DHS was created as a result of the terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came into being due to the terrorist attacks of Sept., 11, 2001. Prior to those events, responsibility for the security of the homeland was spread among numerous federal agencies. Often, these agencies failed to communicate effectively with each other. This included an inability to coordinate essential intelligence prior to the attacks. On Mar. 1, 2003, U.S. Customs Service was one of several border protection agencies merged into DHS.
History
22 different federal agencies were consolidated under DHS in 2002.
DHS began life as the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) on Oct., 8, 2001. Its first director was former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge. On Nov. 25, 2002, DHS was established to replace OHS. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 provided for the consolidation of 22 separate federal agencies under DHS. These entities all had responsibility for one or another aspect of homeland security at the time. This included the Treasury Department's U.S. Customs Service.
Function
DHS is a Cabinet department under the White House.
DHS is a Cabinet-level department within the executive branch of the federal government. It also has dual overlapping missions. One is to protect U.S. territory from terrorist attacks, the other to respond to natural disasters. DHS's mission to guard against terrorist attacks is similar to the Department of Defense's. However, its focus is within the civilian realm of such activities. It works to prepare for, prevent and respond to domestic emergencies, especially those related to terrorism.
US Customs
Under DHS, US Customs became US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
At one time, US Customs was one of three different federal agencies responsible for US border enforcement operations. In 2002, it was moved from the Treasury Department and merged into a new agency within DHS. This was called US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It's a law enforcement agency and it's responsible for safeguarding the nation's borders. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also exists within DHS. It investigates customs violations and enforces deportation orders.
Features
One of the government entities within DHS is the National Cyber Security Center.
In total, there are six separate agencies, six advisory groups and 11 different directorates, offices and centers within DHS. Examples include the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration and the National Cyber Security Center. There are more than 200,000 employees within DHS. This makes it the third largest Cabinet department behind only Defense and Veterans Affairs. It's headquartered at a 32-acres-in-size former naval facility in Washington, DC. It has a vigorous global reach.
Expert Insight
The White House oversees homeland security policy.
The White House and its Homeland Security Council (HSC) oversee all policy aspects of homeland security. The DHS is an action agent, advising on policy development and then carrying it out. The creation of DHS was also the single largest reorganization of government in the nation's history. For the first time, customs, border protection and border enforcement all fell under a single department. These three activities became an essential part of the department's national anti-terror mission.
Tags: federal agencies, Homeland Security, terrorist attacks, White House, border enforcement, Cabinet department