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U.S. Department of State

Diplomacy in Action

Strategic Goal 3: Homeland Security


FY 2005 Performance and Accountability Highlights
Bureau of Resource Management
November 2005
Report
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STRATEGIC GOAL 3: HOMELAND SECURITY

Secure the homeland by strengthening arrangements that govern the flows of people, goods,
and services between the United States and the rest of the world

 

I. Public Benefit

 

The events of 9/11 proved how susceptible the United States and its allies are to those who would do us harm. The Department, together with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other U.S. Government agencies, is addressing U.S. vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks and other transnational threats to the United States. The Department is protecting our homeland by strengthening the visa process as a tool to identify potential terrorists and others who should not receive visas and prevent those people from entering the United States. Strengthening U.S. physical and cyber borders against people who threaten U.S. security requires the security of the global networks of commerce, travel, and communications that enable the vital free flow of bona fide travelers and goods. At the same time, the Department is combating the ability of terrorists to travel, finance their activities, plan and conduct attacks, and attract and train new recruits.

 

Photo showing children displaying their biometric, machine-readable visa cards in El Paso, Texas.

Children show their biometric, machine-readable visa cards in El Paso, Texas. AP/Wide World Photo

II. Performance Summary

The table below shows the performance rating distribution of the FY 2005 results for the Homeland Security strategic goal.

 

Strategic Goal Results Achieved for FY 2005
  Significantly Below Target Below Target On Target Above Target Significantly Above Target Totals
Number of Results 0 0 8 2 0 10
Percent of Total 0% 0% 80% 20% 0% 100%

 

III. Resources Invested

 

Human Resources
(Direct Funded Positions)

Performance Goal FY 2004 FY 2005
Proper Visa Adjudication 445 449
Border Agreements 47 47
Infrastructure Network Protection 70 71
Total 562 567

Budget Authority
(Dollars in Millions)
Performance Goal FY 2004 FY 2005
Proper Visa Adjudication $205 $227
Border Agreements $13 $14
Infrastructure Network Protection $19 $21
Total $237 $262

 

IV. Performance Analysis

Performance Trends. Two performance trends in the area of Homeland Security are significant: (1) the Department continues to protect our homeland by strengthening the visa process - for example, the number of posts assessed by Consular Management Assistance Teams to ensure proper visa practices has steadily increased from 32 in FY 2004 to 38 in FY 2005; (2) the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are working to secure shipping ports - for instance, the number of ports in the Container Security Initiative doubled from FY 2004 to FY 2005.

Outcome-level Results. The Department made demonstrable progress toward achieving high-level outcomes in such areas as implementing a comprehensive border security agreement with neighboring countries and expanding data sharing capabilities with federal agencies involved in homeland security efforts. Both of these programs performed at or above target in FY 2005.

Results Significantly Above or Below Target. There were no results significantly above or below target, although the Department continues to face challenges in: (1) addressing U.S. vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks and other transnational threats; (2) strengthening physical and cyber borders; and (3) combating the ability of terrorists to travel, finance their activities, and perform attacks.

Resources Invested. In FY 2005, the Department allocated approximately 1% of the entire budget to homeland security operations. This equates to $262 million, as well as an increase of $25 million from FY 2004.

 

FY 2005 Performance Report Card

The indicators below are representative of the Department's priorities and overall performance for this Strategic Goal. The FY 2005 PAR contains all indicators with detailed performance information.

PERFORMANCE GOAL ONE: Denial of Visas to Foreign Citizens Who Would Abuse or Threaten the United States, While Facilitating Entry of Legitimate Applicants
Number of Agencies With Access to Consular Consolidated Database
Rating On Target
Target Expand data sharing with other agencies and internationally.
Results As of September 2005, the Department continued to partner with DHS in discussions with Canada, Mexico, Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries and others about sharing terrorist and visa lookout data. The Terrorist Threat Information Center (TTIC) is now the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC). Department initiated new discussions with Japan, Spain, Italy and Germany and concluded agreements with Canada and the U.K.
Impact The effort to share terrorist and visa lookout data internationally has strengthened border security.

 

PERFORMANCE GOAL TWO: Implemented International Agreements Stop the Entry of Materials That Could Harm the United States, While Ensuring the Transfer of Bona Fide Materials
Status of the Border Security Initiatives
Rating On Target
Target
  1. Full implementation of Border Accord and successful implementation of any new initiatives developed in FY 2004. Continued U.S.-Canada cooperation on security efforts. No incidents of terrorist exploitation of Canadian territory to attack the U.S. or its interests. Launch and implementation of Security and Prosperity Partnership for North America (SPP) begins; 25% of goals reached.
  2. SPP formally launched. Short-term SPP counterterrorism initiatives accomplished, including all tasks within a 22-point action plan. Government of Mexico (GOM) develops its own watchlist and shares information with the U.S. Government for inclusion in Consular CLASS lookout system. Leads on aliens of interest routinely passed by GOM to the U.S. Government. No incident of terrorist exploitation of Mexican territory to attack U.S. or its interests.
Results
  1. Border security program with Canada launched March 2005. Work plan approved at Ministerial in June 2005.
  2. Remaining items of Action Plan with Mexico completed and institutionalized. Short-term objectives within SPP on track to be established by June 2005 and completed by December 2005.
Impact The implementation of the SPP, which incorporates the aims of existing bilateral agreements, will further shared security and economic aims in Canada and Mexico. The 30-point U.S.-Canada Border Accord is designed to improve security in travel, communications, and infrastructure while enhancing the vital economic, cultural, and personal relationships. The U.S.-Mexico Border Partnership addresses 22 action items on border security, border safety, and infrastructure for cross-border travel and commerce.
Full Implementation and Expansion of Container Security Initiative (CSI)
Rating On Target
Target Additional partner countries deploy teams to the U.S. under the reciprocity aspects of CSI. CSI best practices (as embodied in the World Customs Organization Framework) adopted at non-CSI ports.
Results
  1. Discussions are underway with other countries who are interested in sending personnel to the National Targeting Center. World Customs Organization adopts the "Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade" which is based on the principles underlying CSI. Four Customs Administrations agree to participate. Some agreements are still in the process of being finalized. As a result, projection will likely be reached/exceeded prior to the end of the calendar year. In addition, Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Energy are reviewing the probability of signing agreements with some countries that will include both CSI and the Megaports initiative.
  2. CSI is now operational in 40 ports and screens more than two-thirds of U.S.-bound containerized cargo.
  3. New Declarations of Principles: 4.
  4. New Operational Ports: 14.
Impact The result is that now over seventy percent of U.S. bound cargo is prescreened for terrorism prior to being laden for shipment to U.S.

 

PERFORMANCE GOAL THREE: Protection of Critical Physical and Cyber Infrastructure Networks Through Agreements and Enhanced Cooperations
Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Principles Implemented by Bilateral Partners
Rating Above Target
Target 40.
Results 45 countries, including 19 from the Sao Paulo conference, 13 from the Berlin conference, and 12 from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group.
Impact Adherence to international CIP principles puts governments in a better position to deter and respond to threats to globally connected critical infrastructures such as ports, telecommunications systems, energy grids and computer networks. Ensuring the viability of these systems will help reduce the impact of catastrophic events such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster, which may result in saved lives, speedy recovery, and political stability.

 

Photo showing a security ship passing next to a container boat on Panama Canal waters in Panama City, Panama, February 2005.

Container Security Initiative

The Department spearheaded global efforts to protect transportation networks through stronger shipping and aviation security rules. Twenty of the world's largest ports committed to participate in the Container Security Initiative (CSI). In addition, the program expanded to other strategic ports including Malaysia and South Africa. CSI is now operational in 38 ports and at least two countries, Canada and Japan, have utilized the reciprocal aspects of the program to have their customs officials present at U.S. ports to observe cargo bound for their countries.

A security ship passes next to a container boat on Panama Canal waters in Panama City, Panama, February 2005. AP/Wide World Photo

 

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