United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its stated missions involve anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management.[3]
"DHS" redirects here. For other uses, see DHS (disambiguation).Agency overview
November 25, 2002
240,000 (2018)[1]
- Full list
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Customs and Border Protection
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Transportation Security Administration
- United States Coast Guard (during times of peace)
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- United States Secret Service
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
- Federal Protective Service
- Citizenship & Immigration Services Ombudsmen
- Office of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Management Directorate
- Office for Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
- Office of General Counsel
- Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman
- Office of Intelligence & Analysis
- Office of Legislative Affairs
- Office of Situational Awareness
- Office of Partnership & Engagement
- Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans
- Office of Public Affairs
- Office of the Inspector General
- Privacy Office
- Science & Technology Directorate
It began operations on March 1, 2003, after being formed as a result of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks. With more than 240,000 employees,[1] DHS is the third-largest Cabinet department, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.[4] Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council. Other agencies with significant homeland security responsibilities include the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Energy.
Disaster preparedness and response[edit]
Congressional budgeting effects[edit]
During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the reauthorization of DHS, Deputy Secretary Elaine Duke said there is a weariness and anxiety within DHS about the repeated congressional efforts to agree to a long-term spending plan, which had resulted in several threats to shut down the federal government. "Shutdowns are disruptive", Duke said. She said the "repeated failure on a longtime spending plan resulting in short-term continuing resolutions (CRs) has caused "angst" among the department's 240,000 employees in the weeks leading up to the CRs."[32] The uncertainty about funding hampers DHS's ability to pursue major projects and it takes away attention and manpower from important priorities. Seventy percent of DHS employees are considered essential and are not furloughed during government shutdowns.[32]
