Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency of the United States government that is responsible for protecting the country against terrorist threats and other security risks. The DHS was created in response to the 9/11 attacks, and it is the third-largest Cabinet department in the federal government.

The DHS is headed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The DHS has a wide range of responsibilities and functions, including:

Protecting the country’s critical infrastructure, such as transportation systems, power grids, and communications networks.

Ensuring the safety and security of the country’s borders, including preventing illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs and other contraband.

Responding to natural disasters and other emergencies, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks.

Investigating and prosecuting crimes related to terrorism, human trafficking, and other national security threats.

Coordinating with other federal, state, and local agencies to protect the country against security threats.

Overall, the DHS is a key agency in the federal government’s efforts to protect the country against terrorist threats and other security risks. It plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the American people.

How to prevent Trafficking? Secretary of State visits JSU for MBAT Summit – The Clarion-Ledger
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How to prevent Trafficking? Secretary of State visits JSU for MBAT Summit – The Clarion-Ledger

Every year, some 24.9 million people worldwide fall victim to human trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of State. “In the United States, traffickers compel victims to engage in commercial sex and to work in both legal and illicit industries and sectors,” according to Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking, an initiative established by Mississippi Secretary of…

Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking gather to learn to combat human trafficking
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Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking gather to learn to combat human trafficking

Every year, some 24.9 million people worldwide fall victim to human trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of State. “In the United States, traffickers compel victims to engage in commercial sex and to work in both legal and illicit industries and sectors,” according to Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking, an initiative established by Mississippi Secretary of…

Co-creating a better world by working to eradicate human trafficking
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Co-creating a better world by working to eradicate human trafficking

“Responding Together” is the theme of the 5th annual Bon Secours St. Francis seminar Watch video here. Ending human trafficking is in the hands of every individual and it begins with awareness. That’s what the organizers of the fifth annual Bon Secours St. Francis Human Trafficking Seminar believe, so they are hosting this half-day summit…

With massage parlors unlicensed, human trafficking is difficult to police
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With massage parlors unlicensed, human trafficking is difficult to police

Federal law enforcement officers have discovered illicit massage parlors in every New Hampshire county, with victims of human trafficking being forced to have sex with customers. The National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 75 victims in New Hampshire in 2021, most involving sex in illicit massage parlors and spas. Law enforcement officers say the state’s lax…

Forum tackles issue of human trafficking
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Forum tackles issue of human trafficking

Arizona Daily Star Preventing and stopping human trafficking is the focus of a free, day-long forum on April 15. The forum, hosted by the Rotary Club of Marana in partnership with Rotary District 5500 Peacebuilder Clubs, will feature people who work in human trafficking prevention and victim services locally, statewide and nationally. “Awareness, Hope, Action:…

Bons Secours St. Francis Health System Human Trafficking Symposium to take place April 4
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Bons Secours St. Francis Health System Human Trafficking Symposium to take place April 4

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System’s 5th Annual Human Trafficking Symposium will be taking place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena this year, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. The half-day of presentations will feature three experts: Ana Isabel Vallejo, JD, Mollie Gordon, MA, MD, and Cardell T. Morant. Vallejo works…

DHS and DOJ Announce Historic Guatemalan Human Smuggling Extraditions
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DHS and DOJ Announce Historic Guatemalan Human Smuggling Extraditions

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security joined the U.S. Department of Justice yesterday to announce the first ever extraditions from Guatemala to the United States on charges of human smuggling resulting in death, and the first Guatemalan human smuggling extraditions to the United States of any kind in nearly five years. This announcement…

At least 8 dead as suspected human smuggling boats capsize off San Diego
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At least 8 dead as suspected human smuggling boats capsize off San Diego

Eight people have died and several more are believed to be missing after two fishing boats capsized late Saturday near the coast of San Diego as part of what city and federal authorities suspect was a human smuggling operation.   Authorities say they received a 911 distress call about 11:30 p.m. regarding two capsized boats…

Omaha based Project Harmony's anti-trafficking team collaborates to heal survivors' trauma
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Omaha based Project Harmony's anti-trafficking team collaborates to heal survivors' trauma

Alia Conley  In a room full of friendly faces, Diamond Johnson smiled at one in particular. “That’s Angie,” Johnson nodded toward Angie Temple, a former anti-trafficking specialist at Project Harmony. “She puts up with me.” Johnson, a sex trafficking survivor now 20 years old, explained how Temple gained her trust when Johnson was scared and…

Critical farm workers often trapped, exploited – Plymouth Review
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Critical farm workers often trapped, exploited – Plymouth Review

Immigrants, most of them undocumented, now perform 80% of the labor on Wisconsin dairy farms. There is a fascinating, human story in the relationship between the Mexican workers who come here to earn money to build homes and businesses back in Mexico and the farmers who depend on their labor on Wisconsin dairy farms. I…