Hutchinson bids DHS adieu

Asa Hutchinson, who was the first undersecretary for border and transportation security, is leaving the Homeland Security Department March 1. He is among more than a dozen senior DHS officials recently to leave the agency.

DHS Secretary Tom Ridge said in a statement that Hutchinson "championed our biometric technology entry-exit system with the implementation of U.S. Visit, and has overseen increased detection, detention and removal of illegal immigrants throughout the country."

Hutchinson reportedly plans to run for governor of Arkansas.