In light of the events of September 11, 2001, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is redirecting its focus, and its budget, in support of many anti-terror programs.  The FY03 budget request of $30.2 billion seeks a net increase of $1.8 billion for terrorism related programs, as compared to FY02.  Among the eight core areas identified by the DOJ for which additional funding was sought after are:  victim’s programs, improvements to immigration services and enforcement, and at the top of the list, preventing and combating terrorism, including border security.
 
 On November 8, 2001, the Attorney General directed the reorganization of Department’s law enforcement resources to “establish the fight against terrorism as the first and overriding priority of the Department.”  This act calls for the enhancement of the Department’s prevention, mitigation, and investigation towards acts and threats of terrorism against America.  The ability of the DOJ to enact these new programs lies within its many law enforcement agencies.  Large amounts of increased funding are being presented to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the U.S. Marshal service.  All of these agencies will play critical roles in protecting the nation from future terrorist attacks.

Preventing and Combating Terrorism, Including Border Security

 The FBI is scheduled to receive $745 million to respond to and investigate the September 11 terrorist attacks.  Additional money is being appropriated to enhance the FBI’s Trilogy, National Infrastructure Protection Center, Computer Analysis Response Teams, Intelligence Production and other technical programs.  Almost $200 million and over 200 positions will improve the Bureau’s Information Technology projects and their surveillance capabilities. Other programs seeing significant boosts in FY03 funds are:  the Bureaus’ Aviation Program ($46M) – internal upgrades to enhance surveillance aircraft and support staff; Information Assurance ($49M) – to prevent intrusion to the DOJ network; and Response Capabilities ($32M) – to enhance the FBI’s capability to respond simultaneously to multiple crisis sites.
 
 Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) will see $550 million for staff, construction, technology, and equipment to secure our nation’s borders.  The largest increase ($362 million) is focused on improvements to our country’s land, sea, and air entry/exit system.  Second on the list ($145 million) are improvements to Border Patrol and Inspection facilities.

 Other areas of interest within the Department’s terrorism programs are improvements to Radio Infrastructure – nearly $60 million will be dedicated to improving radio infrastructure in key areas such as New York and northern and southwest borders.  Over $40 million will aid physical security improvements to U.S Marshal’s Service facilities.  A Counterterrorism Fund and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will receive nearly $50 million for support of anti-terrorism security and Counter-Terrorism activities.
 
Supporting Victim’s Programs

 The DOJ is committed to repairing the physical and emotional damage of September 11, and ensuring that all victims of terrorism receive the assistance they need.  So much so, that an approximately $3 billion increase will support victims’ programs including the newly established Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. The New Victim Compensation Fund will secure the Department’s ability to cover any future need to support victims of terror, while the Office of Justice Programs will place $75 million back in the Emergency Reserve.  The Director of the Office for Victim’s of Crime can use these funds to grant compensation to state’s for victim relief or directly to U.S. citizens abroad.
 
 

More information on the subject of this article can be found at:
US Department of Justice:  www.usdoj.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation:  www.fbi.gov
Immigration and Naturalization Service:  www.ins.gov

Information on the USDOJ FYO3 budget was obtained via the DOJ FY 2003 Budget Request Highlights report, which can be viewed at:
www.usdoj.gov/jmd/2000-budget/fy2003.htm