Homeland Security Disavows Document Touting Successes

The document contains sections titled "MESSAGE," "OBJECTIVE," "AUDIENCE," "STRATEGY" and "TOOLS." It also contains an action plan that calls on the public affairs officials to "Maximize media" and "Brand CBP."

"America is safer today because of U.S. Customs and Border Protection," states the section labeled "MESSAGE." It continued: "Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is doing everything in its power to protect our nation at and beyond her borders from terrorists and terrorist weapons, while facilitating global trade routes and fostering economic security."

Under the section labeled "OBJECTIVE," the document states: "To change perception through continuous, consistent and highly credible information."

The document also suggests the use of "surrogates" to spread the agency's message and to "Implement a 'theme of the month.' " It proceeded to list them: "OCTOBER: Border Patrol. NOVEMBER: Agriculture. DECEMBER: Trade."

In one related document labeled as a draft, October is listed as "National Border Protection Month."

One action listed in the draft document, a news conference with Bonner on the use of FBI fingerprint technology at the borders as a "web of enforcement," took placed as scheduled during the week of Oct. 4.

The document stated a message: "In this time of increased security, the United States Customs & Border Protection Agency is controlling and securing our nation's border: preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the U.S.; and, preventing illegal aliens, smugglers, and other contraband from entering the U.S."

To get that message out, the document proposed pitching stories to the "Editorial Board with Washington Times," to "Morning Shows" and to "pitch exclusive" to "FOX 3-4 part series ending with the Commissioner Live in studio. Geraldo or as backup Dr. Bob Arnot with MSNBC."

Research editor Lucy Shackelford contributed to this report.