Introduction
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created in 2002 to protect the United States from the catastrophe of terrorist attack. Since its establishment, the homeland security has worked diligently to fulfill its mission of ensuring public security, border security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, and immigration and customs. However, over the past years, the homeland security has found itself at the crossroads. The emerging new threats and challenges have been perceived by some as evidence of a dysfunctional department that is ineffective in protecting the country. These challenges have raised questions of whether or not Department of Homeland Security has been effective or ineffective in its responsibilities. However, there is no record of major terrorist attacks that have been witnessed since the creation of the Department of Homeland security. This leads to the conclusion that the DHS is effective in its responsibilities and what is needed to address the challenges it faces to enhance its effectiveness ( Apaza, 2016).
Effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security in its Responsibilities
The Department of Homeland Security has been effective in its responsibilities. It has been able to minimize the occurrence of terrorist attacks on the American soil and improve the public security. It has improved cooperation with agencies at state and local levels, it has accomplished new levels of interagency coordination, and has started the process of integration of private sector into the enterprise of the homeland security. It is important for people to recognize and acknowledge their constant vigilance and hard work in providing protection for the nation ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2017).
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Examples of achievements made the by Department of Homeland security include it has increased their defenses against terrorist threats from across the world such as adjusting to conquering the changing dynamics of terrorist tactics, enhancement of historic aviation security, tough new measures of vetting and screening. Additionally, the homeland security has made huge steps in ensuring safety against the emerging threats from transnational criminals, foreign adversaries, and rogue nations. Moreover, the Department of Homeland security is focused towards implementing President Trump’s security agenda. Furthermore, the DHS has effectively responded to the devastating western wildfires and historic hurricane season that affected the lives of approximately 25.8 million people. The homeland security has taken major steps to tackle the national risk in an assertive way, boosting the cyber defenses, and protect the critical infrastructure of the country ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2017).
The department has focused on enforcing policies that have contributed to their efforts in making the nation secure and remaining committed to fulfill its mission of protecting Americans from foreign and domestic threats. For instance, the DHS has been working to implement the immigration laws, enhancing the border security of the country, and promoting a system that is merit-based. Various progress have been made in execution of these policies in order to be able to fully protect the nation. Immigration policies have be able to make the American communities safer, secure, and improved economy ( Gosz, 2015).
The questioning on the effectiveness of the DHS was facilitated by the occurrence of the 9/11. The people felt the department was unable to prevent the attacks that led to deaths of many people across the country among other damages. The DHS has been confronted by a number of new threats and challenges that has put its effectiveness in jeopardy. These challenges have promoted the need to evolve the missions, structures, and priorities of the department in order to effectively tackle the issues confronting it and enhancing its efficiency. Addressing the challenges affecting the Homeland security is one of the difficult challenges to address because it is entrenched in politics and rooted in pervasive complacency and over-centralization ( Gosz, 2015).
The effectiveness of the homeland security can be improved by developing the right type of the homeland security, which involves the one that is efficacious and enduring. Providing a better guide to the future is what is important than focusing on the past failures of the Department. The recommended solutions to the problems confronting homeland security include developing a framework that will empower authorities in local and state levels to meet their responsibilities for responding effectively to disaster and counterterrorism activities. Also, adopting an approach that is realistic, honest, and fair to use in enforcing immigration, which acknowledges the local and state authorities as partners in promoting security. Additionally, the current programs and policies should be addressed to enhance preparedness and resiliency. This can be achieved by overhauling the process of administration of the homeland security grants and declaration of the federal disasters. Moreover, proper maintenance of key counterterrorism tools to ensure they effectively articulate the way intelligence operations should work at all levels to fight terrorism. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Transportation Security Administration should reform its mission to devolve its screening responsibility at the airport and to establish the aviation security policy ( Sennewald & Baillie, 2015). Therefore, these solutions would contribute significantly towards improving the effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security it executing its responsibility of protecting Americans against terrorists’ attacks.
Conclusion
The Department of homeland security has been criticized for being ineffective in executing its responsibility. The arguments have been facilitated by the emerging new and challenges that have been viewed as evidence in its failure to effectively carry out its responsibility. However, it is evident that the DHS has achieved most of its responsibilities of protecting the country against terrorist attacks. There are no record of terrorism activities since its inception that has made the society safer. Therefore, it is important for the DHS to be acknowledged for their efforts and vigilance in protecting the nation and address the challenges that affect the effectiveness of the DHS in executing its responsibilities.
References
Apaza, C. R. (2016). Integrity and accountability in government: Homeland security and the inspector general . Routledge.
Gosz, J. R. (2015). A critical analysis and study of fusion center integration and utilization in contemporary homeland security and law enforcement operations (Seminar Paper). University of Wisconsin, Platteville, WI .
Haddow, G., Bullock, J., & Coppola, D. P. (2017). Introduction to emergency management . Butterworth-Heinemann.
Sennewald, C. A., & Baillie, C. (2015). Effective security management . Butterworth-Heinemann.
