Immigration Services News

Being prepared in the event of a major maritime security incident is essential. To help address this issue, a maritime security training has taken place in Veracruz, Mexico (12-13 July). The International Maritime Organization (IMO) workshop aimed to promote a multi-agency approach to maritime security and law enforcement to improve cooperation among government departments. The event also highlighted the need for an integrated approach to the implementation of SOLAS Chapter XI-2, the ISPS Code and broader security measures. Participants explored a number of hypothetical scenarios related to maritime and port security. The workshop also reviewed existing procedures, particularly roles and responsibilities, with the aim of identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo repatriated 27 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas, Cuba, Saturday. This repatriation is a result of two separate migrant interdictions at sea, which both took place Friday, December 18, in the south Florida Straits. While on routine patrol, the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute located a rustic vessel with a motor, 45 miles nautical miles southwest of Key West, Fla., with 12 Cuban migrants aboard. The crew of the Resolute safely transferred the 12 migrants aboard the cutter. An HC-144A Ocean Sentry Maritime Patrol Aircraft, from Coast Guard Air Station Miami, located a migrant chug carrying 15 Cuban migrants 55 nautical miles southwest of Key West.

Approval clears way to create nation’s largest deepwater containerized cargo transfer terminal, enhancing U.S. competitiveness as Panama Canal expands. Transshipment facility off Louisiana coast intended to improve America’s strained shipping infrastructure, streamline international trade flow and create long-term jobs in 32 states. Louisiana State Senator A.G. Crowe’s vision of making America more competitive and capitalizing on the Gulf of Mexico’s deep-water resources has taken…

G2 Crew Services, the recently formed JV between Griffin and GAC, has announced  the appointment of Gary Pearce as CEO with effect from August 5. Previously Senior Vice President Global Energy Services for Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), Gary Pearce led the team responsible for CWT’s strong growth and high levels of customer satisfaction within the Offshore and Energy sector. “Whether their origins are in crew or corporate travel, the offshore industry is served by companies limited to providing point-to-point air travel” said Gary Pearce.

A three-minute silence to mourn the 38 victims of the vessel collision off Lamma Island was observed throughout HK on 4, October. Except for emergency and immigration services, all government services were suspended during the period. All staff on duty observed the silence at their work places. Thirty-eight people, including five children, were killed after two ferries collided on Monday evening off Lamma Island. As at 10:00 a.m. Thursday local time, 16 injured people remained in hospital, with two being in critical or serious conditions, and the other 77 injured had been discharged. Flags at all the government buildings will be flown at half-mast for three days till Saturday…

President Bush’s fiscal year 2009 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) represents $50.5 billion in funding, which is an increase of 6.8 percent over the 2008 fiscal year level – excluding funds provided in emergency supplemental funding. The request targets five areas, detailed in the following release of information from the DHS. The Department of Homeland Security’s main priority is to prevent terrorist attacks against the nation and to protect our nation from dangerous people. DHS will continue to prevent the entry of terrorists while facilitating the legitimate flow of people by strengthening border security efforts and continuing to gain effective control of America’s borders.

Senate Republicans and Democrats together boosted funding for border and port security in the fiscal 2007 Homeland Security appropriations bill by almost $1b, but were bitterly divided over how to restructure the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Senators agreed to two amendments by Senate Appropriations ranking member Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., that would provide $350m extra for border security and $648m more for port and cargo security. But several senators clashed on the floor over restructuring FEMA. In the end, an amendment by Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and ranking member Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., to transform FEMA but keep it within the department was approved on an 87-11 vote. The amendment, which had strong backing from Sen.

While visiting several hundred future Department of Homeland Security employees in Miami, Secretary Ridge highlighted the Department's strategic goals for building a nation where Americans are protected from the evil of terrorism. One of the top priorities is to integrate specific departmental functions to enhance efficiencies and create greater accountability in one seamless border service. To accomplish this, today President Bush submitted to Congress a modification to the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan which establishes the organizational framework for the Department's Border and Transportation Security mission.

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