Challenges of the Department of Homeland Security

• The Department of Homeland Security faces many challenges in keeping the nation safe. War on terrorism image by steven Husk from Fotolia.com

  Despite spending more than $2.7 billion in grants for increased security and preparedness, including over $1.6 billion under the State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative since the program's inception, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to face major challenges and obstacles. Terrorism, border control, immigration, and disaster preparedness are critical areas that face major obstacles in the goal to ensure the nation's safety. In addition, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, DHS needs to improve its strategy for management integration.

Terrorism

• The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, exposed the vulnerability of the nation. The DHS was an outgrowth of the effort to prevent another such event from occurring. The challenge is to maintain safety while preserving personal freedoms. To date, the DHS has spearheaded the enactment of various terrorist-related documents, including Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies. This document clearly sets out the DHS's approach to terror risk and litigation management protections for individuals. Such documents have also encouraged the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies geared to substantially enhance the protection of the nation.

Border Control

• Despite the myriad of measures the DHS has put in place to address the continued challenges and obstacles it faces in its day-to-day effort to secure the nation's borders, the smuggling of people, drugs, cash, and weapons is on the rise. One of the critical areas of concern is the southwest border between the U.S. and Mexico. The DHS continues to work to address illegal activity in the area, but the problem is still near the top of the list of department challenges.

Immigration

• The DHS, which also bears responsibility for facilitating legal immigration and welcoming new Americans, continues to face problems with illegal immigration. The issuance of several guidelines in 2009 and 2010 has effectively refocused its agents' attention and energies on catching criminal activities perpetrated by illegal immigrants. In addition, the DHS continues to crack down U.S. citizens who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

Disaster Preparedness

• In the event of a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency, the DHS is mandated to provide a coordinated, comprehensive federal response, including a swift and effective recovery effort. DHS officials play a critical role in helping communities in all stages of a disaster, including preparation, response and long-term recovery. Examples of the department's activities were demonstrated in the lead it has taken on coordinating the government's response to the H1N1 virus, and the role it played in the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Nonetheless, maintaining ongoing disaster preparedness is a continuing challenge for the DHS. With vigilance, manpower, and the use of new and improved technologies, the department has the best weapons at hand to address its challenges.