Improving Collaboration Among Homeland Security Agencies

Introduction to DHS Missions and Structure

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) controls territorial, local, state, tribal, and federal government resources (DHS, 2018). The DHS coordinates various programs and agencies into a single, unified effort dedicated to protecting the American homeland and its people. The first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) was completed in 2010 with the objective of establishing an integrated strategy for the goals and missions of homeland security (Homeland Security, 2005). Following this, the DHS carried out a Bottom-Up Review (BUR), the objective of which was to synchronize organizational structure and programmatic activities in order to effectively achieve those goals and missions.

The primary duty of homeland security is to protect the United States from terrorism. The counterterrorism duties of the DHS are concentrated on three goals. The first goal is protecting the country and resisting terrorist attacks: the DHS prevents the illegal acquisition, movement, importation, or use of biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological materials and capabilities inside the United States (DHS, 2018). The second goal is to reduce key resource and critical infrastructure vulnerability, prevent terrorist attacks on major events and essential leadership, and guard against comparable hazards. DHS Secretary Napolitano initiated and guided a worldwide initiative for enhancing international aviation security systems through collaboration and partnerships with industry and governments, investment in new technology, and strengthened targeting initiatives (DHS, 2018).

The Secretary also launched an awareness campaign encouraging people to be vigilant. This simple yet effective strategy raises public awareness about terrorism indicators, threat and crime indicators, and the need to report unusual activities to law enforcement agencies. The campaign was initiated in collaboration with the Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) initiative (DHS, 2018). SAR encouraged administrative efforts toward training local and state enforcement agencies in behavior recognition strategies, identifying pointers associated with terrorist activities and specific threats, and sharing and reporting information about suspicious activities or incidents. The reports trigger analysis aimed at identifying broad trends (DHS, 2018).

The DHS has also continually enhanced fusion centers in urban areas. It secures air, sea, and land borders in order to protect the country from illegal activities while simultaneously facilitating lawful trade and travel (DHS, 2018). Border security management efforts are focused on three interrelated goals: effective security for sea, air, and land borders; streamlining and safeguarding lawful travel and trade; and dismantling and disrupting transnational terrorist and criminal organizations. The DHS continues to position resources, technology, and personnel along the southwestern border while entering into agreements with international partners and national law enforcement agencies (DHS, 2018). This encourages cooperation and enhances information sharing in order to address transnational threats without compromising trade and travel (DHS, 2018).

In combating human trafficking, the DHS initiated the Blue Campaign, which entails advanced training for local and state enforcement officers, an international radio, video, and print campaign, multilingual awareness campaigns in newspapers printed in fifty foreign languages, victim assistance materials distributed at ports of entry, and a DHS website offering resources and information about human trafficking for the private sector, NGOs, concerned citizens, and law enforcement officers (DHS, 2018). The DHS also enforces immigration laws while facilitating and streamlining the legal immigration process. A priority has been the identification and removal of aliens who pose a danger to public safety. The DHS also targets employers who knowingly violate immigration laws (DHS, 2018).

Immigration Enforcement: The Role of ICE

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency aims to protect Americans from illegal immigration and cross-border crimes, as well as from anything that might compromise the safety and security of the public (Homeland Security, 2018). The objectives of the agency are achieved through the enforcement of numerous federal statutes, with a focus on smart immigration enforcement, preventing the illegal transfer of goods and people, and combating terrorism (Homeland Security, 2018). Enforcing immigration laws and regulations is ICE's most prominent responsibility. Certain aspects of ICE duties revolve around cooperation and collaboration with the Customs and Border Protection department. However, most immigration and citizenship services are executed within the interior of the United States, even though a significant proportion of ICE assets is deployed along the borders (Homeland Security, 2018).

ICE agents work to assist businesses in securing lawful employees and enforce immigration laws against employers who knowingly rely on undocumented workers (Homeland Security, 2018). Some employers exploit this situation by paying unlawfully low wages to undocumented immigrants and providing inadequate working conditions. Various programs have been established to help ICE maintain focus on its stated priorities: identifying and removing illegal immigrants who are fugitives, criminals, or recent arrivals (Homeland Security, 2018). Immigration enforcement also involves targeting immigrants who use fraudulent documentation to facilitate unlawful activities. In addition, efforts have been made to improve the humane and safe detention and removal of individuals found to be engaged in illegal activities (Homeland Security, 2018).

Border Security and the CBP

Protecting borders from illegal contraband, drugs, people, and weapons is paramount to the safety and security of the country (Homeland Security, 2018b). Facilitating lawful travel and trade is equally fundamental to national sovereignty, economic prosperity, and homeland security. The United States shares approximately 7,000 miles of border with both Mexico and Canada, as well as coastal waters, lakes, and rivers shared among the three countries (Homeland Security, 2018b). Borders serve as fundamental economic gateways and are responsible for trillions of dollars in trade and travel. They also encompass some of the country's largest and most vibrant communities (Homeland Security, 2018b). Securing borders against the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and people — while simultaneously promoting lawful entry and exit — is essential to sovereignty, economic prosperity, and homeland security broadly (Homeland Security, 2018b).

The DHS works to secure borders through deployed infrastructure, technology, and personnel, along with close collaboration with Mexico and Canada and with federal, local, territorial, and tribal partners (Homeland Security, 2018b). Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, marine and air agents, agriculture specialists, and other officers guard America's frontlines and work to prevent terrorism and the illegal entry of weapons. Officers apprehend and process individuals who attempt illegal entry into the United States. Through increased border patrol staffing, development of new fencing and infrastructure, application of advanced technology such as radar, aerial assets, and sensors, modernization of ports of entry, and enhanced information sharing and collaboration, the DHS is able to provide a safer and more efficient border environment.

Conclusion

Effective homeland security strategies can be employed to enhance the reach of security personnel to citizens, thereby enabling the DHS to better provide safety and security at all levels. The centralized engine ensures that crucial details within the DHS can be shared across all agencies, enhancing collaboration. For instance, a terrorist threat identified by border security can be quickly communicated and shared with all other agencies to aid in deterrence. With dedicated site telephony, the concerns of citizens can be addressed without delay. If a disaster occurs or an accident takes place in a remote location, any citizen can call a dedicated line and be redirected to the appropriate security agency for immediate assistance. With large populations, the risks of catastrophe, accidents, and criminal activity are higher. The United States is currently facing a surge in illegal immigration and growing rates of gun-related crime. Through strategic collaboration among various DHS agencies, the consequences of security instability can be greatly mitigated.

References

CBP.gov (2018). Border Patrol Agent. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.cbp.gov/careers/frontline-careers/bpa

DHS (2018). Collaboration at the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.dhs.gov/collaboration

Homeland Security. (2018). Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.dhs.gov/topic/immigration-and-customs-enforcement

Homeland Security. (2005). State and Urban Area Homeland Security Strategy: Guidance on Aligning Strategies with the National Preparedness Goal. July 22, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=456767

Homeland Security. (2018b). Border Security. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.dhs.gov/topic/border-security

Homeland Security Today. (2016). Improving Collaboration across Federal, State, and Local Agencies during Emergencies. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.hstoday.us/channels/federal-state-local/improving-collaboration-across-federal-state-and-local-agencies-during-emergencies/

Parisi, V. R. (2013). Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series (pp. 321–322). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4399-4_342

United States. (2013). Federal Emergency Management Agency privacy stewardship. Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.