Secretary Chertoff, DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Md. Governor Martin O’Malley and Va. Governor Timothy M. Kaine met December 23, 2008 at Secret Service headquarters to discuss security planning and implementation for the 56th Presidential Inauguration.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on December 22, 2008 that it will designate Malta as a Visa Waiver Program country on December 30, 2009. Maltese nationals will be able to travel visa-free to the United States effective December 30th.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff delivered remarks on cybersecurity at the Cyber Strategic Inquiry 2008 in Washington, D.C. on December 18, 2008.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff 2008 End of the Year Remarks at Georgetown University on December 18, 2008.

The Department of Homeland Security's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) David Norquist will leave the department after more than two years of managing one of the most complex financial management organizations in the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it is expanding the categories of non-U.S. citizens required to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry to the United States through the US VISIT program on December 18, 2008.

The Department's end-of-2008 accomplishments and success in protecting the nation from dangerous people and goods, securing the nation’s critical infrastructure, strengthening emergency preparedness and response and unifying department operations.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman Michael Dougherty issued a study and recommendations on naturalization oath ceremonies on December 16, 2008.

The Department of Homeland Security opened the application period for approximately $34 million under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program on December 16, 2008. These grants are intended to improve state, local and tribal emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure and interoperable Emergency Operations Centers.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today opened the application period for approximately $48.6 million under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Driver’s License Security Grant Program. These grants support state efforts to prevent terrorism and reduce fraud by improving the reliability and accuracy of identification documents that state governments issue.