United States Department of Homeland Security

File:"We Are DHS" (2016).ogv

In response to the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush announced the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) to coordinate "homeland security" efforts. The office was headed by former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge, who assumed the title of Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. The official announcement states:

{{blockquote|The mission of the Office will be to develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks. The Office will coordinate the executive branch's efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks within the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nat_strat_hls.pdf |title=National Strategy For Homeland Security |publisher=DHS|access-date=October 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114000911/http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nat_strat_hls.pdf|archive-date=November 14, 2007 |url-status=dead}}}}

Ridge began his duties as OHS director on October 8, 2001.{{cite web|title=EPIC Fact Sheet on OHS|url=https://www.epic.org/open_gov/homeland/ohs_fact_sheet.html|access-date=November 13, 2020|website=www.epic.org}} On November 25, 2002, the Homeland Security Act established the Department of Homeland Security to consolidate U.S. executive branch organizations related to "homeland security" into a single Cabinet agency. In January 2003, the office was superseded, but not replaced by the Department of Homeland Security and the White House Homeland Security Council, both of which were created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The Homeland Security Council, similar in nature to the National Security Council, retains a policy coordination and advisory role and is led by the assistant to the president for homeland security. The Gilmore Commission, supported by much of Congress and John Bolton, helped to solidify further the need for the department. The DHS incorporated the following 22 agencies.{{cite web|date=July 27, 2012|title=Who Joined DHS |url=https://www.dhs.gov/who-joined-dhs|access-date=May 27, 2021|website=Department of Homeland Security|language=en}}

According to political scientist Peter Andreas, the creation of DHS constituted the most significant government reorganization since the Cold War[Peter Andreas: Redrawing the line 2003:92], additional text. and the most substantial reorganization of federal agencies since the National Security Act of 1947 (which had placed the different military departments under a secretary of defense and created the National Security Council and Central Intelligence Agency). Creation of DHS constitutes the most diverse merger ever of federal functions and responsibilities, incorporating 22 government agencies into a single organization.Perl, Raphael (2004). "The Department of Homeland Security: Background and Challenges", Terrorism—reducing Vulnerabilities and Improving Responses, Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges for Russia and the United States, Office for Central Europe and Eurasia Development, Security, and Cooperation Policy and Global Affairs, in Cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences, page 176. National Academies Press. {{ISBN|0-309-08971-9}}. The founding of the DHS marked a change in American thought towards threats.

Introducing the term "homeland" centers attention on a population that needs to be protected not only against emergencies such as natural disasters but also against diffuse threats from individuals who are non-native to the United States.{{Cite magazine |last1=Gessen |first1=Masha |title=Homeland Security Was Destined to Become a Secret Police Force |magazine=The New Yorker |date=July 25, 2020 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/the-dhs-was-destined-to-become-a-secret-police-force |language=en-us |access-date=July 26, 2020 }}

Prior to the signing of the bill, controversy about its adoption was focused on whether the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency should be incorporated in part or in whole (neither was included). The bill was also controversial for the presence of unrelated "riders", as well as for eliminating certain union-friendly civil service and labor protections for department employees. Without these protections, employees could be expeditiously reassigned or dismissed on grounds of security, incompetence or insubordination, and DHS would not be required to notify their union representatives. The plan stripped 180,000 government employees of their union rights.Chomsky, Noam (2005). Imperial Ambitions, page 199. Metropolitan Books. {{ISBN|0-8050-7967-X}}. In 2002, Bush officials argued that the September 11 attacks made the proposed elimination of employee protections imperative.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021902459_pf.html Stephen Barr. "DHS Withdraws Bid to Curb Union Rights", The Washington Post page D01, February 20, 2008]. Retrieved on August 20, 2008.

In an August 5, 2002, speech, President Bush said: "We are fighting ... to secure freedom in the homeland."[https://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2002-10-08-oplede_x.htm Bovard, James. "Moral high ground not won on battlefield", USA Today, October 8, 2008]. Retrieved on August 19, 2008. Prior to the creation of DHS, U.S. Presidents had referred to the U.S. as "the nation" or "the republic" and to its internal policies as "domestic".Wolf, Naomi (2007). The End of America, page 27. Chelsea Green Publishing. {{ISBN|978-1-933392-79-0}}. Also unprecedented was the use, from 2002, of the phrase "the homeland" by White House spokespeople.

File:US-border-patrol-20050502.jpg (center); Saxby Chambliss (center right), a U.S. Senator from Georgia; and Michael Chertoff (far right), the second head of the DHS; in 2005]]

Congress ultimately passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and President Bush signed the bill into law on November 25, 2002. It was the largest U.S. government reorganization in the 50 years since the United States Department of Defense was created.

Tom Ridge was named secretary on January 24, 2003, and began naming his chief deputies. DHS officially began operations on January 24, 2003, but most of the department's component agencies were not transferred into the new department until March 1.

File:DHS appropriations signing.jpg signs the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2004 on October 1, 2003.]]

After establishing the basic structure of DHS and working to integrate its components, Ridge announced his resignation on November 30, 2004, following the re-election of President Bush. Bush initially nominated former New York City Police Department commissioner Bernard Kerik as his successor, but on December 10, Kerik withdrew his nomination, citing personal reasons and saying it "would not be in the best interests" of the country for him to pursue the post.

On January 11, 2005, President Bush nominated federal judge Michael Chertoff to succeed Ridge. Chertoff was confirmed on February 15, 2005, by a vote of 98–0 in the U.S. Senate and was sworn in the same day.

In February 2005, DHS and the Office of Personnel Management issued rules relating to employee pay and discipline for a new personnel system named MaxHR. The Washington Post said that the rules would allow DHS "to override any provision in a union contract by issuing a department-wide directive" and would make it "difficult, if not impossible, for unions to negotiate over arrangements for staffing, deployments, technology and other workplace matters". In August 2005, U.S. District judge Rosemary M. Collyer blocked the plan on the grounds that it did not ensure collective-bargaining rights for DHS employees. A federal appeals court ruled against DHS in 2006; pending a final resolution to the litigation, Congress's fiscal year 2008 appropriations bill for DHS provided no funding for the proposed new personnel system.

DHS announced in early 2007 that it was retooling its pay and performance system and retiring the name "MaxHR". In a February 2008 court filing, DHS said that it would no longer pursue the new rules, and that it would abide by the existing civil service labor-management procedures. A federal court issued an order closing the case. Chertoff’s successor, Secretary Janet Napolitano deployed full body scanners to assist the United States Secret Service in 2012.{{Cite web| title=Freedom of Information Act Request and Request for Expedited Processing | url=https://archive.epic.org/foia/dhs/usss/Secret-Service-FOIA-Request.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203053528/https://archive.epic.org/foia/dhs/usss/Secret-Service-FOIA-Request.pdf | archive-date=2021-12-03}}

A 2017 memo by Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly directed DHS to disregard "age as a basis for determining when to collect biometrics."{{Cite web |last=Guo |first=Eileen |date=14 August 2024 |title=The US wants to use facial recognition to identify migrant children as they age |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/08/14/1096534/homeland-security-facial-recognition-immigration-border/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}

On November 16, 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018 into law, which elevated the mission of the former DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate and established the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/CISA |title=Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency |website=DHS.gov |access-date=November 24, 2018 |date=November 20, 2018 }} In fiscal year 2018, DHS was allocated a net discretionary budget of $47.716 billion.

In 2021, the Department of Justice began carrying out an investigation into white supremacy and extremism in the DHS ranks.{{Cite news|last=Kanno-Youngs|first=Zolan|date=April 26, 2021|title=D.H.S. will review how it identifies and addresses extremism and white supremacy in its ranks.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/26/us/biden-news-today |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 27, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}

DHS also halted large-scale immigration raids at job sites, saying in October 2021 that the administration was planning "a new enforcement strategy to more effectively target employers who pay substandard wages and engage in exploitative labor practices."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/biden-administration-halts-ice-raids/2021/10/12/631dc86e-2b70-11ec-92bd-d2ffe8570c7d_story.html |first1=Nick |last1=Miroff |title=Biden administration orders halt to ICE raids at worksites |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=March 19, 2022}}

In 2023, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol began using an app which requires asylum seekers to submit biometric information before they enter the country.

In June 2024 John Boyd, the head of the DHS Office of Biometric Identity Management, announced at a conference that the agency "is looking into ways it might use facial recognition technology to track the identities of migrant children." According to Boyd, the initiative is intended to advance the development of facial recognition algorithms. A former DHS official said that every migrant processing center he visited engaged in biometric identity collection, and that children were not separated out during processing. DHS denied collecting the biometric data of children under 14.

Whereas the Department of Defense is charged with military actions abroad, the Department of Homeland Security works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within, at, and outside its borders. Its stated goal is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism.{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/DHS_StratPlan_FINAL_spread.pdf |title=One Team, One Mission, Securing Our Homeland - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008–2013 |publisher=DHS |access-date=July 29, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221222928/http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/DHS_StratPlan_FINAL_spread.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2012}} On March 1, 2003, DHS absorbed the U.S. Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and assumed its duties. In doing so, it divided the enforcement and services functions into two separate and new agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services. The investigative divisions and intelligence gathering units of the INS and Customs Service were merged forming Homeland Security Investigations, the primary investigative arm of DHS. Additionally, the border enforcement functions of the INS, including the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were consolidated into a new agency under DHS: U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Federal Protective Service falls under the Management Directorate.{{cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.dhs.gov/who-we-are |website=DHS.gov |access-date=20 February 2025}}

Image:CBP checking authenticity of a travel document.jpg officer checking the authenticity of a travel document at an international airport using a stereo microscope]]

File:DHS Organizational Chart (2023 November 9).png

The Department of Homeland Security is headed by the secretary of homeland security with the assistance of the deputy secretary. DHS contains operational components, executing specific missions under the purview of the DHS; support components, supporting the mission of the DHS and operational components; and components in the Office of the Secretary, supporting department leadership, DHS components, and the secretary by overseeing and establishing policy.{{Cite web |title=Organization {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/organization |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees lawful immigration into the United States.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-27 |title=What We Do {{!}} USCIS |url=https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/mission-and-core-values/what-we-do |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.uscis.gov |language=en}} Note that Passports for U.S. citizens are issued by the U.S. Department of State, not the Department of Homeland Security.File:USCIS Insignia.png

• Director, Kika Scott (acting)
• Deputy Director, Andrew J. Davidson (acting)

• Office of Performance and Quality
• Office of Investigations
• Office of Privacy
• Office of Administrative Appeals
• Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate
• Field Operations Directorate
• External Affairs Directorate
• Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate
• Management Directorate
• Service Center Operations Directorate
• Asylum and International Operations Directorate

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.{{Cite web |title=About U.S. Coast Guard Missions |url=https://www.uscg.mil/About/Missions/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.uscg.mil}} It is under the Department of Homeland Security during times of peace, and under the U.S. Department of the Navy during wartime.{{Cite web |title=Our Forces |url=https://www.defense.gov/About/our-forces/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}}

File:Seal of the United States Coast Guard.svg

• Commandant, Admiral Kevin E. Lunday (Acting)
• Vice Commandant, Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier (Acting)

• Atlantic Area
• Coast Guard District 1
• Coast Guard District 5
• Coast Guard District 7
• Coast Guard District 8
• Coast Guard District 9
• Pacific Area
• Coast Guard District 11
• Coast Guard District 13
• Coast Guard District 14
• Coast Guard District 17

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the U.S. border against illegal entry, illicit activity, and other threats; combatting transnational crime and terrorism that's a threat to the economic and national security of the United States; and facilitating lawful trade and lawful entry into the United States.{{Cite web |title=About CBP {{!}} U.S. Customs and Border Protection |url=https://www.cbp.gov/about |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.cbp.gov |language=en}}

File:Seal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.png

• Commissioner, Pete R. Flores (acting)
• Deputy Commissioner, John Modlin (acting)

• U.S. Border Patrol
• Office of Field Operations
• Air and Marine Operations
• Office of Trade
• Enterprise Services Office
• Operations Support Office

File:Seal of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.svg

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the leading entity of the U.S. federal government in understanding, managing, and reducing risk to cyber and physical infrastructure across the United States.{{Cite web |title=About CISA {{!}} CISA |url=https://www.cisa.gov/about |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.cisa.gov |language=en}}

• Director, Bridget Bean (acting)
• Deputy Director, vacant

• Cybersecurity Division
• Infrastructure Security Division
• Emergency Communications Division
• Integrated Operations Division
• Stakeholder Engagement Division
• National Risk Management Center

File:FEMA logo.svg

The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) invests in, improves, and supports capabilities to respond to, mitigate, protect against, recover from, and to prepare for all hazards that may threaten the security of the United States and its citizens, such as natural disasters.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=About Us {{!}} FEMA.gov |url=https://www.fema.gov/about |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.fema.gov |language=en}}

• Administrator, David Richardson (acting)
• Deputy Administrator, MaryAnn Tierney (acting)

• Mission Support
• Regional Offices (Regions 1-10)
• Resilience
• Response and Recovery
• U.S. Fire Administration

File:FLETC seal.png

The United States Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) provides training services to U.S. law enforcement.{{Cite web |title=Our Mission and Core Values {{!}} Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers |url=https://www.fletc.gov/mission-values |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.fletc.gov}}

• Director, Benjamine C. Huffman
• Deputy Director, Paul E. Baker
• Associate Director for Training Operations, Ariana M. Roddini

• Training Management Operations Directorate
• National Capital Region Training Operations Directorate
• Core Training Operations Directorate
• Technical Training Operations Directorate
• Mission and Readiness Support Directorate

File:Logo of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.svg

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=ICE's Mission {{!}} ICE |url=https://www.ice.gov/mission |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.ice.gov |language=en}}

• Director, Todd Lyons (acting)
• Deputy Director, Madison Sheahan

• Enforcement and Removal Operations

• Homeland Security Investigations

File:Logo of the United States Secret Service.svg

The United States Secret Service (USSS) is charged with the protection of the President of the United States and other government officials and persons designated by law. It also safeguards U.S. financial infrastructure and fights against counterfeiting.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.secretservice.gov/about/overview |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.secretservice.gov}}

• Director, Sean M. Curran
• Deputy Director, vacant

• Uniformed Division
• Office of Protective Operations
• Office of Investigations

File:Transportation Security Administration seal.svg

The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects U.S. transportation systems (e.g. airport security) and ensures freedom of movement for people and commerce.{{Cite web |title=Mission {{!}} Transportation Security Administration |url=https://www.tsa.gov/about/tsa-mission |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.tsa.gov}} It was created as a result of the September 11 attacks in the United States by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001.{{Cite web |title=TSA History {{!}} Transportation Security Administration |url=https://www.tsa.gov/history |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.tsa.gov}}

• Administrator, Ha Nguyen McNeil (acting)
• Deputy Administrator, Vacant

• Federal Air Marshal Service
• Security Operations
• TSA Investigations
• Operations Support
• Enterprise Support

File:DHS Management Directorate Wordmark.png

The Department of Homeland Security Management Directorate (MGMT) manages department finance, appropriations, accounting, budgeting, expenditures, procurement, human resources and personnel, information technology systems, biometric identification services, facilities, property, equipment, other material resources, protection of department personnel, information and resources, performance metrics, and the security of federal infrastructure.{{Cite web |title=Management Directorate {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/management-directorate |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

Executives

• Under Secretary, Benjamine C. Huffman (acting)
• Deputy Under Secretary, vacant

• Office of the Chief Financial Officer
• Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
• Office of the Chief Information Officer
• Office of the Chief Procurement Officer
• Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer
• Office of the Chief Security Officer
• Office of Program Accountability and Risk Management
• Office of Biometric Identity Management
• U.S. Federal Protective Service

File:DHS Science and Technology Directorate Wordmark.svg

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is the department's research and development arm.{{Cite web |title=About S&T {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/about-st |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

Executives

• Under Secretary, Julie S. Brewer (acting)
• Deputy Under Secretary, Joseph "Jay" F. Martin (acting)

• Office of Innovation and Collaboration
• Office of Mission and Capability Support
• Office of Enterprise Services
• Office of Science and Engineering

File:DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office Logo.png

The Department of Homeland Security Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) works to prevent chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological attacks against the United States.{{Cite web |title=About CWMD {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/about-cwmd |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

• Assistant Secretary, [https://www.dhs.gov/person/david-richardson David Richardson]
• Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Deborah Kramer

• BioWatch Program
• Securing the Cities Program
• Mobile Detection Deployment Program
• Training and Exercise Program
• CBRN Intelligence
• National Biosurveillance Integration Center

File:DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis logo.png

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) is the department's intelligence arm, and disseminates timely information across the DHS enterprise and to local, state, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.{{Cite web |title=Office of Intelligence and Analysis {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-intelligence-and-analysis |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

• Under Secretary, Daniel Tamburello (acting)
• Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Adam Luke (acting)

• Counterterrorism Center
• Cyber Intelligence Center
• Nation-State Intelligence Center
• Transborder Security Center
• Current and Emerging Threats Center
• Office of Regional Intelligence
• Homeland Identities, Targeting & Exploitation Center

File:DHS Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness Logo.png

The Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness (OSA) provides operations coordination, information sharing, situational awareness, common operating picture, and executes the Secretary's responsibilities across the homeland security enterprise.{{Cite web |title=Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-homeland-security-situational-awareness |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

• Director, Rear Admiral [https://www.dhs.gov/person/rear-admiral-christopher-j-tomney-uscg-ret Christopher J. Tomney]
• Deputy Director, Frank DiFalco

• National Operations Center
• Integration Division
• Mission Support Division

File:DHS Office of Health Security Wordmark.png

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Security (OHS) is the principal medical, workforce health and safety, and public health authority for DHS.{{Cite web |title=Office of Health Security {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-health-security |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

• Director & Chief Medical Officer, [https://www.dhs.gov/person/dr-herbert-herb-wolfe Dr. Herbert Wolfe] (acting)
• Deputy Director & Deputy Chief Medical Officer, [https://www.dhs.gov/person/dr-herbert-herb-wolfe Dr. Herbert Wolfe]

• Total Workforce Protection Directorate
• Health, Food & Agriculture Resilience Directorate
• Healthcare Systems & Oversight Directorate
• Health Information Systems & Decision Support
• Regional Operations

File:DHS OIG seal.png

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides independent oversight and promotes excellence, integrity, and accountability within DHS.{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} Office of Inspector General |url=https://www.oig.dhs.gov/about |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=www.oig.dhs.gov}}

• Inspector General, Joseph V. Cuffari
• Principal Deputy Inspector General, [https://www.oig.dhs.gov/about/MeetThePDIG Glenn Sklar]

• Office of Audits
• Office of Investigations
• Office of Integrity
• Office of Management
• Office of Innovation
• Office of Inspections and Evaluations

{{See also|United States Secretary of Homeland Security#Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security|l1=United States Secretary of Homeland Security § Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security}}

File:DHS Office of the Secretary Wordmark.png

File:DHS CIS Ombudsman.webp

File:DHS ID Ombudsman.webp

The Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security oversees the Department of Homeland Security's execution of its mission to safeguard the nation.{{Cite web |title=Office of the Secretary {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/office-secretary |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

• Chief of Staff, vacant/none.

• Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
• Climate Change Action Group
• Office of the Executive Secretary
• Family Reunification Task Force
• Office of the General Counsel
• Joint Requirements Council
• Office of Legislative Affairs
• Office of the Military Advisor
• Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman
• Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Ombudsman
• Office of Partnership and Engagement
• DHS Privacy Office
• Office of Public Affairs
• Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans
• Office for State and Local Law Enforcement
• Center for Countering Human Trafficking
• Committee Management Office
• Council on Combating Gender-Based Violence
• Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force

DHS advisory panels and committees provide advice and recommendations on mission-related topics from academic engagement to privacy.{{Cite web |title=Advisory Panels & Committees {{!}} Homeland Security |url=https://www.dhs.gov/advisory-panels-committees |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=www.dhs.gov |language=en}}

• Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council (HSAPC)
• Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (AISSB)
• Counternarcotics Coordinating Council (CNCC)
• Faith-Based Security Advisory Council (FBSAC)
• Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC)
• Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee (DPIAC)
• Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council (THSAC)

In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security phased out the old Homeland Security Advisory System, replacing it with a two-level National Terrorism Advisory System. The system has two types of advisories: alerts and bulletins. NTAS bulletins permit the secretary to communicate critical terrorism information that, while not necessarily indicative of a specific threat against the United States, can reach homeland security partners or the public quickly, thereby allowing recipients to implement necessary protective measures. Alerts are issued when there is specific and credible information of a terrorist threat against the United States. Alerts have two levels: elevated and imminent. An elevated alert is issued when there is credible information about an attack but only general information about timing or a target. An Imminent Alert is issued when the threat is very specific and impending in the very near term.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

File:Hsas-chart with header.svg scale]]

On March 12, 2002, the Homeland Security Advisory System, a color-coded terrorism risk advisory scale, was created as the result of a Presidential Directive to provide a "comprehensive and effective means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist acts to Federal, State, and local authorities and to the American people". Many procedures at government facilities are tied into the alert level; for example a facility may search all entering vehicles when the alert is above a certain level. Since January 2003, it has been administered in coordination with DHS; it has also been the target of frequent jokes and ridicule on the part of the administration's detractors about its ineffectiveness. After resigning, Tom Ridge said he did not always agree with the threat level adjustments pushed by other government agencies.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xnews/speeches/speech_0053.shtm |title=Remarks by Governor Ridge Announcing Homeland Security Advisory System|access-date=May 5, 2017}}

{{Main|Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security}}

The seal was developed with input from senior DHS leadership, employees, and the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts. The Ad Council – which partners with DHS on its Ready.gov campaign – and the consulting company Landor Associates were responsible for graphic design and maintaining heraldic integrity.

{{blockquote|The seal is symbolic of the Department's mission – to prevent attacks and protect Americans – on the land, in the sea and in the air. In the center of the seal, a graphically styled white American eagle appears in a circular blue field. The eagle's outstretched wings break through an inner red ring into an outer white ring that contains the words "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF" in the top half and "HOMELAND SECURITY" in the bottom half in a circular placement. The eagle's wings break through the inner circle into the outer ring to suggest that the Department of Homeland Security will break through traditional bureaucracy and perform government functions differently. In the tradition of the Great Seal of the United States, the eagle's talon on the left holds an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 seeds while the eagle's talon on the right grasps 13 arrows.

Centered on the eagle's breast is a shield divided into three sections containing elements that represent the American homeland – air, land, and sea. The top element, a dark blue sky, contains 22 stars representing the original 22 entities that have come together to form the department. The left shield element contains white mountains behind a green plain underneath a light blue sky. The right shield element contains four wave shapes representing the oceans alternating light and dark blue separated by white lines.}}

- DHS June 6, 2003[https://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0189.shtm "Fact Sheet: Department of Homeland Security Seal", DHS press release, June 19, 2003. DHS website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024224438/http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0189.shtm |date=October 24, 2006 }}. Retrieved on August 26, 2008.

File:210908-H-NI589-089.jpg West Campus]]

File:Nebraska Avenue Complex 2016.jpg, DHS headquarters from its inception until April 2019]]

Since its inception, the department's temporary headquarters had been in Washington, D.C.'s Nebraska Avenue Complex, a former naval facility. The {{convert|38|acre|ha|adj=on}} site, across from American University, has 32 buildings comprising {{convert|566000|sqft|m2}} of administrative space.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xnews/testimony/testimony_0019.shtm |title=Statement of Secretary Tom Ridge|publisher=DHS|access-date=October 31, 2007}} In early 2007, the department submitted a $4.1 billion plan to Congress to consolidate its 60-plus Washington-area offices into a single headquarters complex at the St. Elizabeths Hospital campus in Anacostia, Southeast Washington, D.C.{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Losey |url=http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2626923 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102171514/http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2626923 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |title= Homeland Security plans move to hospital compound |publisher=Federal Times|date=March 19, 2007 |access-date=October 31, 2007}}

The move was championed by District of Columbia officials because of the positive economic impact it would have on historically depressed Anacostia. The move was criticized by historic preservationists, who claimed the revitalization plans would destroy dozens of historic buildings on the campus.{{cite web |url=http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/southern-region/st-elizabeths-hospital.html |title=Most Endangered Places |work=2/2009 |publisher=National Trust |access-date=February 4, 2009}} Community activists criticized the plans because the facility would remain walled off and have little interaction with the surrounding area.{{cite news |first=Joel |last=Holley |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/16/AR2007061601192_pf.html |title=Tussle Over St. Elizabeths |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=C01 |date=June 17, 2007 |access-date=October 31, 2007}}

In February 2015 the General Services Administration said that the site would open in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/facilities-construction/2020/07/dhs-headquarters-consolidation-has-a-new-tentative-plan-at-st-elizabeths/ |title=DHS headquarters consolidation has a new tentative plan at St. Elizabeths|date=July 10, 2020}} DHS headquarters staff began moving to St. Elizabeths in April 2019 after the completion of the Center Building renovation.{{cite web|url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/facilities-construction/2019/06/dhs-st-elizabeths-campus-gains-center-of-gravity-with-new-headquarters/|title=DHS St. Elizabeths campus gains 'center of gravity' with new headquarters|last=Heckman|first=Jory|date=June 21, 2019|website=Federal News Network|language=en-US|access-date=August 9, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2019/07/09/dhs-reveals-more-detail-on-whats-to-come-for-st.html|title=DHS reveals more detail on what's to come for St. Elizabeths West|last=Sernovitz|first=Daniel J.|date=July 9, 2019|website=Washington Business Journal|access-date=August 9, 2019}}

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."{{Cite news|url=https://homelandprepnews.com/stories/26659-spending-stalemate-costs-department-homeland-security/|title=Spending stalemate has costs at Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Preparedness News|last=Roberts|first=Ed|date=February 7, 2018|work=Homeland Preparedness News|access-date=February 27, 2018|language=en-US}} The uncertainty about funding hampers DHS's ability to pursue major projects and takes away attention and manpower from important priorities. Seventy percent of DHS employees are considered essential and are not furloughed during government shutdowns.

File:Ready Reg.jpg

Soon after formation, the department worked with the Ad Council to launch the Ready Campaign, a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. With pro bono creative support from the Martin Agency of Richmond, Virginia, the campaign website "Ready.gov" and materials were conceived in March 2002 and launched in February 2003, just before the launch of the Iraq War.{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Forbes|url=http://www.antiwar.com/forbes/?articleid=2679|title=$226 Million in Govt Ads Helped Pave the Way for War|publisher=Antiwar.com|date=May 28, 2004|access-date=October 31, 2007}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.oaaa.org/public/view.asp?PUBLIC_SERVICE_ID=7|title=Homeland Security: Ready.Gov|publisher=Outdoor Advertising Association of America|access-date=October 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017171339/http://www.oaaa.org/public/view.asp?PUBLIC_SERVICE_ID=7|archive-date=October 17, 2007|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0302/20/lad.08.html|title=CNN Live at daybreak |work=Aired February 20, 2003|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 31, 2007}} One of the first announcements that garnered widespread public attention to this campaign was one by Tom Ridge in which he stated that in the case of a chemical attack, citizens should use duct tape and plastic sheeting to build a homemade bunker, or "sheltering in place" to protect themselves.{{cite web |url=http://www.ready.gov/america/other/faqs.html|title=Homeland Security Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=ready.gov |access-date=October 31, 2007|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106112543/http://www.ready.gov/america/other/faqs.html|archive-date=November 6, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/cleanair.html|title=Clean Air|publisher=ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017014249/http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/cleanair.html |archive-date=October 17, 2007}} As a result, the sales of duct tape skyrocketed, and DHS was criticized for being too alarmist.{{cite web|url=http://www.lies.com/wp/2003/02/21/are-you-readygov/|title=Are You Ready.gov?|work=February 21, 2003 |publisher=lies.com|access-date=October 31, 2007}}

On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was absorbed into the DHS and in the fall of 2008 took over coordination of the campaign. The Ready Campaign and its Spanish-language version Listo.gov asks individuals to build an emergency supply kit,{{cite web|url=https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit|title=Build A Kit {{!}} Ready.gov|publisher=www.ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101041434/https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit|archive-date=November 1, 2016|url-status=dead}} make a family emergency plan{{cite web|url=https://www.ready.gov/plan |title=Make A Plan {{!}} Ready.gov|publisher=www.ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016}} and be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur and how to respond.{{cite web|url=https://www.ready.gov/about-us|title=About the Ready Campaign {{!}} Ready.gov|publisher=www.ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016}} The campaign messages have been promoted through television, radio, print, outdoor and web PSAs,{{Cite news|url=http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Safety/Emergency-Preparedness |title=Emergency Preparedness|newspaper=AdCouncil|access-date=October 31, 2016}} as well as brochures, toll-free phone lines and the English and Spanish language websites Ready.gov and Listo.gov.

The general campaign aims to reach all Americans, but targeted resources are also available via "Ready Business" for small- to medium-sized business and "Ready Kids" for parents and teachers of children ages 8–12. In 2015, the campaign also launched a series of PSAs to help the whole community,{{cite web|url=http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7576951-fema-ad-council-emergency-preparedness/ |title=FEMA, Ad Council Launch New PSA Focused on People with Disabilities Preparing for Emergencies|last=Newswire |first=MultiVu - PR|publisher=Multivu|access-date=October 31, 2016}} people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs prepare for emergencies, which included open captioning, a certified deaf interpreter and audio descriptions for viewers who are blind or have low vision.{{cite web|url=https://ready.gov/myplan|title=Individuals with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs {{!}} Ready.gov|publisher=ready.gov|access-date=October 31, 2016}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2017}}

On March 1, 2004, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) was created. The stated purpose was to provide a consistent incident management approach for federal, state, local, and tribal governments. Under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, all federal departments were required to adopt the NIMS and to use it in their individual domestic incident management and emergency prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation program and activities.

{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2017}}

In December 2005, the National Response Plan (NRP) was created, in an attempt to align federal coordination structures, capabilities, and resources into a unified, all-discipline, and all-hazards approach to domestic incident management. The NRP was built on the template of the NIMS.

On January 22, 2008, the National Response Framework was published in the Federal Register as an updated replacement of the NRP, effective March 22, 2008.

The Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act directs the DHS Secretary to designate employees from throughout the department to staff a Surge Capacity Force (SCF). During a declared disaster, the DHS Secretary will determine if SCF support is necessary. The secretary will then authorize FEMA to task and deploy designated personnel from DHS components and other Federal Executive Agencies to respond to extraordinary disasters.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/topic/surge-capacity-force|title=Surge Capacity Force – Homeland Security|access-date=April 18, 2019|date=January 30, 2013}}

{{See also|Cyber-security regulation}}

The DHS National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) is responsible for the response system, risk management program, and requirements for cyber-security in the U.S. The division is home to US-CERT operations and the National Cyber Alert System.{{cite web|title=National Cyber Security Division |url=https://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/editorial_0839.shtm|publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security|access-date=June 14, 2008}} The DHS Science and Technology Directorate helps government and private end-users transition to new cyber-security capabilities. This directorate also funds the Cyber Security Research and Development Center, which identifies and prioritizes research and development for NCSD.{{cite web|title=FAQ: Cyber Security R&D Center|url=http://www.cyber.st.dhs.gov/faq.html|publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security S&T Directorate|access-date=June 14, 2008}} The center works on the Internet's routing infrastructure (the SPRI program) and Domain Name System (DNSSEC), identity theft and other online criminal activity (ITTC), Internet traffic and networks research (PREDICT datasets and the DETER testbed), Department of Defense and HSARPA exercises (Livewire and Determined Promise), and wireless security in cooperation with Canada.{{cite web|title=Ongoing Research and Development|url=http://www.cyber.st.dhs.gov/ongoing.html|publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security S&T Directorate|access-date=June 14, 2008}}

On October 30, 2009, DHS opened the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center. The center brings together government organizations responsible for protecting computer networks and networked infrastructure.AFP-JiJi, "U.S. boots up cybersecurity center", October 31, 2009.

In January 2017, DHS officially designated state-run election systems as critical infrastructure. The designation made it easier for state and local election officials to get cybersecurity help from the federal government. In October 2017, DHS convened a Government Coordinating Council (GCC) for the Election Infrastructure Subsection with representatives from various state and federal agencies such as the Election Assistance Commission and National Association of Secretaries of State.{{Cite news |url=https://homelandprepnews.com/stories/24771-dhs-partners-convene-government-council-protecting-election-infrastructure/|title=DHS, partners convene for government council on protecting election infrastructure|last=Murtha|first=Alex|date=October 17, 2017|work=Homeland Preparedness News|access-date=December 20, 2017}}

{{main|United States Secretary of Homeland Security#List of secretaries of homeland security}}

To date there have been eight confirmed secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security:[https://www.dhs.gov/secretaries-homeland-security Secretaries of Homeland Security, dhs.gov]

• Tom Ridge (January 24, 2003–February 1, 2005)
• Michael Chertoff (February 15, 2005–January 21, 2009)
• Janet Napolitano (January 20, 2009–September 6, 2013)
• Jeh Charles Johnson (December 23, 2013–January 20, 2017)
• John F. Kelly (January 20, 2017–July 28, 2017)
• Kirstjen M. Nielsen (December 6, 2017–April 10, 2019)
• Alejandro Mayorkas (February 1, 2021–January 20, 2025)
• Kristi Noem (January 25, 2025–Now)

{{See also|Criticism of the United States government#Criticism of agencies|Criticism of the government response to Hurricane Katrina}}

The department has been dogged by persistent criticism over excessive bureaucracy, waste, ineffectiveness and lack of transparency. Congress estimates that the department has wasted roughly $15 billion in failed contracts ({{as of|2008|9|lc=on}}).{{cite news|first=Dana|last=Hedgpeth|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603200_pf.html|title=Congress Says DHS Oversaw $15 Billion in Failed Contracts|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 17, 2008|access-date=November 17, 2008}} In 2003, the department came under fire after the media revealed that Laura Callahan, Deputy Chief Information Officer at DHS with responsibilities for sensitive national security databases, had obtained her bachelor, masters, and doctorate computer science degrees through Hamilton University, a diploma mill in a small town in Wyoming.[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/diplomas-for-sale-08-11-2004/ Diplomas For Sale] – Retrieved August 5, 2015 The department was blamed for up to $2 billion of waste and fraud after audits by the Government Accountability Office revealed widespread misuse of government credit cards by DHS employees, with purchases including beer brewing kits, $70,000 of plastic dog booties that were later deemed unusable, boats purchased at double the retail price (many of which later could not be found), and iPods ostensibly for use in "data storage".{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Lipton |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/19/washington/19cards.html|title=Homeland Security Department Is Accused of Credit Card Misuse |work=The New York Times|date=July 19, 2006|access-date=October 31, 2007}}{{cite news|first=Lara|last=Jakes Jordan

|url=http://www.homelandsecurityweekly.com/news/dhs-credit-fraud-071906/|title=Credit Card Fraud at DHS|publisher=Homeland Security Weekly|date=July 19, 2006|access-date=October 31, 2007|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017170610/http://www.homelandsecurityweekly.com/news/dhs-credit-fraud-071906/ |archive-date=October 17, 2007}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna9353365|title=Government's Katrina credit cards criticized|agency=Associated Press|date=September 15, 2005|access-date=October 31, 2007}}{{cite news|first=Dana |last=Hedgpeth|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603200_pf.html|title=Congress says DHS oversaw $15 billion in failed contracts|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 17, 2008|access-date=September 17, 2008}}

A 2015 inspection of IT infrastructure found that the department was running over a hundred computer systems whose owners were unknown, including Secret and Top Secret databases, many with out of date security or weak passwords. Basic security reviews were absent, and the department had apparently made deliberate attempts to delay publication of information about the flaws.{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/11/20/homeland_securitys_secret_unpatched_pcs_dbs/|title=Who's running dozens of top-secret unpatched databases? The Dept of Homeland Security|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=January 3, 2016|work=The Register |last=McCarthy|first=Kieren}}

On September 5, 2007, the Associated Press reported that the DHS had scrapped an anti-terrorism data mining tool called ADVISE (Analysis, Dissemination, Visualization, Insight and Semantic Enhancement) after the agency's internal inspector general found that pilot testing of the system had been performed using data on real people without required privacy safeguards in place.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_07-56_Jun07.pdf|title=ADVISE Could Support Intelligence Analysis More Effectively|work=pdf file|publisher=DHS|access-date=October 31, 2007}}{{cite magazine |first=Ryan|last=Singel|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna9353365|title=Homeland Data Tool Needs Privacy Help, Report Says |magazine=Wired|date=March 20, 2007|access-date=October 31, 2007}} The system, in development at Lawrence Livermore and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory since 2003, has cost the agency $42 million to date. Controversy over the program is not new; in March 2007, the Government Accountability Office stated that "the ADVISE tool could misidentify or erroneously associate an individual with undesirable activity such as fraud, crime or terrorism." Homeland Security's Inspector General later said that ADVISE was poorly planned, time-consuming for analysts to use, and lacked adequate justifications.{{cite news|first=Michael J.|last=Sniffen|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/05/AR2007090500795_pf.html|title=DHS Ends Criticized Data-Mining Program|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|date=September 5, 2007|access-date=October 31, 2007}}

{{Main|Fusion center}}

Fusion centers are terrorism prevention and response centers, many of which were created under a joint project between the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs between 2003 and 2007. The fusion centers gather information from government sources as well as their partners in the private sector.Monahan, T. 2009. The Murky World of 'Fusion Centres'. Criminal Justice Matters 75 (1): 20-21.{{cite web|url=http://www.securitymanagement.com/article/smashing-intelligence-stovepipes?page=0%2C1 |title=Smashing Intelligence Stovepipes {{!}} Security Management |access-date=February 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429084443/http://www.securitymanagement.com/article/smashing-intelligence-stovepipes?page=0%2C1 |archive-date=April 29, 2011}}

They are designed to promote information sharing at the federal level between agencies such as the CIA, FBI, Department of Justice, U.S. military and state and local level government. {{As of|2009|7|df=US}}, DHS recognized at least seventy-two fusion centers.[http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/28/broadcast_exclusive_declassified_docs_reveal_military Report on Fusion Centers] July 29, 2009, Democracy Now Fusion centers may also be affiliated with an Emergency Operations Center that responds in the event of a disaster.

There are a number of documented criticisms of fusion centers, including relative ineffectiveness at counterterrorism activities, the potential to be used for secondary purposes unrelated to counterterrorism, and their links to violations of civil liberties of American citizens and others.Monahan, T. and Palmer, N.A. 2009. The Emerging Politics of DHS Fusion Centers. Security Dialogue 40 (6): 617–636.

David Rittgers of the Cato Institute notes:

a long line of fusion center and DHS reports labeling broad swaths of the public as a threat to national security. The North Texas Fusion System labeled Muslim lobbyists as a potential threat; a DHS analyst in Wisconsin thought both pro- and anti-abortion activists were worrisome; a Pennsylvania homeland security contractor watched environmental activists, Tea Party groups, and a Second Amendment rally; the Maryland State Police put anti-death penalty and anti-war activists in a federal terrorism database; a fusion center in Missouri thought that all third-party voters and Ron Paul supporters were a threat ...Rittgers, David (February 2, 2011) [http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/we%E2%80%99re-all-terrorists-now/ We're All Terrorists Now] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415064139/http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/we%E2%80%99re-all-terrorists-now/ |date=April 15, 2011}}, Cato Institute

In 2006, MSNBC reported that Grant Goodman, "an 81-year-old retired University of Kansas history professor, received a letter from his friend in the Philippines that had been opened and resealed with a strip of dark green tape bearing the words "by Border Protection" and carrying the official Homeland Security seal."Meeks, Brock (January 6, 2006) [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10740935 Homeland Security opening private mail], NBC News The letter was sent by a devout Catholic Filipino woman with no history of supporting Islamic terrorism. A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection "acknowledged that the agency can, will and does open mail coming to U.S. citizens that originates from a foreign country whenever it's deemed necessary":

All mail originating outside the United States Customs territory that is to be delivered inside the U.S. Customs territory is subject to Customs examination," says the CBP Web site. That includes personal correspondence. "All mail means 'all mail,'" said John Mohan, a CBP spokesman, emphasizing the point.

The department declined to outline what criteria are used to determine when a piece of personal correspondence should be opened or to say how often or in what volume Customs might be opening mail.

Goodman's story provoked outrage in the blogosphere,Cole, John (January 9, 2006) [http://www.balloon-juice.com/2006/01/09/your-mail-free-for-government-inspection/ Your Mail- Free for Government Inspection], Balloon Juice as well as in the more established media. Reacting to the incident, Mother Jones remarked "unlike other prying government agencies, Homeland Security wants you to know it is watching you."Dees, Diane (January 9, 2006) [http://motherjones.com/mojo/2006/01/department-homeland-security-opens-kansas-professors-mail Department of Homeland Security opens Kansas professor's mail], Mother Jones CNN observed "on the heels of the NSA wiretapping controversy, Goodman's letter raises more concern over the balance between privacy and security."[http://quiz.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/12/sitroom.02.html Transcript] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171125/http://quiz.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0601/12/sitroom.02.html |date=July 8, 2011 }} from The Situation Room (January 12, 2006)

In July 2006, the Office of Personnel Management conducted a survey of federal employees in all 36 federal agencies on job satisfaction and how they felt their respective agency was headed. DHS was last or near to last in every category including;

• 33rd on the talent management index
• 35th on the leadership and knowledge management index
• 36th on the job satisfaction index
• 36th on the results-oriented performance culture index

The low scores were attributed to concerns about basic supervision, management and leadership within the agency. Examples from the survey reveal most concerns are about promotion and pay increase based on merit, dealing with poor performance, rewarding creativity and innovation, leadership generating high levels of motivation in the workforce, recognition for doing a good job, lack of satisfaction with various component policies and procedures and lack of information about what is going on with the organization.{{cite news|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=nation_world&id=5017688|title=Homeland Security employees rank last in job satisfaction survey|publisher=ABC Inc., WLS-TV Chicago|date=February 8, 2007|access-date=October 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318091056/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=nation_world&id=5017688|archive-date=March 18, 2007|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |first=Bill|last=Conroy|url=http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2007/1/31/17296/1136|title=DHS memo reveals agency personnel are treated like "human capital"|publisher=Narco News|date=January 31, 2007|access-date=October 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017163524/http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2007/1/31/17296/1136|archive-date=October 17, 2007|url-status=dead}}

DHS is the only large federal agency to score below 50% in overall survey rankings. It was last of large federal agencies in 2014 with 44.0% and fell even lower in 2015 at 43.1%, again last place.{{cite web|url=http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large|title=Best Places to Work Agency Rankings|publisher=Partnership for Public Service|access-date=February 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223053744/http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/overall/large|archive-date=February 23, 2016|url-status=dead}} DHS continued to rank at the bottom in 2019, prompting congressional inquiries into the problem.{{cite news |last1=Neal |first1=Jeff |title=Layers of problems drive morale issues at DHS |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2020/01/layers-of-problems-drive-morale-issues-at-dhs/ |access-date=May 23, 2020 |work=Federal News Network |date=January 16, 2020}} High work load resulting from chronic staff shortage, particularly in Customs and Border Protection, has contributed to low morale,{{cite news |last1=Miroff |first1=Nick |title=U.S. customs agency is so short-staffed, it's sending officers from airports to the Mexican border |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-customs-agency-is-so-short-staffed-its-sending-officers-from-airports-to-the-mexican-border/2018/01/18/44420a94-fc77-11e7-a46b-a3614530bd87_story.html |access-date=May 23, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 19, 2018 |language=en}} as have scandals and intense negative public opinion heightened by immigration policies of the Obama administration.{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Manny |last2=Jordan |first2=Miriam |last3=Kanno-Youngs |first3=Zolan |last4=Dickerson |first4=Caitlin |last5=Brinson |first5=Kendrick |title='People Actively Hate Us': Inside the Border Patrol's Morale Crisis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/15/us/border-patrol-culture.html |access-date=May 23, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=September 15, 2019}}

DHS has struggled to retain women, who complain of overt and subtle misogyny.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/women-federal-law-enforcement-male-dominated-244649|title=Federal law enforcement has a woman problem|website=Politico|date=November 14, 2017 }}

In 2009, the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) made news for targeting supporters of third party candidates (such as Ron Paul), anti-abortion activists, and conspiracy theorists as potential militia members.{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/23/fusion-centers-expand-criteria-identify-militia-members/ |work=Fox News |title='Fusion Centers' Expand Criteria to Identify Militia Members |date=March 23, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803123944/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/23/fusion-centers-expand-criteria-identify-militia-members/ |archive-date=August 3, 2009 |url-status=dead}} Anti-war activists and Islamic lobby groups were targeted in Texas, drawing criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union.{{cite web |url=http://www.securitymanagement.com/news/fusion-centers-under-fire-texas-and-new-mexico-005314 |title=Fusion Centers Under Fire in Texas and New Mexico {{!}} Security Management |access-date=July 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408205350/http://www.securitymanagement.com/news/fusion-centers-under-fire-texas-and-new-mexico-005314 |archive-date=April 8, 2012 }}

According to DHS:[https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_ia_slrfci.pdf Privacy Impact Assessment for the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative] December 11, 2008

The Privacy Office has identified a number of risks to privacy presented by the fusion center program:

1. Justification for fusion centers
2. Ambiguous Lines of Authority, Rules, and Oversight
3. Participation of the Military and the Private Sector
4. Data Mining
5. Excessive Secrecy
6. Inaccurate or Incomplete Information
7. Mission Creep

In the Center for Effective Government analysis of 15 federal agencies which receive the most Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, published in 2015 (using 2012 and 2013 data), the Department of Homeland Security earned a D+ by scoring 69 out of a possible 100 points, i.e. did not earn a satisfactory overall grade. It also had not updated its policies since the 2007 FOIA amendments.[http://www.foreffectivegov.org/access-to-information-scorecard-2015/ Making the Grade: Access to Information Scorecard 2015] March 2015, 80 pages, Center for Effective Government, retrieved March 21, 2016

In 2018, the DHS was accused of referencing the white nationalist Fourteen Words slogan in an official document, by using a similar fourteen-worded title, in relation to unlawful immigration and border control:{{cite web |url=https://www.salon.com/2018/07/06/did-trump-administration-send-a-coded-signal-to-neo-nazis-maybe-not-but-is-that-reassuring/ |title=Did Trump administration send a coded signal to neo-Nazis? Maybe not — but is that reassuring? |date=July 6, 2018 |website=Salon}}

We Must Secure The Border And Build The Wall To Make America Safe Again.{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2018/02/15/we-must-secure-border-and-build-wall-make-america-safe-again |title=We Must Secure The Border And Build The Wall To Make America Safe Again |date=February 15, 2018 |publisher=DHS}}

Although dismissed by the DHS as a coincidence, both the use of "88" in a document and the similarity to the slogan's phrasing ("We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children"), drew criticism and controversy from several media outlets.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/blakemontgomery/homeland-security-statement-theory |title=Homeland Security Officials Say Claims That Statement Mimics A White Supremacist Slogan Are Merely Conspiracy Theories |date=June 29, 2018 |publisher=BuzzFeed}}{{cite web|url=https://forward.com/culture/404371/are-14-and-88-nazi-dog-whistles-in-this-homeland-security-document-or-just/ |title=Are '14' And '88' Nazi Dog Whistles In Border Security Document – Or Just Numbers? |date=June 28, 2018 |publisher=The Forward}}

While abolishing the DHS has been proposed since 2011,{{cite web|url=https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/abolish-department-homeland-security|title=Abolish the Department of Homeland Security|first=David|last=Rittgers|date=September 8, 2011|website=Cato Institute|language=en|access-date=July 15, 2019}} the idea was popularized when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested abolishing the DHS in light of the abuses against detained migrants by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agencies.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/07/11/ocasio-cortez-wants-axe-homeland-security-some-conservatives-didnt-want-it-begin-with/|title=Ocasio-Cortez wants to ax Homeland Security. Some conservatives didn't want it to begin with.|last=Iati|first=Marisa|date=July 11, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 11, 2019}}

In 2020, the DHS was criticized for detaining protesters in Portland, Oregon. It even drew rebuke from the department's first secretary Tom Ridge who said, "It would be a cold day in hell before I would consent to an uninvited, unilateral intervention into one of my cities".{{cite web|url=https://triblive.com/news/world/ex-dhs-secretary-tom-ridge-it-would-be-a-cold-day-in-hell-before-personal-militia-would-be-welcomed-uninvited-in-pa/|title=Ex-DHS Secretary Tom Ridge: 'It would be a cold day in hell' before 'personal militia' would be welcomed uninvited in Pa. |website=triblive.com|date=July 21, 2020}}

On August 10, 2020, in an opinion article for USA Today by Anthony D. Romero, the ACLU called for the dismantling of DHS over the deployment of federal forces in July 2020 during the Portland protests.{{cite web|last=Romero|first=Anthony D.|date=August 10, 2020|title=Dismantle the Department of Homeland Security. Its tactics are fearsome: ACLU director|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/08/09/dhs-portland-civil-liberties-abuses-black-lives-matter-homeland-column/3319009001/|access-date=August 10, 2020|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}

In December 2020, ACLU filed a lawsuit against the DHS, U.S. CBP and U.S. ICE, seeking the release of their records of purchasing cellphone location data. ACLU alleges that this data was used to track U.S. citizens and immigrants and is seeking to discover the full extent of the alleged surveillance.{{Cite news|last=Zakrzewski|first=Cat|date=December 2, 2020|title=The Technology 202: ACLU sues DHS over purchase of cellphone location data used to track immigrants|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/12/02/technology-202-aclu-sues-dhs-over-purchase-cellphone-location-data-used-track-immigrants/|access-date=December 2, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US}}

The DHS came under fire from pro-Israel politicians in October 2023 for employing Nejwa Ali, who supported Hamas following its deadly terror attack against Israel. Her social media posts were first reported on by the Daily Wire and the Washington Examiner reported on Ali being placed on administrative leave.{{Cite news |last=Kaminsky |first=Gabe |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Biden DHS official placed on leave after pro-Palestinian ties revealed |pages=2–3 |work=The Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/dhs-official-leave-worked-plo |access-date=October 24, 2023}}

American Dragnet, a report, from the Center on Privacy and Technology documents the scope of ICE's surveillance capabilities. The report found that ICE has access to the driver’s license data of 3 in 4 adults, could locate 3 in 4 adults through their utility records and tracks the movements of drivers in cities home to 3 in 4 adults.{{Cite web |title=American Dragnet: Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century |url=https://www.law.georgetown.edu/privacy-technology-center/publications/american-dragnet-data-driven-deportation-in-the-21st-century/ |access-date= |website=law.georgetown.edu |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Harwell |first=Drew |date=2019-07-07 |title=FBI, ICE find state driver's license photos are a gold mine for facial-recognition searches |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/07/07/fbi-ice-find-state-drivers-license-photos-are-gold-mine-facial-recognition-searches/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210422033410/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/07/07/fbi-ice-find-state-drivers-license-photos-are-gold-mine-facial-recognition-searches/ |archive-date=22 Apr 2021 |access-date= |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The report also claimed "the agency spent approximately $2.8 billion between 2008 and 2021 on new surveillance, data collection and data-sharing initiatives".{{Cite web |author-link= |title=American Dragnet {{!}} Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century |url=https://americandragnet.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223153618/https://americandragnet.org/ |archive-date=23 February 2025 |access-date= |website=American Dragnet |publisher=Center on Privacy and Technology |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Carcamo |first=Cindy |date=2022-05-10 |title=Immigration officials created network that can spy on majority of Americans, report says |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-10/report-immigration-officials-spying-on-majority-of-americans |access-date= |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} ICE has also used data brokers to circumvent laws restricting government bodies sharing information with ICE.{{Cite web |last=Faife |first=Corin |date=2022-05-10 |title=ICE uses data brokers to bypass surveillance restrictions, report finds |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/10/23065080/ice-surveillance-dragnet-data-brokers-georgetown-law |access-date= |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hodge |first=Rae |date=April 22, 2022 |title=ICE Uses Private Data Brokers to Circumvent Immigrant Sanctuary Laws, Report Says |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/politics/ice-uses-private-data-brokers-to-circumvent-immigrant-sanctuary-laws-report-says/ |access-date= |website=CNET |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Walter-Johnson |first=Shreya Tewari, Fikayo |date=2022-07-18 |title=New Records Detail DHS Purchase and Use of Vast Quantities of Cell Phone Location Data {{!}} ACLU |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/new-records-detail-dhs-purchase-and-use-of-vast-quantities-of-cell-phone-location-data |access-date= |website=American Civil Liberties Union |language=en-US}}

The office of intelligence and analysis (I&A) has a history of problematic surveillance.{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Spencer |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Recent Reforms Won't Fix DHS Intelligence Abuses |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/recent-reforms-wont-fix-dhs-intelligence-abuses |access-date= |website=Brennan Center |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Levinson-Waldman |first1=Rachel |last2=Panduranga |first2=Harsha |last3=Patel |first3=Faiza |date=2024-07-30 |title=Social Media Surveillance by the U.S. Government {{!}} Brennan Center for Justice |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/social-media-surveillance-us-government |access-date= |website=Brennan Center |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Spencer |date=5 March 2025 |title=How DHS Laid the Groundwork for More Intelligence Abuse |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-dhs-laid-groundwork-more-intelligence-abuse-0 |website=Brennan Center}} In 2020, the I&A authorized "collecting and reporting on various activities in the context of elevated threats targeting monuments, memorials, and statues".{{Cite journal |last1=Vladeck |first1=Steve |last2=Wittes |first2=Benjamin |date=2023-01-18 |title=DHS Authorizes Domestic Surveillance to Protect Statues and Monuments |url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/dhs-authorizes-domestic-surveillance-protect-statues-and-monuments |journal=Lawfare |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Shane |date=2020-07-20 |title=DHS authorizes personnel to collect information on protesters it says threaten monuments |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/dhs-authorizes-personnel-to-collect-information-on-protesters-it-says-threaten-monuments/2020/07/20/6f58867c-cace-11ea-b0e3-d55bda07d66a_story.html |access-date= |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The office surveilled protestors at the George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon{{Cite web |last=Selsky |first=Andrew |date=2022-10-28 |title=New report shows Department of Homeland Security gathered intel on Portland Black Lives Matter protestors |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/new-report-shows-department-of-homeland-security-gathered-intel-on-portland-black-lives-matter-protestors |access-date= |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Wyden Releases New Details About Surveillance and Interrogation of Portland Demonstrators by Department of Homeland Security Agents |url=https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-releases-new-details-about-surveillance-and-interrogation-of-portland-demonstrators-by-department-of-homeland-security-agents |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118045455/https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-releases-new-details-about-surveillance-and-interrogation-of-portland-demonstrators-by-department-of-homeland-security-agents |archive-date=18 November 2022 |access-date= |website=wyden.senate.gov |language=en}} In September 2023, Congress considered revoking some of the agency’s collection authorities over concerns about overreach.{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Eileen |date=2025-01-18 |title=Little-Known Intelligence Agency Outlines Limits on Spying |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/us/politics/homeland-security-intelligence.html |access-date= |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} According to Politico, "a key theme that emerges from internal documents is that in recent years, many people working at I&A have said they fear they are breaking the law".{{Cite news |last=Woodruff Swan |first=Betsy |author-link=Betsy Woodruff Swan |date=6 March 2023 |title=DHS has a program gathering domestic intelligence — and virtually no one knows about it |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/06/dhs-domestic-intelligence-program-00085544 |work=Politico}} In 2025, sexual orientation and gender identity were removed from I&A's list of characteristics that "personnel are prohibited from engaging in intelligence activities based solely on".{{Cite web |last=Adamczeski |first=Ryan |date=26 February 2025 |title=DHS quietly eliminates ban on surveillance based on sexual orientation and gender identity |url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/dhs-allows-surveillance-sexual-orientation |website=advocate.com}}

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{{reflist}}

• Bullock, Jane, George Haddow, and Damon P. Coppola. Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (Butterworth-Heinemann, 2011)
• Ramsay, James D. et al. Theoretical Foundations of Homeland Security: Strategies, Operations, and Structures (Routledge, 2021)
• Sylves, Richard T. Disaster policy and politics: Emergency management and homeland security (CQ press, 2019).

• United States. Office of Homeland Security. National strategy for homeland security (DIANE Publishing, 2002) [https://books.google.com/books?id=VG-lrcOGyM8C&dq=Homeland&pg=PR7 online].

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