Department of Homeland Security

United States Department of Homeland Security

Seal of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Flag of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Agency overview
Formed	November 25, 2002; 14 years ago (2002-11-25)
Jurisdiction	United States of America
Headquarters	Nebraska Avenue Complex, Washington, D.C. 38°56′17″N 77°4′56″W / 38.93806°N 77.08222°W / 38.93806; -77.08222
Employees	240,000 (2015)
Annual budget	$41.2 billion (2016)
Agency executives	John F. Kelly, Secretary Rafael Borras (Acting), Deputy Secretary
Child agencies	United States Citizenship and Immigration Services U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Emergency Management Agency U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Transportation Security Administration United States Coast Guard National Protection and Programs Directorate United States Secret Service Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Citizenship & Immigration Services Ombudsmen Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Management Directorate Office for Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Office of General Counsel Office of Health Affairs Office of Intelligence & Analysis Office of Legislative Affairs Office of Operations Coordination Office of Partnership & Engagement Office of Policy Office of Public Affairs Office of the Inspector General Privacy Office Science & Technology Directorate
Website	www.dhs.gov
"The DHS March"

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet department of the United States federal government with responsibilities in public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its stated missions involve antiterrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention and management.

It was created in response to the September 11 attacks. In fiscal year 2011 it was allocated a budget of $98.8 billion and spent, net, $66.4 billion.

With more than 240,000 employees, DHS is the third largest Cabinet department, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council. Other agencies with significant homeland security responsibilities include the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Energy.

Whereas the Department of Defense is charged with military actions abroad, the Department of Homeland Security works in the civilian sphere to protect the United States within, at, and outside its borders. Its stated goal is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism. On March 1, 2003, DHS absorbed the Immigration and Naturalization Service and assumed its duties. In doing so, it divided the enforcement and services functions into two separate and new agencies: Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Services. The investigative divisions and intelligence gathering units of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and Customs Service were merged forming Homeland Security Investigations. Additionally, the border enforcement functions of the INS, including the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were consolidated into a new agency under DHS: U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Federal Protective Service falls under the National Protection and Programs Directorate.