Has the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Outlived its Usefulness?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to be scrutinized for its inability to meet its mission mandate as outlined by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 This study looked at two of DHS's most important functions-intelligence and emergency management. Problems that constrain DHS's ability to play a relevant role in the intelligence community stem from limitations imposed on the organization in the early phase of creation; the missed opportunity of adding the Federal Bureau of Investigation to its organizational structure; and the poor relationship it has with state and local fusion centers. FEMA presents a similar set of challenges whereas the agency has served as an independent organization for much of its existence. Including FEMA in the DHS merger has downgraded the agency's ability to prepare and respond to all-hazards. The call is to reestablish the organization as a stand-alone agency with direct links to the president. DHS's inability to effectively perform two of its most important tasks requires lawmakers to review their 2002 decision and decide if an organizational change is in order. They may find that the way forward for DHS is to downsize and refocus its mission on border security.