The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) commands the largest police force in the country, with almost half of all federal agents under its umbrella, the majority of whom are focused on the policing, imprisonment, and deportation of immigrants.
The George W. Bush administration proposed the The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, with a Secretary of Homeland Security as a new cabinet level position. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 which created DHS has been called "the largest federal government reorganization since the Department of Defense was created via the National Security Act of 1947 (as amended in 1949)."
Among other changes, DHS merged many of the roles of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and Customs Service into the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (later renamed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE), and placed the Border Patrol under the umbrella of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The reorganization of the US immigration regime under DHS explicitly connected immigrants with "terrorism" and immigration enforcement with "counterterrorism."
As the "war on terror" increasingly replaced and expanded the "war on drugs" (and the earlier fight against "communist subversion") as a catch-all for programs of mass surveillance and political repression, the Department of Homeland Security became a central federal agency coordinating intelligence gathering and sharing of information on political groups and oppressed communities inside the United States. A major focus of DHS was to further integrate existing police agencies on all levels, and more specifically to integrate federal agencies with state and local police forces. This centralization and coordination of surveillance and information sharing took place in parallel with other developments of the US police state: the passage of the Patriot Act (which further legalized secret surveillance and the use of secret evidence in political trials), the public normalization of torture, the expansion of the "extraordinary rendition" program, indefinite detention without trial, and mass imprisonment of groups because of their nationality or religion. (See also separate entry on ICE and the "Special Registration" program.)
As part of its coordination of federal and local police agencies, the Department of Homeland Security administers a grant program called the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), which funds "terrorism" preparedness for state and city police. Funded programs include intelligence fusion centers, of which DHS now lists 80 across the country, as well as training exercises such as Urban Shield. The Urban Shield exercises bring together domestic police forces with foreign counterparts, including Israeli police. Trainings are held in cities across the country, purportedly as preparation for "terrorist attacks" and major disasters. The exercises further militarize US police forces and train them for the repression of popular uprisings and for urban warfare.
When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the Department of Homeland Security contracted with Blackwater, a private military company infamous for atrocities in Iraq, to send heavily armed mercenaries into New Orleans, revealing DHS's actual priorities in the case of large scale disasters: providing security for wealth and power.
In 2005, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff announced the Secure Border Initiative. The plan included the use of fences, walls, towers, roads and high tech monitoring systems along the US-Mexico border. In 2006, DHS awarded contracts related to this initiative to the US weapons company Boeing and to the US subsidiary of Elbit Systems, the Israeli company centrally responsible for building the wall in Palestine created to strangle and imprison Palestinian communities and annex farmland and water resources. The initiative included "1,800 towers equipped with cameras and motion detectors stretched across the border."
According to a report by the Transnational Institute, between 2006 and 2019, US Customs and Border Protection (a sub-agency within DHS) alone made the following contracts with top weapons, security, and tech companies for the militarization of the border and surveillance of migrants: UNISYS, $2 billion (biometrics, license, passport detection); IBM, $1.7 billion (technological infrastructure); Boeing, $1.4 billion (land surveillance system); PAE, $1.2 billion (maintenance and refurbishing air vehicles); Lockheed Martin, $1 billion (surveillance planes, coastguard, cybersecurity); L3 technologies, $894 million (surveillance systems, cameras, sensor systems); G4S $653 million (transportation for arrested migrants); Northrop Grumman, $340 million (biometrics, border screening, radar surveillance); Accenture, $200 million (administrative support, hiring); Elbit Systems, $187 million (surveillance towers); General Dynamics, $167 million (surveillance towers); FLIR systems, $157 million (night vision, thermal cameras on mobile surveillance capability systems); Raytheon, $37 million (surveillance and radar systems for maritime drones).
Also in 2005, Chertoff launched "Operation Community Shield," employing ICE agents in anti-gang units in massive sweeps against immigrants across the country. The operation--still ongoing--features Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and National Gang Unit (NGU). This parallels a general development melding the propaganda and infrastructure created for policing racialized communities inside the US as "gangs" and "terrorists." (For more on this, see article on the Boston Police Department)
In 2008, Chertoff was involved in the First International Security Forum of Ministers of Interior and Homeland Security in Jerusalem, where he "signed an agreement with Israel to share technology and information on methods to improve homeland security." Chertoff publicly discussed introducing Israeli security measures at US airports that were supposedly based on behavioral profiling, including a new technology purported to "read thoughts."
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted by the Center for Constitutional Rights in 2016 have revealed communications between the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and local police forces about protests against the systematic police murder of Black people, beginning with the uprising in Ferguson Missouri in 2014. As CCR summarizes,"The request followed the many instances over the previous two years of military and counterterror resources being used to surveil MBL [Movement for Black Lives] protests as well as first-hand accounts of surveillance of protests and activists." CCR further details: "Emails from DHS show staff sharing far right-wing tabloid conspiracy articles to agency email lists. One email shares an article regarding 'co-option' of anti-police brutality protests by ISIS and 'jihadists.' Another email chain between 'Regional Directors' contains the subject heading 'Muslims co-opt Ferguson demonstrations' with a link to a Fox News article."
In 2020, DHS sent heavily armed police to arrest activists protesting racist police violence in Portland Oregon. Dressed in camouflage and without badges or identifying insignia, these police officers snatched protesters off the street and forced them into unmarked SUVs, often holding them for prolonged periods without formal charges or explanation. Participating DHS agencies included the US Marshals Special Operations Group and US Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC).
There are two fusion centers in Massachusetts funded by the Department of Homeland Security: the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) operated by the Boston Police Department and the Commonwealth Fusion Center, operated by the Massachusetts State Police. As in other states across the country, these intelligence fusion centers have been used to gather and share intelligence on political activists. (See separate entries on BRIC and on the Massachusetts State Police)
Urban Shield exercises funded by DHS have been held in Boston and surrounding communities several times beginning in 2011. A press release from the Boston mayor's office announced the start of the program as follows:
"Approximately $1 million in grant funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be appropriated for Urban Shield: Boston with the goal of providing a multi-layered training exercise to enhance the skills and abilities of regional first responders when addressing large-scale events. The exercises and overall competition will also test the command structure of the Unified Area Command (UAC) composed of top officials from each first responder agencies throughout the metropolitan region and supported by $2 million worth of new communications equipment immediately placing each agency on the same radio wavelength should there ever be a large scale crisis."
("Mayor Menino Announces First National Multi-Discipline Simulated 24-hour Safety Services Competition Urban Shield: Boston," US State News, May 20, 2011)
In 2004, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) established five "homeland security planning regions" to receive funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Metropolitan Area Planning Council manages DHS grants for four regional Homeland Security Advisory Councils: North East Homeland Security Advisory Council (NERAC); Central Region Homeland Security Council (CRHSAC); Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC); and Southeast Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council (SRAC). According the the NERAC website, these are "multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional advisory councils" tasked with "the development of regional homeland security plans and oversight of grant program expenditures." Public facing websites emphasize disaster preparedness, but documents obtained through a suit filed by the ACLU about the activities of NEMLEC show lists of NERAC funded military equipment for police SWAT teams. Allocations to NEMLEC for SWAT teams can also be found in NERAC meeting minutes.
Beginning at least as far back as 2006, Northeastern University has entered into contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, receiving tens of millions of dollars from multiple projects supporting DHS missions (listed below). In 2008, DHS partnered with Northeastern University in launching the Center for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) as a designated "DHS Center of Excellence"--part of a nationwide project partnering with Universities to conduct research and develop technologies in support of DHS missions. Other local universities participating with the Center include Boston University and Tufts, and local industry partners of the Center include Massachusetts-based weapons developer Raytheon.
Northeastern University projects funded by DHS have included the following: $2,287,099, "wide area surveillance and suicide bomber detection at greater than 10 meters (BOMDETEC)" (2006-2010); $2,141,294, "exploratory methods mapping (EMM) process services for big data sets" (ICE contract, 2016-2018); $2,000,000, "novel technologies and processes to support interdiction of illicit materials task order ... (ALERT) Center of Excellence (COE) Northeastern University" (2020-2022); $1,945,000, "enhanced trace explosives detection under the Northeastern University Center of Excellence BOA" (2020-2022); $1,882,167, "launch Center for Resilience Studies Network (CRS-NET) to directly support DHS in informing and advancing the capacity for lifeline infrastructures to be better prepared for, to rapidly recover from, and to adapt to natural and man-made disasters" (2015-2018); $1,373,417, "the Explosives Center of Excellence (COE) at Northeastern University (ALERT) ... new task order is for advanced algorithm reconstruction research" (2012-2013); $1,234,221, "research and development of algorithms for improved image quality for checkpoint explosive detection systems" (2016-2018); $1,221,198, "explosives detection project: improved millimeter wave radar advanced imaging technology (AIT) characterization of concealed low-contrast body-bourne threats project activity: integrated passenger screening systems/ eye safe trace detection performer" (2015-2108); $1,203,041, "standardization of procedures and methodology to measure trace explosives sampling efficiency and baseline performance" (2015-2017); $1,140,000, "task order for advanced automatic threat recognition (ATR)" (2012-2015); $1,025,000, "advanced algorithms for explosives detection equipment project" (2010-2011); $690,000, "novel features and emerging technologies for opioid detection project" (2019-2021); $650,000, "comprehensive database of contact explosives sampling efficiency and baseline performance" (2019-2022); $198,754, "support services to assist in development of counter proliferations investigations fusion center" (2010-2012); $156,616, "investigate challenges and barriers that are disincentives for investing post-disaster recovery funds" (2014-2016).
Of particular note, in November 2021, Northeastern won a $36 million contract from DHS to build a surveillance system called SENTRY (Soft target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat RealitY). The system promises to turn schools, sporting events and city spaces into a panopticon that will "integrate elements such as crowd-scanning sensors mounted atop light poles, video feeds, cell phone traffic, aerial drone footage, and social media posts." Eleven other universities will be involved in the SENTRY project, including Boston University and Tufts University. MA-based weapons developer Raytheon as well as the MA-based military R&D lab Draper will be on the project's advisory board. SENTRY is being established as yet another DHS "Center of Excellence."
Department of Homeland Security spending records also show regular tuition grants for DHS personnel to attend Harvard Kennedy School seminars on Homeland Security through Harvard Kennedy's "Program in Crisis Leadership," such as the "General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar".
In 2017, US Department of Homeland Security leadership from New England participated in a “counterterrorism seminar” in Israel, as part of an all-expenses-paid delegation of US law enforcement to Israel sponsored by the New England chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The New England Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) sponsors annual all-expenses-paid delegations to Israel for high-ranking New England police, ICE, FBI, and other security officials, where these officials meet with Israeli military, police, and intelligence agencies, with whom they train and exchange tactics including surveillance, racial profiling, crowd control, and the containment of protests.
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Amazon has received $12.26 million to date through direct contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Moreover, as Business Insider reported in 2021, "From 2015 to 2021, Amazon used third parties to sell its cloud services at least 16 times to ICE and CBP." (The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the umbrella agency within which both US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are housed.)
In 2017, New England leadership from the Department of Homeland Security participated in a “counterterrorism seminar” in Israel, as part of an all-expenses-paid delegation of US law enforcement to Israel sponsored by the New England chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The New England Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) sponsors annual all-expenses-paid delegations to Israel for high-ranking New England police, ICE, FBI, and other security officials, where these officials meet with Israeli military, police, and intelligence agencies, with whom they train and exchange tactics including surveillance, racial profiling, crowd control, and the containment of protests.
Weapons developer BAE Systems has received has made $789.93 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The parent agency of US Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DHS oversees the federal government's domestic regime of tracking, detention, and deportations of Black and Brown migrants. BAE's contracts with DHS have included this 2007-2014 $69 million contract for the provision of "Information Technology Equipment System Configuration" technologies to DHS, as well as this 2014-2020 DHS contract worth $47 million categorized as "Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services." (See here for a full list of US DHS contracts awarded to BAE Systems.)
In 2005, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff announced the Secure Border Initiative. The plan included the use of fences, walls, towers, roads and high tech monitoring systems along the US-Mexico border. In 2006, DHS awarded contracts related to this initiative to the US weapons company Boeing along with the Israeli weapons developer Elbit Systems. The Secure Border initiative included "1,800 towers equipped with cameras and motion detectors stretched across the border." According to a report by the Transnational Institute, between 2006 and 2019, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (a sub-agency within DHS) awarded contracts to Boeing worth a combined $1.4 billion.
The Boston Police Department is networked with other area police departments through US Department of Homeland Security "counterterrorism" initiatives, including the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), a DHS "intelligence fusion center" managed by the the BPD, Joint Terrorism Task forces, multi-agency groups such as the BPD's Youth Violence Strike Force (YVSF); SWAT teams, and professional organizations such as the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and other 'law enforcement councils' (LECs), which operate largely in shadows as semi-private organizations, but which are directly involved in police militarization.
CDM Smith has received $169.00 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
eClinicalWorks, a company that provides medical records management software to prisons and jails, has received several multi-million dollar contracts for software services from the US Department of Homeland Security (according to USASpending.gov).
Beginning at least as far back as 2006, Northeastern University has entered into contracts with the Department of Homeland Security, receiving tens of millions of dollars from multiple projects supporting DHS missions (listed below). In 2008, DHS partnered with Northeastern University in launching the Center for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) as a designated "DHS Center of Excellence"--part of a nationwide project partnering with Universities to conduct research and develop technologies in support of DHS missions. Other local universities participate with the Center include Boston University and Tufts, and local industry partners of the Center include Massachusetts-based weapons developer Raytheon.
Northeastern University projects funded by DHS have included the following: $2,287,099, "wide area surveillance and suicide bomber detection at greater than 10 meters (BOMDETEC)" (2006-2010); $2,141,294, "exploratory methods mapping (EMM) process services for big data sets" (ICE contract, 2016-2018); $2,000,000, "novel technologies and processes to support interdiction of illicit materials task order ... (ALERT) Center of Excellence (COE) Northeastern University" (2020-2022); $1,945,000, "enhanced trace explosives detection under the Northeastern University Center of Excellence BOA" (2020-2022); $1,882,167, "launch Center for Resilience Studies Network (CRS-NET) to directly support DHS in informing and advancing the capacity for lifeline infrastructures to be better prepared for, to rapidly recover from, and to adapt to natural and man-made disasters" (2015-2018); $1,373,417, "the Explosives Center of Excellence (COE) at Northeastern University (ALERT) ... new task order is for advanced algorithm reconstruction research" (2012-2013); $1,234,221, "research and development of algorithms for improved image quality for checkpoint explosive detection systems" (2016-2018); $1,221,198, "explosives detection project: improved millimeter wave radar advanced imaging technology (AIT) characterization of concealed low-contrast body-bourne threats project activity: integrated passenger screening systems/ eye safe trace detection performer" (2015-2108); $1,203,041, "standardization of procedures and methodology to measure trace explosives sampling efficiency and baseline performance" (2015-2017); $1,140,000, "task order for advanced automatic threat recognition (ATR)" (2012-2015); $1,025,000, "advanced algorithms for explosives detection equipment project" (2010-2011); $690,000, "novel features and emerging technologies for opioid detection project" (2019-2021); $650,000, "comprehensive database of contact explosives sampling efficiency and baseline performance" (2019-2022); $198,754, "support services to assist in development of counter proliferations investigations fusion center" (2010-2012); $156,616, "investigate challenges and barriers that are disincentives for investing post-disaster recovery funds" (2014-2016).
Of particular note, in November 2021, Northeastern won a $36 million contract from DHS to build a surveillance system called SENTRY (Soft target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat RealitY). The system promises to turn schools, sporting events and city spaces into a panopticon that will "integrate elements such as crowd-scanning sensors mounted atop light poles, video feeds, cell phone traffic, aerial drone footage, and social media posts." Eleven other universities will be involved in the SENTRY project, including Boston University and Tufts University. MA-based weapons developer Raytheon as well as the MA-based military R&D lab Draper will be on the project's advisory board. SENTRY is being established as yet another DHS "Center of Excellence."
Raytheon has received $593.59 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to a report by the Transnational Institute, between 2006 and 2019, US Customs and Border Protection (a sub-agency of DHS) awarded contracts to Raytheon worth a combined $37 million for the development of surveillance and radar systems for maritime drones.
As reported by AFSC Investigate, in 2020, Northrop Grumman won a 10-year contract with US Customs and Border Protection (a sub-agency of DHS) worth a potential $896.1 million, to provide maintenance for US Customs and Border Protection's P-3 aircraft fleet. Prior to this contract, Northrop Grumman held a separate CBP contract from 2014-2019 worth $337 million, through which Northrop carried out work to modernize CBP's TECS database, through which CBP "facilitates information sharing among federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies" and for data organization to "support law enforcement 'lookouts,' border screening, and reporting for CBP's primary and secondary inspection processes." Northrop Grumman also provides CBP with drone-mounted military-grade radar system technologies, which CPB uses to track and surveil the movements of migrants along the US-Mexico border.
As reported by AFSC Investigate, weapons developer L3Harris equips the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (a sub-agency within DHS) with advanced surveillance technologies, which DHS and ICE use to enforce the US federal government's regime of tracking, detentions, and deportations of Black and Brown migrants.
Over the past decade, L3 Harris has provided DHS and ICE with tens of millions of dollars worth of cell-site simulators, known as "The Stingray," and subsequently provided DHS and ICE with an upgraded version of The Stingray known as "The Crossbow." Stingrays and Crossbows mimic cell phone towers to make cell phones connect to them, allowing DHS and ICE to pinpoint the location of mobile devices or to identify phone numbers in their certain area, thereby enabling DHS and ICE to more effectively track the movements of migrants they wish to target. In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded L3 Harris a 5-year contract worth a potential $3 billion for "tactical communication networks," extending a contract DHS had previously established with L3 Harris in 2013.
According to a report by the Transnational Institute, between 2006 and 2019, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (a sub-agency within DHS) awarded contracts worth a combined $1 billion to weapons developer Lockheed Martin. These contracts were for "surveillance planes, coastguard, and cybersecurity."
According to a report by the Transnational Institute, between 2006 and 2019, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (a sub-agency within DHS) awarded contracts worth a combined $1.7 billion to IBM for the development of "technological infrastructure."
The Central Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (CRHSAC) is one of five Massachusetts "homeland security planning regions" which receive funding from Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to USAspending.gov, Noble Supply & Logistics has received $14.86 million to date from contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security.
Homer Contracting received $1.7 million from a 2019-2020 contract with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In 2014, Akamai received over $1.3 million for providing “web hosting” to the US Department of Homeland Security.
The Boston Regional Intelligence Center is one of two 'intelligence fusion centers' in Massachusetts, organized by the Department of Homeland Security for the coordination of surveillance and information sharing between local, state, federal, and private policing agencies. According to the description of BRIC on the Boston Police Department Bureau of Intelligence and Analysis website, "Boston Emergency Medical Services, Boston Fire Department, Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence & Analysis, and Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Field Office are also assigned to the Center." BRIC is listed by the Department of Homeland Security as one of 80 officially recognized intelligence fusions centers across the country.
In 2011, the Harvard University Police Department placed Harvard Yard under lockdown during the Occupy Wall Street protests, and refused entry to anyone without a Harvard ID. Internal Department of Homeland Security briefings about the Occupy Wall Street protests show communication between HUPD and DHS through the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) regarding this incident: "According to Harvard University PO, Newt Gingrich will be at the JFK School of Government for an event at 5:00 PM. Harvard University PO has noted that the Occupy Harvard group has called for a protest at this event. The BRIC will continue to monitor." (US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, Threat Management Division, Daily Intelligence Briefing, 11.18.11 Region 1 https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nppd-occupy-wall-street-redacted_Part4_0_0.pdf)
Department of Homeland Security spending records also show regular tuition grants for DHS personnel to attend Harvard Kennedy School seminars on Homeland Security through Harvard Kennedy's "Program on Crisis Leadership," such as the "General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar".
According to a report by the Transnational Institute, between 2006 and 2019, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (a sub-agency of DHS) awarded contracts worth a combined $187 million to Israeli weapons developer Elbit Systems for the development of surveillance towers. In total, Elbit Systems has received $233.01 million to date from contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In 2005, US Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff announced the Secure Border Initiative, a plan which included the use of fences, walls, towers, roads, and high tech monitoring systems along the US-Mexico border. The Initiative included "1,800 towers equipped with cameras and motion detectors stretched across the border." In 2006, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded contracts related to this initiative to Elbit's full-owned US subsidiary KMC systems as well as to US weapons developer Boeing.
Tufts is listed as a partner in the US Department of Homeland Security's "Center of Excellence" (COE) located at Northeastern University, through which cooperating universities develop technology to support DHS projects of mass surveillance and intelligence sharing. In 2008, DHS partnered with Northeastern University to launch the Center for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) as a designated "DHS Center of Excellence." In November 2021, Northeastern University won a $36 million contract from DHS to build a surveillance system called SENTRY (Soft target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat RealitY), a system which promises to turn schools, sporting events and city spaces into a panopticon that will "integrate elements such as crowd-scanning sensors mounted atop light poles, video feeds, cell phone traffic, aerial drone footage, and social media posts." Government spending records for grants to Northeastern University show Tufts University as an additional recipient on NEU's awards for both projects.
Boston University is listed as a partner in DHS's "Center of Excellence" (COE) at Northeastern University, through which cooperating universities develop technology to support DHS projects of mass surveillance and intelligence sharing. In 2008, DHS partnered with Northeastern University to launch the Center for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) as a designated "DHS Center of Excellence." In November 2021, Northeastern won a $36 million contract from DHS to build a surveillance system called SENTRY (Soft target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat RealitY). The system promises to turn schools, sporting events and city spaces into a panopticon that will "integrate elements such as crowd-scanning sensors mounted atop light poles, video feeds, cell phone traffic, aerial drone footage, and social media posts." Government spending records for grants to Northeastern show Boston University as an additional recipient on its awards for both projects.
Boston University also participates in ALERT ("Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats"), a consortium of nine universities and industry partners who receive grants and other support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct "research, technology and educational development" for DHS. According to an annual report on the program, ALERT supports DHS to "quickly adapt to new research and education priorities related to the daunting mission of DHS to protect our nation from terrorist threats." ALERT includes educational programming targeted to "pre-college, undergraduate, graduate and career professional components" respectively, and includes a "High-Tech Tools and Toys Lab," "an Engineering Leadership Program focusing on Department of Homeland Security Topics," and "workshops and short courses."
In November 2021, Northeastern University won a $36 million contract from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to build a surveillance system called SENTRY (Soft target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat RealitY). The system promises to turn schools, sporting events, and city spaces into a panopticon that will "integrate elements such as crowd-scanning sensors mounted atop light poles, video feeds, cell phone traffic, aerial drone footage, and social media posts." Draper Labs will be on the advisory board of the project.
Excelitas Technologies has received $55,707 to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Gemini Industries has received $13.73 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security for the provision of products and services to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other sub-agencies of DHS. Gemini's business with DHS has included a 2016-21 contract with ICE worth $2,396,790 for "LEISI [Law Enforcement Information Sharing Initiative] program management and support."
General Dynamics has received $4.82 billion to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Through these contracts, General Dynamics has provided broadscale support to DHS, ICE, and CBP's regime of tracking, detentions, and deportations of Black and Brown migrants. As reported by AFSC Investigate:
General Dynamics is the primary contractor for DHS’ Automated Biometric Identity System (IDENT), “the central DHS-wide system for storage and processing of biometric and associated biographic information.” DHS uses IDENT to store, match, process, and share biometric and biographic information on over 230 million unique individuals. IDENT is an essential tool used by CBP and ICE, as well as local and state law enforcement, to track, monitor, and detain immigrants. It was the key technology that facilitated the Secure Communities program, directly responsible for an estimated 450,000 deportations between 2008 and 2014 alone.
Along with supporting DHS to organize biometric data on 230 million individuals for the purpose of identifying and targeting migrants, General Dynamics has provides US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with a "Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS)" which CBP uses to surveil the movements of migrants near the US-Mexico border. AFSC Investigate reported: "Since 2013, General Dynamics has provided CBP with its Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) on the US-Mexico border. These consist of tower-mounted pairs of day and night cameras that feed video to a dedicated CBP facility, enabling 'Border Patrol to survey large areas ... as they detect, identify, and classify incursions at the border'.”
General Electric has received $382.43 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In February 2022, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the creation of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB). As reported by Cynthia Brumfield, CSRB was to be composed of "15 top cybersecurity leaders from the federal government and the private sector, including Robert Silvers, DHS undersecretary for policy, who will serve as chair, and Heather Adkins, Google’s senior director for security engineering, who will serve as deputy chair." Brumfield further notes: "This public-private initiative is charged with reviewing and assessing significant cybersecurity incidents across government and the private sector," in order to "provide a unique forum for collaboration between government and private sector leaders who will deliver strategic recommendations to the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security.”
In 2011, the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) placed Harvard Yard under lockdown during the Occupy Wall Street protests, and refused entry to anyone without a Harvard ID. Internal Department of Homeland Security briefings about the Occupy Wall Street protests show communication between HUPD and DHS through the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC): "According to Harvard University PO, Newt Gingrich will be at the JFK School of Government for an event at 5:00 PM. Harvard University PO has noted that the Occupy Harvard group has called for a protest at this event. The BRIC will continue to monitor." (US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, Threat Management Division, Daily Intelligence Briefing, 11.18.11 Region 1, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nppd-occupy-wall-street-redacted_Part4_0_0.pdf.)
Hewlett Packard Enterprise along with its parent company Hewlett Packard (from which HPE split in 2016) have collectively received $128.80 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS is the parent agency of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which jointly carry out the US federal government's regime of tracking, detention, and deportation of Black and Brown migrants.
Industrial Video & Control (IVC) has received $11.43 million to date through contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Northeastern University offers up the Kostas Research Institute for "private and as-needed secure convening venue for researchers, industry practitioners, and government agencies," and notes that "ALERT (Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence)," the "Graduate Homeland Security Program," and the "US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft Roundtable" have utilized the Institute for this purpose. (The US Coast Guard is a sub-agency within DHS.)
Lenco is the sole supplier of armored vehicles to the US Border Patrol.
The Massachusetts State Police collaborate with US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to run the "Commonwealth Fusion Center" (CFC). "Fusion Centers" are sites established by the DHS to coordinate surveillance and information sharing between local, state, federal, and private policing agencies. According to the description of CFC on mass.gov:
In accordance with the Fusion Center Guidelines issued jointly by the US Department of Justice and DHS, CFC develops an annual production plan outlining the types of intelligence products it intends to provide to stakeholders ... In addition to producing intelligence products, in 2007 CFC purchased and implemented a software product (CopLink) that collects information from dissimilar law enforcement agency record management systems and organizes them into a single database. CopLink also includes information from other entities, including the Sex Offender Registry Board and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. CopLink combines the information gathered into a single, searchable database, enabling users to analyze large volumes of information to identify trends and provide support for criminal investigations and other law enforcement activities.
The Commonwealth Fusion Center is listed by the US Department of Homeland Security as one of its 80 officially recognized intelligence fusions centers across the country, and one of the two officially recognized intelligence fusion centers in the state of Massachusetts.
Microsoft provides wide-scale support to the US government's regime of tracking, detention, and deportation of Black and Brown migrants, providing a wide array of Microsoft technologies and services to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (ICE and CBP's parent agency). According to US government spending reports, Microsoft has received $509.59 million to date through contracts with the Department of Homeland Security. Microsoft's business with US DHS include the provision of data management technologies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
And in addition to its direct contracts with DHS, Microsoft frequently does business with DHS, ICE, and CBP through third party vendors, presumably in an attempt to reduce public scrutiny of Microsoft's ties to these agencies. As reported by Business Insider in 2021, "Microsoft used third parties to sell its cloud services and software more than 200 times to immigration agencies from 2002 to 2021, in addition to selling to ICE and CBP directly more than 100 times." A (far from exhaustive) list of recent Microsoft sales to ICE, CBP, and DHS through third party vendors includes:
Odyssey Systems Consulting Group has received $15.33 million from US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracts for the provision of products and services to the US Coast Guard. (The US Coast Guard is a sub-agency within DHS).
The "cybersecurity firm" Recorded Future has received $246,486 to date from contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security.
The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) is one of five "homeland security planning regions" which the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) established in 2004 to receive funding from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS grants for WRHSAC are managed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Like other "Homeland Security" initiatives, under cover of "counterterrorism" these councils seek to further integrate local, state, and federal police forces and militarize them for the suppression of popular uprisings and for urban warfare. Meeting minutes of the advisory councils show consistent spending on equipment and training for "Law Enforcement Council" (LECs) in the corresponding regions. LECs are officially private professional organizations that link regional police forces to share equipment, train together in military style exercises, and form SWAT teams. LECs have attempted to use their status as private corporations to deny public records requests about their activities.
As of 2022, Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council leadership included the following members: Chair. Sheriff Bowler /Lt. Col. Thomas Grady, Berkshire County Sheriff's Office; Vice Chair, Chief John Dearborn, Longmeadow Fire Department; Corrections, Sheriff Bowler /Maj. Thomas Grady, Berkshire County Sheriff's Office; Law Enforcement, Chief Stephen Kozloski, Monson Police Department; Law Enforcement, Chief Michael Wynn, Pittsfield Police Department; and Law Enforcement, Chief John Paciorek, Deerfield Police Department.
iRobot has received $68,835 to date from contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).