says that if that person whois a victim or a witness to a crime who is at a courthouse in any county in the United States, appearing as a victim or a witness to a crime, that if they do not have a serious criminal background, that they would be exempt from a policy of picking them up at that courthouse? KELLY: No. HARRIS: And are you awarethat local law enforcement has a concern, because this has created a chilling effect among victims and witness to crime, and has resulted in their reluctance to show up to actually testify about crimes committed in their community. KELLY: have heard some number of laws enforcement people saythat, but also hear the opposite view. HARRIS: During your confirmation hearing before this committee on January 10, you committed to doing a top to bottom assessment of DHS, is that correct? KELLY: did. HARRIS: And have you finished this assessment? KELLY: No. HARRIS: When do you plan to finish it? KELLY: don't know. HARRIS: You don't have a goal of finishing it? KELLY: have a general goal. HARRIS: What is that date? KELLY: Well, one of the things I'll task my new deputy that was confirmed yesterday, she'll take that one. HARRIS: Have you given her a date for when that assessment will be complete? KELLY: No, because when she wasn't confirmed, didn't deal with her as a deputy; didn't want to presume confirmation by the Senate. HARRIS: So you do not have a goal for your department on when that assessment will be completed? I KELLY: She and will discuss a goal. HARRIS: And have you read the -- as part of the assessment that needs to be done, have you read the report issued by the Inspector General, John Roth that was issued DHS-17-0305-A-000885 just four months ago, November 7, 2016, entitled "Major Management Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security?" KELLY: I'm aware of the report, yes. HARRIS: Have you read it? KELLY: I'm aware of it. HARRIS: So you've notread it. KELLY: An executive summary. HARRIS: OK. In the report, the I.G. says, quote "this year, we are presenting a broader picture of management challenges by highlighting those we have repeatedly identified over several years. We remain concerned about the systemic nature of these challenges, some of which span multiple administrations and department leadership.” Do you agree that many of the challenges are systemic and deeply rooted in the department? KELLY: Well, of course that was pre-Kelly. And it was... HARRIS: It was four months ago that report was issued. Do you agree with the statement found by the I.G., based on his analysis of your department? KELLY: That was pre-Kelly. am committed... HARRIS: I'm sorry, pre-Kelly, meaning you? KELLY: wasn't in the job yet. HARRIS: OK. KELLY: -- as I've committed to the committee before and to the Congress in general, we're going to take a top to bottom look at how we're organized and how we can do business better, and that includes how we're -- how wehave -- through the leadership functions. HARRIS: Are you aware, sir, that on March 22, union officials and leaders from both ICE and border patrol appeared before this committee? During that hearing, Chris Crane, who is the national ICE council president said, and will quote, "there is a toxic and failed management culture." He went on to say, quote "a goodol’ boy network exist within your department." He went on to say officers are, quote "tripping over mangers in the field," and then said also that the agency has outdated and quote, "practically no policies in place." Are you awarethat that is a sentiment among leadership in your department? KELLY: It certainly is -- certainly that's the sentiment through really, DHS in terms of how DHS was run for the last eight years. Going forward, it won't be run like that anymore. HARRIS: And how... DHS-17-0305-A-000886 KELLY: Once -- once determine how we're going to change the leadership approach. HARRIS: So you are going... (CROSSTALK) HARRIS: ... to come up with a plan for fixing this for the 230,000 people in your department? And is this a priority for you? KELLY: It is. HARRIS: And at the same hearing, both Mr. Crane and the National Border Patrol President Brandon Judd (inaudible) in terms of its morale? KELLY: That wascertainly the case under the Obama administration, but we're changing that already. HARRIS: And you're going that within what time period? (CROSSTALK) KELLY: It's already changing. HARRIS: Oh, it's changed? KELLY: It's already changing. HARRIS: It is changing, OK. And in regards to your top-to- bottom assessment, has your assessment included looking into the morale issues at the agency and putting in place programs and initiatives to actually improve the morale? KELLY: It's what do, yes. a HARRIS: And can you provide us with list of the policies that you'veinstituted to improve morale at the department? KELLY: My leadership is the start point and we'll continue to look at ways to improve the morale. One of the issues most focused onby this -- by the workforce since -- over the last eight years that affected their morale was an inability to do their jobs. Now that -nowthat we've opened the aperture in terms of the amount of work that they're allowed to do, the -- I'm deflecting a lot of outside influences into the workforce so they can do their jobs... HARRIS: Sir, my question to you -- with all due respect, my question to you is, what have you put in place to turn the morale around in this department and the morale which is the lowest of many large federal agency and the condition has existed throughout the -- it appears, the life of the agency and certainly has passed through many administrations. KELLY: Under the Obama administration, the morale suffered terribly. HARRIS: So what plans have you put in place, sir? KELLY: My leadership. HARRIS: So you're saying by virtue of you being there, morale will now change? DHS-17-0305-A-000887 KELLY: By virtue of the fact -- the greatest impactin raising the morale in the last 90 days or so has been that the workforce nowis allowed to dotheir job. HARRIS: And that would be, they're now unshackled. Is that correct? KELLY: They're allowed to dotheir job as the professionals they are. HARRIS: And the administration has proposed tripling the current number of ICE agents and increasing the number of border patrol agents by 25 percent in addition to requesting a $4 billion to begin the construction of a wall which has been discussed. Are you in support of actually bringing on these new agents before you have repaired the damage that has exited in your agency? KELLY: It's simultaneous, sure. JOHNSON: Senator Harris, we're going to give you an opportunity... HARRIS: I'll go to round two. Thank you, Chairman. JOHNSON: I'm not sure we're going to have round two but we'll have opportunities to submit questions for the record. HARRIS: do have more questions so if we can do a second round, would appreciate that. JOHNSON: want to be, you know, thoughtful of people's time. Senator Portman. PORTMAN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And General Kelly, it's good to have you before the committee again. First of all, I'm glad wefinally got Elaine, the great Ohioan over there in your department. You talked earlier about her being a political appointee. view her as a career person having had 27 years in the federal government and including obviously big roles over at DHS as a career expert on management and procurement and someof the big challenges that you face trying to bring together all these departments and agencies into one. So I'm glad she's there and know she will be a tremendous asset to you. At your nomination, we talked a lot about this drug issue. And as you know, was very complimentary of comments that you had madeto this committee about a year anda half ago now regarding the importance of focusing on the demand side and that's where I've focused mostin the last 25 years and agree with you, that's the single most important thing is to reduce the demand. Andyou talked about prevention and education, treatment and recovery, helping law enforcement and so on. was a little concerned about the comments earlier about the commission. do hope the commission heeds your comments and your thoughts on that. But you should also knowjust by way of information, Congress just spent three DHS-17-0305-A-000888 years going through this process that the commission's going to do in 90 days apparently which is helping identify the problem. Wehad five conferences here, not just numerous hearings, but conferences bringing in experts from all around the country looking at best practices and came up with this Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bipartisan bill that was finally passed last year and one of my concerns is that only three of the eight programs provided there, including things like helping out on drug courts and some of the things you've talked about in terms of diversion, it's not about locking people up, it's about better prevention and getting people the treatment they need. But only three of those eight programs have been implemented. And pushed the Obama administration on this and I'm now pushing the Trump administration onit. So one, hope you'll get up to speed on what CARA's about, what it does. It is comprehensive, not just in name but in reality and it's based on a lot of work that's been done not just over the last few years with these conferences but around the country over time. Because don't think we need to recreate the wheel think we need to goto action, this is a crisis andit's an epidemic, certainly in my state and many other states around the country. It -- its one that is particularly difficult because of the opioid issue. In other words, crystal meth is increasing in some communities. understand the cocaine is back in some communities. This opioid issue -- the grip of that addiction has been a huge challenge as you know, for treatment and -- and recovery. We're beginning to learn more about it and how to do a better, but we got to get this legislation implemented and get the Cures Act money appropriated again. hope the budgetwill reflect that ,which is another $500 million we need in next year's budget just for helping the states to be able to deal with this. On fentanyl, it's the new issue. As you know in so many of our states we probably are hit harder on it than other state, we're told per capita. But this is this toxic substance, as you knowthat is a synthetic heroine, carfentanil, euphoric (ph), it goes by various names, but it's -- its created by evil scientists in a laboratory somewhere. And you mentioned it coming in from Mexico. Yes, some comes in for Mexico but primarily that's coming from China to here as understand from your people in and then going to medic going backinto here. The vast majority ofit -- and there's a new commission report out -- the U.S.-China commission recently is coming from Mexico. I'm sorry -- coming from China. And it's coming from laboratories in China, and is coming by the U.S. mail system. And you and talked about this again during your confirmation process, and the very difficult job that DHS-17-0305-A-000889 CBP and DEAand others haveof identifying these packages, because the U.S. mail system does not require advanceinformation as to what's in the package, whereit's from, whereit's going. By the way, FedEx and UPS and DHO and other private carriers do require that. And what we heard from your folks, including Todd Owen, executive assistant commission, the office of field operations at CBP, when he testified before this committee onthis, is that having this advanced data from the post office would be key to helping you to build to target these packages to find the ones that are suspect. we have legislation, as you know, called the Stop Actthat is bipartisan, Senator Klobuchar, myself, Senator Hassan, who was here earlier, Senator Rubio, that we are attempting to get passed simply to say lets require that these packages havethis information. This is what we've heard about from your people as the solution to being able to target some of this fentanyl, to being able to stop some of this poison coming into our communities and killing our -- our citizens. By the way, that opinion wasreinforced at a roundtable discussion had just 10 days ago in Ohio with your CBP folks. We had two of your port chiefs there, we also had folks there who are from your HSI group, your group of individuals who work with law-enforcement every dayto try to find this -- this material. Wealso had folks. from DEA whohad testified on this. And so my question to you is what can wedo to get this done President Trump in the campaign talked favorably about the Stop Act. You have talked favorable about the need to havethat this information. guess what would ask is two questions. One, you agree with methat having this advanced data on shipments coming into the United States, up from both the post office and private carriers would help your officers be able to target illegal shipments? KELLY: do. PORTMAN: Second, would this informed targeting by CBP potentially reduce the ability of the post office to be sentfor illicit shipping of all kinds of contraband? KELLY: think it will. PORTMAN: And third, have you had a chance now, since your nomination, to review the Stop Act and what are your thoughts and comments on the Stop Act and its potential to be able to help? KELLY: Just in -- in preparation for this hearing, we had a long conversation CBP people onthe issue of the postoffice. Apparently -- and of course they don't work for us, but the -- the postoffice leadership is -- is starting to movein the right direction. Just the other day get a DOG -- DOJ effort, DEA agreement, such as they are with China but in DHS-17-0305-A-000890 agreement at least that they will get after the fentanyl production and -- and shipment out of their country. I'll see how that turns out. One of the problems, as think you know, Senator, that my folks have pointed out to meis, a lot of the countries that -- where these parcels come from, you know, just don't cooperate. But that's -- that's an effort that we should focus on to have them cooperate in terms of identifying the package, what's in the package, this kind of thing so again, was probably not as awareof this issue three days ago as am now. And Kevin McAleenan who we hope someday will be the commissioner, he's the acting now, has this very much on his front burner as it is now mine -- on mine. PORTMAN: appreciate that but we're asking President Trump to raise this to President Xi because you're right, China's not doing enough to close down these laboratories and keep these materials from being spread. And by the way, it's a problem in China as well. I'm told the fentanyl is now leaking out into the... KELLY: think that's the only reason nowthey're interest because it is a problem. PORTMAN: It is a problem. You know, a few flakes of this stuff can kill you. It is being putin relatively small packages and sent and there are millions of packages so do you agree that the STOP Act would be helpful to be able to identify these packages? KELLY: Yes, sir. PORTMAN: Thank you for that. And guess the final thing want to say with regard to the border because wetalked a lot about this earlier and really appreciate your comment which was we're not going to build a wall where it doesn't make sense. We do needa wall in certain areas including some urban and even some suburban areas and wedo need, again, the technology that was talked about earlier in other areas. You mentioned specifically the Big Bend of Texas. was there at the endof the year, I've been there several times. KELLY: Canoeing, right (ph)? PORTMAN: was and, you know, you're not going to build a wall on those canyon walls and so we need to reassure people that this is about an effective way to secure the border and appreciate your comments, understand (ph) think that will help clarify the situation. Thank you. KELLY: Thanks, sir. PORTMAN: Appreciate your service. JOHNSON: Senator Tester. TESTER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. want to thank you, Secretary Kelly, for your service and mean that. go back to what the ranking member in this committee said in her opening remarks and that is that we have faith in you, we havefaith in you being the DHS-17-0305-A-000891 adult in the room because of your past record and your past performance. Webelieve that that will carry on as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. I've got a number of questions. One deals with, there was $20 million worth of reprogramming money that you requested and that, Senator Boozman and signed a letter basically stating, utilize the money but utilize it in the best way to protect the border. Not necessarily a concrete wall. Could be a fence, could be drones, could be technology, could be a number of things. Have you determined how that $20 million is going to be spent? KELLY: Again, Senator, on the barrier, wall, technology, whatever, we'll -- we'll do it where it makes sense and what makes sense. But we won't waste any money but we have not determined right now whatthis thing will look like, how long it will be, you know. TESTER: So -- and appreciate that response but really the question is, is we reprogrammed $20 million. don't know that that's the best use of that money because think it was going to be usedin technology but that's a different debate. Wedid it and the question becomes, if you use all that $20 million to put up a prototype concrete wall, for a prototype to be used, that pretty much tells me what we're going to be doing. If you use that $20 million, part of it to put up a concrete wall, part of it to use maybe blue rose (ph) technology, part of it to maybe use drones, part ofit to use radar, part of it maybe for manpower discussions, that puts my heart at more of an ease. So the question is, is that if you have how this reprogramming money's going to be used, would like to knowit and if you haven't, could you tell me when you might haveit? KELLY: Let me get back to you specifically on that, Senator, but you can -- you can rest assured we won't waste the money and we're not going to build one prototype. We're going to take a look at what makes sense along that whole border. TESTER: OK. Secret Service was brought up earlier and also agree that due to circumstances with this administration, your Secret Service is probably stressed more than it ever has been before. Have you made any requests of Congress -- first of all, am reading that right? may be reading it wrong and if am, that's fine. But have you made any requests on Secret Service and the demands that have been put on Secret Service and if we need to deal with that through the budget? KELLY: Not as of yet. Again, the first thing I'd like to say, and think you'd agree. Individually the best men and women imaginable, they're just phenomenal that people and they work so hard, and they're -- they max out their over time. mean, they just leave (ph) themselves, coming and going. So they need — and wewill come forward to the -- to the Congress and make the case, but they need a lot more DHS-17-0305-A-000892 agents, not just because of -- of the Trump era, if you will, although that is additional, becausehe's got a lot of children, grandchildren. we need more agents and we need more uniform personnel regardless of whether it's a Mr. Trump or a Mr. Obama or a Mr. anybody because what they do is much larger than simply -- you know, the mission there at the White House and-- and with -- and with presidential travel. mean, things like the -- any -- any foreign dignitaries that comes to the United States. It's a much bigger than just that, so we need a larger Secret Service because we need a to get some of these people little bit of time at home with the families. TESTER: Got you. Coast Guard, you talked about it in your opening remarks. The president's budget came out and lacked Coast Guard, along with a lot of TSA and a lot of other agencies that are under your purview. Question number one is how much input did you havein that budget? Question number two is what are we going to do about fixing it? KELLY: Question number one, very little. talked to the OMB people about way forward (ph), and we made -- we're going to make the money -- we'll make the money good for a the Coast Guard. They -- they're too vital to securing the Southwest border and lot of other things. TESTER: And Mar-a-Lago and a lot of other things. OK, thank you. Northern ports, we talked about ports of entries where drugs are coming through, and weall are focused like a laser on the southern border, and think that's cool, but the northern border has its challenges too. Can -- can you -- can you tell me how concerned you are on the northern border, and if your concern is with -- don't think this would be classified information -- is it with drugs? Is with the undocumented people coming across the line? Is it with the terrorist activities? Where is your -- where is your concern with the northern border and -- and -- and then while follow-up on a that is RBC is concerned with what comes a with the northern borders of the border we'll have a follow up onthat. KELLY: not as -- obviously as concerned with what comes with the northern border as the southern border, but it is our border, so I'm concerned with all the borders. The great -- the absolutely great newsstory in the northern border is that we have Canada there that it's... (CROSSTALK) KELLY: ... a friend and ally. They interact with us at every level, they're very careful about who comes into their country. Maybe not as careful as -- want us to be going forward about who comesin our country, but the good newsstory get upthere is -- is the -- Canadians, their law enforcement, their commitment. DHS-17-0305-A-000893 would saythe -- actually this might surprise you. think -- not a concern really, what I'd like to see the northern border be is -- is even thinner if you will, so that the -- the movement safely and securely of all commerce and (inaudible) can be even -- you know, even streamlined more. TESTER: It's a big deal. Last thing, and excuse meif this has been asked before, don't knowthat has been or if it hasn't. Eminent domain, on the southern border, if we're going to build a wall -- if we're going to do anything, it's going to require permission from the landowners. On the northern border, those landownersare critically important for security. By the way, they're an extra set of eyes we don't have to pay for. How you do with them eminent domain on the southern border? KELLY: We'll do it judiciously. There may be places wehave to doit. Again, that will be part of the both of the -- of the evaluation of where webuild the wall, how webuild a wall. TESTER: would -- would just say that -- and this point has been brought up in these hearings before -- if you want to get people's attention in rural America, just talk about eminent domain. That hair will be onfire. KELLY: You knowsenator, I'm told that back in the -- think 2008 effort to put fencing on the border, we'restill in -- in -- in court with -- with people about eminent domain. Nine years ago. TESTER: Look get it. I've got a farm that has to be in the family 100 years. Those ones down there, they're probably 140 or 150. If somebody tried to eminent domain myplace, they'd take meoff in a box because wouldn't let them doit. So that's where we're at. Thanks. KELLY: Thanks. JOHNSON: This hearing is setting a lot of hair fire. Senator Paul? PAUL: And his is so special, to be onfire. (LAUGHTER) General Kelly, thanks for coming. If travel abroad and I'm coming back home, do you think it's appropriate to deny me entry to the country unless let you search my cell phone? KELLY: Under -- under very, very, very critical circumstances, would say that an American citizen ought to be able to come back in and not havetheir electronics searched. PAUL: We've gone from 5,000 people having their cell phones searched to 25,000. We are denying people entry who are citizens or green card holders who are coming back home and your department is saying to them you cannot return to your home without DHS-17-0305-A-000894 giving us your fingerprint and giving usall of the data on your phone, access to all the data on your phone. think this is an extraordinarily unreasonable standard. also think that you probably can differentiate between citizens, U.S. persons, and those who are coming to visit. So I'm not saying you can't have some standards and that based on suspicion, you can deny someone entry to the country but not a citizen, not a green card holder. They are denying access to our own country. could travel abroad and betold cannot enter America unless let you look at my phone. That's obscene and do you have a response? We're up to 25,000 of these now. KELLY: Well it certainly hasn't increased significantly in the 90 daysI've been in the job and the 90 days Mr. Trump has been the president. don't believe we're turning -- don't think we ever turn back legal citizens or -- mean citizens or legal residents. PAUL: That's what's in the paper, think the last month -- they're telling -- there was a guy that had a green card andhis wife was a citizen but he lived here for many years, he wastold he could notenter if he did not give his fingerprint to the government. KELLY: Let me take that on, Senator. The one thing have learned in this job, that everything read about this -- about this department or what goes onat our bordersis always moreto the story. But in general, just like an American citizen coming in and having his bag searched at the port of entry, generally speaking, it's done for a reason. PAUL: Right. But think there are different -- and I'm not blaming you. It may sound like I'm blaming you. You've only been onthe job for a month or two but in your nomination hearing, you said you were going to respect the fourth amendment and you were going to respect people's privacy. So my hope is that you'll go back and ask people, are we really doing this? KELLY: You know will. PAUL: There have been many reports ofthis. would also argue though that there's a difference between searching my bag and my cell phone, OK? If I'm comingin, there is - - it is known that oneof the things that happens at the border are drugs, we have dogs, wedo all the (ph) -- and we do random searches of bags. We're doing that even domestically. So think we can accept that but think that people are going to be horrified the more they hear that their cell phone, all their contacts, we don't even know what's happening to our cell phone whileit's gone and in possession of the government. Are they downloading? Andthis is the story was this, that they're downloading everybody's contacts and information, there's an extraordinary amount of information on your phone. KELLY: Not happening. DHS-17-0305-A-000895 PAUL: All right but that's what the stories... KELLY: These are citizens (ph). And in some cases, it is certainly happening to foreigners coming in but not routinely. PAUL: But it's gone from 5,000 a year to 25,000. If you wouldn't mind, if you'd look into it and have your people get back to my office onthis... KELLY: Will do. PAUL: But you know, we put forward legislation, bipartisan legislation because we're so upset about this that really if you're a green card holder or a citizen, even if you had suspicion, the way it would probably work if you were, think, obeying the spirit of the constitution is you might be able to seize my phone but we would then go to a court and a court would determine whether you had probable causeto actual get the access to my phone for a citizen. Andfor a noncitizen, think if you don't give it, you can probably deny entry. mean, there are rules ontravel to our country. But think for a citizen or a noncitizen to say can't come back to my country without giving you the contents of my phone is, think, really a... KELLY: Just don't believe we're doing it (ph). PAUL: All right. But we'll -- please look at the news reports because it wasn't just one, there was a whole series of them in the last couple days and a few interviews of people who are green card holders not being allowed entry. Thanks. JOHNSON: Wewill do a second round but I'm going to limit to five minutes because want to be respectful of the secretary's time. So Senator McCaskill. a MCCASKILL: Yeah, following little bit on Senator Paul, -- was -- had to smile when Senator McCain said was being hysterical. was being focused and passionate and learned it from him, by the way. So was-- and want to be very clear, completely understand that we haveto take steps to keep terrorists out of our country that are coming here to kill us. completely understand that this is a global threat that we have to pay attention to and understand and completely accept that there are people being trained in Raqqah to come here and hurt us. My point is, want to make sure what we're doing is effective. It's now out there that we're taking people's phones. mean, no terrorist that has the ability to come into this country and hurt us is going to come in with anything other than a clean phone. And the people who are going to get caught up in this are going to be a lot of people whoaren't probably terrorists because if they were, they'd be smart enough to clean their phone. DHS-17-0305-A-000896 The same thing with some of the -- like talked about, the questions, they're going tolie and wearen't going to -- you know, maybe we're going to -- for some, maybe we should do polygraphs if we have good information that they're terrorists. So I'm not -- I'm not in any way saying don't want you to goafter terrorists and don't want you to figure out ways to find the people, and we're taking lots of steps around the globe to do that and certainly identify with Senator Hassan's remarks about the law enforcement teams helping embassies in terms of screening visa applicants. All great. So electronic devices, agree with Senator McCain. think we've got to be doing some extraordinary steps about electronic devices and was supportive, appreciated you giving mea call of you doing the unprecedented step of not allowing laptops in cabins from certain countries. And if you wanted to take a moment, only have one other brief question so if you wanted to take a moment to maybe explain that so weall understand what steps you've taken and why it's important. KELLY: Senator, as we discussed on the phone and made 15 phone calls that day to make sure the leadership, both sides of the aisle, both sides of the Hill understood what we were doing. And then weprovided classified briefs to, you know to the Hill again and it's a real threat. mean, we know on any given daythere are dozens of cells that are talking about aviation -- attacking aviation. Andyou just watch them over time and see if they develop, if they go from talking to actually doing something. So there's a real threat all of the time. You saw the Russian airplane that was blown up coming out of Egypt as an example, the Somali airplane that thankfully didn't catastrophically come apart but a hole was blown in the side of the airplane and only because the airplane wasnot at altitude did -- was the pilot able to bring that aircraft home. It's real. Based on the threat is -- and this was my decision. Certainly briefed it to the president but this was mydecision, once took in all the information from all the sources, that there is a real threat against aviation always but a specific threat and the airports that decided to prohibit or to do the additional -- the new baggage protocol, that is to say the large electronic devices into the cargo hold are predominantly Muslim countries. didn't do it because of the Muslim religion or the color of their skin or -- as some have accused. wastrying to help out the American aircraft industry in places like the Emirates. It's real. think it's getting realer so to speak. We may take measures in the not too distant future to expand the number of airports. It's real. MCCASKILL: Weappreciate your focus onit and certainly support the steps you've taken in that regard. Missouri is one of the states has not done Real ID and just -- just DHS-17-0305-A-000897 want to makesure that you clarify what is going to happen next year. And the reason say this is the Missouri legislature is struggling with this. You know, this -- this happened before came to the Senate. Both Republican senators voted for this in 2005. In fact, all 100 senators voted for it in 2005 and understand why it's controversial and frankly kind of identify with that in many ways because of the state I'm from and our distrust of government in our DNA. But -- -- the governor said recently that he had gotten some signals from the Trump administration that would indicate that it wasn't going to be enforced. And so as a result, the Missouri legislature think is now struggling with whether they needto do anything. don't know what you're going to do but whatever you're going to do, the more quickly you clarify whether or notthis is going to be enforced next year is really important. Because think there's some mixed signals going on and asa result worry about Missourians andtheir ability to participate in aviation in this country come this time next year. KELLY: Senator, your comment just nowis the only time I've heard anyone saythat we're not going to enforce the law in January. mean, as say, I've been saying it to the press, we've been saying it to the governors, I... MCCASKILL: Well you need tocall the governor from Missouri because the headline was, Trump administration indicates they may make a change, andthen it goes on to say the people whoare against doing say, well we need to give Trump time to change this... KELLY: I'll call some governors(ph) right away. MCCASKILL: Yeah, that would beterrific. think that would be very helpful because know he wants Missourians to be able to fly too. This isn't partisan. We want Missourians to be able to fly next year. KELLY: My-- my advice again to all of the -- to all of the states that are not right now compatible is to just tell -- tell their -- their citizens to -- you know, the best thing to dois get a passport. And again... MCCASKILL: Or a passport card. KELLY: Or a passport card. And again this -- this issue up in Seattle this last week was with this business group, all of whom thought that their state license enhanced will fill the bill and it won't. Andif they didn't know that, then I'd say the average Joe and Jane Doe-- they're probably under that misconception. But there's about, I'd say 10 to 12 states anyways that are questionable that they could pull this off. Andso will call the governor, yes. MCCASKILL: really appreciateit. DHS-17-0305-A-000898 KELLY: Yes, Ma'am. JOHNSON: Senator Harris for five minutes. HARRIS: appreciate that. Secretary Kelly, represent a state of almost 39 million people which is also a state with the largest number of immigrants documented and undocumented of any state in this country. And they have a right to have an understanding, a clear understanding of the policy priorities of your department. On March 8 confirmation hearing for Elaine Duke, asked her how the seven enforcement categories from your February 20 memo would be prioritized and she answered that the priorities are listed in descending order. Do you agree with that? KELLY: No. HARRIS: And so what is the -- can you please rank then the seven factors and the priority among them? KELLY: Those seven factors allow the ICE folks to make their decision as to who they will develop a target package on and then gotry and apprehend. But they're not in descending order, they're just those are the categories. HARRIS: So what has been your direction to the folks on the ground about what the priorities should be understanding that they, like all law enforcement agencies, have limited resources and a very important charge? Are you not giving them anydirection around priorities within the seven criteria? KELLY: The direction they haveis, the start point is illegal -- illegal status and then something from the priorities. But they're not going to go after, as an example, all the murderers and then weget -- all the very, very serious criminals and then once weget all of them, go after the next and the next and the next. They can goafter an individual if they -- according to the law, if they are on the list because they're illegal and then something. HARRIS: So sir, among the seven categories, you have as number one convicted of any criminal offense and obviously there's no doubt that especially if someone has been convicted of a serious andviolent felony they should be apprehended and they should be dealt with. Second is that anyone charged with a criminal offense but then there has not been a finding of guilt. Thethird is they've committed an act which would constitute a chargeable criminal offense so they've not even been charged with the offense. The list goes on to number seven or in the judgment of immigration officers otherwise posea risk to public safety or national security. How are you training the folks on the ground to exercise their judgment as it relates to factor three or factor seven as an example? DHS-17-0305-A-000899 KELLY: They're already trained and they, through -- through that direction down through the leadership of ICE down to the local agents in charge and whatnot, they train them to execute that policy. HARRIS: So as former manager of a very large law enforcement organization, the California Department of Justice. am well aware that you cannot lead a department just from the top down, and it is critical that you communicate the policies of leadership to everyone at every stage, including those at the lowest level who in your agency as in most enforcement agencies, have wide discretion to exert and usetheir authority. would like to know what specifically you are doing to train those people and would like a copy of what you are doing that is beyond the conversations that you have had with managers, but actually what policies you have put in place to train those folks on howthey should exercise the discretion that you've given them, as it relatesto this expanded list of-- of -- of folks that can be contacted bythe folks in your agency. would like to havea list submitted, sir. And if you would agree to give us a written copy of the training that you areinstituting in your department to train folks about how they should exercise their discretion. KELLY: wecan certainly provide you the policy statements and -- and from that the training takes place. Again, they're already highly trained individuals. HARRIS: Well, we've already discussed how they have the lowest morale of any federal agency andthat... KELLY: Under the Obama administration. HARRIS: OK. So sir, given the extent and depth of the problems that exist at DHS and that we had so far received no assessment or any program that you haveour plan that you have to address these issues, how can you justify such massive increases in hiring and resources, and should the American public really be expected to give you billions of dollars and provide billions of dollars your agency when on blind faith in spite of the fact that there had been no clear change of direction or cores beyond the fact that you are on appointed to lead the agency? Should the American public believed in blind faith in the fact that you are now the leader and therefore everything has changed? KELLY: They should havefaith in the fact that I'm the leader. They should also have faith that the rank-and-file have now been allowed to dotheir job. We've already seen a change in the -- the morale; yes. HARRIS: Thank you, have no further questions. JOHNSON: Thank you, Senator Harris. DHS-17-0305-A-000900 Just to adda little perspective and clarity to the device searches. In fiscal year 2015, there was 77.5 million people that can to this country internationally in the flights. That includes Canada and Mexico. There 38.4 million that came in overseas. The 23,877 devices that were searching 2016 was a under different administration, representing a .03 percent of total national arrival, a .06 percent of overseas arrivals, just to put it in perspective. My concern about all of a sudden this now new administration, now all of sudden, this is a big problem, we're publicizing this, we maybe taking a tool of out the toolbox. Kind of like when Osama bin Laden found out that -- that we can actually track his location based onhis cell phone. So again, -- appreciate your comments on-- on howit's being administered in kind of extraordinary circumstances, many cases again .03 percent of time .06 percent on overseas flights. And don't knowit's -- its just unfortunate. KELLY: You know Chairman, if could do, think -- and this has a lot to do with the press reporting, not against the press -- just they pick up and tend to write off whatever the basestory is. think an awful lot of people are confusing what we're doing at the port of entry today. and the kind of thinking have in terms of the additional vetting that wewill be implementing, whether it's for these overseas -- in -- in overseas locations, whether it's for a visa request to come to the United States, or for that matter, asylum (ph) request. a Weare going to do lot moreof this electronic stuff. In addition to other things, whether it's in refugee camps in -- in Kenya or in some other country. And we'll doit -- but we won't probably do the same type of additional vetting in say, Britain or Japan. It just depends on the country, depends on the threat. But think an awful lot of people have jumped to the conclusion a little bit or certainly the press has picked up for whatever reasons and I'll assume they were doing it, you know honestly, that we're not going to do everyone's phone and -- and you know, computer at the border. JOHNSON: And of course that's the impression the press leaves so weblow it out of proportion. We take what could be aneffective tool out of our toolbox and we makethis nation less safe, so. And again, just think it's unfortunate, kind of want to lay out -and think you explain it pretty -- pretty well. You look at a phone, you look at the photos, there's no password required for that it's just oh, see -- see a potential pedophile there and that helps prevent something. Andit's just unfortunate that we do publicize some of these things that from my standpoint ought to remain moreat a classified level or just -- not discussed in public domain. DHS-17-0305-A-000901 MCCASKILL: Well -- Mr. Chairman, just want to say, think having these hearings is how weget to the bottom ofit and find out the facts. That's why wedo this and the questions are important to be asked so wecan get the clarification. JOHNSON: -- understand. MCCASKILL: And so think -- think the secretary nowis in a position to understand the concerns and think he'll respond to them and -- and we'll all be in a better place. KELLY: I'm unfortunately way ahead and think if Jim Comey and people like that certainly sitting here at the table with me, law enforcement in general, these -- these newapplications that will makeit impossible to look into someone's phone or electronic device -- right. Wewill lose a huge -- this country, the good guys and gals in the world in the west and other places -- well, in the world that are trying to protect their people will lose tremendous asset when these applications become more widespread than they are, tremendous advantage lost. JOHNSON: And will say (ph) the last time Director Comey was before this committee, he wasbasically predicting when wefinally end the caliphate, Diasporaof terrorists unlike this world has ever seen, we're going to be dealing with that and you're going to have to be dealing with that so want to make sure you got the tools in your toolkit to keep this nation safe. So again, General Kelly, thank you for your service, thanks for coming here, thanks for your testimony, your answersto our questions. With that, the hearing record will remain open for 15 days until April 20 at 5:00 P.M. for the submission of statements and questions for the record. This hearing is adjourned. 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Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001079 Page 1080 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001080 Page 1081 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001081 Page 1082 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001082 Page 1083 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001083 Page 1084 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001084 Page 1085 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001085 Page 1086 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001086 Page 1087 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001087 Page 1088 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) 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Act DHS-17-0305-A-001105 Page 1106 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001106 Page 1107 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001107 Page 1108 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001108 Page 1109 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001109 Page 1110 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001110 Page 1111 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001111 Page 1112 Withheld pursuant to exemption (b)(5) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act DHS-17-0305-A-001112 TESTIMONY OF CARLA PROVOST Acting Chief U.S. BorderPatrol U.S. Customs and Border Protection and JOHN WAGNER Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner Office of Field Operations U.S. Customs and Border Protection BEFORE House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security ON “Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request” June 13, 2017 Washington, DC DHS-17-0305-A-001113 Introduction Chairman Carter, Ranking Member Roybal-Allard, Members of the Subcommittee, it is an honor to appear before you today. As America’s unified border agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) protects the United States fromterrorist threats and prevents the illegal entry of inadmissible persons and contraband, while facilitating lawful travel and trade. CBP works tirelessly to detect illicit trafficking of people, drugs, weapons, and money, while facilitating the flowof cross-border commerce and tourism. The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Budget includes $13.9 billion to help enable CBPto achieve our complex mission with the right combination oftalented and dedicated personnel, intelligence-driven andrisk-based strategies, collaborative partnerships, and advanced technology. The border environment in which CBP works is dynamic and requires continual adaptation to respond to emerging threats and rapidly changing conditions. Weare proud of CBP’s dedicated men and women, who have advanced CBP’s situational awareness of the border environment, and whocontinue to meet these challenges with integrity and commitment. Twoyears ago CBP announced the CBP Vision and Strategy 2020, CBP’s first comprehensive strategic plan for our agency in nearly a decade. The plan acknowledges the complexity ofthe CBP mission in anincreasingly challenging border environment and provides a roadmapfor the way forward by focusing efforts on collaboration, innovation, and integration in meeting our mission goals to: e combat terrorism and transnational crime; e advance comprehensive border security and border management; e enhance U.S. economic competitiveness by enabling trade and travel; and * promote organizational integration, innovation, andagility. — Thelast mission goal listed above promote organizational integration, innovation, and agility hasled us overthe last year to make many changes and much progress as werestructure our fiscal, operational, and institutional management to better align our resources with our missions. To promote organizational efficiencies within CBP, it was announced two years ago that CBP would realign the agency’s headquarters structure to better support our personnel in fulfilling CBP’s critical mission. These changes emphasize the delegation of authority, more defined and accountable decision-making, and improved span of control for management. While CBP’s — operational offices Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO), and the Office of Trade (OT) — remain as key Offices within CBP, the newstructure identifies and addresses the strengths and weaknesses of our mostcritical infrastructure, and supports working towards integrated and comprehensive solutions to issues and — challenges. We measure the success of this effort by our ability to support the front lines our ability to identify requirements and to manageresources effectively. CBP’s realignmentis allowing us to streamline process flows andcreate efficiencies for the agency. DHS-17-0305-A-001114 Implementing the President’s Executive Orders AsPresident Trumphas stated, “Homeland Security is in the business of saving lives, and that mandate will guide our actions.” Through a series of Executive Orders (EOs), the President has taken steps to enhance border security, promote public safety, minimizethe threatof terrorist attacks by foreign nationals, and protect American workers from unfair foreign competition. The FY 2018 Budget proposes significant investments to support all of those goals while implementing the EOs. Tn January, the President signed the Executive Order entitled Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements (EO 13767). Included in the Budgetis a total of $2.6 billion in enhancementsin high-priority border security technology, tactical infrastructure, assets, and equipment, including $1.6 billion for a border wall system andsupport infrastructure and personnel; $975 million for border security technology, assets, and equipment. Additionally, the Budgetprovides $100 million to hire 500 additional Border Patrol Agents (BPA), the initial hiring surge for the 5,000 additional agents required by this EO. The Budget also includes $55 million to help CBP implement initiatives directed by EO 13780, Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, specifically to improve intelligence andtargeting capabilities related to the screening andvetting of immigration populations and international travelers, in accordance with Section 5 of the EO.! These resources will also support the efforts related to EO 13767. Finally, the Budget includes $30 million to help CBP meetthe legislative mandates to implement the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA), as well as the Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits called for by EO 13786. Securing America’s Borders Along the more than 5,000 miles of border with Canada; 1,900 miles of border with Mexico; and approximately 95,000 miles of shoreline, CBP is responsible for preventing the illegal entry of people and contraband at and between the Ports of Entry (POEs). CBP’s USBP and AMOagents patrol our Nation’s borders and associated airspace and maritime approachesto preventillegal entry of people and goods into the United States. CBP officers (CBPOs) and agriculture specialists (CBPAS) are multi-disciplined and perform the full range of inspection, intelligence analysis, examination, and law enforcementactivities relating to the arrival and departure of persons, conveyances, and merchandise at air, land, and sea POEs. EO 13767 directs executive departments and agencies to deploy all lawful means to secure the Nation’s Southern border, preventfurther illegal immigration into the United States, and repatriate aliens with final orders of removal swiftly, consistently, and humanely. EO 13767 also establishes the foundation for securing our Southern borderby directing the tools, resources, and policy goals for CBP’s dedicated men and women whoare responsible for preventing illegal immigration, drug smuggling, humantrafficking, andacts ofterrorism. In accordance with existing law, CBP has 1Sec. 5. “Implementing Uniform Screening and Vetting Standards for All Immigration Programs” per https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/06/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terroristentry-united-states DHS-17-0305-A-001115 already begun to takeall appropriate steps to plan, design, and construct a physical wall, using the materials and technology that will most effectively achieve operational control of the Southern border. The FY 2018 Budget provides $1.6 billion for 32 miles of new border wall system and 28 miles of newlevee wall in Rio Grande Valley Sector, as well as 14 miles of secondary border wall system in San Diego Sector. Tactical infrastructure, including physical barriers, has long been a critical component of CBP’s multi-layered and risk-based approach to securing our Southern border. It is — undeniable that border barriers have enhanced andwill continue to enhance CBP’s operational capabilities by creating persistent impedance, and facilitating the deterrence and prevention of successful illegal entries. CBP plans to deploy border wall system in a multi-phased approach that meets USBP’s operational requirements, safeguards national security and public safety, and is the result of thorough analysis of threat, cost, and mission effectiveness. The land along the border between the United States and Mexico is extremely diverse, consisting of desert landscape, mountainous terrain, and urban areas. Today we have several types of barriers, to include steel bollard and levee wall, along nearly one-third, or 654 miles, of the Southwest border. CBP is prioritizing investments and geographic areas across the Southwest border, leveraging the USBP’s annual, full spectrum requirements analysis process to identify needs related to domain awareness, impedance and denial, access and mobility, and mission readiness. Throughout the planning, designing, and construction process, CBP will complete project, budget, real estate, and environmental planning to ensure available resource capacity. CBPwill leverage expertise in federal acquisition to maximize transparency and accountability and to ensure the mosteffective and efficient solutions are deployed to meet requirements, in accordance with the established DHS acquisition framework and acquisition reviewboard oversight. CBP is seeking to build on the successes ofand lessons learned fromthe installation and operation of existing barriers to deploy a system that addresses dynamic cross-border threats. CBP is working with industry and partnering with the U.S. Army Corp ofEngineers to potentially incorporate additional alternative barrier designs that may include a concrete base or other innovative solutions into our border barrier toolkit. Border barrier and levee wall systems are comprehensivesolutions that include a concentrated combination ofvarious types of infrastructure such as wall, fence, all-weather roads, lighting, enforcement cameras, and other related technology. The strategic deployment of these capabilities along the borderwill provide USBP’s frontline agents with the tools they need to deter and prevent successful illegal entries. CBP is committed to ensuring thatall stakeholder communities, to include Congress, federal partners, state, local, and tribal officials, and the impacted communities, are informed throughout this process. Response to Migrant Surges Thanks to this Subcommittee’s support, the Nation’s long-term investment in border security has produced significant andpositive results. With the support and direction of President Trump and Secretary Kelly, we are already seeing an unprecedented improvement in the posture of our DHS-17-0305-A-001116 Southwest border. Since January 2017, the numberof illegal aliens we have apprehended onthe Southwest border has drastically decreased, indicating a significant decrease in the number of aliens attempting to illegally enter the country. The numberof illegal aliens apprehended in April 2017 was more than 60 percent lower than January apprehensions and close to 70 percent lower than the sametime last year.? During FY 2016, over 415,816 illegal aliens from Central America and Mexico — including over 137,614 unaccompanied alien children (UAC) and alien families — were apprehendedalong our Southwest border. While more than 16,000 family units were apprehendedat the borderin Decemberof 2016, only 1,119 family units were apprehended in April of 2017.3 Although the numbers have recently declined, UAC and other immigrantflows are difficult to predict and anothersurge is always a possibility. The simple fact is that nowis the time to make further, substantial improvements to our southwestborder security, as these could befleeting improvements if the perception of our southern bordersecurity returns to what it was before January 2017. We must remain preparedfor apprehension numbersto climb again as quickly as they havefallen. Investments in Mobile Tactical Equipment CBP’s border security mission regularly requires BPAs and CBPOs to operate in diverse and remotelocations where tactical communication, transportation, and surveillance capabilities are essential to coordinating missionactivities and protecting the safety of CBP law enforcement personnel. For agents and officers operating in remote areas,their radios are often their only means of communication to coordinate activities or request assistance. For USBP, radios are the single mostessential piece of equipmentfor frontline agents — a BPA maynot deploy to the field without a functioning radio. CBPoperates and maintainsa tactical radio inventory of more than 70,000 units, utilized by CBP’s frontline law enforcement personnel. More than 25,000 units of CBP’s radio inventory have exceeded their useful life and are no longer supported by the manufacturer. The FY 2018 Budget seeks $29.3 million to purchase the equipment for USBP and AMOTactical Air Land and Marine Enterprise Communications (TALMEC), including the acquisition of modern andsecure radio andsatellite communication technologythat will provide communicationreliability and security for CBP frontline law enforcementand flexibility for agents andofficers to communicate with state and local law enforcement agencies as well as Mexican authorities. The FY 2018 Budgetincludes $60.3 million to provide for the acquisition of vehicles. CBP’s vehicle lifecycle managementprocess* is especially important as vehicles become olderand less reliable, while mission demandscontinue. Reductions in vehicle performance and/orreliability mayplace an undue burden on law enforcementpersonnel executing mission requirements. These investments, to include recapitalizing aging radios and vehicles, will enable agents to respond to and resolve incidents and incursions moreefficiently, effectively andsafely. 2 Per https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration 3 Per https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/sw-border-migration 4 The General Services Administration’s recommendedvehicle replacementstandardis five years. DHS-17-0305-A-001117 Technology Investments between Ports of Entry The FY 2018 Budget will also enable the continued deployment ofproven, effective technology to — strengthen border security operations between the ports in the land, air, and maritime environments. With the deployment of fixed and mobile surveillance capabilities, CBP can gain situational awareness remotely, direct a response team to the best interdiction location, and warn themof any additional danger otherwise unknownalong the way. Investment in this area will support CBP’s efforts to implement the President’s EOs on border security and to maintain operational control of the Southern border through improvedsituational awareness. CBP’s Tactical Aerostats and Re-locatable Towers Program, originally part of the Department of Defense (DOD) Re-use program, uses a mix ofaerostats, towers, cameras, and radars to provide USBP with advancedsurveillance capabilities over a wide area. This technology has proven to be a vital asset in increasing CBP’s ability to detect, identify, classify, and track illegal activity. Furthermore, since initial deployment, these systems have beenresponsible for the detection of more than 180,000 illegal border incursions of aliens and smugglers, leading to the seizure of approximately 180 tons of narcotics and related contraband headed towards our Nation’s cities and neighborhoods. As of April 2017, USBP agents, with the assistance ofexisting aerostats and relocatable towers, have seized 62 tons ofnarcotics, and caught more than 20,000illegal border crossers detected in aerostat locations during FY 2017. The FY 2018 Budget includes $34.8 million in FY 2018 for the Tactical Aerostats and Re-locatable Towers Program to fund continued operations and maintenance costs. Another proven border security technology, Integrated Fixed Towers (IFT), assists BPAs in detecting, tracking, identifying, and classifying items of interest along our Nation’s borders through a series offixed surveillance towers and equipment that display information on workstations in command and control centers. CBP requires $22.4 million in FY 2018 for the IFT program for operations and maintenance. In addition, CBP proposes $17.4 million in FY 2018 for procurement, construction, and improvements towards the IFT program. Remote Video Surveillance Systems (RVSS) are anotherfixed technology asset used in select areas along the Southwest and Northern borders. These systems provide short-, medium-, and long-range persistent surveillance mountedon stand-alone towers, or other structures. The RVSS uses cameras, radio, and transmitters to send video to a control room. This enables a control room operator to remotely detect, identify, classify andtrack targets using the video feed. The RVSS deployment planned as part of the Arizona Technology Plan is now complete, and CBPis presently working to expand the RVSS capability to other high-priority areas along the Southwest border. The FY 2018 Budget includes $20.0 million in FY 2018 to sustain RVSS. An additional $46.2 million is provided for procurement, construction, and improvements. This funding will be used to support the deployment of the RVSS capability to the Rio Grande Valley Sector. Mobile Video Surveillance Systems (MVSS) consist of short- and medium-range mobile surveillance equipment that is mounted on USBPvehicles. An agent deploys with the system, which helps agents detect, track, identify, and classify items of interest using the MVSS video feed. The agent observes activity on the video monitors to detect intrusions andassist other agents in responding to thoseintrusions. The FY 2018 Budgetincludes $3.2 million to provide operation DHS-17-0305-A-001118 and sustainment for MVSS, and anadditional $1.6 million for procurement, construction, and improvements to fulfill operational needs on the Southern and Northern borders. As wecontinue to deploy border surveillance technology andother operational assets, particularly along the Southwest border, the Subcommittee’s support of these investments allows CBP the flexibility to shift more frontline personnel from detection duties to interdiction ofillegal activities on our borders. The FY 2018 budget supports CBP’s bordersecurity mission by increasing and enhancing border security technology including mobile assets, air and marine capabilities, and initiatives to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Securing and Expediting Trade and Travel At our Nation’s 328 land, air, and sea POEs, CBPprevents dangerous people and contraband from entering the United States, while facilitating the lawful flow ofinternational trade and travel by using a combination of personnel, technology, intelligence, risk information, targeting, and international cooperation. CBPextends the U.S. zone of security beyond our physical borders through bilateral cooperation with other nations, private-sector partnerships, expanded targeting, and advance scrutiny of information on people and goods seeking to enter this country. CBP’s travel andtrade security operations use a risk-based approach, applying rigorous information analy: ind targeting to identify the greatest threats and risks. CBP proposes an increase of $54.9 million in FY 2018 for improvedintelligence andtargeting capabilities, including an increase of$14.5 million to expand staffing at CBP’s National Targeting Center (NTC). This increase will also enhance NTC analytical modeling capabilities and provide for additional equipment. The NTC operates 24 hoursa day with the missionof collaborating with federal, state, local, and international partners to effectively identify, target, screen, and interdict inbound and outbound passengers and cargo across all international modes of transportation that pose a threat to national security, public safety, agriculture, lawful trade, andsafe travel. Effective targeting and interdiction prevents inadmissible high-risk passengers, cargo, and agriculture bioterrorism threats from reaching U.S. POEs, thereby extending ourborder security initiatives outward and making our borders the last line of defense rather than the first line of defense. The FY 2018 Budget continues substantial investment in Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology that enables CBP to detect materials that pose significant nuclear and radiological threat. Utilizing Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs), as well as Radiation Isotope Identification Devices, and Personal Radiation Detectors, which are deployed nationwide at our POEs, CBP is able to scan 100 percent of all mail and express consignment mail and parcels; 100 percent of all truck cargo and personally owned vehicles arriving from Canada and Mexico; and nearly 100 percent of all arriving maritime containerized cargo for the presence of radiological or nuclear materials. Using NII imaging equipment, CBPOs can also examine cargo conveyances such as sea containers, commercial trucks, andrail cars, as well as privately ownedvehicles, for the presence — of contraband without physically opening or unloading them. NII technologies both radiological detection and imaging — are force multipliers that enable CBP to screen or examine a larger portion ofthe stream of commercial traffic while facilitating the flowof legitimate trade, cargo, and passengers. DHS-17-0305-A-001119 In FY 2016, CBPutilized more than 300 large-scale (LS) NII systems to image approximately 6.5 million cargo or conveyances across CBP’s 328land, sea, and air POEs, resulting in CBPOs seizing more than 355,000 pounds of narcotics and morethan $3.9 million in U.S. currency. More than 8,000 additionalofficers at a labor cost of approximately $1 billion would have been required if physical examinations were conducted. The Budget proposes $109.2 million to build uponprior year investments and will be usedto recapitalize the current small-scale (SS) and LS NIT technology fleet. This funding will allow CBPto remain ontrack to ensure the NII fleetis operating within its service life by FY 2024, and will help CBP continue to use NII to safely, quickly, and effectively detect a wide range of contraband imported using a variety of conveyances, thereby facilitating lawful trade and travel. As mentioned above, anotherkey role played by CBPin securing ourborders is the interdiction of narcotics. In FY 2016, CBPOs and BPAsseized and/or disrupted more than 3.3 million pounds of narcotics across the country® including approximately 46,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 4,800 poundsof heroin. CBP heroin seizures by weight rose 43 percent from approximately 4,217 pounds in FY 2012 to approximately 5,981 pounds in FY 2015. The majority of heroin seizures occurat the Southwest border: 82 percentof all CBP heroin seizures between FYs 2012-2016. CBPseizures of fentanyl remain relatively small comparedto heroin, but havesignificantly increased overthe past three years, from approximately two pounds seized in FY 2013 to approximately 440 pounds seized in FY 2016. Fentanyl is the mostfrequently seizedillicit synthetic opioid, but CBP has also encountered various types of fentanyl analogues.° CBP seizures of cocaine have remained steady between FYs 2012-2016 averaging approximately 200,000 pounds of cocaine seized each fiscal year. By fundingthe right mix of people, technology, andinfrastructure, the FY 2018 Budget will help CBP continue to work to secure our bordersand keep illegal narcotics out of the hands of the American people. CBPalso has the responsibility to enhance the Nation’s economic competitiveness and security by efficiently and effectively processing goods and people across our borders. This is crucial to promoting job growth and helpingthe private sector remain globally competitive today andin the future. The FY 2018 Budgetincludes $263.3 million for OT to support CBP’s implementation of TFTEA; implementthe President’s EO 13785, Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade and Customs Laws; and meetother needsto fulfill our trade mission outlined below. CBPproposes an increase of $29.8 million to support 140 newpositions to provide for new services mandated by TFTEA, which wasenacted on February 24, 2016. The law specifies new trade facilitation and enforcement operational requirements, organizational changes, and new authorities and services. One of the most impactful pieces oftrade legislation for CBP in more than a generation, TFTEAincludes substantial changes to trade enforcement, particularly in the area of Anti-dumping and Countervailing Duties; establishing processes for investigating claims > FY 2016 Border Security Report, U.S. Customsand BorderProtection, https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2016-Dec/CBP-fy2016-border-security-report.pdf © These include: acetylfentanyl, butyrylfentanyl, beta-hydroxythiofentanyl, para-fluorobutyrylfentanyl, pentanoylfentanyl, alpha-methy] acetylfentanyl, para-fluoroisobutyrylfentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, carfentanil, furanylfentanyl, and most recently benzodioxolefentanyl, acrylfentanyl, and methoxyacetylfentanyl. DHS-17-0305-A-001120 ofevasion of anti-dumping orders; using donations of technology from the private sector for enforcing intellectual property rights; and simplifying drawback processing to spur domestic manufacturing and exports. Another substantial mandate within TFTEA is the Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA), which allows a party to submit an allegation of dumping circumvention to CBP, and grants CBP new authorities to make adverse decisions against an importer based onthe lack of response or an incomplete response to an inquiry. CBPis mandated to initiate and pursue EAPA allegations within certain timeframes, and demand for these services is growing despite the lack of necessary staffing. There are many other substantial mandates which CBP must implement. These 140 newpositions will enable OT to fully address TFTEA mandates in both a timely manner and without impacting the core mission and operations of CBP’s trade mission. Also with the strong support of this Subcommittee, CBP is completing the development of core trade processing capabilities in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). ACE is the “Single Window” through which all import and export data are reported by industry to more than 47 partner government agencies, eliminating more than 200 different forms and streamlining trade processes. In FY 2018 ACE will transition from development to sustainment. Tofacilitate this transition CBP proposes an increase of $45.1 million in FY 2018 for ACE Core Functionality. This includes $9.1 million for software sustainment; $12.2 million to provide ACE disaster recovery to ensure continuity of operations through the use of a robust “cloud solution”; $11.3 million to decommission code currently on legacy ACE; and $12.5 million to International Business Machines (IBM) SRO, which provides infrastructure, software, and management support critical to the continued operation and maintenance of the ACE system. CBP recognizes howcritical our trade enforcementand facilitation role is in protecting our Nation’s economic security. We are working to ensure a fair and competitive trade environment where the benefits of trade compliance exceed the costly consequences of violating U.S. trade law. In FY 2016, we supported domestic producers of products ranging fromsteel plates to solar panels to crawfish by collecting $1.5 billion in cash deposits to secure anti-dumping duties on $14 billion of imported goods. Wecontinually seek to develop and implement ways to improve our business processes and strengthen our engagement with our international and private-sector partners. To this end, CBP proposes $2.3 million in FY 2018 to expand trade transformation initiatives, including professional development initiatives and enhancing trade enforcement programs. Sharpening Trade Expertise is an enterprise-wide professional developmentinitiative dedicated to strengthening the expertise of all employees engaged in the trade mission. Through targeted development and training programs, Sharpening Trade Expertise provides CBPtrade staff with the support, engagement, and preparation needed for an ever-changing trade environment future. Integrated Operations Wehave been a keyparticipant in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Unity of Effort initiative, which aims to change the way DHS makes decisions within the Department and conducts operations. Aspart ofthis initiative, CBP is the lead component for DHS Joint Task Force-West (JTF-W), anda participating component in JTF-East, led by the U.S. Coast Guard and JTF-Investigations, led by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The JTFs, launched as a pilot by DHS in early 2015, are strategically guided by the Southern Border and DHS-17-0305-A-001121 Approaches Campaign Plan, which enhances the Department’s operational approach to addressing comprehensivethreat environments in a unified, integrated way. The FY 2018 Budgetalso realigns funding for 32 positions and $6.2 million to JTF-W to better address the threats posed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) to the safety and security of the United States. This funding will help ensure these unique collaborative efforts have the resources they need. CBP has also beenan active participant in the Joint Requirements Council. The Council consists ofsenior leaders from DHS components, and is organized in order to identify and recommend investments to maximize efficiency and enhance mission capabilities. CBP’s commitment to risk-based,intelligence-driven operations enables us to focus resources on a wide array of diverse threats ranging from networks of terrorism and transnational crime to individuals attempting illegal entry; from the illicit movement of weapons to the introduction of agricultural pests and diseases; from trafficking in drugs, weapons, and people to the transit of prohibited, restricted, and unsafe goods. CBP’s application of risk managementprinciples has enabled sound, timely operational planning and focused tactical execution against these diverse threats. CBP will continue to evolve our integrated risk management approach to remain agile and adaptable in supporting operational priorities. The FY 2018 Budget supports an increase of $3.1 million to fill 40 positions with the expertise needed to expand CBP’s Office of Intelligence’s (OJ) mission critical operational capabilities and to align priorities with CBP’s intelligence enterprise. The additional positions will augment the existing staff to support OI’s ability to provide products on currentthreats, initiatives, and intelligence. Additionally, this support would enable CBPto develop agency-wide depth of knowledge aligned with Intelligence Community functions, including Counter-Intelligence, Confidential Human Source, Security, and Training. The FY 2018 Budget provides $1.4 million for OI’s training division, $900,000 for salaries and benefits and $500,000 to fund Interagency Agreements and contractor support for delivery of content in various intelligence disciplines as well as travel associated with classes scheduled at field locations andat the Intelligence and Targeting Center of Excellence (ITCE) at the CBP AdvancedTraining Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The funding will support the maintenanceof a self-sustaining and cost effective curriculum design and instruction team that will be able to meetthe intelligence training requirements of the CBP workforce from all operational component offices in an effective and timely manner. The FY 2018 Budget also calls for investments in air and marine capabilities to help AMO meet flight hour goals and readiness rates. CBP’s comprehensive bordersecurity operations include the use ofcoordinated andintegrated air and marine capabilities to detect, interdict, and prevent acts ofterrorism and the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs, and other contraband toward or across the borders of the United States. During FY 2016, CBP’s Air and Marine Operations contributed to 4,303 arrests and the apprehension of 55,923 individuals, as well as the interdiction of 221,707 pounds of cocaine in the transit zone. AMO increases CBP’s situational awareness, enhances our detection and interdiction capabilities, and extends our bordersecurity zones, offering greater capacity to stop threats prior to reaching the Nation’s borders. These assets provide multi-domain awareness for our partners across DHS, as well as critical aerial and maritime surveillance, interdiction, and operational assistance to our ground personnel. DHS-17-0305-A-001122 CBP’s layered approach to border security relies on a variety of resources, including fixed wing, rotary, and unmannedaircraft systems in the air domain, and patrol and interdiction vessels in the maritime environment. These assets provide critical aerial and maritime surveillance, interdiction, and operational assistance to our ground personnel and multi-domain awareness for DHS. The FY 2018 Budget seeks an increase of $23.2 million to fund the initial hiring of 94 additional AMO personnel, to include 61 Air Interdiction Agents and 33 support personnel. This request will support implementation of the President’s EOs on bordersecurity and the Secretary’s subsequent February 20, 2017 memo, “Implementing the President’s Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvement Policies.” This increase is required to facilitate the increased operational tempo requiredto gain operational control of the Southern border. The positions are required to directly support the increased USBPand ICE agents provided in the Budget. The FY 2018 Budget also seekssignificant investments in ouraircraft fleet. For example, the Budget includes $55.5 million in FY 2018 to purchase two KA-350CER multirole enforcement aircraft (MEA). The MEA is the optimal sensor-equippedaircraft for surveillance operations in regions such as the Southern border, Northern border, and maritime environments whereterrain, weather and distance pose significant obstacles to border security operations. The MEA further serve as a force multiplier for law enforcement and emergency response personnel, facilitating the rapid-response deployment of equipment, canines andpeople. The Budget includes $14.1 million in FY 2018 to purchase one UH-60 MediumLift Helicopter (MLH). UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are critical to border security operations, being the only helicopters with mediumlift capability (8 agents with full gear). The UH-60 are rugged enough to supportinterdiction andlife-saving operations in very hostile environments, andat high altitudes in the dessert, over open water, and in extreme cold. The FY 2018 Budget also includes $43.4 million to purchase Light Enforcement Helicopters (LEH) in FY 2018. The LEH is a multi-mission helicopter used foraerial surveillance; providing tactical support; the transport and insertion offrontline personnel responding to illegal border incursions; serving search and arrest warrants; and patrol of high risk areas. These aircraft will help CBPcarry out the President’s EOs on border security, and enhance the physical security of our Northern, Southern, and maritime borders by providing improvedair surveillance and support capabilities to USBP and our law enforcement partners. The FY 2018 Budget includes $18.1 million to fund the transition to AMO’s new national maintenance contracts and improve the availability ofcritical aircraft systems and engines and flight hour increases associated with operation of new and upgraded aircraft. This includes $4.2 million to transition fromthe current national maintenance contract to a follow-on contract; $7.1 million to address safety, parts, and labor shortfalls; $5 million to increase maintenance forcertain critical aircraft systems and engines; and $1.8 million for the operational tempo increases associated with newly delivered MediumLift Helicopter and Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft. The FY 2018 Budget also proposes an increase of $2.5 million for the Small UnmannedAircraft Systems (SUAS) program. USBP requires a SUAS capability that can surveil locations between the POEs in remote, isolated, and inaccessible portions of the Nation’s borders based onrisk- 10 DHS-17-0305-A-001123 based operational needs. The SUAS needs to provide ground reconnaissance, surveillance and tracking capabilities to support the USBP surveillance tasks of predicting, detecting, tracking, identifying and classifying suspected items ofinterest. The ability to persistently and discreetly surveil remote areasalong portions of the border is critical to USBP’s ability to secure the border. Additionally, the FY 2018 Budget provides supportfor the Tethered Aerostat Radar System program. The $41.2 million requested will provide for the annual system operations, system upkeep, maintenance and supply of government personnel, and real property needs such assite andfacility leases and expenses, for the full program. This funding will sustain the steady-state operations ofthe system while also retiring major threats from technical and programrisks to system operations and health stemming from aging technology, diminishing manufacturing sources, and emerging regulatory requirements. Asphysical barriers are erected, the various threats will inevitably adapt. Thus, the FY 2018 Budgetalso includes $8.9 million for the Cross Border Tunnel Threat (CBTT) program. The CBTTprogram will strengthen border security effectiveness between POEs by diminishing the ability of TCOs to gain access into the United States through cross-border tunnels andthe illicit use of underground municipal infrastructure. The CBTT program will acquire technologies and services that will close capability gaps, reducing the ability of TCOs to smuggle drugs, money, and people across the border. The CBTT program will invest in system procurement, including testing and evaluation, IT security, and engineering change proposals. These systems will help CBP predict potential tunnel locations; detect the presence ofsuspected tunnels and tunneling activities as well as project the trajectory of a discovered tunnel; confirm a tunnel’s existence and location through mapping and measurements; andfacilitate secure information sharing across all stakeholders. Mission Support The FY 2018 Budget funds an increase of $100 million to begin hiring the 5,000 additional BPAs mandated by EO 13767 and supports the hiring of an additional 500 agents from current staffing levels. This initial hiring surge develops the foundation to increase operational control in certain key areas along the border. The Budget also includes an increase of $17.5 million to support efforts to continue and expand process improvements and add capacity to frontline hiring by focusing on efforts to attract qualified candidates and expedite their progress through the CBP hiring process. These improvements include $2.2 million for recruiting and marketing strategies, $8.0 million for our Hiring Transformation / Hubs program, and $7.3 million for additional applicant processing. This funding supports the hiring activities that meet the objectives and intent ofthe EOs on border security, andis based on a multiyear hiring plan. In pursuit of our hiring goals, CBP recruiters will participate in thousandsof recruiting events, seeking to reach a diverse spectrumof applicants. We have developeda significant expertise identifying events and communications strategies that support implementation of our recruitment and marketing strategy. Recruitment at events for veterans andtransitioning military personnel is a top priority. CBP will further refine data analysis techniques to identify and quantify the best 11 DHS-17-0305-A-001124 opportunities for recruitment success, and continue to leverage online hiring services as a low-cost means ofidentifying and reaching a wider pool of qualified applicants. CBP’s newfrontline hiring process hasled to significant reductions in the average time-to-hirefrom 469 days in January 2016 to March 2017’s average time-to-hire of fewer than 300 days. Indeed, many successful applicants are nowable to move throughthe hiring process in approximately 160 days. Funding will provide the increase in contract services, and technology needed to continue this transformational effort and expand the newprocess across the entire frontline position applicant pool. As of April 2017 HRM is nowprocessing all applicants through an expedited hiring model. We have madesignificant progress in reducing thetime to hire. CBP is also actively working to minimize attrition and fill positions in less desirable locations. The FY 2018 Budget includes $30 million to support operational mobility, developmental assignments, and leadership relocations. Implementing a stable relocation program for the CBP workforce will help meet operational requirements and help to alleviate the lack of mobility significantly contributing to increasedattrition across the workforce. CBPis thankful for the continued dedication of Members of Congress to working collaboratively with CBP to come up with solutions to this complicated challenge. Congress has directed the Department to evaluate ways to improve the statutorily required polygraph program to improve the efficiency of the hiring process. Per the Congressional directive from the Explanatory Statement accompanying the FY 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act concerning the alternative polygraph trial, CBP hasalso established a sixmonth pilot programthat will allow the agency to establish a sample ofapplicant testing that can be measured against comparable data points from the previous test. This pilot was developed in collaboration with the National Center for Credibility Assessment which governs all federal polygraph programs. Before making any determination to either continue with the piloted test or return to the previous test, CBP will carefully evaluate these metrics and measures to ensure CBP maintains its high standard ofintegrity for future applicants, and report to Congress perthe directive. While the exam is a change in format, it retains all of the critical test topics of the previous exam and maintains CBP’s commitment to high integrity standards for its personnel. CBP and the Department support the “Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act of 2017,” which was ordered reported as S. 595 by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on May 17, 2017, and reported as H.R. 2213 by the House Homeland Security Committee on May 16, 2017. We thank the Members of Congress for your continued support as weseek to hire the men and women whowill fulfill CBP’s complex and crucial mission in the months and years to come. Legislative Proposals Finally, the FY 2018 Budget highlights some ofthe legislative priorities we hope to achieve with the help of Congress. For example, the Administration will submit legislative language to the relevant authorizing committees to enact the proposal to eliminate Brand USAand redirect the $10 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) surcharges to CBP for passenger processing expenses. CBPhas also submitted a legislative proposal to create an $8 Electronic Visa Update 12 DHS-17-0305-A-001125 System (EVUS) user fee based ona fee analysis that would function similarly to the ESTA operational processing fee. Once the authorizing proposalis enacted, CBP will no longer require appropriated funding to support the EVUS program. CBPwill also providea legislative proposal to decreasethe shortfall between the costs of CBP’s immigration inspection activities and the collections received. Per the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), passenger inspection fee collections fund customs inspection activities that are mandated by law. The fee levels set in current law do not fully cover CBP’s costs. CBP’s fundingstrategies also include seeking Congressional support for a legislative proposal to increase current Immigration Inspection User Fees to recover more ofthe costs associated with providing immigration inspection services. Conclusion Tn closing, the challenges facing CBP and our Nation are considerable, but we have outstanding men and women working at CBP who are committed to protecting our Homeland andthe American people. The FY 2018 President’s Budget recognizes the serious and evolving threats and dangers our Nation faces each day. With the support of Congress, CBP continues to secure our Nation’s borders, and promoteinternational commerce and tourism, through a multi-layered approachusing a variety oftools. Wewant to thank the Membersof this Subcommittee for your continued strong support of CBP. Thank youfor the opportunity to appear before you today. We look forward to your questions. 13 DHS-17-0305-A-001126