Asa Hutchinson

Asa Hutchinson was the first Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He was appointed to by President George W. Bush and confirmed by a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate in January 2003.

As Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the DHS, Hutchinson was responsible for 110,000 federal employees houses in such agencies as the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He was responsible for managing and coordinating the overall security of U.S. borders and transportation systems, setting immigration enforcement policies and priorities, and developing and implementing visa security programs. During his tenure as Under Secretary, Hutchinson modernized border inspections through the successful reorganization of formerly fragmented border agencies into one unified inspection force under Customs and Border Protection. He also advanced the use of new border technology, including development of the US-VISIT program - a historic biometric entry-exit system for foreign visitors to the United States. Hutchinson also initiated several successful border security and enforcement initiatives. Under Hutchinson's leadership, more than 157,000 illegal aliens were removed from the United States in FY 2004, representing a 6.6 increase in criminal alien removals and a 112 percent increase in fugitive removals over the previous year.

Asa Hutchinson also worked to enhance the security of transportation systems through new federal security requirements for the aviation, rail, and transit sectors, innovative technology pilot programs for passenger and baggage screening, more effective cargo inspections, and increased information sharing. In the international arena, he participated in the successful negotiations for the transfer of Passenger Name Record data between the United States and Europe. He led the expansion of visa security programs and has helped to strengthen relations with the governments of Canada and Mexico. Prior to coming to DHS, Hutchinson served as a Member of Congress from Arkansas from 1997-2001.

While in Congress, Hutchinson served on the Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Judiciary Committee. After being re-elected to his third term, he was appointed as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), where he combined tough law enforcement initiatives with advocating increased investment in treatment and education programs.

Prior to his election to Congress, Hutchinson practiced law in rural Arkansas for 21 years, where he tried over 100 jury trials. During this time, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. At the age of 31, he became the youngest U.S. Attorney in the nation. Hutchinson received a bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., and his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville.