Department+of+Homeland+Security

__Current Leaders__ Secretary: Janet Napolitano Deputy Secretary: Jane Holl Lute __Mission Statement:__ The purpose of the Homeland Security Department is to lead a unified effort to secure the country and preserver our freedoms. The department is designed to protect the country against those who try to disrupt the American way of life as well as to respond to disasters and hazards. __Goals of the Department:__ 1.) "Protect the nation from dangerous people" 2.) "Protect the nation from dangerous goods" 3.) "Protect critical infrastructure" 4.) "Strengthen the nation's preparedness and emergency response capabilties" 5.) "Strengthen and unify the department's operations and management" __Agencies and Bureaus under the Homeland Security Department__ __Budget__ The 2009 budget of the department will go towards several things: 1.) "Increasing the department's capabilities" 2.) "Strenghtening border security, interior enforcement, and immigartion services" 3.) "Enhancing the security of the Nation's transportation system" 4.) "Reinforcing maritime safety and security" 5.) "Fortifying cyber security across the Federal Government" 6.) "Improving BioWatch capabilities" 7.) "Expanding the FEMA's operational capacity" __
 * Directorate for National Protection and Programs:** works on advancing the Department's risk-reduction mission
 * Directorate for Science and Technology:** does majority of research and development for the department
 * Directorate for Management:** tracks the department's budget and performance
 * Office of Policy:** works on long-range planning and policies for the country
 * Office of Health Affairs:** plans medical activities in response to significant events
 * Office of Intelligence and Analysis:** uses information to assess current and future threats to the country
 * Office of Operations Coordination:** monitors security of the nation on a daily basis
 * Federal Law Enforcement Training Center:** provides training to law enforcement professionals across the country
 * Domestic Nuclear Detection Office:** works to enhance nuclear detection efforts and responses to those threats
 * Transportation Security Administration:** protects the country's transportation systems
 * U.S. Customs and Border Protection:** protects the nation's borders from terrorists or weapons from entering the country
 * U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:** works on administration of immigration functions
 * U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement:** identifies vulnerabilities in nation's border, economic, transportation, or infrastructure security
 * U.S. Coast Guard:** protects public, environment, and U.S. economic interests within nation's borders
 * Federal Emergency Management Agency:** prepares the country for hazards and manages Federal response and recovery to those hazards
 * U.S. Secret Service:** protects the President and other high-level officials

Immigration__ - Jacey **Statement on Obama’s Intent to nominate Alejandro Mayorkas as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director** by the Office of the Press Secretary Published on April 30, 2009 This article states that President Obama plans to appoint Alejandro Mayorkas as the new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director. He was previously the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and also a partner at O’Melveny and Myers. At that job, he was named one of the “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America. The Deputy Secretary is proud to have him join the Department because he has extensive knowledge on many topics, including law enforcement, civil rights, computer crime, and international money laundering.

Published by Republic Washington Bureau on January 16, 2009 This article discusses Napolitano’s intent to attack the immigration problem head-on. She wants to deal with what is drawing people across the border, rather than just trying to stop them from crossing into the country illegally. She believes this reason to be jobs, so she wishes to pass legislation that will deal with employers who hire illegal immigrants more harshly. Napolitano also wants to puts fences in certain areas along the Southern border and use new technology to track human movement. The Deputy Secretary strongly believes that the entire department needs to re-think their programs to see what is working and what isn’t being productive, so that they can deal with the problems. Many other officials were supportive of her ideas and optimistic about her ability to make a difference.
 * Napolitano Outlines Immigration Policy** by John Yaukey

Published by Roll Call on January 9, 2009
 * Reform is Coming on Immigration, but Problems Remain** by Mort Kondracke

In this article, the author argues that not enough efforts were made during Bush’s presidency to help the immigration problem. Kondracke says that Bush and his Homeland Security Secretary both acknowledged that they attempted to attack the wrong issue when they tried to solve social security, rather than fixing immigration laws. The author feels that Obama and Napolitano need to decide whether allowing employers to use e-verify to check their employees’ immigration status will be mandatory or only voluntary, as it currently is. Many officials are uncertain of what a reform package should contain. Some reformists want new legislation to contain a way for immigrants to become citizens as long as they pay a fine and their records are clean. Others feel that the U.S. should allow workers to immigrate if they are going to do agricultural work and let them earn their green cards over a certain time period. In closing, the author states that he feels Obama will need courage and political skill in order to do what needed to be done a long time ago.

__Swine Flu__ - Dan

Published by Office of the Press Secretary on April 28, 2009 This article talks about the latest news of the Swine Flu Virus(H1N1 Virus). Government is making a task force to help deal with the virus. The president is asking for $1.5 billion to support the virus response. There are 50 million treatment courses of antiviral drugs to help deal with the sickness. These drugs are going to the states that people have been reported effected by the sickness. These drugs currently have been sent to Arizona, California, Indiana, New York, and Texas. The government recommends not to travel to Mexico unless absolutely necessary. Our boarder patrols are tightening up. They are looking for people who are displaying flu-like symptoms, and will isolate them and further evaluate them. Handouts with information about the illness are being handed out in airports to people to further spread the word about the sickness.
 * Secretary Napolitano at the Media Briefing on Swine Flu Outbreak** by Office of the Press Secretary

I believe the governments responses to the illness are very well planned and are very effected. The anti-viral drugs only need to be sent to the places where people are effected and sick. Also the Swine Flu handouts in the airports are good. This will help people fully understand what the sickness is and how to help prevent it. This will help people be safe and hopefully the disease will not spread anymore. I believe that the boarder patrol is doing a good job with examining people and should not completely close the boarders until the disease gets out of control. This will help prevent a scare amongst the people of the United States.
 * Recommendation**

Published by The New York Times on April 26, 2009 This article talks about how the Swine Flu could be a global epidemic. Some countries imposed a ban on travel to and from Mexico; however, Janet Napolitano calls this a "declaration of preparedness." She parallels the illness to a hurricane, we as a nation are getting prepared for the worst but it may not be as bad as we are preparing for. The government also says that the cases here are mild and the public should not panic. The emergency declaration allows the government to spend money on anti-viral vaccinations, and other things to get the public prepared aware of the illness. the government advises the public not to get too worked up about the illness but to make sure to wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home if you feel ill, and to be cautious of traveling to Mexico.
 * U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency Over Swine Flu** by Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Published by MSNBC on May 4, 2009 This article talks about Swine Flu as a worldwide pandemic. The government says that even though cases are mild in the United States, we should not let our guard down, because it is just the beginning. In the US,there are 1,550 probable and confirmed cases which includes 2 deaths. Health officials say that we are in a good position to make a vaccination if the cases become more abundant and severe. Health officials also say that symptoms to the Swine Flu are similar to the symptoms of the seasonal flu. If you feel sick, you are urged to stay home from school or work, because the virus can be shed the virus in 24 hours before the symptoms start to occur. They also advise you to seek a physician if you think you may have the illness.
 * Cautious Approach Urged on Flu in U.S.** by msnbc,com staff and news service report