Department of homeland security

Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, told lawmakers on Wednesday that he does not believe that the Biden administration’s immigration policies have contributed to a massive surge of immigrants at the southwest border. During a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee, Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner asked Mayorkas whether President Joe Biden’s “policies and rhetoric” have contributed to an influx of migrants at the border. LaTurner asserted that a moratorium that Biden put on certain deportations days into his presidency, his end to construction of the border wall and a change to asylum policies have induced migrants to try to enter the U.S. at the southern border. (RELATED: ‘Oh, It’s A Crisis’: Joe Manchin Criticizes Biden’s Immigration Response) “His border immigration policies and rhetoric undermine, in my opinion, a core American value of American life — the rule of law,” LaTurner said. “Do you think it’s a … [Read more...] about Homeland Security Chief Denies That Biden Policies Are Contributing To Historic Border Surge

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Armed security officers in Philadelphia working under a Homeland Security Department contractor say they’re often given broken or unsafe equipment. Now, U.S. Congressmembers are joining their call for changes. Broken zippers on pants, pockets with holes, ripped jackets and no uniforms designed for women. These are just some of the issues faced by armed security officers employed by federal contractor Triple Canopy. READ MORE: Philadelphia Weather: Sunny, Comfortable Saturday On Tap Before Showers Return To Region On Sunday “The equipment is, faulty equipment that they’ve been given us,” Dewitt Vallery said. Vallery is a security officer with contractor Triple Canopy whose job is to protect federal buildings in Philadelphia, like the Robert Nix Building at 9th and Market Streets in Center City. “Boots were dry-rotted from the day we got them. The first day I got my boots, I went to work and before I got home, the boots had already split on the side,” … [Read more...] about Armed Security Officers Working Under Homeland Security Contractor Say They’ve Been Given Broken, Unsafe Equipment

close Video Trump administration dismantled ‘safe’ border policies, Biden rebuilding process: DHS chief Mayorkas Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tells ‘Fox News Sunday’ the Biden administration is encouraging families not to send their migrant children along ‘dangerous’ border. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has fired almost all members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) -- the latest sign by the agency of its intention to move away from the practices of the prior administration. Mayorkas, in a letter sent Friday and obtained by Politico , told the committee that he is ending the terms of the 32 current members, and intends to "reconstitute" the council once a "new model" has been developed. MAYORKAS BLAMES MIGRANT SURGE ON TRUMP ADMIN, NOT BIDEN POLICIES HSAC was set up for members, who are unpaid, to use their experience and expertise of Homeland Security issues like counterterrorism and … [Read more...] about Mayorkas fires almost all members of Homeland Security Advisory Council

HARRISBURG (KDKA) – PennDOT, along with the Department of Homeland Security, has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021. While REAL ID is not required in Pennsylvania, it will be an acceptable form of federal ID to fly on a plane. It can be used in place of a passport, passport card, or military ID. “We are very pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has listened to our concerns, as well as the concerns from our fellow states regarding the need for a postponement on REAL ID enforcement in the midst of this national emergency,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Yassmin Gramian. More information regarding document requirements can be found on PennDOT’s website . … [Read more...] about Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Pushed Back To October 2021

Suspected Russian hackers gained access to thousands of State Department emails last year, sources told Politico on Tuesday . According to Politico, the hackers obtained emails from the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, but did not access the classified network. This is the second known breach of the State Department's email server backed by the Kremlin in less than a decade, Politico notes. ADVERTISEMENT "The Department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to ensure information is protected," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. "For security reasons, we are not in a position to discuss the nature or scope of any alleged cybersecurity incidents at this time." Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, told Politico that the White House would not comment on specific departments, … [Read more...] about Russia suspected of massive State Department email hack: report