Careers
Homeland Security and Justice
Our Work
Recent Accomplishments
Ongoing Projects
Key Contacts
Our Work
Called the greatest challenge facing the United States at the beginning of the 21st century, homeland security has fundamentally reshaped government priorities and altered numerous federal, state, and local programs and citizen behaviors. In 2002, Congress created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the primary mission of preventing, reducing vulnerability to, and aiding in recovery from domestic terrorist attacks. DHS’s efforts to effectively secure all modes of transportation; land, air, and sea ports of entry; and our nation’s borders, as well as enforce immigration laws within our borders, are critical to adequately protecting and securing the homeland.
The Homeland Security and Justice team assists Congress by researching and analyzing issues in both the homeland security and justice areas. We communicate our research results through briefings, written reports, congressional testimonies, and meetings with members of Congress. We are in frequent contact with congressional staff, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and other federal law enforcement agencies. In conducting our work, we use a variety of analytical techniques, including surveys, statistical analyses, modeling, structured interviews, file reviews, and direct observations.
Recent Accomplishments
- Addressing the challenges of immigration reform.
- Prompting the saving of over $300 million from the cancellation of the Transportation Security Administration’s CAPPS II Program.
- Assessing the federal response to security threats on board commercial aircraft.
- Strengthening oversight of passenger and baggage screening operations.
- Strengthening federal oversight of surface transportation security.
- Improving catastrophic disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Improving strategic planning in the National Capital Region.
- Improving the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Facilitating the sharing of information critical to homeland security.
- Strengthening maritime transportation security at home and abroad.
- Improving Coast Guard resource and acquisition management, particularly regarding replacement of its Deepwater fleet.
Ongoing Projects
- Reviewing the implementation progress and challenges facing DHS.
- Assessing the capabilities of federal officials to prevent unauthorized immigrants from entering the United States.
- Reviewing the security of the U.S. freight rail system.
- Reviewing commercial vehicle security efforts.
- Analyzing the passenger and baggage screening operations, staffing, and technology used at airports.
- Examining domestic and international maritime port security efforts, such as cargo container inspections.
- Assessing efforts to improve federal emergency preparedness.
- Reviewing the sharing of homeland security information among federal agencies and between the federal, state, and private sectors.
- Reviewing federal and state efforts to address major crimes, such as human trafficking.
- Reviewing alien detention standards, removal guidelines, and factors affecting asylum outcomes.
- Reviewing child support payments under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.
- Assessing the implementation of federally mandated bilingual voting assistance requirements.
Key Contacts
Managing Director: Norm Rabkin
Directors: Cathleen Berrick, Steve Caldwell, Bill Jenkins, Eileen Larence, Rich Stana
Phone: (202) 512-8777
Mailing Address:
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Homeland Security and Justice
Room 6153
441 G Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20548