The Department of Homeland Security has fully implemented recent legislation allowing USCIS to approve immigrant petitions for permanent resident status in the United States filed by or on behalf of widows and widowers of U.S. citizens and their unmarried children under 21 years old.

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced the release of application guidance for the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) totaling an estimated $253 million—funds for state, local and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen the nation’s transportation infrastructure and protect the traveling public from acts of terrorism and other major disasters.

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced the launch of a virtual job fair at www.dhs.gov/cyberjobfair to recruit cybersecurity experts—capitalizing on DHS’ recently acquired authority to recruit and hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity professionals across the Department over the next three years.

Testimony of Secretary Napolitano before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security" (Written Testimony) at the Hart Senate Office Building December 9, 2009.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today officially launched Virtual USA, an innovative information-sharing initiative—developed in collaboration with the emergency response community and state and local governments across the nation—that helps federal, state, local and tribal first responders communicate during emergencies.

Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the creation of the Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center (CTAC)—a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility designed to streamline and enhance federal efforts to address import safety issues.

Secretary Napolitano announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7 billion—funds for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen our nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.

Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Secretary of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) Agustín Carstens signed an updated and enhanced Declaration of Principles (DOP)—accomplishing the goals they outlined to create a joint United States-Mexico framework to improve security along the Southwest border and facilitate the flow of legitimate travel and trade.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano met with private sector leaders in the real estate, professional sports, media and financial industries during her visit to New York City this week to discuss the importance of protecting the nation's critical infrastructure and the shared responsibility of building a national culture of readiness and resiliency.

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Mayorkas led a naturalization ceremony for more than 100 citizenship candidates from more than 40 countries at Ellis Island on December 4, 2009.