Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aims to protect US citizens and the nation from security threats. It was created to prevent terrorist attacks, reduce instances of terrorism, mitigate the damage from terrorist attacks, and facilitate recovery. This chapter addresses the establishment and role of the DHS. The roles of the DHS are stipulated through Sections 101 (1) and (2) of the Homeland Security Act. These are to: monitor relationships between terrorism and drug trafficking, and to contribute to illegal drug interdiction efforts. The DHS in providing protection for the US public and in maintaining national security has itemized 20 specific topics forming the cornerstone of its work. These are: academic engagement, border security, citizenship and immigration services, civil rights and civil liberties, critical infrastructure security, cybersecurity, disasters, economic security, and election security. These also include: emergency communications, homeland security enterprise, human trafficking, immigration enforcement, international engagements, law enforcement partnerships, preventing terrorism, privacy, resilience, science and technology, and transportation security.