Secretary Jeh C. Johnson on Southwest Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Priorities

Washington, DC - In connection with the latest monthly release of numbers of apprehensions on the southwest border, Secretary Johnson made the following statement:

Increases in Spending on Corrections Far Outpace Education

Washington, DC - State and local spending on prisons and jails has increased at triple the rate of funding for public education for preschool through grade P-12 education in the last three decades, a new analysis by the U.S. Department of Education found.

U.S. Assurance and Deterrence Efforts in Support of NATO Allies

Washington, DC - In the last 18 months, the United States has taken several steps to assure our allies in Europe and demonstrate our continued commitment to NATO collective defense.  Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE (OAR) is a demonstration of our dedication to enduring peace and stability in the North Atlantic area, and it will remain in place as long as needed to reassure our allies and partners, and deter an increasingly bellicose Russia. 

NATO’s Enduring Commitment to Afghanistan

Washington, DC - NATO’s mission in Afghanistan has been the Alliance’s largest and one of its longest-running military operations, with 50 coalition countries contributing a peak of 140,000 troops over a nearly 15-year campaign.  On January 1, 2015, NATO successfully transitioned from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission to the non-combat Resolute Support mission, and the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) assumed full responsibility for Afghanistan’s security nationwide. 

Mesa de la Unidad Democrática (MUD) Statement on Dialogue in Venezuela

Washington, DC - The United States welcomes the announcement by La Mesa de la Unidad Democrática, the coalition of opposition parties in Venezuela, reiterating its desire to participate in a serious, constructive dialogue with the executive branch. We continue to support the efforts by former Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, former Panamanian President Torrijos and former Dominican President Fernandez to advance such a dialogue. We strongly urge both sides to participate constructively to address peacefully the serious challenges facing the Venezuelan people.