U.S. Government News

Fact Sheet: Visa Waiver Program Expansion

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:27:16 PST

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

DHS Awards $1.8 Billion in Preparedness Grants

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:57:01 PST

The Department of Homeland Security announced approximately $1.8 billion in grants to bolster state, urban area and tribal government efforts to improve the nation’s readiness, response and recovery capabilities for both natural and man-made emergencies.

Homeland Security on Passport Card Production

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:33:15 PST

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that the new U.S. Passport Card is in full production and is now being distributed. The Passport Card is a convenient, wallet-sized document for land and sea travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international travel by air.

El Paso used-car dealer sentenced to 27 months sentenced to 27 months in prison for Illegally Depositing Cash

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:41:05 PST

ICE, IRS investigation revealed businessman structured more than $740,000 in cash deposits

Border Patrol Agent Seize Half Ton of Marijuana During Past Week

Mon, 19 May 2008 06:58:26 PST

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector seized nearly 1,000 pounds of marijuana, in five separate incidents, over the past week.

Government Jobs: Border Patrol Virtual Job Fair Opens New Frontier for CBP Applicants

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:59:25 PST

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the largest uniformed law enforcement agency in the country, has launched a "Virtual Job Fair" to fill 2,200 mission support and operational support positions ranging from entry-level to mid-career jobs located throughout the U.S.

Update: Biometric Changes For Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:42:51 PST

WASHINGTON –U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued revised instructions for USCIS Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The instructions include changes, which will become effective March 5, 2008, that require applicants for re-entry permits and refugee travel documents to provide biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and photographs) at a USCIS Application Support Centers (ASC) for background and security checks and requirements for secure travel and entry documents containing biometric identifiers.

DHS Signs VISA Waiver Program Agreements with Estonia and Latvia

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:42:40 PST

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff signed today Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Estonian Minister of Internal Affairs Juri Pihl in Tallinn, Estonia, and with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins in Riga, Latvia. The agreements outline security enhancements that put both countries on the path toward visa-free travel to the U.S., and possible designation as VWP members later this year.

Backpackers Smuggling Dope: Border Patrol Agents Apprehend Backpackers

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:45:33 PST

Ground agents responded to the discovery and found six marijuana bundles in the backpacks; they took custody of the subjects and narcotics.

2008 Homeland Security Science & Technology Conference West: First Responders Attend Free

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:36:14 PST

The California Office of Homeland Security is pleased to announce the 2008 Homeland Security Science & Technology Conference West, "Putting First Responders First," presented by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), is providing free admission to all uniformed and credentialed first responders. The conference is hosted by the State of California Governor's Office of Homeland Security with key participation by the US Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate on January 14-17, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Counterfeit Microsft Computer Products Snabbed

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:57:32 PST

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Savannah Port of Entry have seized over $100,000 in computer keyboards with counterfeit Microsoft "flag" logos.

Singapore to Scan U.S.-Bound Cargo as Part of Secure Freight Initiative

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:53:04 PST

The United States and Singapore today arranged to cooperate on the Secure Freight Initiative, a joint effort of the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration and the U.S. Department of State aimed at keeping radioactive weapons out of U.S.-bound cargo

Cyber Alert: RealNetworks RealPlayer ActiveX Playlist Vulnerability

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:36:16 PST

RealNetworks RealPlayer for Microsoft Windows contains a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to take control of your computer when you visit a malicious web site.

Cyber Alert: Adobe Updates for Microsoft Windows Vulnerability

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:34:16 PST

Microsoft Windows XP and Server 2003 systems with Internet Explorer 7 contain a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to take control of your computer by convincing you to open a malicious PDF document. Public reports indicate that this vulnerability is being actively exploited.

Homeland Security Nonprofit Grant Opportunity

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:40:07 PST

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the fiscal year (FY) 2007 Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) awards. These awards, required by Congress, total more than $24 million and support target hardening and security screening activities in select non-profit organizations that are deemed at high-risk of a potential terrorist attack.

Nearly 1 Billion in Grants for First Responder Communications to Be Announced Today

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 06:38:09 PST

The PSIC Grant Program will assist public safety agencies in the acquisition, deployment, and training of interoperable communications systems to enhance interoperable communications of voice, data, and or video signals. Commerce will award grants by September 30, 2007, as required by the Call Home Act of 2006.

Grant Notice:FY 2007 Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 06:31:35 PST

The Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP) is a capabilities-based program that is structured to build and sustain State and local capacity in preparedness activities.

NSA and DHS Announce the 2007 Designation of the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 06:32:08 PST

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security(DHS) jointly announce the designation of the following universities as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Educationfor academic years 2007 through 2012.

Passport Update: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 19:35:12 PST

The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June 8, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007.

CBP Launches Third Northern Border Air Branch

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 20:34:00 PST

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched the Great Falls Air Branch today at Great Falls International Airport. As part of a northern border security strategy, this is the third of five planned facilities to augment CBP's northern border security capabilities with air and marine law enforcement, surveillance and airspace security authorities.