Defense

Investigators probe DHS manager's scheme to fake immigration papers

Immigration official admits to taking bribes from Asian immigrants seeking citizenship, agrees to participate in ongoing investigation.

Tech

Ex-Commerce officials urge interoperability action

Bolstering emergency communications has been a priority for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Defense

FEMA chief defends decision to cut off aid to hurricane victims

Lawyers are reviewing a court order asking the agency to resume payments; no decision has been made on how to proceed.

Defense

Hurricane season closes without major incident

FEMA director pledges continuing improvements; agency on the brink of filling all of its regional director positions.

Defense

Countries obligated to share data, U.S. official says

"Gray areas" need to be resolved, official acknowledges.

Defense

Defense official sees smooth trajectory for space programs

In a series of meetings last year, discussions over space were not partisan in nature, presumably boding well for the future.

Defense

Security agency to eliminate millions in retention allowances

Decision to cut program will affect about 700 police and investigators at the Federal Protective Service.

Defense

Stealth bomber upgrades could set stage for future aircraft

Upgrades could address critical capability shortfalls until the next systems are ready for combat in more than a decade, industry official says.

Tech

Chertoff gets ahead of Hill, sets interoperable radio goals

Questions remain about funding for equipment that will allow states and localities to talk to each other during emergencies.

Defense

DHS official urges caution on sharing of biometric info

The intelligence and law enforcement communities need access to information, but ethics concerns must be addressed.

Defense

Texas Democrat gets praise for immigration efforts

Lawyers who have worked with candidate to lead immigration subcommittee in the next Congress speak up on her behalf.

Defense

Report: Security agency needs better financial management

Independent study urges Federal Protective Service, which secures government facilities, to improve process it uses to bill agencies for services.

Defense

Emergency preparedness exercises remain an imperfect science

The government runs scores of drills each year, but critics say responses to real-life events often show the tests weren’t adequate.

Defense

College courses in homeland security on the rise

While classes are proliferating, some observers remain skeptical that homeland security will ever become its own discipline.

Defense

Civil liberties group unveils documents on Pentagon surveillance

Group calls upon Congress to investigate surveillance activities.

Defense

Travelers' ID program on fast track despite Hill concerns

Department officials plan to implement rule faster than is required by legislative language signed into law last month.

Defense

Transportation sector lags in joining infrastructure protection effort

Some industries formed councils as early as 2002 to better coordinate security efforts with the government

Defense

Massachusetts Dem seeks defense oversight subpanel chairmanship

Prospective leader proposes focusing on force protection, military readiness, Pentagon funding priorities and contracting abuses.

Defense

Federal information-sharing plan may face hurdles

Proposal would give state and local law enforcement a more direct role in exchanging information.

Defense

Travel groups say U.S. visitors report unfriendly reception

DHS spokesman says study attributing a decline in visitors in part to the way they're treated by government officials at airports is “flawed and self-serving.”