[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[September 16, 2003]
[Pages 1174-1175]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 1174]]


Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-6--Directive on 
Integration and Use of Screening Information To Protect Against 
Terrorism
September 16, 2003

Subject: Integration and Use of Screening Information to Protect Against 
Terrorism

    It is the policy of the United States to (1) develop, integrate, and 
maintain thorough, accurate, and current information about individuals 
known or appropriately suspected to be or have been engaged in conduct 
constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism 
(Terrorist Information); and (2) use that information as appropriate and 
to the full extent permitted by law to support (a) Federal, State, 
local, territorial, tribal, foreign-government, and private-sector 
screening processes, and (b) diplomatic, military, intelligence, law 
enforcement, immigration, visa, and protective processes.
    This directive shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the 
provisions of the Constitution and applicable laws, including those 
protecting the rights of all Americans.
    To further strengthen the ability of the United States Government to 
protect the people, property, and territory of the United States against 
acts of terrorism, and to the full extent permitted by law and 
consistent with the policy set forth above:
    (1) The Attorney General shall establish an organization to 
consolidate the Government's approach to terrorism screening and provide 
for the appropriate and lawful use of Terrorist Information in screening 
processes.
    (2) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall, to the 
extent permitted by law, provide to the Terrorist Threat Integration 
Center (TTIC) on an ongoing basis all appropriate Terrorist Information 
in their possession, custody, or control. The Attorney General, in 
coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security, and the Director of Central Intelligence shall implement 
appropriate procedures and safeguards with respect to all such 
information about United States persons. The TTIC will provide the 
organization referenced in paragraph (1) with access to all appropriate 
information or intelligence in the TTIC's custody, possession, or 
control that the organization requires to perform its functions.
    (3) The heads of executive departments and agencies shall conduct 
screening using such information at all appropriate opportunities, and 
shall report to the Attorney General not later than 90 days from the 
date of this directive, as to the opportunities at which such screening 
shall and shall not be conducted.
    (4) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop guidelines to 
govern the use of such information to support State, local, territorial, 
and tribal screening processes, and private sector screening processes 
that have a substantial bearing on homeland security.
    (5) The Secretary of State shall develop a proposal for my approval 
for enhancing cooperation with certain foreign governments, beginning 
with those countries for which the United States has waived visa 
requirements, to establish appropriate access to terrorism screening 
information of the participating governments.
    This directive does not alter existing authorities or 
responsibilities of department and agency heads to carry out operational 
activities or provide or receive information. This directive is intended 
only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and is 
not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit enforceable 
at law or in equity by any party against

[[Page 1175]]

the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, 
employees or agents, or any other person.
    The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of Central 
Intelligence, shall report to me through the Assistant to the President 
for Homeland Security not later than October 31, 2003, on progress made 
to implement this directive and shall thereafter report to me on such 
progress or any recommended changes from time to time as appropriate.

                                                          George W. Bush