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Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. Visit the "Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House officials.
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September 11, 2006
Michael Chertoff
As we think back on the events five years ago today, we have an opportunity to look, both in terms of what we've learned and to look ahead in terms of what we know we need to do. It's appropriate to reflect on some of the steps we've already taken, and to measure the progress we have already made to protect our country and our citizens against further attacks. And of course, it's certainly worth remarking on the fact that there has not been a successful attack against Americans on American soil since September 11th. We've had five years to absorb the lessons of 9/11, and we have acted deliberately and decisively to reduce the risk that we will ever face another day like that infamous September morning. We've learned that we cannot be complacent in the face of terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security, which I am privileged to lead, was created specifically to integrate our national capabilities against all kinds of threats, whether they be acts of terror or natural hazards, or even medical hazards like pandemic flu. The fact is that terrorists continue to plot, even as we strike against them, but we must pursue a security that is strong, and it has to be one that is also consistent with our freedoms, our values, and our way of life. Kevin, from Cincinnati, Ohio
writes: Michael Chertoff
At U.S. ports before 9/11, approximately 2 percent of cargo was screened, and virtually none was screened for radiation. By the end of 2006, 80 percent of seaborne cargo will be scanned for radiation. By the end of 2008, that number will increase to nearly 100 percent. For air cargo, TSA pinpoints cargo deemed an elevated risk through prescreening, targeted inspections, and stronger security measures at cargo facilities. DHS is now conducting Air Cargo Explosives Detection Pilot Programs to test ways additional cargo can be screened prior to loading on passenger aircraft. Richard, from Salt Lake City
writes: Michael Chertoff
President Bush has outlined his vision for comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, upholds our laws, and supports a rational, humane temporary worker program that rejects amnesty and allows honest workers to provide for their families while relieving pressure at the border. While we continue to urge Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill, we are working diligently to tackle challenges at our border. Through the Secure Border Initiative, we have for the first time an integrated plan that approaches border enforcement from beginning to end from deterrence to detection, to apprehension and detention and finally to removal. Michael, from American University
writes: Michael Chertoff Similarly, in the aftermath of 9/11, the Western Hemisphere exemption received considerable attention since it could potentially facilitate the entry into the United States of persons falsely claiming to be U.S. citizens, travelers utilizing false identities, and the potential of high-risk persons exploiting this route. There are more than 8,000 different entities just in the U.S., which issue birth certificates from U.S. state and local offices. Currently, a Customs and Border Protection Officer needs to assess the authenticity of each birth certificate, regardless of when or where it was issued. The challenge at the borders is how to assess individual travelers, based on the documents they present, without significantly slowing the processing time for admission into the United States. The bottom line is that limiting the types of documents presented will result in a more efficient border.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will strengthen border security by ensuring that travelers possess secure documents and allow border officials to: conduct more effective and efficient interviews; more efficiently determine the identity and citizenship of travelers; and determine the authenticity of documents presented, by requiring only a limited number of verifiable documents that may be used at the ports of entry. Jeff, from Ely, Nevada
writes: Michael Chertoff At our borders and ports, we've deployed US-VISIT to biometrically screen foreign visitors. This allows us to positively confirm a person's identity against their passport and against our integrated terrorist databases by checking two-digit finger scans. We will soon be capturing all 10 fingerprints, and checking those prints against latent prints captured in safe houses and battlefields abroad. In between our ports of entry, and in the interior, we are also seeing dramatic results. We've ended the old practice of catch and release, and the President has dramatically increased the size of the Border Patrol and ordered the National Guard to support their efforts. At our ports, we screen 100 percent of the cargo containers entering our country. We've deployed radiation detection devices and will screen 80 percent of the containers entering the U.S. for radioactive materials by the end of this year. And, by the end of this year, well have expanded the Container Security Initiative to strengthen security standards at more than 50 ports accounting for more than 90 percent of maritime containerized cargo shipped to the U.S. At our airports, we've stood up the Transportation Security Administration and federalized a workforce of more than 43,000 screeners trained to look for explosives. This Administration has increased the size of the Federal Air Marshals from 33 on 9/11 to thousands flying hundreds of domestic and international missions each day. We've hardened cockpit doors, armed pilots and deployed thousands of explosives detection devices to airports nationwide, enabling 100 percent passenger and baggage screening.
These are just a few examples of where substantial progress has been made. There are many others. But, these achievements are not a cause for complacency. Rather, they are a cause for redoubled effort, and that is precisely what the 184 thousand employees at the Department of Homeland Security are committed to doing. Benjamin, from Alameda ca
writes: Michael Chertoff
So, I am spending my day in remembrance and in honor of victims, their loved ones, first responders, and thousands of dedicated public servants. I attended a 9/11 Anniversary Church Service with fellow Cabinet members this morning. I met with hundreds of DHS employees to remember those who perished and to thank our employees for their fine service. I will also be traveling to Bayonne, New Jersey, to participate in an event with 9/11 victims families and to attend the unveiling of 'A New World Monument: Remembering the Victims of September 11th and the 1993 World Trade Center Bombings.' Alex, from Rockwall, Texas
writes: Michael Chertoff
The Presidents has also joined with Canada and Mexico to form the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. The partnerships mandate includes development of a common security strategy that streamlines the secure and efficient movement of legitimate traffic across our shared borders. Our nations share a common goal to foster legitimate travel and trade between the United States, Canada and Mexico, while not impeding our border economies. We are achieving measurable progress on a number of security issues affecting our three countries. Canada, Mexico, and the United States have strengthened relationships in the areas of preparedness, law enforcement, and the screening of travelers and cargo, while improving processing times at border crossings. Michael, from Boston, Massachusetts
writes: Michael Chertoff
DHS is developing a number of screening techniques and technologies, which could be implemented or deployed quickly to systems facing a specific threat. Other pilots and studies are also underway in major American cities. Through the Office of Grants and Training, the department has provided technical support to over 25 major transit systems, as well as Amtrak, to assist in developing their risk management strategies. Unlike the aviation sector, the majority of rail and other mass transit systems in our country are owned and operated by state and local governments and transit authorities. We remain deeply committed to continuing to work closely with these partners to strengthen security on Americas mass transit systems. Arthur, from Jasper, Texas
writes: Michael Chertoff Municipal governments also play a primary role in emergency preparedness. We recently conducted the Nationwide Plan Review to assess the status of preparedness at the national level and identify possible gaps in emergency plans. Another way that municipal governments can assist the department is by making sure that evacuation and sheltering plans are up to date and routinely tested with state and federal partners.
Michael Chertoff Thank you all for your questions, and I appreciate your interest in the work that this Administration is doing to secure the homeland. We are engaged in a fight against terrorism that we will win as long as we remain steadfast, dedicated, and balanced. For the 184,000 men and women with whom I serve, this is a mission that we proudly undertake every single day, whether it's securing our borders and waterways, protecting air travel, developing next generation detection technologies, or assisting local authorities with the information they need to protect their community. |