Nael Samha

Nael Samha is the Executive Director of Passenger Targeting, Vetting, and Biometrics Systems within the Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate (TASPD), Office of Information and Technology (OIT), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Office of Information and Technology (OIT) enables the day-to-day operations of CBP computer and tactical communications facilities and systems, including hardware, software, data, video, and voice communications. The mission of the Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate (TASPD) is to provide solutions that support CBP inspection and enforcement activities to help CBP Officers and analysts protect our borders and safeguard America.

Over the past 15 years, Director Samha has been leading the transformation of the Automated Targeting Systems in the Cargo and Passenger environment including the development of the Global Travel and Tarde Systems and advancing forward the Biometrics systems for CBP and DHS both domestically and internationally.

Director Samha, has been responsible for enhancing, administering, maintaining and automating CBP’s Passenger / Cargo systems that help secure the supply chain and support CBP’s layered defense strategy for international cargo and passengers. These systems are vital to support the CBP mission. He also led the international technical discussions for CBP/DHS with many International foreign partners, guiding technical design concepts to reality by implementing transparent and collaborative technical platforms across teams. These include the development and establishment of Pre-Clearance and Joint Security Programs worldwide.

Director Samha also led the development and successful deployment of the first-in-government Biometrics program that enhances the Entry /Exit process and travel experience using the latest cloud and algorithm technologies. The CBP Commissioner and the Secretary of Homeland Security recognized him two consecutive years (2016-2018) for this accomplishment.

Since 2007, Director Samha has been leading all CBP humanitarian deployments form the Technical and operations perspective to include supporting the Iraqi Refugee processing in the Middle east, the Haitian migration effort (Operation Safe Return) in Haiti, the Syrian Refugee Process in Middle East, MPP and Mon MPP Migrants efforts along the Southwest Border with Mexico and the Afghan Refugee process in Washington DC.

Due to Director Samha’s executive leadership and technical and operational skills, he was recognized with a Samuel J. Heyman, Service to America Medal in 2012 as Homeland Security Medal recipient for a significant contribution to the nation in activities related to homeland security (including border and transportation security, emergency preparedness and response, intelligence, and law enforcement).