Homeland Security Facts and Principles

The duty of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is to protect the United States from national disasters and threats and the goal of the DHS is to keep America safe. The DHS is the national protection agency that secures the borders of the country and that prevents terrorists from attacking the country. This department was created in the year 2003 after the INS was dissolved in response to the terrorist attacks in 2001. The US Department of Homeland Security safeguards the constitutional rights of the Americans and protects the economy of the country. DHS is the executive department of the federal government and its main responsibility is to protect the country. It prevents terrorist attacks, enhances border security, administers immigration laws, secures cyberspace and minimizes the damage from natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

DHS oversees few different government agencies and the department was created through the integration of 22 different federal departments and currently the DHS oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), US Coast Guard, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, US Secret Service (USSS) and the Office of Inspector General. The main goals of the DHS are to prevent terrorist attacks and to prevent them from using nuclear and chemical materials on American soil.

Likewise, the department allots funds to modernize ports of entry and it helps to enhance national preparedness in state and local law enforcement. It is also updating the border security technology as the goal of the department is to secure the land, air and sea ports of entry. It also investigates and prevents criminal organizations from getting into the country. DHS has doubled Border Patrol agents and it has deployed National Guard troops in order to help the law enforcement agencies. Moreover, the department is joining forces with Mexico to secure the border.

DHS implements immigration laws and the USCIS, a federal agency managed by the DHS, oversees all immigration processes. Likewise, the responsibility of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is to identify and remove undocumented immigrants. It is also working hard to combat human trafficking and is conducting programs to assist the victims. The National Cyber Security Division of the DHS counters cyber threats and implements cyber-risk programs. People can obtain information about cyber crimes from the National Cyberspace Response System and this system also assesses cyber threats through its US-Cert Operations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Homeland Security, makes recommendations to the government and provides disaster assistance to affected communities. However, DHS that is keeping the country safe, is looking forward to become a smarter agency and protect the country more effectively.