Department Of Homeland Security : Is America Safer?

The Department of Homeland Security was created in the aftermath of one of our nation's greatest tragedies: the events of September 11, 2001 (Newman, 2002). Almost immediately the Department began overseeing 22 federal agencies that pre-existed 9/11. The rationale for this transformation was to improve the coordination of the federal government's various security efforts both internally and externally in an effort to forestall any future terrorist threats. What has occurred, however, is a Cabinet Department that is highly bureaucratic with too many divergent responsibilities. Its effectiveness is questionable and serious consideration should be given to the abolition of the Department and its agencies reassigned to other Departments.

The creation of the Department of Homeland Security was a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. “The establishment of this organization provided this nation with a real opportunity for making vast improvements within our communities social and economic infrastructures to combat all threats, mainly terrorism” as stated by Bullock, (2013, P. 1). The 9/11 attacks exposed a

The essence of Homeland Security is “Preparation for an attack that could come at any time, affect any number of targets, and result in casualties and damage to people and national infrastructure” (Gaines & Worrall, 2012) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created through the integration of all or part of 22 different Federal departments and agencies into a unified, integrated Department, creating a strengthened homeland security enterprise and a more secure America that is better equipped to confront the range of threats we face. A 2011

When people think of Homeland Security most people think of Border Protection, Immigration agents, TSA, and maybe FEMA but there are many more aspects of Homeland Security which often get overlooked. When the Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002, there were 22 different Federal agencies which were combined and absorbed into this one department. This consolidation was intended to streamline the exchange of information and cooperative efforts towards the mission of securing this nation. This vision of cooperation has helped create a safer environment in the United States, and helped prepare emergency personnel in the detection, prevention, and response to both natural and man made disasters.

The Homeland Security Division was formed in the wake of terrorist attacks and implemented by President Bush after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. This policy was formed to place a national policy into place for Federal departments and local agencies to identify and protect the United States from additional terrorist attacks. What many don’t know is that this plan defines orders and roles for local state and governmental agencies as well, in order to carry out the goal. I will explain how six sub-groups come together to form the Department of Homeland Security’s one enterprise operation.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, there were several changes that had to be made. Although the 9/11 attacks were a case of international terrorism, the new policies that were implemented would cover all forms of terrorism. On November 25, 2002, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established. In the book Understanding Homeland Security, the author states, “although homeland security can certainly be significantly affected by threats originating from international sources (such as al-Qaeda), the concept of defending the homeland inside its borders is at the heart of homeland security” (Martin, 2017). Since operations of DHS began, it has continuously grown in size. Today, DHS has more than 200,000 employees and is the third largest federal agency. All of these employees are working diligently each day to help ensure the safety of the United States. There will still be cases of domestic terrorism, and from each one

The United States has experienced threats against their borders, citizens and resources. After the terrorist attack of 9/11 some changes needed to be implemented to ensure the safety of America. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has the responsibility to protect the Country’s borders as well as to prepare for and respond to disasters and terrorist events. The Department of Defense has the military responsibility to protect the Country abroad. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense are America’s backbone to freedom.

The Department of Homeland Security is liable for establishing the safety and defense of the U.S. from terrorism and natural disasters. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on America by terrorists, Department of Homeland Security’s main concern has been on federal measures to prevent terrorism attacks and handle other crisis situations. When the Department of Homeland Security was created it had four goals: to diminish America’s vulnerability to terrorism by securing the borders, minimizing the damage and speed the recovery from attacks that happen to occur, to develop technologies devices to detect terrorism and to share all intelligence gathered from all federal agencies (Haulley, 2006). These four

Since the creation of Homeland Security Act in 2002 after the 9/11, attack the department has come across challenges and criticism from the government and private sectors alone. Since the Homeland Security Act of 2002 it has been amended in carrying out effectively of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The act report has shown it provides a strong well-rounded and strategic foundation of highest priorities in which it ensures the department will invest and operate in a producing unified fashion to make decisions that will strengthen the department unity of effort. Moreover, the department will continue to give support to the five basic homeland security missions and continue to support missions set forth in the first Quadrennial Homeland

The White House, federal government, and the US Congress created the idea of homeland security following the events of September 11, 2001 (Bullock, Haddow, & Coppola, 2013). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is often associated with prevention and mitigation of terrorist actions. In reality, DHS is responsible for a much wider spectrum of hazards that pose a threat to the Nation’s safety and security. For example, DHS assists with creating and implementing newer building codes to increase their survivability during hurricanes. Through its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), DHS ensures our Nation is prepared for natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes, mud/rock slides, and tornadoes. DHS also assists

The evolution of homeland security concept has been connected with several strategic documents. There are 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, 2010 National Security Strategy and the 2011 National Strategy for Counterterrorism. There are also strategic documents that provide specific guidance to DHS entities and include the 2010 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, the Bottom-Up Review, and the 2012 Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan. Prior to issuance of these documents, national and DHS homeland security strategic documents included the 2002 and 2007 National Strategies for Homeland Security and the 2008 Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan. All of these documents have varying definitions for “homeland security” and varying missions derived from these

The purpose of this paper is to define and give as much detail information about Homeland Security in the United States and law enforcement and how they are integrated. I hope after reading this paper you will be well informed on the duties and responsibilities of these agencies. People have always lived in fear but with the help of these agencies we will no longer have to live in fear. I will try to give as much detail information as possible to help with any problems or situation that might come up. Homeland Security in the United States and law enforcement have extensive research skills and knowledge in serving and protecting citizens and other important groups and agencies. Homeland

“We have learned as a Nation that we must maintain a constant, capable, and vigilant posture to protect ourselves against new threats and evolving hazards. But we have also learned that vigilance and protection are not ends in and of themselves, but rather necessary tools in the service of our national purpose.”(Napolitano, 2010, p.iv) In the wake of the September 11th, 2001 attacks our nation has taken upon itself extreme vigilance to ensure the security and defense of the American people. The relationship between homeland security and homeland defense is one that is tightly knit. Each has a very distinct mission set but somewhere along the spectrum they cross over and mutually support each other in the best interest of the nation.

The Department of Homeland Security is to protect the nation from any type of threats. Through the Department of Homeland Security are areas such as, aviation, border security, emergency response cybersecurity analyst and chemical facility inspector (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, n.d.). Department of Homeland Security went through a complete overhaul, as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack. “…the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002 established the Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and created the position of Homeland Security”

The distinction between homeland security and homeland defense is pivotal in gaining a better understanding of how these agencies work and how they correlate to our nations infrastructure. We must understand the designated missions set forth for both these agencies while learning how they meet the tasks appointed to them and resources utilized to accomplish the mission. Learning the fundamentals of our nations infrastructure information must be provided to showcase how these agencies utilize the appropriate resources to guarantee the security of these critical infrastructures. Offering an opinion in the definition of homeland security and how resources are being utilized to fix vulnerabilities is vital to showcase what is being distributed and learned on a researchers and readers level. Homeland security and homeland defense play a pivotal role in ensuring our borders are protected.