Archive
Chart — United States Border Patrol — Total Illegal Alien Apprehensions By Fiscal Year (Oct. 1st through Sept. 30th)
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Chart
New From the GAO
New From the GAO
Source: Government Accountability Office
Reports
1. Transportation Worker Identification Credential: Card Reader Pilot Results Are Unreliable; Security Benefits Need to be Reassessed. GAO-13-198, May 8.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-198
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654432.pdf
2. Internal Revenue Service: Preliminary Observations on the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request. GAO-13-599R, May 3.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-599R
Testimonies
1. Social Security Administration: Preliminary Observations on the Death Master File, by Daniel Bertoni, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. GAO-13-574T, May 8.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-574T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654412.pdf
2. Homeland Security: DHS and TSA Continue to Face Challenges Developing and Acquiring Screening Technologies, by Stephen M. Lord, director, forensic audits and investigative services, before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-13-469T, May 8.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-469T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654420.pdf
3. Department of Energy: Observations on Project and Program Cost Estimating in NNSA and the Office of Environmental Management, by David Trimble, director, natural resources and environment, before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Senate Committee on Armed Services. GAO-13-510T, May 8. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-510T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654424.pdf
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports and Testimonies
Source: Government Accountability Office
Reports
1. Offshore Tax Evasion: IRS Has Collected Billions of Dollars, but May be Missing Continued Evasion. GAO-13-318, March 27.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-318
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653370.pdf
2. VA and IHS: Further Action Needed to Collaborate on Providing Health Care to Native American Veterans. GAO-13-354, April 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-354
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654224.pdf
3. Missile Defense: Opportunity to Refocus on Strengthening Acquisition Management. GAO-13-432, April 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-432
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654234.pdf
Testimonies
1. Department of Homeland Security: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Efficiency and Effectiveness, Achieve Cost Savings, and Improve Management Functions, by Cathleen A. Berrick, managing director, homeland security and justice, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency, House Committee on Homeland Security. GAO-13-547T, April 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-547T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654210.pdf
2. Social Security Administration: Preliminary Observations on Key Management Challenges, by Daniel Bertoni, director, education, workforce, and income security issues, before the Subcommittee on Social Security, House Committee on Ways and Means. GAO-13-545T, April 26.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-545T
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654214.pdf
New From the GAO
New GAO Report
Source: Government Accountability Office
1. FEMA Reservists: Training Could Benefit from Examination of Practices at Other Agencies. GAO-13-250R, March 22.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-250R
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES
Some Consumer Fees Have Increased
GAO-13-266, Apr 11, 2013
COMMERCIAL SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL
Observations on the Key Attributes and Challenges of Storage and Disposal Options
GAO-13-532T, Apr 11, 2013
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
GAO-13-272, Apr 11, 2013
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM FISCAL OUTLOOK
Spring 2013 Update
GAO-13-481SP, Apr 11, 2013
COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS
Outcome-Based Measures Would Assist DHS in Assessing Effectiveness of Cybersecurity Efforts
GAO-13-275, Apr 3, 2013
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Additional Actions Needed to Enhance Program Efficiency and Resource Management
GAO-13-505T, Apr 10, 2013
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
GAO-13-243, Mar 11, 2013
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
Governmentwide Strategy Needed to Better Manage Overlapping Programs
GAO-13-529T, Apr 10, 2013
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
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BORDER SECURITY
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CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
GAO-13-353
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MANAGEMENT REPORT
Improvements Needed in SEC’s Internal Controls and Accounting Procedures
GAO-13-274R
CRS — Analysis of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013
Analysis of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (PDF)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists)
Hurricane Sandy caused extensive human suffering and damage to public and private property. In response to this catastrophic event, Congress considered legislation to provide supplemental appropriations to federal disaster assistance programs. In addition, Congress considered revisions to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act, P.L. 93- 288 as amended), which is the primary source of authorities for disaster assistance programs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a result, Congress passed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, which was included as Division B of the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-2). Division A of P.L. 113-2 provided a $50.7 billion package of disaster assistance largely focused on responding to Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, Congress increased the National Flood Insurance Program’s borrowing authority by $9.7 billion (from $20.725 billion to $30.425 billion) (P.L. 113-1). Both of these supplemental relief law are discussed separately in CRS Report R42869, FY2013 Supplemental Funding for Disaster Relief.
This report analyzes the provisions of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013. In general, these provisions amend the Stafford Act with a stated goal of improving the efficiency and quality of disaster assistance provided by FEMA.
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
2020 Census
Local Administrative Records and Their Use in the Challenge Program and Decennial
GAO-13-269, Feb 21, 2013
Critical Infrastructure Protection
DHS List of Priority Assets Needs to Be Validated and Reported to Congress
GAO-13-296, Mar 25, 2013
High-Containment Laboratories
Assessment of the Nation’s Need Is Missing
GAO-13-466R, Feb 25, 2013
Worker and Family Assistance
Summary of Proposals to Address Income Eligibility Requirement for Federal Foster Care Reimbursement
GAO-13-323R, Mar 25, 2013
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS
Reporting on Compliance with Limit on Funds Used for Administration Can Be Improved
GAO-13-247, Mar 21, 2013
HIGH-RISK SERIES
Government-wide 2013 Update and Progress Made by the Department of Homeland Security
GAO-13-444T, Mar 21, 2013
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DHS Needs to Enhance Management of Major Investments
GAO-13-478T
SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Evaluations Needed to Determine Effectiveness of U.S. Aid to Lebanon’s Security Forces
GAO-13-289
VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES
Planning and Data System for VA’s Verification Program Need Improvement
GAO-13-425T
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS
FEMA Has Made Progress in Improving Grant Management and Assessing Capabilities, but Challenges Remain
GAO-13-456T, Mar 19, 2013
PAYMENTS TO COUNTIES
Shortcomings in Oversight and Implementation of Key Parts of the Secure Rural Schools Act May Be Addressed by Recent Agency Guidance
GAO-13-475T, Mar 19, 2013
Reducing the Cost and Risk of Major Acquisitions at the Department of Homeland Security
Reducing the Cost and Risk of Major Acquisitions at the Department of Homeland Security
Source: RAND Corporation
Widespread cost, schedule, and performance shortfalls point to ongoing and expensive problems in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acquisition process. This paper is intended to help improve DHS acquisition management and oversight by providing a common problem definition, conceptual framework, and recommendations that DHS headquarters and component acquisition officials, as well as interested parties in Congress and related agencies, can use to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of DHS acquisition organizations. The authors recommend that DHS place greater emphasis on improved acquisition planning, including requiring rigorous planning and analysis as an inviolable condition of proceeding with each major acquisition. They also recommend that DHS senior officials take the following actions to improve the quality and use of acquisition planning: (1) Strengthen and rationalize DHS headquarters oversight to better enforce discipline in acquisition planning. (2) Better utilize objective analysis to improve planning, particularly analyses performed independently of the program or agency seeking the acquisition. (3) Broaden dissemination and improve transparency of analysis and planning to ensure that senior decisionmakers have access to a full range of appropriate information and perspectives.
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
FACILITY SECURITY
Greater Outreach by DHS on Standards and Management Practices Could Benefit Federal Agencies
GAO-13-222
FACILITY SECURITY
Results of GAO’s Survey on the Physical Security of Federal Facilities (GAO-13-223SP, January 2013), an E-supplement to GAO-13-222
GAO-13-223SP
INFORMATION SECURITY
Actions Needed by Census Bureau to Address Weaknesses
GAO-13-63
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Progress Made and Work Remaining after Nearly 10 Years in Operation
GAO-13-370T, Feb 15, 2013
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
Continued Coordination, Operational Data, and Performance Standards Needed to Guide Research and Development
GAO-13-346T, Feb 15, 2013
Intellectual Property Rights: Fiscal Year 2012 Seizure Statistics
Intellectual Property Rights: Fiscal Year 2012 Seizure Statistics
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, DHS and its agencies, CBP and ICE, remained vigilant in their commitment to protect American consumers from intellectual property theft as well as enforce the rights of intellectual property rights holders by expanding their efforts to seize infringing goods, leading to 691 arrests, 423 indictments and 334 prosecutions. Counterfeit and pirated goods pose a serious threat to America’s economic vitality, the health and safety of American consumers, and our critical infrastructure and national security. Through coordinated efforts to interdict infringing merchandise, including joint operations, DHS enforced intellectual property rights while facilitating the secure flow of legitimate trade and travel.
In recent years, the internet has fueled explosive growth in the numbers of small packages of counterfeit and pirated goods shipped through express carriers and mail. In FY 2012, we heightened our efforts against the sources of these small shipments: the websites involved in the trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods. In FY 2012, 697 such sites were taken down by ICE, with CBP handling the forfeitures. The number of IPR seizures remained somewhat consistent from 24,792 in FY 2011 to 22,848 in FY 2012. We believe the strategy of pursuing the sources of counterfeit goods will provide long-term results in decreasing the flow of counterfeit merchandise into commerce.
The MSRP of seized goods increased from $1.11 billion in FY 2011 to $1.26 billion in FY 2012, with an average seizure value of more than $10,450. At the same time, CBP and ICE made valuable advances to enhance their ability to combat IP theft in the future, including:
• Nearly 60 sessions of Integrated IPR Field Training were conducted at high-risk ports of entry to improve frontline enforcement efforts;
• The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 was implemented, allowing for enhanced information-sharing between CBP and trademark holders to identify counterfeits;
• Numerous new authentication tools were procured and deployed to modernize infringement determination efforts and expedite release of authentic shipments;
• IPR Strike Units were created to provide a deterrent effect, aiding the enforcement process;
• The European Police Office (Europol) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission joined the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center). The IPR Center now has 21 domestic and international partner agencies working together to combat IP theft.
Immigration: Secretary Napolitano Announces Final Rule to Support Family Unity During Waiver Process
Secretary Napolitano Announces Final Rule to Support Family Unity During Waiver Process
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States under certain circumstances. The final rule establishes a process that allows certain individuals to apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver before they depart the United States to attend immigrant visa interviews in their countries of origin. The process will be effective on March 4, 2013 and more information about the filing process will be made available in the coming weeks at http://www.uscis.gov/.
US Fire Administration Releases Report on Heating Fires in Residential Buildings
US Fire Administration Releases Report on Heating Fires in Residential Buildings
Source: U.S. Fire Administration
Fall begins this Saturday, and with it comes cooler temperatures and the resulting seasonal increase in the number of home heating fires. To help Americans understand the nature of the heating fire problem, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) today issued a special report: Heating Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010). Developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center, the report is based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
According to the report:
- An estimated average of 50,100 heating fires in residential buildings occurred in the United States each year and resulted in an annual average of approximately 150 deaths, 575 injuries, and $326 million in property loss.
- Heating was the second leading cause of all residential building fires following cooking.
- Residential building heating fires peaked in the early evening hours between 5 and 9 p.m. with the highest peak between 6 and 8 p.m. This 4-hour period accounted for 30 percent of all residential building heating fires.
- Residential building heating fires peaked in January (21 percent) and declined to the lowest point during the summer months from June to August.
- Confined fires, those fires confined to chimneys, flues, or fuel burners, accounted for 87 percent of residential building heating fires.
- Thirty percent of the nonconfined residential building heating fires occurred because the heat source was too close to combustibles.
US Fire Administration Releases Report on Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings
US Fire Administration Releases Report on Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings
Source: U.S. Fire Administration
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the release of a special report examining the characteristics of portable heater fires in residential buildings. The report, Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010), was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
According to the report:
- An estimated 900 portable heater fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and cause an estimated 70 deaths, 150 injuries and $53 million in property loss.
- Only 2 percent of heating fires in residential buildings involved portable heaters, however, portable heaters were involved in 45 percent of all fatal heating fires in residential buildings.
- Portable heater fires in residential buildings peaked in January (26 percent).
- 52 percent of portable heater fires in residential buildings occurred because the heat source was too close to combustibles.
- 38 percent of portable heater fires in residential buildings originated in bedrooms. In these fires, bedding, such as blankets, sheets and comforters, was the leading item first ignited by portable heaters at 25 percent.
Fire Service Operations for the Southeastern Tornados – April 2011
Fire Service Operations for the Southeastern Tornados – April 2011 (PDF)
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has completed a review of fire service operations surrounding the challenges faced in April 2011 as fire departments in the southeastern United States responded to a significant weather event.On April 27, 2011, a devastating series of tornados struck Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. The dollar loss has been roughly tallied at $6 billion in insured losses and a total of over $10 billion for all losses. An estimated 336 lives were lost in the region’s tornados and related events, with 239 of those in Alabama. At least 10,000 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed and dozens of public facilities were rendered inoperative. Many areas that were isolated by road closures and power outages extended over two weeks in some rural areas. At least five tornados were rated at EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale).A series of meetings was held in the summer of 2011 to look at fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) organization activities in Alabama and Georgia during the tornados. Over 50 representatives of impacted departments attended and each had an opportunity to respond to specific questions as well as provide a free range of their own inputs.The report, Fire Service Operations for the Southeastern Tornados – April 2011 (PDF,1.5 Mb), condenses those meetings and inputs and provides an insight into the routines, challenges and needs of local fire and EMS agencies during preparation for, response to and recovery from, natural disasters. It serves as a benchmark to provide USFA an opportunity for evaluation to ensure we are providing the services that the first responder community requires for success, as well as to guide directions for future activities.
USFA Announces 2011 Onduty Firefighter Deaths
USFA Announces 2011 Onduty Firefighter Deaths
Source: U.S. Fire Administration
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced today the release of the report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2011. There were 83 onduty firefighter fatalities in the United States as a result of incidents that occurred in 2011. This represents a continuing decline in the overall number of firefighter fatality deaths in recent years and an almost five percent decrease from the 87 fatalities reported for 2010. When analyzing the overall trend in the United States going back to 1977, accounting for the Hometown Heroes added to totals since the law changed in 2004, the 2011 total represents the lowest year of record for the second year in a row.
The 83 fatalities occurred in 33 states, one U.S. territory, and one overseas U.S. military facility. Texas experienced the highest number of fatalities (7). North Carolina experienced six firefighter deaths and was the only other state with five or more firefighter fatalities.
Heart attacks were responsible for the deaths of 50 firefighters (60 percent) in 2011, nearly the same proportion of firefighter deaths from heart attack or stroke (63 percent) in 2010. Ten onduty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, the lowest number of annual firefighter deaths associated with wildland fires since 1996. Fifty-four percent of all firefighter fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties.
Four of the firefighters who died while responding to incidents in 2011 were killed by trauma caused by motor vehicle collisions, including three in privately-owned vehicles and one in a fire department apparatus.
