U.S. and Hong Kong (2004)

Ridge Says Homeland Security To Enhance Security, Immigration

Improved communications with states vital to better security, he says

Following is the text of Ridge's remarks, as prepared for delivery:

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Remarks of Secretary Tom Ridge on the One Year Anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security

REMARKS FOR SECRETARY TOM RIDGE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY INSTITUTE
As Prepared
February 23, 2004
Washington, D.C.

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Homeland Security: A Year of Accomplishments

In the space of one year, the men and women of this new Department have achieved a great deal to secure this country. There was much to be done: So immediately, we reorganized our border functions in a way that established better morale, improved service, shorter delays and tighter security. We also unified our border inspection process to accelerate the free flow of goods and people and to keep terrorists and criminals out. For decades, the idea behind US-VISIT languished. In eight short months, we turned idea into action, coupled it with the "smart technology" of biometrics, and created a system that, in adding 15 seconds to a traveler's journey, also adds greater convenience and peace of mind. As many of you know, we took immediate and extensive measures to enhance aviation security. In less than a year, we deployed newly trained screeners, thousands of federal air marshals and state-of-the-art technologies, which, from the curb to the cockpit, have made airline travel safer.

We also looked at SEVIS [Student and Exchange Visitor Information System] -- retooled it, and by last fall semester, had a new system in place that now ensures that foreign students seeking academic opportunity are not delayed upon entry -- and that those posing as students, seeking entry to fraudulent schools, are stopped in their tracks. Last fall almost 300,000 students were successfully cleared for study at our institutions of higher education. Those 200, who attempted entry, but were not registered at any school, were sent home.

In less than 12 months, we significantly expanded the nation's container security initiative, known as CSI. The result: as I speak today, there is an inspector in Rotterdam, in Singapore, in Hong Kong, and 14 other ports of trade, working alongside our allies to inspect and secure the nearly 20,000 containers of cargo that arrive at our shores every day.

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Improved Customer Service at Immigration Services

Another key priority of this department will be to improve and protect immigration practices. Again, it is part of our mission, to secure our country, but also to ensure that we remain a welcoming nation for people who want a better way of life and who want to make a contribution here. America, after all, is a nation of immigrants, with good-hearted, productive, law-abiding citizens originating everywhere from Beijing to Belgrade, from Nairobi to New Delhi.

I'm proud to say that, more than 227 years ago, from my home state of Pennsylvania, came the assurance that America would always be a diverse nation, where all people, from all parts of the world, could come to a land where freedom transcends all else. It is the President's intention, and that of my own, that this founding principle must and always will endure.

Citizenship has long been among the most important privileges this nation can bestow. And, as the Department that oversees the important function, we are committed to making the immigration and naturalization process a welcoming and timely one.

And so, over the next year, we will focus our efforts on several pilot programs aimed at reducing the backlog of pending cases and streamlining the citizenship process. You have my pledge that progress will be made to accelerate the careful screening and processing of visa and green card applications, reduce the current backlog of applications, educate prospective citizens about e-filing initiatives implemented last year and, overall, institute a policy of improved customer service. And we will do this, as we do in anything we undertake as a Department -- always with an eye toward protecting the privacy and civil liberties of everyone involved.

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