5 Must-Know Facts About the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created in response to the 9/11 attacks, consolidating 22 federal agencies into one to streamline national security and emergency response.
- It operates the TSA for airport security, CBP for border control, and ICE for immigration enforcement, making it a daily presence for millions of travelers and migrants.
- DHS oversees FEMA, coordinating disaster relief for hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, often deploying resources within hours of a crisis.
- Cybersecurity is a growing focus through CISA, which protects critical infrastructure like power grids and water systems from cyberattacks and foreign threats.
- Recent policy shifts under DHS include expanding expedited removal for migrants and increasing tech surveillance, sparking fierce debates on privacy and human rights.