Public Resources

Agency description:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is tasked with protecting the nation from the threat of terrorism and enforcing the country’s immigration laws.

Website:

www.dhs.gov

Enabling Statute:

“There is established a Department of Homeland Security, as an executive department of the United States within the meaning of Title 5. The primary mission of the Department is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism; minimize the damage, and assist in the recovery, from terrorist attacks that do occur within the United States; carry out all functions of entities transferred to the Department, including by acting as a focal point regarding natural and manmade crises and emergency planning; ensure that the functions of the agencies and subdivisions within the Department that are not related directly to securing the homeland are not diminished or neglected except by a specific explicit Act of Congress; ensure that the overall economic security of the United States is not diminished by efforts, activities, and programs aimed at securing the homeland; ensure that the civil rights and civil liberties of persons are not diminished by efforts, activities, and programs aimed at securing the homeland; and monitor connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism, coordinate efforts to sever such connections, and otherwise contribute to efforts to interdict illegal drug trafficking. Except as specifically provided by law with respect to entities transferred to the Department under this chapter, primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting acts of terrorism shall be vested not in the Department, but rather in Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the acts in question.” 6 U.S.C. § 111

Key issues:

Border security; deportation; travel security; chemical security; secure identification; disaster response and recovery; cybersecurity.

Sub-agencies:

Computer Emergency Readiness Team; Federal Emergency Management Agency; Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; U.S. Secret Service

Agency description:

The Computer Emergency Readiness Team provides defense against cyber attacks on government (.gov) networks.

Website:

www.us-cert.gov

Key issues:

Phishing; software updates; spyware; Trojan horse or virus recovery.

Agency description:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supports citizens and first responders in the event of a disaster.

Website:

www.fema.gov

Key issues:

Emergency preparedness; natural disasters; terrorism; disaster recovery.

Agency description:

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) provides training for law enforcement officers from federal, state, local, tribal, and international agencies.

Website:

www.fletc.gov

Key issues:

Human trafficking; counterterrorism; rural policing; driver and firearms training.

Agency description:

The Transportation Security Administration oversees security operations in the nation’s airports.

Website:

www.tsa.gov

Key issues:

Passenger screening; baggage screening; air cargo screening; civil liberties.

Agency description:

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulates and enforces lawful immigration procedures.

Website:

www.uscis.gov

Key issues:

Citizenship and naturalization; deportation; asylum; international adoptions; visas for employees, family members, tourists, and students.

Agency description:

The U.S. Coast Guard protects the maritime borders and security.

Website:

www.uscg.mil

Key issues:

Search and rescue; port and dock safety; credentialing merchant mariners; commercial inspections of U.S. flagged vessels.

Agency description:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection strives to prevent terrorist and weapons from entering the country, and monitors cross-border traffic to enforce the nation’s immigration and drug laws.

Website:

www.cbp.gov

Key issues:

Border patrol; border fence; human trafficking; cargo security; airport security.

Agency description:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is an investigative agency charged with criminal and civil enforcement of laws related to immigration, border control, trade, and customs.

Website:

www.ice.gov

Key issues:

Human smuggling and trafficking; identify fraud; worksite enforcement; narcotics enforcement; firearms smuggling; alien detention; deportation.

Agency description:

The Secret Service protects that nation’s leaders as well as the financial infrastructure of the country.

Website:

www.secretservice.gov

Key issues:

Counterfeiting; most wanted fugitives; Presidential security.