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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0912/091229detroit.htm
December 29, 2009
ICE: A Federal Leader in Combating Terrorism
As the second largest federal contributor to the nationwide network of Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plays a critical role in protecting the country against the threat of terrorism. With agents assigned to counter-terrorism investigations across the United States and around the world, ICE lends its expertise in enforcing immigration and customs laws to the over 100 JTTFs to investigate, detect, interdict, prosecute and remove terrorists and to dismantle terrorist organizations.
The failed bombing attempt on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 flying into Detroit on Christmas Day is a stark reminder that the terrorism threat is ever present. ICE, along with the entirety of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stands at the ready to respond to this threat. ICE agents assigned to the Detroit JTTF were quickly on the scene to provide support to the investigation and response effort.
“When we got the word that there was a potential terrorist attack on Flight 253, our team sprang into action,” said John P. Woods, deputy assistant director of ICE’s National Security Investigations Division. “We immediately provided investigative support, including Arabic language translation, travel document review capabilities and other law enforcement expertise. Thanks to our history of working together with other agencies on the JTTF, everyone knew their role when it came time to respond to this critical incident.”
A few facts about ICE’s role on JTTFs:
Virtually every foreign terrorism investigation has a relationship to ICE’s authorities for investigating cross-border crime. Foreign terrorists need to move money, weapons and people across international borders to conduct their operations, and ICE holds a unique set of law enforcement tools for disrupting these illicit activities.
Our federal partners on JTTFs depend on ICE’s authorities for enforcing immigration and customs laws in counter-terrorism investigations, because these prosecutions disrupt terror plots while protecting investigative techniques.
An ICE representative serves in the second most senior position in the National JTTF and is the highest ranking DHS official in the JTTF organization.
ICE’s JTTF participation is only one example of the agency’s commitment to partnerships in law enforcement and homeland security. For more information on ICE partnership initiatives, visit the ICE ACCESS page.
— ICE —
Note: The following text is a quote:
Home • Briefing Room • Statements & Releases
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release December 31, 2009
Statement from the President on Preliminary Assessments from Reviews Ordered on the Christmas Day Incident
This morning, I spoke with John Brennan about preliminary assessments from the ongoing consultations I have ordered into the human and systemic failures that occurred leading up to the attempted act of terrorism on Christmas Day and about our government-wide efforts at continued vigilance on homeland security and counterterrorism efforts. In a separate call, I spoke with Sec. Napolitano to receive an update on both the Department of Homeland Security review of detection capabilities and the enhanced security measures in place since the Christmas Day incident.
I anticipate receiving assessments from several agencies this evening and will review those tonight and over the course of the weekend. On Tuesday, in Washington, I will meet personally with relevant agency heads to discuss our ongoing reviews as well as security enhancements and intelligence-sharing improvements in our homeland security and counterterrorism operations.
NOTE: John Brennan is Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.