On Friday, January 30, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano sent a copy of her immigration and border security directive to the 14,000-member National Association of Chiefs of Police. While her plan does not appear much different from the one formulated and promulgated by the previous DHS Secretary, Michael Chertoff, the language used appears more politically correct and intended to elicit support from opponents.   

The directive requires specific department offices and components to work together and with state and local partners to review and assess the plans and policies to address: criminal and fugitive aliens; legal immigration benefit backlogs; southbound gun smuggling; cooperation with the National Guard; widows and widowers of U.S. citizens; immigration detention centers; and electronic employee verification.