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CBP Commissioner Meets Italian Customs Director to Enhance Border Cooperation and Combat Illicit Trafficking

CBP Commissioner Meets Italian Customs Director to Enhance Border Cooperation and Combat Illicit Trafficking

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney S. Scott met with Roberto Alesse, Director of the Customs and Monopolies Agency of Italy (ADM), in Washington, D.C. The meeting aimed to strengthen the long-standing cooperation between the two administrations. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to securing international supply chains, combating illicit trafficking, and enforcing legitimate trade practices. Key discussion points included enhancing operational cooperation and information exchange, with a specific focus on risk analysis, supply chain security, and countering synthetic drugs. They also emphasized improving the professional capabilities of customs personnel. The officials highlighted the importance of collaborating with economic operators and e-commerce stakeholders to increase supply chain transparency and the effectiveness of risk-based controls. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continued cooperation on strategic issues for both countries, underscoring the st...

San Jose Leaders Instruct Staff to Propose Guardrails for Flock Cameras Amid Public Outcry

San Jose Leaders Instruct Staff to Propose Guardrails for Flock Cameras Amid Public Outcry

A San Jose City Council committee has directed staff to develop potential safeguards for Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs). This decision follows a public rally outside City Hall, organized by the Safety Over Surveillance Santa Clara County Coalition, urging the cancellation of the city's contract with Flock. The protest was prompted by the recent revelation that a San Jose Police Department (SJPD) officer was fired for improperly accessing the Flock database to track a woman who accused his cousin of domestic violence. This incident has intensified concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the technology. The committee's unanimous vote instructs the city manager's office to draft an ordinance outlining unauthorized uses of Flock data and potential penalties for violations.

Senator Josh Hawley Introduces Bill to Regulate AI-Powered Surveillance Cameras

Senator Josh Hawley Introduces Bill to Regulate AI-Powered Surveillance Cameras

Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, has introduced the Stop Flock Abuse Act, a bill designed to establish regulations for AI-powered surveillance technology, specifically automated license plate readers (ALPRs) like those produced by Flock. The legislation aims to impose stricter limits on data collection, security, and search functions of these cameras, which are widely used by local governments, businesses, and law enforcement. The bill would prohibit local governments from selling or sharing vehicle data collected by these cameras and mandate the permanent deletion of driver data within 10 days, unless a criminal investigation is underway. Additionally, the proposed law would ban the use of facial recognition technology by surveillance networks and require written approval for searches, along with an audit log to track them. Data collected would also need to be encrypted and stored within the United States. This move follows an investigation launched by Senator Hawley into Flock and other survei...

U.S. State Department Proposes Using Passport Records for Voter Citizenship Verification

U.S. State Department Proposes Using Passport Records for Voter Citizenship Verification

The U.S. Department of State is planning to expand the use of its passport records to include voter-citizenship verification. This proposal, detailed in a Justice Department court filing from September 22, involves modifying the Passport Records System of Records Notice (SORN) to add a new 'routine use.' This change would permit sharing information from passport applicants with 'various entities utilizing federal government verification platforms' for purposes such as verifying identity or citizenship for government website access, voter eligibility, and other government services. Currently, voter eligibility verification is not explicitly listed among the routine uses for passport information. The proposed modification could be published in the Federal Register as early as October 22, followed by a 30-day public comment period. This move follows President Trump's March 2025 executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide state and local authorities with access to systems for...

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Implements Stricter Regulations on Flock Surveillance Cameras

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Implements Stricter Regulations on Flock Surveillance Cameras

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's administration has announced new, tighter restrictions on the city's use of controversial Flock surveillance cameras. Under these updated rules, Flock, the technology provider, will now be required to remove license plate reader data from its system after 30 days, a significant reduction from the previous allowance of up to a year. Following this 30-day period, San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers will need supervisor approval and an active investigation to access any remaining data. The SFPD will also be subject to regular reviews of how the system is being utilized. Mayor Lurie emphasized that this technology is crucial for public safety, stating it helps prevent crimes such as car break-ins and business robberies. The announcement was made alongside San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Assemblymember Matt Haney, who are also planning to introduce legislation to increase accountability for individuals who misuse authorized access to Automated Li...

Department of State Expands Social Media Screening for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants, Including TN and TD Categories

Department of State Expands Social Media Screening for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants, Including TN and TD Categories

On September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) expanded its enhanced screening procedures to include social media review for additional nonimmigrant visa categories, notably TN and TD visa applicants. This marks the fourth expansion of such policies, which began in June 2025. Applicants for visas in categories such as A-3, C-3 (domestic workers), F, G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4, I, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, M, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, U, TN, and TD are now required to set their social media accounts to 'public' during the application process. The purpose of these enhanced vetting procedures is to assess potential threats to U.S. national security, interests, and safety, and to screen for antisemitic harassment and violence. Mexican citizens applying for TN and TD visas at U.S. embassies or consulates in Mexico will be affected, as Canadian citizens are visa-exempt. Applicants must truthfully disclose all social media accounts used within the past five years on Form DS-160 before their visa interview. Failure to comply...

States Continue to Regulate Data Privacy Amidst Congressional Inaction

States Continue to Regulate Data Privacy Amidst Congressional Inaction

Despite ongoing discussions in Congress regarding a potential federal data privacy law, states are continuing to enact their own regulations, driven by constituent concerns over technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Virginia Delegate Kirk McPike noted a growing 'trust issue' among the public regarding new technologies, particularly social media and AI, which has prompted state lawmakers to implement safeguards. Virginia's comprehensive privacy law, enacted in 2021 and effective in 2023, grants residents rights over their personal data and allows them to request records from companies. Other states, including California, Florida, New York, Utah, Arkansas, Maryland, and Texas, have also passed age verification or age-appropriate design laws for social media. This fragmented regulatory landscape is a concern for business groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which argues that it increases compliance costs and hinders innovation. However, state lawmakers like McPike believe that in the absence o...

Senate punts bill to permanently ban Chinese cars until after midterm elections

Senate punts bill to permanently ban Chinese cars until after midterm elections

A bill aiming to permanently ban the sale of Chinese vehicles in the United States stalled in the Senate as lawmakers headed for the exits until after the November midterm elections

U.S. State Department Expands Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants

U.S. State Department Expands Social Media Screening for Visa Applicants

Effective October 1, 2026, the U.S. State Department is broadening its online screening procedures for visa applicants to include I visas for foreign media representatives, TN visas for Canadian and Mexican professionals, and TD visas for their dependents. Applicants in these categories are now required to make their social media profiles public or open for review by consular officers. This expansion builds upon an existing vetting system that already applies to numerous other visa categories, such as diplomatic and official visas (A-3, C-3, G-5), student visas (F-1, M-1, F-2, M-2), temporary worker and trainee visas (H-1B, H-3, H-4), exchange visitor visas (J-1, J-2), fiancé and dependent visas (K-1, K-2, K-3), international cultural exchange participant visas (Q), religious occupation visas (R-1, R-2), and visas for witnesses, informants, and victims (S, T, U). The State Department asserts its right to utilize information from any available source to determine visa eligibility and assess potential nation...

Department of Homeland Security Seizes Counterfeit and Unsafe Goods in Virginia

Department of Homeland Security Seizes Counterfeit and Unsafe Goods in Virginia

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Norfolk, Virginia, recently seized five shipments of counterfeit, unsafe, and fraudulently imported goods with a collective value of nearly $856,000. These seizures highlight the broad scope of trade violations encountered by CBP during inspections of imported consumer goods. The violations included items that infringed on intellectual property rights, goods deemed potentially unsafe by consumer protection authorities, and products imported using identity theft. Specific incidents involved the seizure of 697 cartons of dry-fit t-shirts fraudulently imported from Morocco using a stolen identity, 1,500 rugs from Turkey that violated the Flammable Fabrics Act, and a shipment from China containing various items imported with a stolen identity. Additionally, CBP officers seized 1,000 ceramic sinks with counterfeit UPC Shield certifications and 1,176 rolls of carpet bearing counterfeit OEKO-TEX labels with expired certification numbers. These actions underscor...

ICE Awards Thomson Reuters $125 Million Contract for Identity Targeting Systems After Initial Sole-Source Reversal

ICE Awards Thomson Reuters $125 Million Contract for Identity Targeting Systems After Initial Sole-Source Reversal

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has awarded Thomson Reuters Special Services (TRSS) a five-year data and analytics agreement valued at up to $125 million. This contract, identified as 70CMSD26A00000008, was secured through a competitive process after ICE initially intended to grant TRSS the work without competition. The initial sole-source plan was withdrawn in response to industry feedback, leading to a competitive solicitation. Despite the shift to competition, TRSS was the only company to submit an offer. The agreement, which has a ceiling of $125 million, is set to run through September 29, 2031. The contract aims to enhance Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) capabilities in screening, vetting, lead development, and criminal analysis by providing commercial and open-source data, analytical tools, and specialized personnel.

U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Mexican Fishers Illegally Harvesting Red Snapper and Sharks in U.S. Waters

U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Mexican Fishers Illegally Harvesting Red Snapper and Sharks in U.S. Waters

The U.S. Coast Guard has detained 11 Mexican fishers for illegally harvesting 1,350 pounds of red snapper and nine sharks in U.S. federal waters. The interdiction occurred after the fishers were discovered operating north of the Maritime Boundary Line on February 6. They were using three 'lanchas,' which are small, fast boats often employed to quickly cross into U.S. waters, illegally catch fish, and then return to Mexico. The Coast Guard seized the fishers' catch and gear, and the individuals were subsequently turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for processing. This incident follows another recent capture of a lancha crew that had illegally taken 200 pounds of fish off the Texas coast, indicating a pattern of such illicit activities in the Gulf of Mexico.