Yesterday, the House Judiciary immigration subcommittee held a meeting called "Holiday on ICE." Contrary to how it might sound, it had nothing to do with dancing elves or figure skating. In this case, ICE refers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal law enforcement agency under the department of Homeland Security that enforces immigration laws. Here to tell us about detention, past, present and future, is Doris Meissner, who served as Commissioner of the INS under President Clinton and Acting Commissioner under President Reagan. She is currently director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute.

Congressional hearings on Islamic Extremism in America begin Thursday morning in front of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Congressman Peter King (R-NY), chair of the committee, called the hearings in order to start a debate over whether American Muslims are doing enough to prevent home-grown terrorism plots. Rep. King has a long history interacting with Muslims who live in his Long Island district and some say his relationship with the Muslim community changed drastically after 9/11. Many complain that singling out one religious group and tying it to extremism is discriminatory.

The Department of Homeland Security is recommending a more specific system to inform the public of potential threats. And we’ve been asking for your suggestions of what to replace it with. And you delivered in droves.

Dagel from Fairhaven, Mass. said:
“How about using characters from horror movies? It’s going to be a Jason kind of day today when you’re traveling.”

Aaron Champion called from Oklahoma, City to suggest:
"I think we should convert the terror alert system to the varying levels of humiliation you have to go through at the airport screening facility.”

The Associated Press is reporting that the color-based terror alert system may soon be thrown out, as per recommendations by the Homeland Security Department to the White House. The new alert system will reportedly endeavor to be more descriptive, helping the public understand the specifics of the threat and how to respond. We take a listen to tape on the old system — in effect since 2002 — and discuss what the new one might deliver. 

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will tour the Transportation Security Laboratory in Atlantic City, NJ, on Wednesday. We talk with Napolitano about the cutting-edge screening technology being developed there for DHS, and get her thoughts on the Gulf oil gusher - and where she thinks responsiblity lies.

This week, President Obama proclaimed that terrorists in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan are plotting new attacks aimed at American soil. The person tasked with preventing those attacks is Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. She joins us to talk about the biggest dangers appearing on her daily threat matrix, and how she hopes to approach the thorny issue of immigration reform. (click through for the full interview transcript)