What Is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established in 2002 following the September 11 attacks, consolidating more than 20 federal agencies into one department focused on national security, emergency management, border protection, and cybersecurity. DHS employs over 250,000 people — making it the third-largest Cabinet department — and operates an annual budget exceeding $60 billion.

Most Americans interact with DHS agencies regularly without realizing it. When you go through airport screening, you deal with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). When you return from an international trip, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers check your passport. When a hurricane, flood, or wildfire qualifies for a federal disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates relief efforts.

DHS component agencies and what they do for you:

• TSA — Transportation Security Administration: airport and transit security screening
• CBP — U.S. Customs and Border Protection: ports of entry, border patrol, international travel processing
• FEMA — Federal Emergency Management Agency: disaster preparedness, response, and financial recovery
• CISA — Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: cyber threat intelligence and free security tools
• USCIS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: immigration benefits and naturalization
• ICE — Immigration and Customs Enforcement: immigration enforcement and financial crime investigations
• Secret Service — protects the President and Vice President; investigates counterfeiting and financial fraud
• Coast Guard — maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and port security

Understanding which DHS agency handles your specific need is the first step to getting fast, accurate help. The sections below cover the programs most Americans actually use.

TSA PreCheck: How to Apply and Save Time at Airports

TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that grants access to expedited security lanes at over 200 U.S. airports across more than 200 participating airlines. In a PreCheck lane, you keep your shoes on, leave your laptop in your bag, and keep your liquids and belt in place. Average PreCheck lane wait times run under 10 minutes compared to 20-45 minutes in standard lanes during busy travel periods.

Step-by-step application process

1. Find an enrollment center: Enrollment centers are located at most major airports and many UPS Store locations nationwide. Use the enrollment locator at tsa.gov/precheck to find one near you.
2. Schedule an appointment: Book online through the TSA website or the IDEMIA (Universal Enroll) portal. Some locations accept walk-ins. The appointment itself takes about 10 minutes.
3. Bring the right documents: You need one document proving identity (such as a driver's license or passport) and one proving U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status (birth certificate, U.S. passport, or permanent resident card). A U.S. passport alone satisfies both requirements simultaneously.
4. Submit fingerprints and pay the fee: The application fee is $78 for a 5-year membership. Renewal costs $70. The enrollment agent will collect your fingerprints at the appointment.
5. Receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN): Your KTN arrives by email and mail within 3-5 business days after background check completion. Add it to every airline loyalty account and future booking to automatically receive PreCheck screening on eligible flights.

Credit card fee reimbursement: Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and many other premium travel cards offer a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees — typically once every 4-5 years. Check your card benefits before paying out of pocket.

PreCheck vs Global Entry: If you travel internationally even once a year, apply for Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) instead. It includes TSA PreCheck automatically and adds fast customs re-entry when returning from abroad — more value for only $22 extra.

FEMA Disaster Assistance: How to Apply After a Disaster

After a federally declared disaster, FEMA can provide financial assistance for temporary housing, home repairs, medical expenses, and essential personal property replacement. You must apply within 60 days of the disaster declaration date covering your specific county or parish — applications submitted after this window are generally not accepted.

How to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

1. Confirm your area is covered: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 to verify your county is included in the current federal disaster declaration. Not every county in an affected state is always declared.
2. Apply online, by phone, or in person: The online application at DisasterAssistance.gov typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete. Phone applications (1-800-621-3362) are available seven days a week during active disaster operations. TTY users call 1-800-462-7585. In-person Disaster Recovery Centers open in hard-hit areas.
3. Gather your information before starting: Have your Social Security number, pre-disaster and current addresses, insurance policy numbers and contact information, total household annual income, a description of all damage and losses, and your bank account and routing number for direct deposit.
4. Describe losses completely and specifically: Include structural damage, appliance and furniture losses, vehicle damage, medical costs, and any lost medications or medical equipment. Incomplete damage descriptions reduce your assistance amount.
5. Cooperate with the home inspection: FEMA may send a contractor to verify damage in person. The inspector will call ahead to schedule. Missing the inspection appointment delays your claim significantly.
6. Review your determination letter promptly: You will receive a decision within 10 business days. Read it carefully to understand what was approved, what amount, and the reason for any denials.
7. Appeal within 60 days if denied: Submit a written appeal letter with supporting documentation — repair estimates, insurance denial letters, photos, or receipts — to FEMA at the address on your letter or upload through your DisasterAssistance.gov account portal.

What FEMA covers: Rental assistance while your primary home is uninhabitable, home repair funds up to $43,900 (2024 program limit), essential household items, medical and dental costs caused by the disaster, and funeral expenses for family members who died as a direct result of the disaster.

What FEMA does not cover: Losses already reimbursed by your homeowners or renters insurance, business property losses (contact the SBA Disaster Loan program instead), recreational equipment, or second homes and vacation properties.

CISA: Free Cybersecurity Tools and Incident Response for Your Organization

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is DHS's cybersecurity division. It provides free services to businesses, nonprofits, schools, hospitals, utilities, and government agencies — the same capabilities used to secure federal networks and critical infrastructure.

Key free CISA services available now

• Vulnerability Scanning: CISA scans your organization's internet-facing systems for unpatched software, misconfigured services, and exposed ports. Request this service through the CISA Cyber Resource Hub or by contacting your regional CISA office. Results include a prioritized remediation report.
• Phishing Campaign Assessment: CISA runs simulated phishing email tests against your employees and measures click rates by department. Available at no cost to critical infrastructure organizations. Results identify the teams that need the most security awareness training.
• Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog: CISA maintains a continuously updated list of vulnerabilities being actively exploited by threat actors in real attacks. Bookmark the KEV Catalog and check it weekly to guide patching priorities — federal agencies are required to patch KEV entries within 2-3 weeks.
• StopRansomware.gov: A joint CISA and FBI resource with sector-specific ransomware advisories, prevention configuration checklists, and detailed incident response guidance organized by industry type.
• Shields Up Alerts: During elevated national threat periods, CISA activates its Shields Up posture with specific technical mitigations and indicators of compromise to watch for. Subscribe for free email alerts at cisa.gov.

How to report a cybersecurity incident to CISA

1. Submit a report online at cisa.gov/reporting-cyber-incidents — anonymous submissions are accepted and protected.
2. For active intrusions, ransomware deployment, or attacks on critical systems, call the 24/7 hotline immediately: 1-888-282-0870.
3. For qualifying critical infrastructure organizations, CISA may deploy a Cyber Response Team at no cost to assist with containment, forensics, and recovery.

Even small businesses benefit from CISA resources. The KEV catalog and StopRansomware guidance are publicly accessible without any enrollment and can be used by any IT administrator or security team immediately.

CBP Global Entry: Fastest Way Through Customs on Return Flights

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that lets approved travelers bypass the standard customs declaration line entirely when returning from international trips. Instead of waiting 45-90 minutes at a busy international airport like JFK, LAX, or Miami, you use an automated kiosk that scans your passport and fingerprints and clears you in under 2 minutes. Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck, making it the better value for international travelers.

How to apply for Global Entry

1. Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account: Register at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. This is the official CBP portal — do not pay third-party sites that charge extra fees to apply.
2. Complete the online application: Fill in personal details, 5-year address history, employment history, and international travel history. Answer the background eligibility questions honestly. The application takes 20-30 minutes.
3. Pay the $100 non-refundable fee: Valid for 5 years. Most premium travel credit cards reimburse this as part of their annual travel credit benefit.
4. Wait for conditional approval: Background checks typically take 2-6 months depending on application volume. You will receive an email when conditionally approved and eligible to schedule an interview.
5. Schedule and attend an in-person CBP interview: Interviews are held at CBP Enrollment Centers located at international airports. Bring your valid passport and any relevant residency documents. The interview lasts approximately 15 minutes.
6. Receive final approval and your KTN: Approval is usually granted immediately at the end of the interview. Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) appears in your TTP account. Add it to all airline loyalty profiles right away.

Enrollment on Arrival option: If you receive conditional approval before an upcoming international trip, you may be able to complete the interview at your arrival airport after landing. Ask a CBP officer at the enrollment kiosk about the Enrollment on Arrival program — not all airports offer it, but JFK, LAX, O'Hare, Atlanta, and Dallas/Fort Worth do.

Who is eligible: U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Citizens of Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Panama, Colombia, and several other countries with reciprocal programs may also apply directly for Global Entry.

How to Contact DHS Agencies and Report Concerns

Routing your question or report to the correct DHS component agency gets you a faster response. Using the general DHS main line for TSA or FEMA questions adds unnecessary delay.

• General DHS inquiries: Call 202-282-8000 or submit a question at dhs.gov/contact.
• TSA Contact Center: 1-866-289-9673 for PreCheck status, prohibited items questions, accessibility accommodation requests, or lost and found. Online form at tsa.gov/contact.
• FEMA disaster helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (1-800-621-FEMA) for disaster assistance questions, case status, and appeals. Available seven days a week during active disaster operations.
• CISA 24/7 cybersecurity hotline: 1-888-282-0870 for active cybersecurity incidents, infrastructure threats, and requesting free security assessments.
• CBP Information Center: 1-877-227-5511 for border crossing questions, Global Entry interview scheduling, and to report smuggling or suspected trafficking at a port of entry.
• USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 for immigration case status, benefit applications, and appointment scheduling. Wait times can be long — use the USCIS online case tracker at uscis.gov/mycasestatus first.
• Report suspicious activity: Use the DHS See Something, Say Something campaign page, contact local law enforcement, or call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
• Report human trafficking: Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, completely confidential.

REAL ID: What You Need for Domestic Flights Starting May 2025

The REAL ID Act, enforced by DHS through TSA, sets minimum federal security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and IDs. Starting May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant document — or a federally accepted alternative — to board any domestic flight within the United States and to access certain federal facilities and military bases.

How to check if your current ID qualifies

Look at the upper corner of your state driver's license or ID card. A gold or black star symbol confirms it is REAL ID compliant. If there is no star, your license will not be accepted alone at TSA checkpoints after May 7, 2025.

How to get a REAL ID driver's license

1. Check your state DMV's document requirements: Every state has a slightly different required document list. Visit your state DMV website for the exact checklist before your appointment to avoid rejected trips.
2. Gather required documents: Typically you need one proof of identity (U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport), one proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub showing your full SSN), and two proofs of current state residency (utility bill, bank statement dated within 90 days, or lease agreement).
3. Schedule an in-person DMV appointment: REAL ID upgrades cannot be completed online or by mail — you must appear in person. Schedule through your state DMV website to avoid long walk-in waits.
4. Pay the replacement fee: Most states charge $10-$50 for a mid-cycle replacement card, or include the REAL ID upgrade at no extra cost during your standard license renewal.

You do not need a REAL ID if you already have: A valid U.S. passport or passport card, Global Entry card, permanent resident card, enhanced driver's license (available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington state), or active military ID. Any of these is accepted at TSA checkpoints without a REAL ID-compliant state license. Choose the option that is most convenient given documents you already carry.