Department of Homeland Security (DHS): National Security and Immigration Roles
DHS Organizational Overview
Established in 2003, DHS is the third-largest federal cabinet department, with over 240,000 employees. Its primary mission is protecting the United States within and at its borders. DHS integrates multiple agencies focused on public security, terrorism prevention, immigration enforcement, border control, and related missions.
DHS houses three primary immigration-related components:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Responsible for securing U.S. borders, processing lawful entries, and preventing illegal crossings at land, air, and sea ports.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Enforces immigration laws within the U.S., including detention and deportation, counterterrorism investigations, and worksite enforcement.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Manages lawful immigration and naturalization services, adjudicates petitions and applications, and implements immigration benefits programs.
Additional DHS operational and support components encompass the U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Science and Technology Directorate, Privacy Office, and Inspector General's oversight functions.
Key DHS Component Agencies and Functions
| Component | Main Responsibilities | Key Leadership |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) | Border security, inspection of travelers and cargo, customs enforcement, and immigration inspection at ports of entry. | Commissioner Chris Magnus (as of 2025) |
| U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) | Interior immigration enforcement, investigations, detention, deportations, counterterrorism investigations. | Director Tae D. Johnson (acting, 2025) |
| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) | Adjudication of immigration benefits, naturalization, asylum and refugee processing, immigration service center operations. | Director Kika Scott (acting, 2025) |
| U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) | Maritime security and law enforcement, search and rescue, port security, enforcement of maritime immigration laws. | Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday (acting, 2025) |
| Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) | Intelligence sharing and analysis on domestic threats for DHS components and partners. | Under Secretary Daniel Tamburello (acting, 2025) |
| Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) | Prevention, detection, and response to chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological threats. | Assistant Secretary David Richardson (2025) |
| Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) | Research, innovation, and technology development in support of homeland security missions. | Under Secretary Julie S. Brewer (acting, 2025) |
Selected DHS Immigration and Enforcement Statistics (2024-2025)
Data sources: DHS Annual Performance Reports, USCIS.gov, ICE.gov, CBP.gov (2024-2025)
Potential Impact on New York
- DHS maintains significant field operations in New York, including ICE enforcement offices, CBP checkpoints at international airports (JFK, Newark, LaGuardia), and USCIS service centers.
- Enforcement activities and immigration adjudications under DHS affect local immigrant populations, detention center usage, and legal aid resource demand.
- DHS counterterrorism and identity verification operations coordinate with New York agencies to monitor and manage security risks.
- Changes in DHS policies or funding impact case volumes, waiting times, and enforcement intensities that shape New York’s immigration-related public services.
Oversight and Security Functions
DHS includes several offices responsible for internal accountability, privacy, and strategic planning critical to operational transparency and effectiveness:
- Office of Inspector General: Conducts audits, reviews, and investigations of DHS programs.
- Office of the Secretary: Oversees civil rights, privacy, legal counsel, and policy coordination.
- Privacy Office: Ensures data protection compliance across DHS components.
- Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans: Develops department-wide strategies for national security and immigration functions.