On November 20, 2014, Secretary Jeh Johnson directed the creation of the Southern Border and Approaches Campaign,  a unified approach to improve how the Department protects the homeland across our borders. The campaign will harness and more effectively coordinate the assets and personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and other resources of the Department.

The intent of this campaign is effective enforcement and interdiction across land, sea, and air; to degrade transnational criminal organizations; and to do these things while still facilitating the flow of lawful trade, travel, and commerce across our borders.

“Before the creation of DHS many of our components and agencies were siloed in their missions and efforts. Many worked at cross-odds or redundantly in their homeland security function. Their move under one homeland security umbrella fixed that.  Now, they are together.

We are taking this even further. Through our Southern Border and Approaches Campaign, our components and agencies will work hand and hand so that we are more effective, more efficient, and even stronger.” – Secretary Jeh Johnson

The Task Forces And Their Commanders

DHS Coordinator

The DHS Coordinator will be responsible for the implementation of the Joint Task Force models and serves as the primary coordinator on behalf of the Secretary.  Peter Verga will serve as DHS Coordinator.

Joint Task Force-East

JTF East will be responsible for our Southeast maritime approaches.  Joint Task Force-East will be led by Vice Admiral William “Dean” Lee.

 

Joint Task Force-West

JTF West will be responsible for our southwest land border.  Joint Task Force-West will be led by Commander Robert L. Harris.


 

Joint Task Force for Investigations

JTF Investigations will support the work of the other two Task Forces and focus on investigations throughout the nation and with our foreign partners. This Task Force is led by ICE-HSI Special Agent in Charge David Marwell.

Recent News

• Statement by Secretary Johnson Regarding Today’s Trip to Texas (December 15, 2014)
• Secretary Jeh Johnson on Southern Border Campaign Strategy (October 9, 2014)
• Fixing Our Broken Immigration System Through Executive Action - Key Facts (November 20, 2014) 
• Arreglando Nuestro Sistema de Inmigración A Través de Acción Ejecutiva – Datos Principales (November 21, 2014)