EMERGING HOMELAND SECURITY

Emerging Homeland Security



Emerging Homeland Security

According to the “National Strategy for Homeland Security,” the definition of homeland security is “a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur.” Accordingly, the DHS' mission mirrors this definition and addresses the six focal points of the national strategy, which are (1) Intelligence and Warning; (2) Border and Transportation Security; (3) Domestic Counterterrorism; (4) Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets; (5) Defending Against Catastrophic Threats; and (6) Emergency Preparedness and Response. In order to implement these six objectives, the DHS has created four directorates: Border and Transportation Security; Emergency Preparedness and Response; Science and Technology in Support of Homeland Security; and Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection.

The US Department of Homeland Security exists to keep America safe. Created in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the department is devoted to keeping the US safe from natural and man-made disaster. Its activities include domestic nuclear detection, intelligence coordination, and protection of high-level government officials. The department's structure includes agencies for citizenship and immigration services, customs and border protection, emergency response and recovery (FEMA), and science and technology research. The US Department of Homeland Security has more than 230,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $50 billion. Issues involving torture and dentention of suspicious aliens have dominated the recent news on this subject. The Obama Administration has been critical of the use of torture during the Bush Administration. In response, the Bush Administration practices have been publicly defended by former Vice President Cheney. In response to concerns that the publicity would inflame passions against the U.S., President Obama decided not to release additional photos of prisoner abuse. Public opinion narrowly supports the use of harsh interrogation techniques in the battle against terrorism. Since 2005, there have been reports of gross violations of civil liberties have involved the treatment of suspected terrorists by military personnel in Guantanamo, Cuba. The Guantanamo prison was established in order to facilitate the indeterminate detention of terrorist suspects through technically avoiding U.S. criminal law protections. Upon assuming office, President Obama has pledged to close the Guantanamo prison but the Senate overwhelmingly voted to deny funding for such closure. Civil liberties continue to take a back seat to terrorist concerns in the United States. Congress has extended the Foreign Intelligence Act and in the process exempted telecommunications firms from liability from warantless disclosures they have made in response to government requests since 2001.

References

Ceci Connolly, “Smallpox Campaign Taxing Health Resources,” Washington Post, March 10, 2003.

Brock N. Meeks, “States, Cities Struggle with Security,” MSNBC, 4 March, 2003.

Jeffrey Hipp, “OMB chief questioned on homeland funding, TSA staffing,” GovExec, March 20, 2003.

William New, “Senators Vote to Raise Cap on Homeland Security Spending,” GovExec, March 21, 2003.