Washington, DC - Special Agents with the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch were pleased to aid the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in their successful international investigation of illegal trade of protected rhinoceros horns. The investigation was part of “Operation Crash,” a nationwide effort led by the USFWS and the US Department of Justice. Edward N. Levine, age 67, was recently sentenced to serve 27 months in prison after being convicted of charges resulting from this investigation.

Washington, DC - We continue to closely follow disturbing reports on April 7 regarding another alleged chemical weapons attack, this time targeting a hospital in Douma, Syria. Reports from a number of contacts and medical personnel on the ground indicate a potentially high number of casualties, including among families hiding in shelters. These reports, if confirmed, are horrifying and demand an immediate response by the international community.

Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced a membership enrollment milestone today for its flagship Trusted Traveler Program, Global Entry, with more than 5 million members now receiving expedited clearance. Global Entry provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). Sign-up for the new program, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will begin no later than July 16.

Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection released this week four Use of Force case summaries. The case summaries detail the National Use of Force Review Board’s (NUFRB) conclusions and if the NUFRB recommended improvements and updates in policy, training, tactics, and equipment.

Washington, DC - The monthly Employment Situation Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released this morning shows that nonfarm payroll employment rose by 103,000 in March. Paired with even stronger job growth in January and February, March’s numbers imply that average monthly job growth for 2018 is 202,000, well above the 182,000 average monthly change in 2017. More than 2.5 million jobs have been added to the economy since President Trump took office in January 2017 and nearly 3 million have been added since his election in November 2016.