Protecting Travelers and Commerce
On March 1, DHS inherited the professional workforce, programs and infrastructure of the Coast Guard, Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the Transportation Security Administration. Collectively these public servants are responsible for protecting our nation's transportation systems and supervising the entry of people and goods into the United States. This is no easy task given that 730 million people travel on commercial aircraft each year and that there are now more than 700 million pieces of baggage being screened for explosives each year. Additionally, there are 11.2 million trucks and 2.2 million rail cars that cross into the US each year. Also, 7,500 foreign flagships make 51,000 calls in US ports annually.
DHS is responsible for protecting the movement of international trade across US borders, maximizing the security of the international supply chain, and for engaging foreign governments and trading partners in programs designed to identify and eliminate security threats before these arrive at US ports and borders.
Below are some popular links to help get you started in finding the information you need to expedite your travel plans and what your government is doing to ensure your travel is secure and that there is safe movement of goods into the US.
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| Customs & Inspections |
| Secretary Tom Ridge Announces New Nationwide Port Security Improvements |
| New security measures are being implemented across the United States providing for safer ports in America, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced today. With the implementation of these international standards, in advance of the July 1st deadline, the U.S. is better able to harden the port’s physical infrastructure, verify the security of individual vessels before they approach a U.S. port, and better restrict access to the port area. |
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| Travel Security |
| U.S. and EU Agreement on Passenger Data |
| The United States and the European Union (EU) have agreed on a framework in which the EU would permit the transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. |
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| US-VISIT |
| Department of Homeland Security to Begin Biometric Exit Pilot as Part of US-VISIT Program |
| As a part of the border management system introduced at airports and seaports earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced that it will pilot and evaluate US-VISIT automated biometric exit procedures for foreign visitors. |
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| Maritime Mobility |
| Fact Sheet: Protecting the Nation's Ports |
| As a member of the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard continues to play an integral role in maintaining the operations of our ports and waterways by providing a secure environment in which mariners and the American people can safely go about the business of living and working freely. Fact sheet offers highlights of Coast Guard's port security efforts. |
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| Marine Regulations |
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