By Matthew Donohue, USCM Intern
May 1, 2006

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced April 25 that it will start conducting name-based background checks for port workers in an effort to enhance security at the nation’s ports.

According to a DHS press release, the background checks are part of the department’s Transportation Worker Credential initiative, which aims to complete preliminary name-based background checks of the nation’s 400,000 port workers by the summer of 2006.

“It is fundamental that individuals who pose a security threat do not gain access to our nation’s ports,” said Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff. “The name-based checks will provide an immediate security boost while we simultaneously complete the work to implement a secure national transportation worker credential.”

The U.S. Coast Guard will be responsible for conducting the background checks of port workers. The collected information will then be given to the Transportation Security Administration, which will check workers against terrorist watch lists through the Terrorist Screening Center. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will also ensure that port workers are legally eligible to work in the United States.

“What this program will specifically require is that people working in the ports and those who get daily access to port facilities receive background screening and then a tamper-proof biometric credential that will strengthen our security at all of these facilities,” Chertoff said at a press conference with Security Administration Assistant Secretary Kip Hawley and U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Craig Bone.

The Conference of Mayors has long expressed serious concerns regarding the security of U.S. ports. In a letter to the Administration and Congress February 21, Conference President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill wrote, “As the home to one of the world’s largest ports, I am deeply aware of the importance of securing port cargo and operations. Our organization has been calling for important measures to strengthen port security.”

Immediately after September 11, 2001, the Conference issued a National Action Plan on Safety and Security in America’s Cities. Again, in the Conference’s homeland security progress assessment released in October, the 2005 National Action Plan on Safety and Security in America’s Cities, the mayors continue to state that not enough is being done to secure our nation’s ports. Ports remain exposed to large scale acts of terrorism, including weapons of mass destruction or other dangerous materials.

Since 2002, the Department of Homeland Security Port Security Grant Program has provided $630 million for seaports.

In contrast, the U.S. Coast Guard has estimated that ports would have to spend $5.4 billion over ten years to meet federal-mandated port security enhancements. That is on top of the more than $3 billion ports have to spend already annually on infrastructure improvements and operations, maintenance and personnel expenses just to keep pace with world trade.