I had time yesterday to take a few notes during a meeting DHS Sec. Chertoff had with the Congressional Homeland Security Committee meeting. There are many little 'nuggets' of information here, and yes, you'll have to dig through a little carefully as my transcription leaves a lot to be desired I'm afraid. I reserve the right to come back and edit to clean up as time allows... HTH

The meeting was held on 2/13/08 and televised yesterday on CSpan2.

(.... already in progress...)



Chertoff on DHS budget (FY2009) -


Accomplishments:

294 miles fencing

15,600 BP agents (later, up to 18,000)

End of catch-and-release

Positive results - apprenhensions down 20%
Remittances down
Cost of smuggling gone up

Have a long way to go to live up to the commitment to secure border.

Additional funds for FY2009, to 20000 BP agents.

$775 million for tech dev. for border


Interior Enforcement - Request for 1.7 billion for FY2009
(Total of $3.0 bil for all int. enforcement)

Worksite, Gang, Jails,

862 arrests

E-Verify system uses databases queried against DHS/SSA sytem

Congress should re-authorize program (runs out end of 200



Protecting nation from dangerous goods

Scanning of containers at ports (91% N Border, 100% by end of year)

Security bill (cargo checking at overseas ports)

Countries to implement remote inspection/scanning program:
Pakistan, Honduras, Britain


Domestic Detection Office

Deployment of radiation monitors
Exercises to deal with domestic bombing, other events
IED Research
VIPER Teams (Mass transit protection)
83 mil increase (to 283 mil) cyber security initiative



US Visit-Tracking and monitoring of visa entrants at ports
of entry

Important, needs to be implemented by end of year

"There will be pushback by industry, but it must go ahead anyway..."



By Thompson (D-MS)

Preservation of civil liberties during time of terror

Use of spy satellite for domestic monitoring (NAO)

Chertoff - meeting with Thompson, King -

We're not expanding program, focusing it more specifically
Nothing we are creating will be used to avoid US civil rights laws.

NAO - No use of verbal or written communications.
Stringent regs applied ; more transparent and documented
Privacy impact assessment - to be done.


by King (R-NY; Ranking Chairman ) -

Now 294 miles of ped/vehicle barriers built; have $ to get 670 done - barriers from Pacific to Texas/NM; Do have $ to build

Chertoff-Rep. Cuellar helped agreement w/Hidalgo Co TX for levee building/fence building

FY2009 budget

A lot of litigation involved. Some people uncooperative,
property rights, national security - effects felt throughout country.


by Smith (Lamar, R-TX) -

Asking about Double-fencing vs. Single fencing - how many miles specifically.

Chertoff: I don't know exactly, depends on BP input.

Cites examine of wire to be used to injure indiv. BP agent

"I hope we'll build as much fencing as is required"..


By King - (R-NY)

Surveillance, FISA, interception of Int'l Communications


By Harman - (D-CA)

1. Want to associate myself with comments of King, this is the committee that should have most of the jurisdiction...

Congressional overisight must be streamlined.

2. FISA - not expiring, problematic admendments should be avoided

3. Radiological threats - Continue to work on this...

My question is really about border - and border protection
Other priorities funded less to do so..

a). What about northern border? (cites Ahmed Rassam [LAX 2000 terror plotter])

b). What about borders of east and west? (specifically ports)?
Layered port security needed, but that has been cut in half?

Why not more focus on north border?


Chertoff -

Traffic on north border is far less.

We have, though, is to better staff inspectors movement, and increased documentation requirements (with much industry protest).

Ports - agree, more money being allocated to port security.

There are many good things we could do -


by Davis (R-TN) -

Asks about 287(g) program;

-Chertoff - seeking more money for upcoming FY; have a backlog of orgs asking for training. Has been very effective.

My district is being told enough resources are not available,
78mil -> 92 mil new FY.

Asks about RealID -

-Chertoff - Adjusting requirements, reducting costs, changing card stock, adjusting age limits (synch w/state practices)
Largely removed cost objections by states.

Over 40 states have shown an interest to participate.
Confident we'll get the majority on board by End of March.

Ideological problems - I don't understand this.
If states don't comply, their IDs would become invalid for Fed purposes.

-Davis - chemical manufacturer in my area, how are you going to handle this?

-Chertoff - prioritization based on various factors: material, location, size, inspection, etc.

-Davis - Building a fence IS important to people of NE TN.
Some method must be implemented to stop illegal movement of people across borders into the country.



By Sanchez (Loretta, D-CA) -

Dept will be 5 yrs old, how is new agency doing overall?
How is corporate culture, merging of agencies, etc?

-Chertoff - Asked before, now, it is much improved.
J3J5 - Planning and Ops, visibility; increased career options/paths, promote 'jointness' - borrowed from DoD.

2 big obstacles now:

1. Facilities improvement very important for FY2009

2. Stop reoganizing structure - need stability for a few years



by Rogers (R-AL) -

Letter sent earlier - his response re: preparedness
Chertoff letter said he supported Bush's numbers to do the job (was an effective actual decrease in total for FY).


Talking about agriculture -

Office of food/agr.; funding is same as last FY. (only 5 FTEs in his district)
Office needs increase in order to adequately address threats to food safety issues.

-Chertoff - This is a new office, rely a lot on USDA for support. Operationally we focus on CBP activities.

We have a lot of tough choices, even though budget has grown for security efforts, there still are limits and other agencies can be tapped for more support.

-Rogers - have seen turf battles between USDA/DHS.

Have an interest in K9s. Especially for IED detection.
We still purchase most of our dogs from overseas. Do we have any focus on developing these here domestically?

Too important to rely on foreign sources.

Chertoff - Dogs are a fantastic resource, We'll look toward DoD as they have much experience


By Lofgren (D-CA)

I first heard reports about Pedro Guzman was caught by BP crossing the border and deported even though he was an American.

What safeguards do we have for avoiding such problems in the future?

We are going to have a hearding on this in the subcommittee - I'm concerned about training efforts in ICE, GAO office issued a report that ICE agents didn't know the law, there was not systematic way for agents to know the law...?


-Chertoff - legal training is extensive for our BP agents.
I don't know specifics of case, but I will follow up.

-Lofgren - Another question about ICE- rapid expansion of detention beds, what effort is being made for medical care - especially for many months - where some people in custody needing care died... ? Policy re: medical authorization from other agency/other source - has this been fixed yet?

-Chertoff - I don't have exact details of our medical protocols with me. Would you like specific details of our capabilities?

-Lofgren - Yes,


by Reichert (R-WA) -

Question about how many committees do you report to? (8
etc.

I'm interested in 2 things, one being interop of communications
in new facility new Canadian border with Olympics taking place in Vancouver in 2010.

-Chertoff - I don't have specifics on that.

-Reichert - Interop, spectrum issues;

-Also, re: Northern border; additonal 440 agents to be assigned,
$ to construct checkpoints, etc.
I know you're concerned about Illegal immigration across norther border, what new things have you considered for north border.

-Chertoff - Most of the total problem exists historically on southern border.

We have a very good relationship with our Canadian counterparts.

Most of what we're doing on the North border is technically-focused due to nature of landscape, flow of people, etc.

-Reichert - Status of SBINet (p2 -
Use of particular technologies at any area of border, depends on specific needs at that location. Additional unmanned aerial vehicle, P28 is a particular technical means


-Chertoff -
'Integrated technical picture' of what is going on near border areas - More than just ground-based radar, other sensors, etc.
Some features would like to change and make better, others to omit, etc. the next stage would be to push the limits and further test.


by Dent (R-PA)

How much of the total miles of border fencing is double-layered fencing.

-Chertoff - I think the total mileage is 31 now. It's use just depends on the specific of the location in question.

-Dent (?) I know the BP is suffering from lack of resources.
I do have a bill to allow DHS to enter into MOUs with civil air patrol to help patrol border.

-Chertoff - It depends, on needs, but don't want to expose civilians to danger. I'll ask BP to look at it.

-Dent - about CBP, policy on incoming aircraft, within 10 min.
to run manifests against DHS databases to check for problem people. Are we there?

-Chertoff - Yes, we are there. Foreign sources want to have some fle

-Dent - Re: advanced data at border, whether by train or by bus;
Is this implemented for both?

-Chertoff - I don't know about train, or how bus-bound people would work. I am a strong supporter for more advanced knowledge, and also have to take seriously responsibility to track and find security problematic persons.


by Langevin (D-RI)

I want to talk about Cyber initiatives, bio-watch, etc.

1. Cites statistics about documented DHS computer intrusion events (600+), own dept received a grade 'D' for it's own computer security.

2. Biowatch - Designed to provide early warning for pathogen release; when will technology be ready operationally?
Newest generation of technology not ready, but needed.

-Chertoff - I don't the exact specifics on Biowatch - I'll get back to you. About Cyber security, we have several initiatives in this area. Large one-time expenditures at Stennis, etc.

Sheer number of entry points off the Internet into Govt domains.
Now, every agency is on it's own; we need an integrated approach.

I would like to follow up with you on cyber security efforts off-line, etc.


by McCaul (R-TX) -

We've talked about the border, the fence and I commend you for your efforts on that.

I want to ask about, Congressman Cuellar and I met in Mexico w/Pres Calderon. and asked him about securing his border.
I think he is sincere, and he gets it.

There is an initiative, that Admin has proposed about what assistance we can provide to his administration to help combat the cartels on his side of the border. I think these are the right policies. I want to get your input.

-Chertoff - I think Pres. Calderon has been outstanding on helping combat these problems. His heart is in the right place,... we are involved in this as is the Mex gov't.

One example of success - a BP agent was killed.
The perp was apprehended within 1 week of perp escaping back into Mexico. We continue to build upon the program.

I want to lend support to this (RITA / NARITA ?) issue..
They have challenges on what is coming up through their southern border. They have problems with cartels.


by Cuellar (D-TX) -

Thank you, blah, blah. I'm glad for your handling of the fence/levee, etc.

The BP people have done a good job, but re: customs...
their staffing seem to be lagging behind somewhat.

I think I asked earlier about how many more we need for customs agents. I was not happy with the content in the response letter.

I just want to know how many agents we need for our souther and northern border...? I have asked this before on many occasions, and I still have yet to get a sufficient / specific answer.

-Chertoff - We have slated increases, specific number is subject to variability because it depends upon other agencies efforts/impact;

-Cuellar - Again, what is best estimate about how many agents and where are they needed? I can't seem to get an answer.

-Chertoff - Inherent cautiousness in providing specific numbers - which can later be turned against agency, to limit budget, etc.

-Cuellar - - by Thompson - Do we have a specific border security plan?

-Chertoff - We do have a plan,

-Thompson - if we have a plan, to be used for planning, then that would enable us as policymakers to be able to help get you the help that you need in terms of budget / funding, etc.

-Chertoff - Is complicated, and general budget concerns always play into such a request.

-Cuellar - Existing request for a border security plan. SUspense date set; please finalize and provide it.


by Jackson-Lee (D-TX) -

Question about Transit Security Grant,

Trucking Industy Security Grant (1/2 of 2008 level),

Concerns about the "TWIC" card - estimates imprecise,

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