Department of Homeland Security Agencies

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Agencies in the United States

Introduction

The missions of the Department of Homeland Security are to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks; protect the American people, our critical infrastructure, and key resources; and respond to and recover from incidents that do occur. The third largest Cabinet department, the Department of Homeland Security was established by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, largely in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The new department consolidated 22 executive branch agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Department of Homeland Security employs 216,000 people in its mission to patrol borders, protect travelers and our transportation infrastructure, enforce immigration laws, and respond to disasters and emergencies. The agency also promotes preparedness and emergency prevention among citizens. Policy is coordinated by the Homeland Security Council at the White House, in cooperation with other defense and intelligence agencies, and led by the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security.

Agencies

Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement

The Office coordinates Federal policy and operations on interdicting the entry
of illegal drugs into the United States and tracking and severing connections
between illegal drug traf?cking and terrorism.

United States Customs and Border Protection

United States Customs and Border Protection is responsible for protecting our Nation’s borders in order to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while facilitating the ?ow of legitimate trade
and travel.

Domestic Nuclear Detection Office

The Office is responsible for developing a global nuclear detection architecture and
acquiring and supporting the deployment of a domestic nuclear detection system
to report any attempt to use nuclear or radiological material against the United States. The of?ce also works to enhance the nuclear detection efforts of Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local governments and the private sector to ensure a coordinated response to such threats.

Executive Secretariat

The Executive Secretariat supports the Office of the Secretary, disseminates information and written communications within the Department, and develops, implements, and manages business processes for
written communications and brie?ng materials. It also facilitates and manages
communications with Federal agencies, the Homeland Security Council, the
National Security Council, and other White House executive of?ces.

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

The Center provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals
from 81 Federal agencies and State, local, and international law enforcement
agencies to help them  ful?ll their responsibilities safely and pro?ciently.

Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer oversees all financial management activities relating to the
programs and operations of DHS, develops and maintains an integrated accounting and financial management system, and is responsible for financial reporting and internal controls.

Office of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel provides legal services for homeland security-related
matters and ensures that DHS activities comply with all legal requirements.

Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding

The Office assists the Gulf Coast region with longterm planning and coordinates the
Federal Government’s response to rebuild the Gulf Coast region devastated by
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Office of Health Affairs

The Office is responsible for providing incident management guidance, coordinates the
Department’s bio defense activities, and ensures a uni?ed approach to medical
preparedness. The Office also develops and maintains workforce protection and
occupational health standards for DHS employees.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the largest investigative arm of DHS. It is responsible for identifying and shutting down vulnerabilities on the Nation’s border and for economic, transportation, and infrastructure security.

Office of Inspector General

The Inspector General is responsible for conducting and supervising audits,
investigations, and inspections relating to the Department’s programs and
operations. It also recommends ways for the Department to carry out its
responsibilities in the most effective, ef?cient, and economical manner
possible.

Office of Intelligence and Analysis

The Office is responsible for using information and intelligence from
multiple sources to identify and assess current and future threats to the United
States.

Office of Legislative Affairs

The Office serves as the primary liaison to Members of Congress and their staffs, the White House and executive branch, and to other Federal agencies and governmental entities that have roles in assuring national security.

Senior Military Advisor

The Senior Military Advisor is responsible for providing counsel to the Secretary and
department components relating to the facilitation, coordination, and execution
of policy, procedures, and preparedness activities and operations between DHS
and the Department of Defense.

Office of Operations Coordination

The Office coordinates operational issues throughout the Department, integrates
internal and external operations, conducts incident management, and
facilitates staff planning and execution.

Chief Privacy Officer

The Privacy Officer works to minimize the impact on the individual’s privacy, particularly the individual’s personal information and dignity, while achieving the Department’s mission.

Office of Public Affairs

The Office develops and implements a communications strategy and advises the
Secretary and other DHS of?cials on how to effectively communicate issues and
priorities of public interest.

United States Secret Service

The Secret Service protects the President and other high-level of?cials and investigates
counterfeiting and other financial crimes, including financial institution
fraud, identity theft, and computer fraud and computer-based attacks on
our Nation’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Transportation Security Administration

The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Subsidiaries

For information on the Department of Homeland Security Subsidiaries, find out in this American legal Encyclopedia.

Sources of Information

Electronic Access Additional information about the Department of Homeland Security is available electronically through the Internet at dhs.gov.

For further information concerning the Department of Homeland Security, contact the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.


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