Editing Homeland security (section)

{{for multi|the United States Cabinet department|United States Department of Homeland Security|the NBC television film|Homeland Security (film)}}
{{short description|United States notion of safety from terrorism}}{{Use American English|date=January 2019}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}{{Law enforcement in the United States}}

'''Homeland security''' is an American [[national security]] term for "the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against [[terrorism]] and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive"<ref name=":0"/> to the "national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the [[United States]], reduce the vulnerability of the U.S. to terrorism, and minimize the damage from attacks that do occur."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42462.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42462.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=Defining Homeland Security: Analysis and Congressional Considerations|website=fas.org|page=8|date=January 8, 2013}}</ref> According to an official work published by the [[Congressional Research Service]] in 2013, the "Homeland security" term's definition has varied over time.<ref name=":0"/>

Homeland security is not constrained to terrorist incidents. Terrorism is violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature. Within the US, an all-hazards approach exists regarding homeland security endeavors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism |website=fbi|title=Terrorism}}</ref> In this sense, homeland security encompasses both natural disasters and man-made events.<ref name="Introduction to Homeland Security">{{cite book|last1=McElreath|first1=David|last2=Jensen|first2=Carl|last3=Wigginton|first3=Michael|last4=Doss|first4=Daniel|last5=Nations|first5=Robert|last6=Van Slyke|first6=Jeff|title=Introduction to Homeland Security|date=2014|publisher=CRC Press|location=Boca Raton, Florida|isbn=978-1439887523|page=10|edition=2nd}}</ref> Thus, the domain of homeland security must accommodate a plethora of situations and scenarios, ranging from natural disasters (e.g., [[Hurricane Katrina]], [[Hurricane Irma|Irma]]) to acts of terrorism (e.g., [[Boston Marathon bombing]], [[September 11 attacks]]).<ref>{{cite book|last1=McElreath|first1=David|last2=Jensen|first2=Carl|last3=Wigginton|first3=Michael|last4=Doss|first4=Daniel|last5=Nations|first5=Robert|last6=Van Slyke|first6=Jeff|title=Introduction to Homeland Security|date=2014|publisher=CRC Press|location=Boca Raton, Florida|isbn=978-1439887523|pages=6–10|edition=2nd}}</ref>

The term came about following enactment of the [[Homeland Security Act]] of 2002 and reorganization of many U.S. government civil agencies effective March 1, 2003, to form the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] (DHS) after the September 11 attacks, and may refer to the actions of that department, the [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs]], or the [[United States House Committee on Homeland Security|United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security]].

The term "Homeland security" is not to be confused with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In its February 15, 2001 report, the U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century, said the United States must change how it operates in the area of homeland security. The report recommended the creation of what was ultimately called the Department of Homeland Security."{{cn|date=May 2021}}

DHS was formed by the Homeland security Act of 2002. The term, homeland security, is not the same as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS is an executive  branch agency.<ref name="Homeland Security Law"/> The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Homeland Security are both legislative bodies, and thus are clearly distinct from the executive agency, DHS. The actions of these two legislative bodies are not the same as actions of DHS.

[[Homeland defense]] (HD) is the military protection of U.S. territory, sovereignty, domestic population, and critical infrastructure against external threats and aggression.