Describe the interdepartmental structure of the Department of Homeland Security

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The DHS was created from the Office of Homeland Security in 2003 as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks. It has several different missions. One group of internal organizations responds to natural and human disasters, and this function is complemented by a group of agencies charged with health and policy. Closely related to this are organizations charged with monitoring science and technology, including the detection of nuclear activities. Other parts of the department are tasked with managing both DHS's internal affairs and some functions external to it. DHS also coordinates its responses with thousands of state and local organizations. There are several internal agencies that have security functions directly related to terrorism prevention. Formerly, the U.S. Coast Guard was under the Department of Transportation (except in times of war, when it is subsumed by the U.S. Navy). It was the first agency to be assigned to the DHS. The coast guard has many duties, including the protection of coastal and inland waterways, environmental protection, the interdiction of contraband, and maritime law enforcement. For counterterrorism, its primary mission is to intercept terrorists and weapons on the high seas. Coast guard personnel also serve wherever U.S. military personnel are deployed under the command of the armed forces. Other departments inside DHS have counterterrorist responsibilities. Many DHS agencies are involved in intelligence: Its Office of Intelligence and Analysis coordinates intelligence with other agencies. The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for airport security. The Customs and Border Protection includes customs agents and the Border Patrol. Their work is augmented by an investigative agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is DHS's largest investigative arm. The Secret Service also serves under DHS. In addition to providing presidential security, the Secret Service retains its former role in countering financial crime. It is also involved in investigating identity theft, banking practices, and cyberattacks.