Major Homeland Security Laws: Guarding You Everyday

If you want to understand all about the major homeland security laws, you need to know what the Department of Homeland Security is and its functions. Homeland security safeguards the United States of America from threats. They ensure the safety of the citizens. Overtime, various homeland security laws have been enacted to address various security matters such as:

i.                 The protection of national borders,

ii.                Prevention of terrorism, and most importantly,

iii.               Prompt responses to emergencies.

What does the Department of Homeland Security do?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the federal agency of the United States that ensures the safety of the United States by implementing the major homeland security laws. Its primary role is to combat and take measures against various threats. These threats may include:

i.                 terrorism,

ii.                natural disasters,

iii.               and other emergencies.

Let us look at some of the functions of the Department of Homeland Security.

a.      Counter-terrorism

The Department of homeland security plays an important role in the prevention and countering of acts of terrorism against the United States. The department even collaborates with other agencies to gather information and intelligence to identify potential threats. They take steps to mitigate risks.

b.      Border Security

The department looks into the safety of the nation’s borders. It is responsible for borders on land, on the sea, and even the airports. It forms and carries out compliance with immigration laws, punishes the illegal immigration and contraband practices of the land, and looks after border security.

c.      Emergency Management

The department prepares and responds to emergencies and disasters. This may even include:

i.                 natural disasters,

ii.                pandemics, and

iii.               other crises.

For this purpose, it employs the federal, state, and local governments for successful recovery operations.

d.      Cybersecurity

The department protects the nation’s critical information from cyber threats. For this purpose, it does the following:

i.       develops strategies,

ii.      conducts risk assessments, and

iii.     trains and collaborates with both the public and private sectors.

e.      Transportation Security

The department protects the integrity of oversees transportation systems. This includes:

i.                 airports,

ii.                seaports, and

iii.               mass transit systems.

iv.               conducts regular screenings

v.                takes proper care of the transportation infrastructure.

Apart from these duties, the Department of homeland security analyzes information from intelligence agencies and shares relevant information with law enforcement, and state, and local authorities. This creates situational awareness. It specifically enforces related policies and programs.

i.                 It protects the borders,

ii.                detects and punishes individuals violating immigration laws, and

iii.               Also controls some of the extradition treaties.

iv.               It is vested with the power to protect power plants, transportation systems, and communication networks from both physical and cyber threats.

A Deeper Look Into Major Homeland Security Laws

These are a few examples of the responsibilities and functions of the Department of Homeland Security. It is important to understand that the department takes care of it all through major homeland security laws.

1.      First of the Major Homeland Security Laws: Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

Let us talk about the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

What were its effects?

It established the position of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The DNI monitors intelligence agencies. Their functions include:

i.                 intelligence gathering,

ii.                analysis, and

iii.               inter-agency sharing of critical information to help detect and prevent national terrorist threats.

2.      Second of the Major Homeland Security Laws: The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014.

What are its effects?

This Act does the following.

i.                 strengthening of national cybersecurity.

ii.                research and development of advanced

iii.               monitoring information sharing between public and private sectors

iv.               and lastly, the overall improvement of the infrastructure combatting cyber threats.

3.      Third of the Major Homeland Security Laws: Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008

This act gave and expanded the educational benefits for veterans in recognition of their service after the September 11, 2001 attacks. I

What are its effects?

i.                 It provided financial assistance to veterans for higher education,

ii.                vocational training for the 9/11 veterans, and

iii.               other educational programs for veterans entering civilian life.

4.      Fourth of the Major Homeland Security Laws: Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018

The Act aimed to promote the effectiveness of disaster recovery efforts.

What are its effects?

i.                 It prioritized coordination between federal, state, and local bodies, and

ii.                It called for investments in resilient infrastructure for natural disasters.

5.      Fifth of the Major Homeland Security Laws: The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001

This was yet another federal law created after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

What are its effects?

i.                 It gives law enforcement agencies the power to detect and prevent terrorism.

ii.                It increases surveillance capabilities to improve national security.

 Major Homeland Security Laws: Wrapping It Up!

Apart from the federal Homeland Security Laws mentioned above, various other laws look into the establishment of national security. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 was the parent Act that established the Department of Homeland Security. It led to a unified stage for implementing security measures, border protection, prompt emergency responses, and cybersecurity throughout the USA.

The REAL ID Act of 2002 sets standards for state identification cards to prevent fraud. The Secure Fence Act set up proper physical borders on the U.S.-Mexico border to enhance border security.

Therefore, these major homeland security laws protect the United States from potential threats and ensure the safety of its citizens.

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