The department of homeland security is a cabinet department created in the year 2002 after the terrorist attack on 11/11/2001, with the main function of safeguarding the united state of America from any future attacks, manmade accidents and natural catastrophes (Homeland ,N.p). It is different from the department of defense as it aims to protect civilians in and outside the American territory while the department of defense deals with military actions abroad (Homeland N.p).
The reasons for the formation of homeland security was to prevent terrorist attack in united state of America territory, reduces American vulnerability to terrorism, and mitigate the damage that do occur from the attacks(Homeland ,N.p). These reasons are reflected in the department of homeland securities mission which is “preventing terrorism and enhancing security; managing our borders administering immigration laws; securing cyberspace; and ensuring disaster resilience” (Homeland, N.p).
1. Building a resilient nation
The department goal is to provide an immediate response in the event of terrorist attack, natural disaster and other large disasters that requires urgent attention so as to mitigate the damage caused by such disasters. In order to achieve this goal the department of homeland security works with the government, locals and private sectors to ensure a faster recovery(Homeland, N.p).
The department also achieves this goal by collecting and disseminating the information to the public about the impending attack or disaster so as to reduce the loss from such disasters. They also provide training to the law enforcement officers so that they can be able to detect any form of terrorist attack early enough.
2. Safeguard and secure cyberspace.
The department is tasked with securing the citizens and federal government computers system from any online attacks. They mainly work with companies, governments and other civilians to safeguard their information system (Homeland, N.p)..
3. To strengthen the homeland security enterprise.
The department was formed in the year 2003 after the 2001 terrorist attack with the main reason of preventing future attacks(Homeland, N.p). It was formed by bringing together 22 federal state agencies making it to be among the largest department of the United State of America (Homeland, N.p). Therefore its other goal is to create a unified department that will focus on accountability, efficiency, transparency and leadership development (Homeland, N.p).
4. To enforce and administer immigration laws
The department target to effectively enforce united state immigration laws and at the same time streamlining legal migration process (Homeland, N.p).
5. Prevent terrorism and improve national security
This is the main goal behind the formation of the department of homeland security, the department strives to prevent the terrorist attack, prevent the unauthorized acquisition and movement of harmful and dangerous weapons like nuclear materials within the country and mitigate the risk of important infrastructures to terrorist attack (Homeland, N.p).
6. To secure and manage border
The last goal of the dpartment is to effectively safeguard US land, air and sea point of entry, This will enable them to effectively control the products and people that enters the country while at the same time ensures lawful trade (Homeland, N.p).
Many of the above stated goals have been met by the department, for example since its formation there have been no major terrorist attacks in America, this is mainly because of the department getting the information early enough and putting adequate measures in place to prevent it. The department has also fundamentally reformed the immigration department which has led to quick identification of criminal aliens who were threat to national security (Homeland, N.p).
The department is able to achieve many of its above stated goals mainly due to the heavy funding it receives from the government. The department was allocated $60 billion in last year’s financial budget; this has helped the department to run its affairs smoothly without any financial constraints (USA,N.p).
Although the department has achieved many of its goals it is been criticized by many people over excessive bureaucracy, wastage of resource and lack of transparency in undertaking its job. For example the audit by the government accountability office in 2008 revealed that $2billion was misused by the department (USA,N.p).
REFERENCES
"Homeland Security." DHS News Releases. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
"USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal." USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
