DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY  2800 DEFENSE PENTAGON  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-2800	3/19/2010

MEMORANDUM FOR :

COMMANDER U.S. AFRICA COMMAND,
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY PLANS AND PROGRAMS

COMMANDER U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND,
CHIEF, SECURITY COOPERATION DIVISION


COMMANDER U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND,
POLICY, STRATEGY, PARTNERING, AND RESOURCES

COMMANDER U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND,
DIRECTOR OF PLANS, POLICY AND STRATEGY

COMMANDER U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND,
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING, EXERCISE AND ENGAGEMENT

COMMANDER U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND,
DIRECTOR FOR LOGISTICS, ENGINEERING AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY DEFENSE EXPORTS AND COOPERATION

DIRECTOR, NAVY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE
 

SUBJECT :

Policy Memorandum for Homeland Security Screening of International Military Students (IMS), DSCA Policy 10-22

REFERENCE :

1. Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum OSD 76576-04; Accountability of Department of Defense Sponsored Foreign Personnel in the United States, dated May 18, 2004.

The screening of IMS coming to the United States is a critical element of our homeland security. In accordance with the above referenced memorandum, the Security Cooperation Organizations (SCO) should continue to use all available resources to screen IMS for terrorist and criminal associations prior to their arrival in the United States for education/training.

Procedures needed for an effective security review of IMS against a U.S. counter-terrorist database are under review by Defense Intelligence Agency. As an interim measure, effective 30 days from the date of this memorandum, all training tracks in the Security Assistance Network (SAN) database must have corresponding IMS names, dates of birth (DOB) and places of birth (POB-consisting of city and country) 16 days prior to their report date in the United States. SCOs are encouraged to provide this information as soon as it is available prior to the 16 day limit; and should inform their countries as soon as possible of this deadline to minimize cancellation of training.

In support of this effort, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has developed a report that will notify the respective Military Department (MILDEP), Combatant Command and SCO when a training track is missing needed information. This report will be sent automatically on days 30 through 17 prior to the report date of the subject student. On day 16, if the required information is still not available in the SAN, DSCA will request that the appropriate MILDEP cancel or re-schedule the subject training. Forfeiture charges will apply.

Please note this is an interim measure and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, may release additional guidance in the near future with specific time requirements and data elements for homeland security screening. This guidance will likely increase our requirements and be based on the results of the DIA procedural review now underway. DSCA has accepted an invitation from DIA to participate in their procedural review.

DoD Security Cooperation Entities whose system for tracking DoD sponsored foreign personnel is not currently integrated into the SAN are required to do so as soon thereafter as possible, but no later than September 30, 2010.

Procedures and requirements for homeland security screening are independent of, and do not replace, Department of State requirements for human rights vetting or requirements imposed on the Department of Defense through recurring provisions in law.

As this is an issue of homeland security, your full cooperation is greatly appreciated. The DSCA point of contact concerning this issue is Mr. JP Hoefling, DSCA/PGM/BPC at e-mail address: john.hoefling@dsca.mil and telephone 703-601-3655.

Jeanne L. Farmer
Acting Deputy Director