DHS News
The Daily Signal covers Department of Homeland Security (DHS) news with reporting, analysis, and commentary on immigration, security, and policy decisions.
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news
Homeland Security Chief Tells Congress the Border Crisis Is ‘Unlike Anything We’ve Seen’
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan appeared before a Senate committee Tuesday and reiterated his requests for Congress to help fix the border crisis. “It’s been over 18 months since the administration asked for the legislative fixes that would’ve prevented the current crisis, and 40 days since we asked for the emergency funding necessary to… -
news
What to Know About Kevin McAleenan, Trump’s Acting Homeland Security Chief
Kevin McAleenan wasn’t a political aide in his rise through government, where he served in senior border security positions under both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump’s promotion of the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to serve as acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security likely will… -
news
Kirstjen Nielsen Says DHS Will Continue to Enforce the Law Despite Democrats’ Opposition
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said her agency will continue to enforce immigration laws, despite facing heavy opposition from congressional Democrats. “Well, two things. One, I would say we’re a law enforcement agency. So we enforce the law,” Nielsen said Thursday on “Fox & Friends.” “You know, I said it before, but I… -
news
On Hill, Homeland Security Officials Describe Emergency at the Border
Changing immigration laws could reduce the inflow of illegal border crossers by almost two-thirds, a top border security official testified Wednesday at a Senate hearing. Kevin McAleenan, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the Border Patrol should be able to detain families as a unit, which is prohibited… -
opinion
3 Poison Pills in the Homeland Security Funding Bill
A series of amendments to an appropriations bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, adopted in the bill’s markup last week, would devastate the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. While much of the bill has good or noncontroversial policies, there are three specific problem areas that would be exacerbated by the amendments approved by the… -
news
Decapitated Animal Left on Front Porch of DHS Official’s Home
The Department of Homeland Security is warning employees of a “sharp increase in the overall number of general threats” against them after a senior DHS official found a headless animal carcass left on his front porch, said an official with knowledge of the incident. DHS acting Deputy Secretary Claire Grady issued the warning in a… -
opinion
Problematic Women: DHS Secretary Bullied Out of DC Restaurant
Melania Trump makes a surprise visit to a migrant detention center in Texas to meet with children who were separated from their families, Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle faces vicious attacks, The New York Times publishes fakes news about Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s daughter, and the pope calls abortion the “white glove” equivalent… -
opinion
Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen Shows That She Truly Understands Border Security
Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen schooled senators with her strong grasp of immigration enforcement and border security issues. Before what would become a heated exchange over her opposition to illegal immigration—because, you know, it’s the law—Nielsen in her opening statement explained what should be obvious to all:… -
opinion
An Opportunity for Real Reform at DHS
There’s new potential for reform at the Department of Homeland Security. On Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed its version of a Department of Homeland Security reauthorization bill that was passed by the House last year. This could be the first time DHS will be reauthorized since its creation—and it also… -
opinion
Homeland Security Oversight Is a Mess. Here’s What Should Change.
Since its founding in 2002, the Department of Homeland Security has never been reauthorized, which has allowed various problems to fester. Last July, the House passed a reauthorization bill that addressed many of the problems. But more can be done to address the inefficient and complex congressional oversight structure that continues to plague the department…. -
opinion
Homeland Security Will Soon Have a Tough, Smart Leader at the Helm
Kirstjen M. Nielsen, the nominee to be the next secretary of homeland security, was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday. In her earlier confirmation hearing, Nielsen proved to the committee and the broader public what many already know—that she is well-prepared to take on the hard task before her. Neilsen adeptly handled topics ranging from the opioid crisis… -
opinion
Senate Must Act on Long-Overdue Reforms to Department of Homeland Security
It’s time to reform and reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security, says the department’s acting secretary, Elaine Duke. On that score, she has the support of her predecessor, retired Gen. John Kelly, now the White House chief of staff. In Sept. 27 testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Duke addressed the… -
opinion
Homeland Security Needs a Tougher New Leader. It Looks Like It’ll Get One.
Want a really tough job? Try secretary of homeland security. The Department of Homeland Security comprises a sprawling enterprise touching on many of the federal government’s duties to keep the nation “safe, free, and prosperous.” Homeland security is a 24/7/365 mission. And when done right, there are few tasks more thankless. Every day, Americans get… -
news
Crossing the Border Illegally Is Harder Than It’s Been in 50 Years, DHS Report Says
Improved security has made it harder than ever to illegally cross into the U.S. from Mexico, and Border Patrol agents are catching a higher percentage of those who try, according to a new report from the Department of Homeland Security. The report from the DHS Office of Immigration Statistics used arrest and migrant survey data to arrive… -
news
Homeland Security: Russia Targeted 21 States in 2016, Changed No Votes
Russians hacked or attempted to hack into election systems in 21 states, Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed to a Senate panel Wednesday, but stressed this didn’t affect any election outcomes. “All the way through the Cold War up to our most recent election, in my opinion they have tried to influence all of our… -
opinion
How to Resolve Tangled Relationship Between Congress and Homeland Security
With homeland security being such a national priority, one would expect Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to have a well-organized relationship. Unfortunately, that is not the case. On Wednesday, the House Homeland Security Committee marked up a bill that would reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security for the first time since 2002, when… -
opinion
Top 5 Reasons John Kelly Is Right for Homeland Security
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly gave a speech at George Washington University Tuesday outlining where he will be taking the department. This was the first address from a Cabinet secretary detailing how they plan to roll up their sleeves and make their piece of government work better. It’s not surprising that taking the initiative to… -
news
Trump Picks Retired Marine General as Homeland Security Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security, news organizations reported Wednesday. If nominated and confirmed, Kelly would join a Cabinet that already promises to be well represented by military figures. Trump has announced his selections of retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis for secretary… -
opinion
Homeland Security’s Green Card Follies Are Costing Taxpayers and Leaving America Less Safe
A recent report from the inspector general concluded that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services mishandled thousands of green cards. The Department of Homeland Security has admitted that these green cards are missing and cannot be accounted for. These missing green cards pose a security risk for American citizens. As the inspector general cautioned in his… -
opinion
Top 4 Homeland Security Issues for the Trump Administration
President-elect Donald Trump and his soon-to-be-selected secretary of homeland security will have a full plate when they take over in January. Indeed, there are so many areas for reform and improvement that any efforts to fix the Department of Homeland Security could easily get bogged down. Luckily, The Heritage Foundation has identified four main priorities…