Comment Submitted by Anonymous

I agree that the ability of ICEPIC to do its job effectively, namely protect our national security and borders, should not be frustrated or hindered by the 1974 Privacy Act. I believe that national security is a legitimate reason for withholding information that would otherwise be required under the 1974 Privacy Act. However, the ICEPIC, and the Department of Homeland Security, more broadly, should be the only agency allowed to use national security as a reason for withholding information. I fear that withholding information because of national security concerns may be applied to other agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (via the Bioterrorism Act of 2002) and the Federal Aviation Administration. If other agencies could use ?national security? as a guise for being cleared of documenting information, it would serve to undermine and potentially jeopardize the existence of the 1974 Privacy Act. In sum, I would recommend designating the Department of Homeland Security as the only agency able to use national security reasons to withhold information that otherwise would be made public via the 1974 Privacy Act.