Homeland Security Project Focuses on Immigration and Borders, Threats and Resiliency

Led by Belfer Lecturer in International Security and former Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Juliette Kayyem, the Belfer Center’s new Homeland Security Project focuses on the unique challenges and choices around protecting the United States. The project provides a forum for academic and public policy pursuits related to immigration and borders, American resiliency issues, and the future of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

 “From terror to natural disaster to pandemics, homeland security is at the intersection of all evolving threats and hazards with the traditional governmental and civil responsibilities of emergency response, law enforcement, customs, border control, and immigration,” Kayyem said.

The project’s inaugrial fellows include Lisa Monaco, former assistant to President Obama for homeland security and counterterrorism; Alan Bersin, former assistant secretary for international affairs and chief  diplomatic officer with DHS, and former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and John Carlin, former assistant attorney general for national security. 

“These talented individuals, who have been working at the center of our nation’s security, will provide experience and insight into exploring the challenges connected with keeping our nation safe,” Kayyem said. “I look forward to their contributions as we tackle these issues with our faculty, staff, and students.”