PROTECTING THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND WELFARE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS CITIZENS FROM CRIMINAL ACTORS AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS

This Executive Order, signed on February 6, 2026, aims to strengthen national security and border integrity by enhancing the exchange of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) both within the federal government and with international partners.Mandatory Internal Sharing: The Order directs the Attorney General to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with full access to criminal history records maintained by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This is intended to empower DHS in its mission to screen and vet foreign nationals, interdict terrorists, and stop the flow of narcotics and firearms.International Reciprocity: The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to exchange felony conviction records with "trusted foreign governments." This includes:Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries.Nations with "Preventing and Combating Serious Crime" (PCSC) agreements.Other strategic allies.Strict Use and Privacy: Any international information sharing must be based on reciprocity (mutual exchange). The data may be used solely for screening travelers and immigrants and must include safeguards to protect the privacy of U.S. persons and other individuals.The administration frames this order as a critical tool for protecting American citizens from criminal actors and "foreign nationals with criminal histories." By streamlining how DOJ and DHS share data and formalizing felony-record exchanges with allies, the order seeks to create a more robust global vetting system to prevent criminals and smugglers from entering the United States.Key Provisions:Conclusion: