Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Guide
The Homeland Security Act (Public Law 107-296) transfers 22 agencies and programs from eight departments into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Act also required the President to submit to Congress a Reorganization Plan for the DHS, which was submitted November 25, 2002.
DHS Secretary Tom Ridge announced January 22, 2003 that the “initial headquarters” for the Department would be in NW Washington DC. According to a Washington Post story, “the U.S. Naval Security Station at Nebraska and Massachusetts Avenues…serves as the department’s national, round-the-clock command center. The gated, 38-acre Naval…facility, is five miles from the White House and blocks from Vice President Cheney’s residence, [and] houses 32 buildings, including the Navy’s global computer and telecommunications systems command.”
On January 24, the DHS became the 15th Cabinet-level department and launched its official public website: www.dhs.gov
REORGANIZATION STEPS: BY JANUARY 24, 2003
Establish the Office of the Secretary
Appoint, or transfer pursuant to the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, officers to fill the following positions (subject to Senate confirmation):
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
Responsible for assisting the Secretary of Homeland Security in fulfilling the Department’s mission of preventing terrorist attacks; reducing the vulnerability of the U.S. to terrorism; minimizing the damage and assisting in the recovery of terrorist attacks which do occur; carrying out all functions of entities transferred to the Department and ensuring that functions not directly related to homeland security are not diminished or neglected; and contributing to efforts to halt illegal drug trafficking.
Gordon England (Secretary of the Navy) nominated November 25, 2002 and confirmed January 30, 2003.
Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection
Responsible for overseeing the National Infrastructure Protection Center, National Communications System, Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office, National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center, Energy Assurance Office, and Federal Computer Incident Response Center and for administration of the Homeland Security Advisory System. Section 201 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Frank Libutti (Head of the NYPD’s counterterrorism unit) President Bush will nominate Frank Libutti as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection.
Under Secretary for Science and Technology
Responsible for advising the Secretary of Homeland Security regarding research and development (R&D) and for formulating a national policy for coordinating non-defense efforts with respect to, identifying, and developing countermeasures for weapons of mass destruction and other emerging terrorist threats. Section 302 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Charles McQueary nominated January 10, 2003.
Charles McQueary was confirmed on March 19 as Under Secretary for Science and Technology.
Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security
Responsible for preventing the entry of terrorists and instruments of terrorism into the U.S. by securing the borders, waters, ports, and transportation systems and for establishing national immigration enforcement policies and priorities. Section 402 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Asa Hutchinson (Administrator of the DEA) nominated November 25, 2002, and confirmed January 23, 2003.
On January 30, 2003, DHS Secretary Tom Ridge announced a modification to the reorganization plan for the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. In order to ensure improved border security and at the same time facilitate the flow of legitimate commerce and people, the Directorate will be divided into three bureaus:
- the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (new);
- the Bureau of Border Security (defined in the Homeland Security Act of 2002) will be renamed the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
- and the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services will remain as defined in the Homeland Security Act.
Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Responsible for establishing national immigration services policies and priorities; reports to Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Section 451 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Eduardo Aguirre Jr. (Vice Chairman and First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States) nominated February 6, 2003.
Eduardo Aguirre Jr. is the Acting Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), was appointed by President Bush in February of 2003. White House Personnel Anouncement, March 11, 2003
Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Responsible for managing the federal response to major disasters and terrorist attacks; building a comprehensive national incident management system; and developing and providing interoperative emergency response communications technology. Section 502 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Michael Brown (Deputy Director of FEMA) nominated January 10, 2003.
Under Secretary for Management
Responsible for the management and administration of the Department, including budget, procurement, human resources, IT, and transition. Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Janet Hale (Assistant Secretary for Budget, Technology, and Finance at the Department of Health and Human Service) nominated December 18, 2002.
Janet Hale was confirmed on March 6 as Under Secretary for Management.
Appoint officers to fill the following positions created by the Homeland Security Act (not subject to Senate-confirmation):
Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis
Responsible for identifying and assessing terrorist threats to the homeland and evaluating threats in light of actual and potential vulnerabilities of the homeland; ensuring the Department has access to necessary information; ensuring data-sharing; disseminating information as needed to deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks to all levels of government and the private sector; and coordinating with the intelligence community.
The President intends to appoint Paul J. Redmond of Massachusetts, to be Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Redmond currently serves as a consultant to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection
Responsible for assessing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities of the U.S.; developing a comprehensive national plan for securing key resources and critical infrastructure; and providing technical assistance to state and local governments, federal programs, and the private sector.
The President intends to appoint Robert P. Liscouski of Virginia, to be Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Liscouski currently serves as the Director of Information Assurances at the Coca-Cola Company. He also currently serves as a member of the Intelligence Science Board.
Privacy Officer
Responsible for ensuring that technologies employed by the Department do not erode privacy rights and reporting annually to Congress on activities of the Department that affect privacy, including complaints of privacy violations. Section 222 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Director of the Secret Service
Responsible for overseeing the Secret Service’s dual missions: protecting the President of the United States and investigating financial crimes.
Brian L. Stafford is the current director, appointed March 4, 1999, but will retire in March 2003. W. Ralph Basham (Chief of Staff at TSA) was appointed as Stafford’s successor on January 8, 2003.
Chief Information Officer
Responsible for overseeing information technology and security in the new Department and preparing recommendations and policy to ensure IT security throughout the federal, state, and local governments and the private sector.
Steven I. Cooper (CIO at the Office of Homeland Security) appointed January 7, 2003.
Chief Human Capital Officer
Responsible for ensuring that all employees of the Department are informed of their rights and means of recourse.
The President intends to appoint Ronald J. James to be Chief Human Capital Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
Chief Financial Officer
Responsible for the budgetary and financial aspects of the Department.
President Bush announced on March 3 his intention to appoint Bruce Marshall Carnes to be the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Department of Homeland Security. He currently serves as CFO at the Department of Energy.
Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Responsible for reviewing and assessing information alleging civil rights and civil liberties abuses by employees and officials of the Department. Section 705 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
President Bush appointed Daniel W. Sutherland on April 16, 2003, to be the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Director of Shared Services
Responsible for the coordination of resources for the Bureaus of Border Security and Citizenship and Immigration Services, including information, records and file, and forms resources management. Section 475 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
Responsible for assisting individuals and employers in resolving problems with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and identifying problems and proposing changes in the administrative practices of the Bureau to mitigate identified problems; reports to the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Section 452 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Director of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency
Responsible for administering the Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Homeland Security Technologies, to support basic and applied homeland security research, advance the development and deployment of critical homeland security technologies, and accelerate the prototyping and deployment of technologies which would protect security vulnerabilities.
Establish, within the Office of the Secretary:
Office for State and Local Government Coordination
Responsible for overseeing and coordinating activities of the Department related to state and local governments, including providing state and local governments with information and technical assistance and developing a communications process between state, local, and federal government. Section 801 of the Homeland Security Act describes this office.
Joshua Filler was appointed to run the Office for State and Local Government Coordination three weeks ago, “although department officials made no public announcement of the decision” Filler said in an interview on April 2, 2003.
Office of International Affairs
Responsible for promoting information and education exchange between the U.S. and foreign nations; identifying areas for foreign expertise assistance in homeland security; and coordinating with other federal entities responsible for counter-terrorism. Section 879 of the Homeland Security Act describes this office.
Office of National Capital Region Coordination
Responsible for coordinating activities within the Department related to the National Capital Region, including cooperation with state and local governments in the region. Section 882 of the Homeland Security Act describes this office.
On March 9, 2003, Michael Byrne, became the first Director of National Capital Region Coordination for Emergency Response for the Department of Homeland Security.
Establish, within the Directorate of Science and Technology:
Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency
Responsible for funding and pursuing research relevant to the detection of, prevention of, protection against, response to, attribution of, and recovery from homeland security threats and acts of terrorism. Section 307 of the Homeland Security Act describes HSARPA.
Establish, within the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security:
Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Originally named the Bureau of Border Security, this bureau was restructured in a change to the reorganization plan submitted January 30, 2003. It contains the enforcement and investigation arms of the Customs Service, the investigative and enforcement functions of Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Federal Protective Services. It will employ approx. 14,000 individuals: criminal investigators, employees for immigration and deportation services, and Federal Protective Service personnel. Customs’ air and marine enforcement functions and assets will be transferred to this bureau. The bureau will be led by an Assistant Secretary. Section 442 of the Homeland Security Act describes this bureau; a DHS fact sheet describes the changes.
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
Announced January 30, this new bureau is responsible for facilitating the movement of goods and people across U.S. borders. It will encompass approx. 30,000 employees from the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program, INS inspection services, Border Patrol, and Customs Service. The Commissioner of Customs will head the bureau.
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Responsible for establishing national immigration service policies and priorities. Section 451 of the Homeland Security Act describes this bureau.
Department of Homeland Security Facts for March 1, 2003
“In order to unify the chain of command and allow key immigration, customs and agriculture officers and inspectors to take their direction from only one manager, INS will transition into DHS under three separate components: The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP).”
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Washington Post, March 6, 2003: “The Immigration and Naturalization Service moved to the new Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003, and is now known as Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.”
Director of Shared Services
Responsible for coordinating the resources of the Bureaus of Border Security and Citizenship and Immigration Services, including IT, records, files, and forms management. Section 475 of the Homeland Security Act describes this position.
Transportation Security Oversight Board
Responsible for overseeing and approving TSA regulations; the Secretary of Homeland Security serves as Chair of the Board.
REORGANIZATION STEPS: MARCH 1, 2003
Transfer to the DHS:
Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office
CIAO’s mission is to assess U.S. risk exposure, educate the public about critical infrastructure protection, and coordinate legislative and public affairs in infrastructure assurance efforts.
National Communications System
NCS’s mission is to assist the government with telecommunications and the coordination of planning for security and emergency preparedness.
"National Communications System Joins Homeland Security Department" ARLINGTON, Va., March 10, 2003 — “After a nearly 40-year relationship with the Department of Defense, the National Communications System became part of the Department of Homeland Security March 5 during ceremonies at the Defense Information System Agency’s Skyline 7 auditorium here.”
National Infrastructure Protection Center of the FBI
NIPC’s mission is to warn, assess, respond to, and investigate illegal acts that threaten critical information infrastructures. The Computer Investigations and Operations Section (CIOS) will not be transferred.
"Department of Homeland Security Facts for March 1, 2003" “Add the intelligence elements of the Coast Guard as “agencies within the Intelligence Community” alongside CIA, NSA, DIA, elements of the Department’s Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, and others.”
National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center
NISAC’s mission is to support critical infrastructure protection through policy analysis, mitigation planning, education, training, and crisis assistance. NISAC is a public/private partnership cooperatively run through Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories.
"Department of Homeland Security Facts for March 1, 2003" “Add the intelligence elements of the Coast Guard as “agencies within the Intelligence Community” alongside CIA, NSA, DIA, elements of the Department’s Directorate for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection, and others.”
Energy Assurance Office
EAO’s mission is to deny the use of energy resources as a terrorist or enemy weapon and to protect the U.S. against significant energy disruptions.
Federal Computer Incident Response Center
FedCIRC’s mission is to deal with computer security issues affecting the civilian agencies and departments of the federal government.
U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard’s homeland security mission is to protect U.S. ports and waterways from terrorist threats.
Admiral Thomas H. Collins is the current Coast Guard Commandant.
"Coast Guard Joins Homeland Security Department" (Wednesday, February 26, 2003) WASHINGTON (CNN) — Amid precision drills and military pomp, the U.S. Coast Guard came under the jurisdiction of the newly created Department of Homeland Security Tuesday, part of a unification process that represents the largest government reorganization since the Truman administration.
U.S. Customs Service
Customs’ mission is to monitor the flow of goods across U.S. borders, by investigating / inspecting people, vehicles, and cargo within and outside the U.S.
"President Bush Marks Launch of Department of Homeland Security" (February 28, 2003) WASHINGTON (AP) — Among the agencies it will take over are the Secret Service, Coast Guard, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Customs Service and the Transportation Security Administration.
Transportation Security Administration
TSA’s mission is to protect U.S. transportation systems from terrorist threats. TSA was established in November 2001 as a result of the September 11 attacks.
Immigration and Naturalization Service
INS’s mission is to maintain a safe, free, and efficient flow of people across U.S. borders by analyzing and identifying individuals who pose a potential threat to national security. In order to unify the chain of command and allow key immigration, customs and agriculture officers and inspectors to take their direction from only one manager, INS will transition into the DHS under three separate components: The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
Department of Homeland Security Facts for March 1, 2003 “In order to unify the chain of command and allow key immigration, customs and agriculture officers and inspectors to take their direction from only one manager, INS will transition into DHS under three separate components: The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP).”
Federal Protective Service
FPS’ mission is to provide a safe environment in which federal agencies can fulfill their missions by combating terrorism, violence, and crime in the workplace.
Office for Domestic Preparedness
ODP’s mission is to assist state and local governments in responding to and managing terrorist attacks against the U.S. ODP trains and provides equipment to state and local jurisdictions and first responders. Section 430 of the Homeland Security Act discusses this office.
Department of Homeland Security: ” As of March 1, the Office for Domestic Preparedness transferred from the Department of Justice in to the Department of Homeland Security. Assistance to state and local jurisdictions in the form of risk and needs assessments, equipment grants, training, exercise support and technical assistance will be the program’s top priorities.”
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
FLETC’s mission is to provide high-level training to local, state, federal, and international law enforcement personnel. Training areas include counter-terrorism, financial and computer crimes.
Import and entry functions of the Secretary of Agriculture
These functions include agricultural import inspection activities under the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act, Sec.1 of the Honeybee Act, Title III of Federal Seed Act, the Plant Protection Act, the Animal Health Protection Act, the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, and Sec.11 of the Endangered Species Act. Section 421 of the Homeland Security Act describes these functions.
U.S. Secret Service
The Secret Service’s mission is to (1) protect the President and other designated individuals, locations, and National Special Security Events; and (2) to investigate and enforce laws relating to counterfeiting and financial crimes.
Transfer to the Directorate of Science and Technology:
From the National Nuclear Security Administration: the chemical and biological national security programs and activities and the nuclear smuggling programs and activities within the Nonproliferation and Verification Research and Development Program, and the nuclear assessment program and activities of the assessment, detection, and cooperation program of the International Materials Protection and Cooperation Program
The mission of NNSA programs is to prevent and reverse the global proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, by developing and using technology to detect proliferation and protecting or dismantling weapons, materials, and infrastructure.
Life Sciences Activities related to microbial pathogens of the Biological and Environmental Research Program
The project’s mission is to develop biotechnology solutions for energy, the environment, and bioterrorism defense.
Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The mission of ASCR is to develop computational and networking tools for scientific research. It is also responsible for the Laboratory Technology Research subprogram in the Office of Science, which supports a public-private partnership of high-risk research in the natural sciences and engineering.
National Bio-Weapons Defense Analysis Center
The mission of the National Bio-Weapons Defense Center, which will become operational in the new Department, is to develop ad coordinate countermeasures to terrorist attacks using weapons of mass destruction.
Environmental Measurements Laboratory
EML’s mission is to provide technical assessments of radiation and radioactivity relating to the environment, nuclear nonproliferation, and other national security issues.
Transfer to the DHS / EP&R Directorate:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s mission is to plan for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from local and national disasters.
Integrated Hazard Information System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA’s mission is to research and gather data on the oceans, atmosphere, space, and sun. NOAA manages environmental satellites and information services. The Integrated Hazard Information System will be renamed ‘FIRESTAT’ in the DHS.
National Domestic Preparedness Office of the FBI
NDPO’s mission, like that of the ODP, is to provide federal assistance to state and local first responders in planning, training, and equipment necessary to respond to a conventional or non-conventional incident.