In October of 2007, the Department of Homeland Security delayed the opening of its National Applications Office due to congressional pressure. The NAO office is designed to provide satellite information and support to operations within the United States for such operation as border security, natural disasters and to support local and state law enforcement.
The office was delayed due to pressure from democrats in the House Homeland Security Committee, which asked for legal documents to outline how the office will operate and a response to privacy and civil liberties concerns.
On Friday, Michael Chertoff, secretary of DHS, announced that the office will move forward, having responded in full to concerns in a National Applications Office Fact Sheet.
Critics are still questioning the legal authority of this move, asking if it violates the Constitution by giving the military power in domestic law enforcement. There are also concerns that the satellites might be used for intelligence gathering rather than their important civilian and scientific purposes.
Friday’s Washington Post has a good story on this subject.
