Defense

Homeland Security avoids subpoena by turning over documents

Congressional aides said the department turned over more than 300 documents, including a list of career civil servants who will manage the presidential transition.

Defense

ICE chief urges lawmakers to tour detention facilities

Julie Myers on Friday defended how her agency treats illegal immigrants being held in facilities across the country.

Defense

FEMA under fire for slow progress on new alert system

A 2006 executive order gave Homeland Security the responsibility to develop nationwide digital disaster alerts.

Defense

Senators decry lack of cooperation in analyzing threats

But members of the Senate Intelligence Committee also indicated that Michael Leiter would easily win confirmation as counterterrorism chief.

News

Debate rages over scanning mandate for incoming cargo

Homeland Security officials are examining the cost and feasibility of meeting a 100 percent scanning requirement at six foreign ports.

Defense

DHS official: Airlines best suited to run fingerprint program

Industry argues that taking fingerprints of foreigners is an inherently governmental function.

Defense

DHS moves to ramp up cybersecurity in federal agencies

Homeland Security will deploy 50 new intrusion detection systems across government.

Oversight

Democrats threaten to subpoena DHS transition plans

House committee is giving the department until May 23 to produce documents, but law does not require DHS to submit plans to Congress.

Defense

TSA chief allows air marshals to speak with lawmakers

Former marshals recently alleged publicly that less than 1 percent of commercial flights are being protected.

Defense

TSA may begin air passenger background checks in 2009

Agency will review each airline passenger against the government's no-fly list.

Defense

DHS chief defends satellite office, denies any spying role

A committee aide said Democrats are not ruling out drafting legislation to address their concerns over the National Applications Office.

Defense

Panel questions DHS chief's groundwork for border fence

House appropriators did not mention withholding funds from the department, despite skepticism over security efforts.

Defense

Lawmakers say ICE official sought to mask Halloween incident

Democrats question motives of Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief who allegedly ordered photos of an employee in a racially insensitive costume to be destroyed.

Defense

Committee Republicans blast inaction on DHS authorization bill

Annual authorization legislation helps lawmakers direct sprawling department, which has grown in size and budget every year since it was created in 2003.

Defense

Committee members seek info on Homeland Security use of satellites

Lawmakers tell DHS they will prevent the new National Applications Office from opening until their concerns are addressed.

Defense

Senators praise, criticize FEMA's progress since Katrina

IG report finds agency has made progress in eight of nine categories.

Defense

Homeland Security pushes for reauthorization of electronic verification program

Voluntary federal program allows employers to check the legal status of new workers and is viewed by the administration as critical to immigration overhaul.

Defense

Inspector general notes moderate progress at FEMA

IG says agency has made improvements, but not "substantial" ones, in eight of nine of the most important preparedness areas.

Defense

Citizenship applications backlog may deny voting eligibility

DHS chief said applications have spiked more than 100 percent from previous years.

News

Homeland Security bypasses Maine in granting Real ID extensions

Without waiver, state's residents will be unable to use their driver's licenses to board airplanes or enter federal buildings.