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U.S. Response: Threat Level to Orange The White House yesterday raised the national terrorism threat level from “yellow” to “orange’ shortly after U.S. President George W. Bush concluded his nationally televised speech on Iraq, CNN.com reported. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said terrorists might attempt to attack the United States after a U.S. invasion of Iraq. The al-Qaeda terrorist organization might say it is attacking on behalf of Muslims and the Iraqi people, instead of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, CNN.com reported. Operation Liberty Shield Ridge also announced Operation Liberty Shield, which is intended to make the nation more secure and calls on U.S. officials to detain asylum applicants from countries where al-Qaeda and its sympathizers operate. The Homeland Security Department described the effort as a “reasonable and prudent temporary action” that would allow officials to keep a close watch on the detainees while their asylum applications are investigated. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration also increased security at U.S. airports, conducting random vehicle inspections, increasing canine patrols and the law enforcement presence and asking for public vigilance (Jeanne Meserve, CNN.com, March 17). “Tonight I have spoken to the nation’s governors and asked them to deploy the National Guard or additional police forces to improve security at critical locations throughout their states,” said a statement from Ridge. Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich (R) said Ridge had indicated the threat was not specific, but was based on intelligence and the expected conflict with Iraq. “This is orange plus,” Ehrlich said. Operation Atlas New York City authorities, meanwhile, increased security through Operation Atlas, according to a law enforcement source. The effort — which could cost more than $5 million every week — cancels most training, equips police patrols with radiation sensors, increases towing, and puts more uniformed officers, National Guard soldiers and canine units in public places (Jamie McShane, CNN.com, March 17).
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