DHS to Serve as Lead Federal Agency Coordinating Efforts to Resettle Vulnerable Afghans

U.S. Department of Homeland Security to Serve as Lead Federal Agency Coordinating Efforts to Resettle Vulnerable Afghans | site |



Secretary Mayorkas Announces Robert J. Fenton, Jr. as Senior Response Official


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] press release dated: August 29, 2021) Washington - - President Biden has directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to have his department serve as the lead agency coordinating ongoing efforts across the federal government to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked on behalf of the United States.  Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that Robert J. Fenton, Jr. will lead the interagency Unified Coordination Group. The Unified Coordination Group will report directly to Secretary Mayorkas and will include a broad range of services throughout the resettlement process, from initial immigration processing, COVID-19 te...

Defense, Military Officials Hold News Conference | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Defense [DOD] video publication dated: August 30, 2021)

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby and Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of U.S. Central Command, brief the media at the Pentagon

Courtesy: Defense.gov Aug. 30, 2021 | 26:35...

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III On the End of the American War in Afghanistan | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Defense [DOD] press release dated: August 30, 2021)

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III On the End of the American War in Afghanistan

Today, we completed the U.S. military evacuation of civilians and the removal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan. I am deeply saddened that, in the course of this historic evacuation mission, we lost 13 of our own, along with so many others who were killed and wounded days ago by cruel terrorists. We mourn alongside the families of those who were lost, and we will never forget your loved ones’ heroism and sacrifice. They gave their lives trying to save the lives of others. And I know that you share my pride in them. I hope that all Americans also share my pride in all the troo...

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Today's Dignified Transfer Ceremony at Dover Air Force Base | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Defense [DOD] press release dated: August 29, 2021)

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Today's Dignified Transfer Ceremony at Dover Air Force Base

A solemn honor to attend today’s dignified transfer ceremony of the 13 U.S service members who lost their lives outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26th.

These men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could live. They were and will be forever remembered as heroes.

My heart and my thoughts are with their families, especially today. They, too, have made the ultimate sacrifice....

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas’s Visit to Miami, Florida | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] press release dated: August 19, 2021) Washington - - On Thursday, August 19, 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas traveled to Miami, Florida to participate in a series of important engagements with the Cuban and Haitian diaspora communities in Miami focused on hearing from community leaders about critical issues in their countries of origin and providing updates on the latest actions from the Administration. Secretary Mayorkas was joined by Special Assistant to the President and National Security Council (NSC) Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere Juan Gonzalez and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Principal Advisor to the Administrator Mark Feierstein. The Secretary’s meetings with community leaders were the latest engagements carried out...

United Nations Security Council Press Statement on ISIL/Da’esh | site |



(Information contained in United Nations [UN] Security Council press release dated: 19 August 2021)

Security Council Press Statement on ISIL/Da’esh

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President T.S. Tirumurti (India): In a ministerial-level briefing today, the members of Security Council discussed the findings of the thirteenth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States countering the threat. The members of the Security Council noted with deep concern that ISIL (Da’esh) and other terrorist groups continue to exploit, both online and offline, the disruption, grievances and development setbacks linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reflected in the thirteenth repor...

U.S. Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Fort Lauderdale | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Defense [DOD] press release dated: August 20, 2021) The Navy will christen its newest amphibious transport dock, the future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Division shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, the Honorable Dean Trantalis, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs Ms. Bilyana Anderson and Vice Adm. William Galinis, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, will also provide remarks. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the ship’s sponsor, Ms. Meredith Berger, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. “Tomorrow we christen the future USS Fort Lauderdale, recognizing a city with a proud nav...

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Meeting with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Defense [DOD] press release dated: August 19, 2021)

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following information: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah. The two leaders affirmed the strength of the U.S.-Qatar strategic partnership. They discussed shared interests regarding regional security and, in particular, Qatar’s critical support to evolving operations in Afghanistan. Secretary Austin thanked Qatar for its long-standing hospitality in hosting U.S. forces and offered deep gratitude to Minister Al-Attiyah for Qatar’...

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas’s Call with Counterparts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] press release dated: August 18, 2021)

Washington - - On August 17, 2021, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas participated in a call with Five Eyes counterparts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to discuss the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. Secretary Mayorkas and the Ministers discussed efforts to facilitate the relocation of our citizens and their families, Afghan nationals who have worked for and on behalf of the United States and our allies, and other eligible vulnerable Afghans. The group discussed the necessity of providing safe passage in Kabul for vulnerable individuals and committed to coordinating further on relocation and resettlement efforts....

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s Call with Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Defense [DOD] press release dated: August 19, 2021)

Today, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following information:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Bahrain defense relationship and discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The two leaders underscored the urgency of the safe and secure evacuation of personnel from Kabul....