U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced a wide-ranging action directive on immigration and border security. The directive requires specific department offices and components to work together and with state and local partners to review and assess the plans and policies to address: criminal and fugitive aliens; legal immigration benefit backlogs; southbound gun smuggling; cooperation with the National Guard; widows and widowers of U.S. citizens; immigration detention centers; and electronic employee verification.

President Obama announced today his intention to nominate Ivan K. Fong as General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Secretary Janet Napolitano also announced several key members of her staff: David A. Martin, Principal Deputy General Counsel; Brian De Vallance, Senior Counselor to the Secretary; and Sean Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

Secretary Janet Napolitano announced two action directives on first responder health surge capacity and Hurricane Katrina. The directives require specific department offices and components to work with state and local partners to review and assess current plans to respond to significant medical emergencies and address Hurricane Katrina’s lingering impacts.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today two action directives, on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) integration with state and local partners and national planning. These directives instruct specific offices to gather information, review existing strategies and programs, and provide oral and written reports back to her in February.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today two action directives, on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) integration with state and local partners and national planning. These directives instruct specific offices to gather information, review existing strategies and programs, and provide oral and written reports back to her in February.

President Obama announced his intention to nominate Jane Holl Lute as Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the following appointments for her senior staff: Noah Kroloff, Chief of Staff for Policy to the Secretary; and Jan Lesher, Chief of Staff for Operations to the Secretary.