The Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed in the wake of the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001, as part of a determined national effort to safeguard the
United States against terrorism. The Department became the third-largest Federal
department, from the combination of 22 departments and agencies, each with a role in
this effort. George W. Bush was pronounced the founder in 2002. The Department's
work includes customs, border, and immigration enforcement; emergency response to
natural and manmade disasters; antiterrorism work; and cyber security. Eleven days
after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was
appointed as the first Director of the Office of Homeland Security in the White House.
The office oversaw and coordinated a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard the
country against terrorism and respond to any future attacks. With the passage of the
Homeland Security Act by Congress in November 2002, the Department of Homeland
Security formally came into being as a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department to further
coordinate and unify national homeland security efforts, opening its doors on March 1,
2003. Protecting the American people from terrorist threats is our founding principle and
our highest priority. We have taken significant steps to create a unified and integrated
Department that will enhance our performance by focusing on: accountability, efficiency,
transparency, and leadership development. The 5 main missions are building a resilient
nation, safeguard and secure cyberspace, enforce and administer our immigration laws,
secure and manage our borders, and prevent terrorism and enhancing security. The
Department of Homeland Security secures the nation's air, land, and sea borders to
prevent illegal activity while facilitating lawful travel and trade. The Department's border

The Department of Homeland Security

security and management efforts focus on three interrelated goals. Effectively secure
U.S. air, land, and sea points of entry.

Hundreds of thousands of people from across the federal government, state, local,
tribal, and territorial governments, the private sector, and other nongovernmental
organizations are responsible for executing these missions. These are the people who
regularly interact with the public, who are responsible for public safety and security, who
own and operate our nations critical infrastructures and services, who perform research
and develop technology, and who keep watch, prepare for, and respond to emerging
threats and disasters. These homeland security professionals must have a clear sense
of what it takes to achieve the overarching vision articulated above.

http://www.dhs.gov/
http://www.usa.gov/
https://www.hsdl.org/?home

Homeland Security: Assessing the First Five Years by Michael Chertoff (Author), Lee H.
Hamilton

The Department of Homeland Security