About the Department of Homeland Security

After the terrorist attacks of September 11^th, by executive order the Department of Homeland Security was created.  A large number of federal agencies were reorganized and became units within the DHS.  The agencies slated to become part of the Department of Homeland Security will be housed in one of four major directorates: Border and Transportation Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Science and Technology, and Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection.

The Border and Transportation Security directorate will bring the major border security and transportation operations under one roof, including: The U.S. Customs Service (Treasury); The Immigration and Naturalization Service (part) (Justice); The Federal Protective Service; The Transportation Security Administration (Transportation); Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (Treasury); Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (part)(Agriculture); Office for Domestic Preparedness (Justice).

The Emergency Preparedness and Response directorate will oversee domestic disaster preparedness training and coordinate government disaster response. It will bring together: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Strategic National Stockpile and the National Disaster Medical System (HHS); Nuclear Incident Response Team (Energy)

Domestic Emergency Support Teams (Justice); National Domestic Preparedness Office (FBI).

The Science and Technology directorate will seek to utilize all scientific and technological advantages when securing the homeland. The following assets will be part of this effort: CBRN Countermeasures Programs (Energy); Environmental Measurements Laboratory (Energy); National BW Defense Analysis Center (Defense); Plum Island Animal Disease Center (Agriculture).

The Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection directorate will analyze intelligence and information from other agencies (including the CIA, FBI, DIA and NSA) involving threats to homeland security and evaluate vulnerabilities in the nation's infrastructure. It will bring together: Federal Computer Incident Response Center (GSA)

National Communications System (Defense); National Infrastructure Protection Center (FBI); Energy Security and Assurance Program (Energy)

The Secret Service and the Coast Guard will also be located in the Department of Homeland Security, remaining intact and reporting directly to the Secretary. In addition, the INS adjudications and benefits programs will report directly to the Deputy Secretary as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.