Speech #1130114190

Designating a terrorist group as an "FTO" makes it clear that organizations that engage in terrorist activity should not be welcome in any civilized society. while the wideranging effects of designation can hamper a networks financing and operations. Often. when the United States adds an organization to the FTO List. they are leading the global community in taking on extremist groups willing to murder innocent civilians. and therefore. the value of a credible. potent. and reliable designation process is immense. The Secretary of States role in managing the FTO List in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality act is complemented by consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury. Each of these cabinet level officials plays a role in enforcing an FTO designation. and their assistance in considering potential additions to the list is absolutely vital. However. since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-which also has responsibility for many of the enforcement tools of FTO Designationsthe role of the Secretary of Homeland Security in the FTO process has not been codified in statute. As an example. DHS is the only Cabinetlevel Department whose first three missions are the prevention of terrorism and enhancement of security. securing and managing borders. and enforcing and administering immigration laws. Each of these is a major component of the FTO List. which is designed to mitigate the terrorist threat and prevent members of designated organizations from entering the United States. Further. DHS already plays a significant role in assisting the Department of State in making FTO designations by providing information gathered by component agencies and DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis. The Immigration and Nationality Act should codify the reality of the responsibility DHS has to assist in these designations. Additionally. DHS personnel have a large presence in foreign countries. and DHS employees interact with individuals attempting to enter the United States thousands of times each day. DHS personnel contribute to screening FTO members who attempt to enter the United States. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). an office within U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). is the secondlargest federal investigative agency in the country. The National Security Investigation Division of HSI "enhances national security through criminal investigations. prevents acts of terrorism by targeting people. money and materials that support terrorist and criminal activities. and identifies and eliminates vulnerabilities in the nations border. economic. transportation and infrastructure security." This mission is intimately linked to the FTO list. Many recent FTO designations have been issued for groups that have already attacked U.S. interests.