Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff recently announced a major restructuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  DHS will be changing how the agency handles intelligence, sets policy and manages key law enforcement operations. 

According to a DHS press release, the announcement reflects conclusions drawn as a result of the Second Stage Review, a careful study of the Department’s programs, policies, operations and structure. The Review examined nearly every element of DHS in order to recommend ways that DHS could better manage risk in terms of threat, vulnerability and consequence; prioritize policies and operational missions according to this risk-based approach; and establish a series of preventive and protective steps that would increase security at multiple levels. 

The release stated the Secretary’s six-point agenda will guide DHS in the near term and result in changes that will:  

• Increase overall preparedness, particularly for catastrophic events;
• Create better transportation security systems to move people and cargo more securely and efficiently;
• Strengthen border security and interior enforcement and reform immigration processes;
• Enhance information sharing with our partners;
• Improve DHS financial management, human resource development, procurement and information technology; and
• Realign the DHS organization to maximize mission performance.

Secretary Chertoff announced that details of new policy initiatives in these six areas will be announced in the coming weeks and months, including:  

• A new approach to securing our borders through additional personnel, new technologies, infrastructure investments, and interior enforcement - coupled with efforts to reduce the demand for illegal border migration by channeling migrants seeking work into regulated legal channels;
• Restructuring the current immigration process to enhance security and improve customer service;

• Reaching out to state homeland security officials to improve information exchange protocols, refine the Homeland Security Advisory System, support state and regional data fusion centers, and address other topics of mutual concern.

Additional information and organizational charts are available at http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/DHSOrgChart.htm.