DHS Satellite Spy Program Going Forward Despite Objections
RAWSTORY – The Department of Homeland Security has been given the money it needs to begin turning international spy satellites within the country’s borders, despite lingering fears about the program’s lack of focus and the potential for it to infringe upon Americans’ civil liberties.
$1,500 fine for RFID Hacks in California
COMPUTERWORLD – October 2, 2008 (IDG News Service) This week, California became the second state to enact a law making it illegal to steal data from radio frequency identification (RFID) cards. The law, which was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday, sets a penalty that includes a maximum fine of $1,500 and up to a year in prison for someone convicted of surreptitiously reading information from an RFID card.
E-Verify & Real ID Under the Microscope for Government Waste
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE – No deals, austerity, belt-tightening and accountability have been some of the words heard in the Congressional corridors and the White House as national leaders hear from their frustrated constituents. In the case of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit, public spending doesn’t appear to be a concern.
Funds also will be used to support enforcement-only programs. Specifically, states will be provided funds for the implementation of the Real ID Act ($50 million), and the participation of local and state police in the 287(g) program ($5.4 million). Public dollars to the tune of $2.4 billion will go to the Office of Detention and Removal and the short-term approval of $100 million for the E-verify program. The E-verify program targets employers and requires them to ‘verify’ the employment documentation of their workers.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVES (WHTI) ADOPT-A-WIDGET FOR THE FASCIST IN YOU!!
Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 4, 2008 — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced this week a traveler-centric desktop widget as part of the integrated “Let’s Get You Home” advertising and outreach campaign. As the traveler’s departure date approaches, the automated widget provides a trip countdown timer and weather at the traveler’s destination and reminds the user to obtain appropriate travel documents, as required under Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant document beginning June 1, 2009.
“We are using a wide range of media vehicles, in addition to television and magazine ads, to ensure that all segments of the population are familiar with the travel document requirements under WHTI,” said CBP Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski. “A digital strategy component allows CBP to reach audiences that are increasingly using the Internet as their source of news and information, especially related to travel. The widget, because it sits on the computer desktop, provides an ongoing and interactive reminder to travelers to get appropriate travel documents.”