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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION
DEPARTMENTS
HOMELAND SECURITY AT A GLANCE The Department of Homeland Security’s 240,000 employees are responsible for keeping the nation safe from dangers, inside our borders and from abroad. Here’s a look at the divisions that power the agency:
SECRET SERVICE
TSA
Protects national and world leaders; investigates financial, currency and computer-related crimes, including counterfeiting and identity theft.
BORDER
U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Provides security at U.S. borders; facilitates legal trade and travel across borders; enforces immigration and drug laws.
Transportation Security Administration: Screens luggage, passengers and cargo, primarily at airports; stations air marshals on planes; maintains watch list of people suspected as threats.
MANAGEMENT
Directorate for Management: Handles budget matters, human resources, accounting, IT and procurement.
CITIZENS
POLICY
Office of Policy: Coordinates the development of agency policy.
FEMA
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Handles applications for citizenship and visas for foreign nationals; runs E-Verify program that allows employers to check employees’ citizenship status.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Supports state and local agencies that respond to disasters; provides financial aid to residents who have lost property in a federally declared disaster.
COAST GUARD The only military organization within DHS; defends maritime borders and rescues those in danger in U.S. waters.
ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Created from the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service; enforces customs, immigration and trade laws.
OTHER COMPONENTS National Protection & Programs Directorate: Leads efforts to protect physical and cyber infrastructure; protects federal buildings; provides technology to collect, store and analyze biometric data.
Science and Technology Directorate: Researches, develops and provides products and technology solutions that help strengthen DHS security capabilities.
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of Health Affairs: Advises the department on public health matters; manages systems for early detection of chemical and biological weapons; coordinates response to health threats.
Office of Intelligence & Analysis: Part of the national intelligence community — distributes information and intelligence to state, local and tribal officials; works with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Office of Operations Coordination: Oversees the National Operations Center, which collects and distributes information from federal, state, local, private sector and other agencies to thwart threats.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center: Has trained more than 1 million law enforcement officers since it opened in 1970.
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office: Detects and reports threats related to nuclear or other radiological weapons or devices.
PHOTOS: MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES; SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGES (2); BRYAN COX/ASSOCIATED PRESS; CARLOS GIUSTI/ASSOCIATED PRESS; CHERYL DIAZ MEYER/USA TODAY; FREDERIC J. BROWN/GETTY IMAGES